The Importance of Symbolism in the New Year

(Photograph by Annie Spratt)

“Love is a symbol of eternity. It wipes out all sense of time, destroying all memory of a beginning and all fear of an end.” ~ Unknown

I love the tradition of New Year’s Day. Once a year we all get this powerful symbol of new possibilities. If you choose to view it that way, it becomes a moment where you can symbolically wipe your current slate clean, much like a baptism or rebirth, you feel you can begin anew. It is a time to reflect on what you have learned in the past and turn toward the hope of the future. A symbolic ritual to help process through and become unstuck in your life, releasing you from past hindrances and allowing you to move forward toward what you want to become or manifest in your life. The New Year, along with its resolutions, can seem cliche to some. I argue, there is power in the symbol – and in it, an opportunity.

Symbolism of Lessons Learned Over the Past Year

One way to create a symbol for the joyous, challenging, sometimes painful and the meaningful things we learn each year is to design a beautiful container for events that happened in your life that help you learn and grow.  As each year comes to an end, set aside time to reflect and write down what you learned in that year that you are grateful for, no matter how painful the experience. Date and fold the paper and put it into the box. It is valuable to spend time opening ones from the previous year to remind yourself of your continued growth.

Symbolism of Letting Go

Just before the New Year is a perfect time to crank up the fireplace or fire pit. It feels mesmerizing to sit near its warmth and watch the flickering light. Set aside time to sit there and reflect on what you would like to let go. Identify something you continue to hold on to that is holding you back or keeping you stuck in your life. Write it down on a piece of paper. Meditate on your readiness to let that thing go. Then carefully place the paper in the fireplace. Feel yourself letting it go as you watch it burn and disappear.

Symbolism of a Vision Board/Altar

Vision boards and Altars are powerful symbols for our intention for the New Year. You can create them for health, love, happiness, wealth and so on. Meditate on the things you want to manifest in the coming year. Create a vision board or altar with pictures, trinkets, and affirmations – whatever resonates with you to bring this particular thing into your life. Put it in a central place where you can gaze upon it each day. Be aware of inspiration and opportunities presented to you during the year to help you manifest your vision.

Symbolism of Love

The beautiful symbol of love is constant and eternal. It takes you to your higher self and gives you perspective on your life. The saying, “You are where you are meant to be,” is based on and emanates from love. It allows you to be in your unique journey at your speed and in your own time.

Love is also a symbol you extend out to others. To remind yourself we are all connected in common humanity. Love is a symbol that contains hope for peace and a better world ~ something our world could use a lot of right now.

Happy Holidays and Blessings for a More Peaceful, Joyous, Healthy and Prosperous New Year.

Brave hearts. Honor your courage. Honor your knowing.