Here we are: 2026 has begun, and chaos seems to reign supreme. Hardly surprising, perhaps — but you may be wondering why Blaise declared this “the Year of the Witch” when it already feels so much like 2025.
Let’s address the elephant in the room. 2026 begins a new nine‑year era, and with it comes the promise of transformation. Change, however, is rarely instantaneous. Think of a milestone birthday — turning 20, 30, or 40. You don’t wake up the next morning feeling a decade older, but subtle (and sometimes not‑so‑subtle) shifts begin to ripple through your life. The same is true here: the new cycle has begun, even if its effects take time to unfold.
Is January 1st the “real” New Year? You may have seen social media posts questioning whether January 1st is truly the New Year. For witches — and many ancient peoples — the year begins at Samhain (Halloween for newer witches). In Eastern traditions, the lunar New Year marks the turning. Other cultures have celebrated on different days altogether. So which one is right?
The truth is, all of them. Dates hold power because people believe in them. Correspondences are manifestations of our collective intention. When millions imbue January 1st with meaning, it becomes a liminal threshold, charged with energy whether or not it aligns with the Witch’s Wheel.
2026 itself is not a “witch designation.” Historically, it was referred to as 2026 AD — anno Domini, “in the year of the Lord.” Today we often use CE (Common Era), but the numbering system remains rooted in Christianity.
Can such a system serve witchcraft? Absolutely. When someone asks your birth year, you answer within this shared framework. Over eight billion people agree upon it, and that collective resonance gives it power. That’s how correspondences work.
Red carries the intention of love, fire, and passion because people believe it does — and because its intrinsic qualities reinforce that belief. As witches, we don’t require symbols to be “intrinsically witchy.” What matters is resonance, both collective and personal.
Thus, January 1st holds magick. It is the first day of the first year in a nine‑year cycle of transformation. And transformation, as we know, requires patience.
One of the most transformative days on the Wheel of the Year is approaching: Imbolc. A time to clear out the old and make space for the new. A time for coven initiations, blessings of seeds, and celebrations of returning life.
Over the next few weeks, I’ll be exploring Imbolc traditions and practices — weaving together history, ritual, and modern resonance.
In closing, thank you for being here. I’ve been delighted to see the subscriber list grow and the views increase. I would love to hear your thoughts: on New Year’s Day, on correspondences, or on your plans for Imbolc. Share them in the comments, and I’ll weave your insights into future posts.
May the first flame of the year kindle renewal in your heart.
Blessed Be.
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