Tuesday, December 29, 2009

Looking out into the New Year

I will celebrate New Years Eve twice. The new year won't start on Jan 1st for me. My new year will happen on Feb 14th, according to the Tibetan calendar. This is when the Earth Ox year will end which is regarded as a year of obstacles for the ox-born ones by Tibetan tradition. I was born under the same sign, and this makes the 61st year of life a difficult year in general.

2010 will be the Iron Tiger year. It is double metal, because also the Tiger is seen as a metal animal.
Since I started observing Tibetan New Year, I had the feeling that nothing really changed on Jan 1st. So I abstained from making any promises or pledges. The feeling of a new quality to me is connected with an astronomic significance, with solstices, new moons or equinoxes. Year by year, I had the feeling that something had changed in February or the end of January, sometimes in March; maybe it was just my imagination, but the atmosphere is definitely different. From my young years, I remember the same dialogue repeated in December: "What are you gonna do on New Years Eve?" -- "Dunno. Get drunk, I guess."
Spring is a celebration without wine.

Nevertheless, we will open a bottle of champagne on New Years eve and celebrate with a guest. And I wish you all a very merry celebration and a Happy New Year.

11 comments:

Chris Gray said...

...I hope 2010 brings you joy, happiness and crativity!...

x Chris

Marie said...

Thank you for sharing the Tibetan calendar. Very interesting. I like the idea of the full moon marking a new year...even if it does not...seems fun to me. I wish you much peace, joy and happiness for 2010.
: )

jude said...

to me celebrations are more social, like parties, maybe an excuse to get drunk. ceremonies are more personal and i have those when something moves me. like spring. or a blue moon. so this year the moon and the common new year here collide. a convenient phenomenon.

pats_studio@yahoo.com said...

great post. thanks for sharing your experiences and changes. enjoy your new year celebration with J ......

Judy said...

Love,love,love your print! and of course your explanation of the Tibetan new year is very interesting. I've never been much for carousing on New Years Eve, and have often been known to head for my bed before midnight. This year we will dine in the city early with two dear friends and then perhaps watch a movie. I agree with Jude: ceremonies are more personal while celebrations are more social. I think we should all be happy that 2009 is behind us, and hope that 2010 will be better!

Happy 2010 to you Eva!!

xo

Rayna said...

We always spend a quiet New Year's eve with another couple and are asleep before midnight.
This year, it will be quieter and earlier than usual.

Hmmm...I need to go check out more about the Tibetan new year: I do not forsee a good 2010 for me and maybe I can find something that will make me hopeful things will be ok.

Rayna said...

P.S. - wishing you and Jens love, creativity, health and prosperity in the new year - whichever one you celebrate.
xo
R.

Deborah said...

Sending you best wishes for the new year.

ArtSparker said...

It's all beginnings and endings, all the time...Sometimes I get too bored or frustrated or oblivious to notice, but really, that's what's happening.

Pat said...

And wishing you.... a happy new year.

Give yourself moments of joy, days of wonder, weeks of well-being, months of happines.

Tiggy Rawling said...

Hi there, thanks for visiting my blog over the past year. I really appreciate your comments. Interesting thoughts on the New Year. When does it happen? As with everything a specific date does not tick all boxes. For me I go into deep gloom over Christmas, it stops my creative process. Coming from Scottish ancestry the New Year is more meaningful to me. The shortest day is over, the sun returns to shine into my kitchen window - all is renewed. I wish you the best for your New Year, and may all beings be happy.