Monday, January 04, 2010

Stepping into a new year: symbolism and reflection

Letting go to love
The beginning of a new year isn't really a time of resolutions for me. It's more of a time of reflection, planning and hope. Perhaps that's resolutions, but for me, it's a special gift of a time to celebrate, symbolize, and step into a new year.

I have this voice in my head that drives me forward but can easily overlook and drown out the amazing things I accomplish. When I look back at 2009, and the list of professional accomplishment, I'm blown away. It was a very good year and I'm so grateful for the many opportunities that found me and I them. I'm looking forward to continuing the momentum in 2010 and to continue to strive for balance, goodness, simplicity, authenticity and clarity of my own voice.

So a little symbolism was in order. First off, a meal of black eyed peas and collard greens.

Black eyed peas

The peas symbolize coins, the greens dollar bills. They are said to bring good luck in a new year. I've recently become a fan of eating greens. So easy, yum and deliciously good for you. Here we were eating collard greens.

Greens

You cut out the center stem, slice the thick leaves into long pieces, saute in a soup pot along with onion, garlic, red pepper flakes, then add a few cups of water or chicken stock, and cook for 45 minutes, covered. Season with salt and pepper, a dash of vinegar as a finish, and you have a bowl of vitamin-rich goodness. For the peas, I followed this lovely recipe.Um, yum.

Next up? Letting go of things from 2009. That voice that drives me also is too loud about the negative things that show up in my life. There have been a few, and I'm not carrying them into the new year. So onto little slips of paper, we wrote those things we're giving away to love (thus, the pink candle and symbolism: thank you Dougggie for that tip). There was also a message in there I burned for a friend a long ways away.

Things I'm letting go from 2009

Fire

I wore my especially witchy cape, lit some symbolic cinnamon incense, and let the glow of the fire warm my face on this cold, grey day. Afterward, I smelled like a bonfire, but felt lighter and in a better place for the new year.

It's going to be a very, very good new year.

Happy new year to you!

9 comments:

Bridget said...

Really happy that you gave fire to your intentions and also consumed and released the lessons of 2009! 2010 is going to be a great year!

Marilyn said...

so THAT'S why you smelled like a bonfire. ;) i've often engaged in a burning ritual like this...don't know why it didn't occur to me to do it to kick off this year...but it's not too late. if ever a year needed to be burned, it was '09 for me. :)

made a veggie chili w/black-eyed peas on New Year's Day...but i'm definitely making some of those greens today. :)

MrBrownThumb said...

Happy New Year to you too.

Metroknow said...

I once gave one of those old 6-foot satellite dishes to an artist who was constructing a solar-powered cauldron (Burning Man of course). The purpose was for people to bring old jewelry etc. to be melted down and returned to the earth, releasing the person from the "weight" of it. I thought it was a great idea.

Best wishes to you for 2010, and thank you for the hard work you put into this site. A perpetual favorite, and always inspiring, madame. Thank you!

Anonymous said...

I love this! Great ideas. :)

Best Wishes, Marie said...

i left you a message on my blog.

marie

Recovering Straight Girl said...

I made black eyed peas and collard greens on NY too. I wrote my upcoming JO column about entering the New Year, wishes and intentions. I hope you like it. XOXO

PS I still have your Holiday Gift.

Lisa said...

Those black eyed peas and greens are essential. I don't know about the luck really but they do taste great and I like cooking them. I have also become a big fan of greens in the past few years. (Who knew they could taste so good?)

I especially like your idea of letting things go. I once read a suggestion to write down your resolutions and tuck them away. Then next New Year's Day burn the past year's resolutions to let those issues go. It sounded fabulous... except for the part where I had to go outside in the cold. Maybe I should make my resolutions in the summer!

Happy New Year!

Anonymous said...

this is the way a blog should be! thanks!