History and Traditions of a New Year
Let me first start out this article by wishing everyone a Happy New Year! As you are all aware we are early in January of the year 2026. It is typically a time for doing reflections on the previous year, what we did right, what we did wrong, things that worked as well as things that may not have gone according to plan and reflecting upon all the good times that we had with loved ones, friends, brothers and companions. The start of the New Year is when the majority of individuals look forward to turning the page and creating new ideas, plans or resolutions to improve their lives or achieve specific goals. The tradition of observing and celebrating the New Year goes back well over four thousand years originating with the Babylonians. Their new year (Akitu) began with the new moon after the vernal equinox (1) . Other cultures celebrated the New Year at various times throughout the solar cycle. For Egyptians and the Phoenicians, the New Year began with the autumnal equinox (September 21) (...