As a witch, I’ve been reflecting on my intentions for the coming year and it made me curious about others. What are your New Year’s resolutions as a witch? Are you focusing on deepening your practice, protecting your energy, learning new things, or finding better balance spiritually and personally? I’d love to hear what you’re calling in for the new year. 
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Merry Meet Gabairiz,
I have had a trying decade (coma…) and a bad 2024 (daughter unexpected death of cancer, watched her die, daily, for 5 weeks). I am now “waking up” from the last 10 years. My accident was Nov 30 of 2015. So, this year, because of the death of my daughter, I delved back into the craft. I had fallen away for about 40 years. Boy, has that made a difference!!
So, for my “new years resolution”, I have decided to pursue my writing by reviewing my grant writing process and working to write grants for animal shelters. I’m also thinking about a book of chants and spells. I’ve already had some poetry published a few times since 1977. So, that is the “earthly” goals for this year, and spiritually, I wish to become more proficient and comfortable with my tarot. As for my current path, on the “witchy way”, things seems to be moving alright and I am not aiming for anything major on that front, just gonna plug along.
Merry Part and thanks for making us take a good look at what we wish for this coming year. Lady Gene 
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I set mine on the winter solstice, keep it relatively abstract, and will focus on seeing energy and serenity in the coming year. Most other things like creativity will naturally flow from there. It appears that this year, I’ve only taken note of the negative. Which is why, despite my productivity, it almost feels like a lost year.
Are you planning any new year’s rituals to go with your resolutions?
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My sincere condolences. I admire the way you’ve found strength in your bereavement. May the stars shine on both you and your daughter. 
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Merry Meet Lady Gene,
Thank you so much for sharing such a deeply personal and heartfelt journey. I am truly sorry for your loss, and I hold you in compassion and respect for the strength it has taken to walk through such profound grief. It’s inspiring to see how you are reclaiming your path, both creatively and spiritually, and channeling your experiences into meaningful work that will help others—especially animals in need.
Your writing goals sound beautiful and purposeful, and a book of chants and spells feels like a natural extension of your long-standing relationship with poetry and the Craft. I also love your intention of deepening your connection with tarot; there is something very grounding about allowing that relationship to unfold gently and organically.
I set my intentions around the solstice as well, keeping them meaningful but flexible. As a ritual, I’m doing the 13 wishes/petitions—burning one each night—which has felt very grounding and reflective for me. One of my goals for the coming year is to deepen my spiritual connection and possibly connect with a deity, allowing that relationship to unfold naturally.
I really resonate with what you shared about noticing the negative; sometimes growth happens quietly, even when it doesn’t feel that way. Wishing you a year filled with renewed energy and serenity.
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Mine is simple as always and after walking the path for 40 years I will continue to go deeper into my studies and continue to learn new things and relearn things I’ve forgotten.
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For decades I have looked at the New Year as the last day of Yule which represents to me rebirth. My practice is utter silence on my part. I begin on December 31st around noon and go at least 24 hours without uttering a word or sound. I use this time to listen to Existence and the Energies within. Many things can be learned if one is not always focused on what they want to express. This is much more difficult than it may seem. When living in active and verbal environment it is difficult not to make a single utterance. Belching and flatulence seem uncontrollable. The overall goal is to experience, learn and more fully understand the energies of Existence. After all this is the time of Rebirth.
Merry Morning Severin,
What a magnificent idea…..listen to the cosmos 
all day. I LOVE IT!!! Have a wonderfully silent Dec 31. I would love to do this, however; living with 4 grown men, I think it might be impossible.
Merry, Magnificent, New Year Silence 
Lady Gene
I don’t really do NY resolutions, but I guess in some way I have, as I looked for a forum to sign up to where I can ‘feel at home’ and connect with others, especially with the intention of making me more active that I have been in the last few years.
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Red, “tag, you’re it”
….no, I’m not stalking you. I do not really do resolutions either, however, I started at the Witches New Year, November 1…to make some changes/resolutions. Working on it.
Lady Gene 
I am of a vintage where tag is played at a very slow speed,
Oh 
I am enjoying the Pagan Grimoire so far - far more relaxing that other places I have visited.
Just wanted to let you know that you are an inspiration to me. Thank you for hopefully, guiding me back to my path which I lost; You mentioned issues which I am struggling with. I would appreciate your advice. I decided to be chronically depressed and can’t talk myself out of it- I refuse to take accountability and have an excuse for not being happy; insisting on blaming the choices I made to gain acceptance for right and just reasons, although losing myself in the process. I would appreciate your input. And- wow- thank you for being an animal advocate and actually making a difference.
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Fantastic Friday Naglione,
I have a husband with chronic depression and a daughter who was severe bi-polar. I cannot really address your issues from a “real” standpoint (I do not quite understand depression). I can only explain how I see it from the outside. I think you have much of it figured out
So, the question is: how can you kick yourself in the 
AND take accountability for your own actions (allowing yourself to be depressed)? It starts with you “decided” to be depressed, so you can DECIDE to NOT be depressed. It seems hard, but stop dwelling on what is “wrong” (we all have issues, the secret is in how we deal with it), because something will always be wrong. This is not LEAVE IT TO BEAVER, this is real life!!! I do not suffer from depression, but I did suffer for over 50 years, from the “why me” syndrome. Why did this/that, happen to me? I have come to realize, my issues of “fairness” actually stems from the US Declaration of Independence !
What? your thinking. Here goes, the Dec. of Ind. says that “all men are created equal”–as a child I took that literally, since I am a bi-racial bastard, I was never treated “equal” (yes, you know who you are….you’re not pure either, so don’t judge). So, I was always upset at the treatment I received from everyone (trying to be choked by a jump rope walking home from school, then being beat by your mom, for ‘getting caught’….yeah, fair, and wonderful experiences). Now, after many traumas and a bazillion years, I have realized that ALL of us are NOT treated equally. So, I had to get my head out of my , and realize that all is NOT fair. So, I had to “decide” to not be angry anymore at things that I had no control over (other peoples attitudes). It has made a world of difference, within the last year. (I have only really changed within the last year..long story, not here). You are the ONLY one who is in control of your responses (listening to that inner voice). Therefore, if you do not wish to be depressed, STOP. Look at your thinking. If you do not take accountability for your happiness, who will? It is not anyone’s “job” to make sure that you feel okay. Sorry, I know this is hard to hear. But, it is the truth!! We all have issues, I do not believe in medication for every problem that arises. Hopefully, the Craft will help you to move forward. That is how I was able to “let-go” of all the bad memories and hate/hurt that I felt. The craft helped to “live in the moment” NOT the past.
Again, so sorry, maybe not what you wanted to hear. But, I have dealt with seriously mental ill, ex-husband, mother-in-law, and daughter. I know there is a way out, but you have to be willing to work at it yourself. It is NOONES fault!!! Things happen, and everything is not always perfect. Does not necessarily mean anything is WRONG, just not ideal. We all have to learn how to deal with disappointment; I think that is the basis of depression, disappointment. Disappointment with spouse, job, kids, parents, work, social status, housing….take your pick….we are disappointed, and try to look for a reason so that we can find the solution so that we can “fix” it. But, is anything broken? No, we just want it OUR way. So, to sum it up, I believe depression is rooted in our narcissistic selves. We have to learn how to deal with disappointment and reality, then we will not be depressed.
Wow….long one (post)—Wishing Mental Wellness!!! Lady Gene
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Thank you for your help. I know I have to figure this out on my own. Please know, you are helping. You summed up 6 months of therapy in one post. I have to remember my path. Thank you for sharing.
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