New Year’s Meditations 2025

As we say farewell to the calendar year of 2024, we leave behind a host of experiences which have shaped us and helped us understand ourselves in very profound ways. While it is true that our current construct of each month is more a product of the Roman Empire and of the church, it still has some bearing over our psychology and social relations.

The Winter Solstice is probably the “true” energetic New Year as it represents the birth of the solar seed within our darkest psyche, as it begins to return to more prominence in our physical environment. This turn over in our calendar is still a product of the Winter Solstice festivities, including Saturnalia, where we honour our intentions, our inner flame and the sacred harvest of blessings from the Gods. So, it may be just another day but we can also celebrate the cycle of renewal and cleanse our bodies and minds in the rituals we find attracted to.

On this New Year’s Eve of 2024, I thought I would pull three cards in a short reading to see what we are leaving behind, where we are currently, and what may be coming up so that we can take steps to stay proactive and positive. As a side note, just as I was preparing for this reading, I was playing Francisco Guerrero’s Alma Redemptoris mater, and my dog who was on the sofa sleeping, suddenly starting singing along with it so beautifully. I thought, that’s a good sign.

The passing of this year seems to be felt as a welcome relief after some pressing and challenging matters could have been occupying us. With The Devil card representing what we are leaving behind, we could be saying goodbye to some form of oppression and the feeling of being caught in something “sticky” or uncomfortable. This could have been about meeting deadlines before the holidays, being in an environment that you couldn’t quite leave readily, being around someone that seemed to have a hold on you, or simply feeling heavy and stuck.

This can be a card about confusion as it represents the illusion of having no choices. This is the realm of mundane matter and where we lose contact with the light and what brings us true meaning. There may have been a need to be skillful, as acting rashly may have had us running in the wrong direction.

One of the keys out of The Devil’s influence is to realize where one is and to recognize the illusion of being trapped. The hold over us is actually not very strong. However, it can feel magnified because of various aspects relating to our self-worth. Once we tune into our awareness of our surroundings, we should be able to make adjustments and restore some balance. Often, this can arise simply out of a prayer to Spirit to show us the way forward. While this may seem like a simplistic solution, our desire to connect to Source is an energetic step in the right direction.

As we see an oppressive influence subside, a very healthy new creative impulse seems to be borne out of a desire for a fresh start. The Artist card is one specific to this deck. It is described as a “vessel of creation… signifying a need to open to the knowledge that is available if you stop and set aside the distractions of the human condition and listen.”

This is a welcome shift and one that is giving us an opportunity to understand what is healthy for us. Being an artist can be about being in that flow of inspiration and of vision. If we have a glimpse of our lives, the way we wish it to be, we can refresh our desires so that we find more alignment with what we want.

It’s like we open up a portal to a new landscape and we pour into it all our visionary energy. It can be a vision board, reciting our intentions for the future, and setting aside some time to be in meditation. If we can find some good opportunities for being creative in this way, it can have some very positive results, specifically regarding where we want to be in the coming weeks and months.

Staying connected and spiritually “warm” will be important for us. The 5 of Pentacles is showing us that we need to pay attention to our physical and spiritual health as we may be in some cold situations or environments. There is a warm spot for us by the fire but we will need to take ourselves there by giving us that which we need for nourishment. This may require a bit of planning, say for tucking away an emergency fund or for putting aside time each day for spiritual connection, in whatever way you feel is best expressed for yourself.

This card is showing us what we need. It will help tremendously to find a little time to do things that connect us to wisdom, the light, and anything that nurtures us. When we do this, we put ourselves on the path that is guided, even if we don’t have all the answers. Finding joy in our lives and nourishing the loving bonds in our relationships will also go a long way in helping ourselves and those around us feel supported.

Let us light the warm fire of Spirit so that we are always under its providence and guidance, for then, we can never go wrong and never be led to what is oppressive and unhealthy. The path is lit for us to follow.

Affirmation: I place myself in the glow of Spirit’s grace, in the warmth of that mystical light which illuminates my path to all things vibrant and healthy. May I be inspired by visions and may I be led there through the blessings that I humbly receive.

Thanks for reading, and I wish you a wonderful week!

Daniel Palmo

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