The Coming Year

The coming of the new year, more than any other holiday, brings both joy and sadness. There is an inherent melancholy; what didn't you do that you hoped to do, what actions or thoughts would you wish away, what have you lost over the last twelve months. No matter how you slice it, another year is gone forever.

But the coming of a new year also brings joy, anticipation, and excitement. What wonders will we experience this year? What will we do? Who will we meet? The road is stretched out before us. And no matter how carefully we plan, surprises are awaiting around every corner. And I think those unexpected occurrences are the underpinnings of some of our most treasured and ancient traditions at this time of year.

And wonderful story fodder.

In times past, more people sent New Year's greetings than at Yuletide. Why? Christmas is a fairly recent tradition in the grand scheme of things, and holiday greeting cards even younger. People of yesteryear were also perhaps more polite; one never knew what beliefs another had and a New Year's wish was considered "safer" than a holiday card. Nice, huh? But then they also sent blatantly Christian spring cards...we humans are a massive stew of inconsistencies. Part of what makes writing so interesting.

I have to start with the most traditional of New Year's symbols: the baby for the coming year and the old man for the passing year. They are a reminder that we too are getting older. The clock in the second card is another reminder, just in case you didn't get it.

New Year's Eve is a magical time...when the clock climes midnight one stands at the moment between what was and what will be. These next two represent that for me: a moon child and star kids.

And then there's the silly. This cat had one too many, I'm thinking.

This one cracks me up. Not sure what's going on...it looks like the dogs are throwing their kibble at the train.

Happy New Year's flight on a dirigible??? One that blows bubbles? Weird.

A popular New Year's pastime was having your fortune read.

There were all sorts of things you could do to ward off evil and bring good fortune for the next year. Below are some examples of luck inducing objects and actions: seeing spring birds, hanging a horse shoe over your threshold, bringing grapes to a neighbor, seeing winter fairies, and ringing bells to scare away evil spirits. There's lots more customs...these are only a few.

Once you've had your fortune told and done all the luck inducing actives, there is also the tradition of making New Year's wishes for oneself or others. I like wishes much better than resolutions.

Here are adults and children wishing for many nice things: toys, vacations, a sweetheart (one wistful one hopeful), not to die during the coming year (that one is creepy...check out the scythe), and of course the overwhelming favorite, gold.

There are also wishes for good behavior, a precursor to our modern resolutions, perhaps. Below we see a hope for an unblemished year, a wish for plenty but only if the receiver is sincere, and a warning not to let go of the past. That one is scary. I'll remember the past. I will. Just don't pipe me away with the rats...

The next two I chose because they are just so pretty. The first is an elegant deco woman...or is she? Maybe she's really a goddess out for a little New Year's fun. And the last one is a wonderful New Year's party outdoors... humans and fairy folk are gathering to revel in the cold night air.

You don't see the fairies? Look closer. There. I knew you could. :-)