Some people glide into the next year without any thought for the date and others celebrate with wild abandon.
And, of course, there is everything in-between.
There may be no miracles that happen as the calendar year turns from 2022 to 2023 – you are still you and your life doesn’t suddenly change, however, there is a subtle mental shift.
As we drift over the seconds of midnight whether you are awake or asleep, conscious of it or not, you will have one final 2022 outbreath and take your first inbreath of 2023.
New resolutions or intentions aren’t necessary, and yet, ceremony and ritual can bring resolution, comfort and hope for this shift in time.
Since ancient times, the use of flame has been an important feature of many spiritual ceremonies whether of religious origin or not.
However, you don’t need to have any spiritual or religious leaning to feel the comfort of a candle lighting ceremony.
It’s amazing how candlelight can transform a space. How it can offer up space for reflection with it’s comforting glow.
If you wish, take time to honour those who will not be arriving into 2023 with a candle lighting ritual.
You may wish, on the approach to midnight, to light a candle and spend a moment in time with a memory of those you said goodbye to.
For those grieving and suffering.
For all the losses that you have experienced or that have touched you.
And also honour, those special times.
The times that lit you up.
The times of personal joy.
And of collective joy.
Be present with whatever comes up for you.
If a loved one has died this year please know there is no pressure or expectation to wish away all that 2022 held for it is likely to hold some very special memories amongst the painful ones.
Let us live where we need to be, and hold on to those memories that help us through difficult times.
HELD 