In January the ancient Celts (and us modern Celts, too) find themselves under the Birch Moon.

When a forested area burns, the birch is the first tree to be reborn in the ashes, and so this is the tree that hovers over the first month of a new year.

In January the Celts felt that it was important, particularly in the early part of the month, to resolve all arguments that lingered from the previous year, and forgive or pay or negotiate all debts still loitering in the ledgers of the hearts and notebooks of neighbors and kin.

January was to be welcomed without any old ties to the past. Like the birch tree, January would be a season of new growth out of the old ashes of yesteryear.

As January comes to a close, Beloved, what things in your heart need forgiving? What debts need settling?

What newness is coming to life?

-Painting by Jon Holmes