In ancient Roman mythology, there is a god of doors and gates, a god of endings, transitions, and beginnings, a god of that threshold between what was in the past and what is to come in the future. Our month of January, the first of the new year, is named after this god Janus. He is commonly depicted with two faces, one looking ahead and one looking behind.
Like the Roman god Janus, as we approach the new year, we can look behind us to reflect upon the year that has passed and look forward to the coming new year. During this transition, it’s a great time to pause and check in on your life’s journey, adjusting as needed to align with your purpose and passion in the world.
Reflecting on the year 2024
Before moving forward into the new year, first take time to say good-bye to the past one. When you acknowledge, honor and reflect upon the past year, it will clear the space for you to invite in all that you want to manifest in the new year. Here are 4 steps to guide you.
Review each month
Schedule a quiet time for you to review each month in the past year. Notice what comes to mind and the thoughts and feelings that arise. Jot down notes in a journal, if you’d like. Don’t dwell on any specific situation. Simply bring it to mind, accept it and then let it go. If you can’t remember details for a certain month, accept that too and move forward.
Release
After your review of each month, release what you’re holding onto that no longer serves you. Consider attitudes, habits or beliefs that you don’t want to take into the new year. Write them down. Create a symbolic ritual, if you’d like, by burning or ripping up the paper and allowing the contents to be transformed into a new energy like compost for your life.
Forgive
From your review, recall any situations with others that still hold tension. Do you need to forgive that person or yourself to move forward? Forgiveness is not condoning the action that was done but freeing yourself from attachment to it. Release it by offering forgiveness to the person or yourself and create more space in your life for joy in the new year.
Be grateful
Remember all the people who supported you throughout the past year. Think of the many accomplishments you had and moments you shared your gifts with others. Recall times that brought a smile to your face. Express your gratitude for all these moments. Write or draw them on paper that you can keep in the new year.
Taking the time to reflect upon the last year of 2024 will help you to learn and grow from your experiences, release what you no longer need and enter the new year with renewed energy and eager anticipation of what will come.
Keep an eye out for our next blog post for guidance on opening the door to the new year 2025 with consciousness. Happy New Year!
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