The time around New Year's is a season of change. Historically, winter is a symbolic season of death, to be followed by the rebirth that spring brings. The wheel of fortune that turns year long is reset to its first position. Our old leaves have been shed — not our whole selves, for our branches and trunk are still present — but those things ephemeral of what we are, some characteristics of our soul which can be variable, we can hope to change. Yes, hope: that was the meaning of the ancient festivities of winter: the hope of the warmth to come, and perhaps (just perhaps) that the changes we make bring a sunnier day.
