There’s something contradictory about New Year’s taking place in the thick of winter. After all, this is when bears are still in hibernation, prompting one to wonder when the real “New Year” takes place. Nature is still resting on January 1, so why do we expect ourselves to feel fully energized about our goals? Is there actually a better time of year to celebrate the start of something new?
If you’re not feeling ready to hit the ground running as soon as December 31 comes to an end, there’s a much deeper reason for that than sheer laziness. Although the pressure to tackle your goals and improve yourself feels more intense than ever, winter is actually the slowest time of year, which is one reason many of us fail miserably at our New Year’s resolutions almost immediately. If you wake up on January 1 and immediately feel like going right back to sleep, you’re actually far more in tune with the rhythms of the natural world than you might realize. Instead of feeling bad for not hitting the gym every morning, cutting out sugar, and learning tons of new skills at the drop of a hat, keep in mind that winter is for lounging, sleeping, and dreaming. Don’t expect yourself to behave like it’s spring when you’re still fully steeped in winter.
Here’s When the Real ‘New Year’ Takes Place
Although a new year technically starts on January 1, there’s a long history as to why this date is merely superficial rather than based on the cyclical energy of the natural world. Here’s everything you need to know about why there’s a much better time to celebrate the “New Year”, according to astrology:
Why Is New Year's Celebrated in January?
The date that New Year’s is celebrated all depends on where you’re located and what culture you’re involved with. For example, Lunar New Year always takes place sometime between January 21 and February 20, and Persian New Year takes place on the date of the spring equinox, which is usually March 20. There are several different reasons—such as religious, agricultural, and astrological—to support the validity of each date. But the official date celebrated in most of the world is always January 1, as this is the date established by the 365-day Gregorian calendar.
Believe it or not, celebrating the New Year on January 1 is a somewhat recent development. In the American colonies and Great Britain, the practice officially began in 1752, according to TIME. Prior to this, the date observed was March 25, which is the Feast of the Annunciation (when the Christian and Catholic world celebrate the incarnation of Jesus Christ within Mary’s womb).
Why Is the Real 'New Year' in March?
For thousands of years, the New Year has been celebrated at the beginning of spring, which is a fact not lost on spiritualists and astrologers. If you follow the cyclical transitions of the zodiac wheel, a new year always begins when the sun enters Aries, which also happens to be the moment of the spring equinox. The symbolism of spring is far more in line with the idea of starting fresh and going after new goals. After all, spring is when the ice of winter thaws, replenishing the natural world and causing new seeds to germinate, sprout, and eventually blossom. Spring is when the bears finally wake up from hibernation with renewed hunger; when the eerie quiet of winter is replaced with melodic birdsong.
It’s also important to note that Aries—the first sign in the zodiac wheel—is associated with action, direction, assertion, and motivation. It’s during Aries season that we feel energized and open to something new, ready to go after our desires like our lives depend on it. And because the natural world has been sleeping all winter long, life actually does depend on our forward movement during spring.
If you’re having trouble following your New Year’s resolutions already, let me offer you the option of postponing them until March 19 at 11:06 p.m. ET, which is the moment spring begins and the sun enters Aries during 2024. Feel free to give yourself a break and go back into hibernation until then. Wintertime demands it.
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