Challenging Traditions

I have never felt an affinity for New Year’s Eve or Day and my aversion to this holiday seems to grow stronger every year. I understand it’s a big cause for celebration for most of the world’s population and I don’t mean to rain on anyone’s parade, still I can’t seem to get my heart into it. I started to wonder why and did some research on its history and origins. What I think bothers me most about this holiday is that its man made and has no real connection to the natural world, it’s cycles and seasons.

In fact, it’s been changed several times throughout history. Around 2000 BC, the start of the new year coincided with the spring equinox, around March 25th. During the Roman Empire, the Julian Calendar was created and people used to celebrate March 1st as the start of the new year. Then in 1582, Pope Gregor