Musings from Rosemary

For me, the last days of December and the beginning of January are always interesting times. On a cellular level, we are longing to slow down—to sleep more, to rest—yet the society we live in, and sometimes collude with, does the exact opposite.

For several decades now, I’ve felt that my New Year begins on the Solstice—well, the day after Solstice—primarily because that’s my birthday. So it truly is my New Year. By the time January 1st arrives and people are making resolutions, setting goals, and writing out intentions, I’m already ten days into my New Year reflections. For me, that is what this time of year is really about.

I reflect on what went well and what I accomplished, both personally and professionally. I look at the highlights and the lowlights. I hold this reflection through several lenses. One is the lens of my work: What did we actually accomplish? How did the work I do in the world help others and the Earth? The other lens is more personal. I reflect on my physical, emotional, and spiritual healing, well-being, and everything in between.

For the past twenty years or so, I’ve started each year with either a Solar Return, Soul Plan reading, or The Year Ahead card spread. All of these ways of looking ahead serve as roadmaps for the year. My dear friends and colleagues offer these during this season (see their links below).

This is how I hold myself accountable to my growth and goals. It also allows me to see my shadow—so I know what to look out for—and gives me the opportunity to heal the aspects of myself I may reject. I return to these readings throughout the year. Each month, I reflect on how my dreams and personal healing were mirrored in the previous month, and I look ahead to gain insight into what is coming and what potential roadblocks I may need to work through.

This is how I stay connected to my daily practices and remain aware of what is asking to be seen—what I might not have noticed before. This is how I keep pace in an authentic way throughout the year. And this is how I support myself in thriving, through consistent, grounded practices that nourish my continued healing and growth—because there is always room for improvement.

If you feel called, I invite you to pause in this moment and offer yourself a similar kind of reflection. Create a small ritual of reciprocity—light a candle, sit with your journal, pull a card, or simply offer gratitude to the Earth for carrying you through another cycle. Ask yourself what you are ready to release, what you are ready to receive, and how you might walk into this year in right relationship—with yourself, with others, and with the living world.

As we cross this threshold together, I invite you to tend your own practice of Ayni. Receive guidance in whatever way speaks to you, and commit to one grounded practice that supports your healing and growth in the months ahead, and be flexible to change the practice as needed for where you are in your present moment. I encourage you to seek the kind of support that helps you listen more deeply this year.

In inspiration and love - Munay & Ayni - thank you for reading this reflection.

Munaycha,

Rosemary

PS. Here are the resourceful roadmaps that I spoke about above:

Rebecca Auman - Year Ahead Spread

Leslie Zemenek - Solar Return or Soul Plan Reading