PREPARING FOR THE NEW YEAR: SOME SPIRITUAL ADVICE

There have been plenty of folx in the occultosphere offering readings for the new years ahead, to give people who want it a sneak peek at things to come in 2025. In my ATR world, we also have a big mama jamma of a reading that helps us determine which (in the case of Lucumi) Orishas are ruling this year, and what we need to do to overcome certain challenges. I am not writing this to repeat that. This post is more personal and practical minded.

I am aware that most of our traditions also have a lot of practical magic that can be done. But I am going to suggest a few simple things to do to help get your year off right. First, however, I wanted to speak a little to some big trends I see myself.

One is our health. Both physical and mental/emotional. They are going to take a hit this year, for different reasons. Number one is that it is very important to stay on top of your medical obligations. A physical is a must this year. We sometimes dread physicals, but as a Lucumi saying goes “he who knows doesn’t die like he who doesn’t know” (something like that!). Get that physical and follow through with whatever issues or advice comes up. This one was probably disappointing to some of you wanting more profound spiritual advice, or rituals to do. But going to the doctors IS a ritual!

I also recommend that, whatever path you follow, you focus more on tools that bolster, maintain and purify your health from any misfortune that could affect it. In my world, this almost always means spiritual baths, herbal cleanses, health-related teas, and spirit work/pacts to strengthen any deficits in my body. Some herbs in Hoodoo that help with this are: Self-Heal, Life Everlasting, and Eyebright (for those with vision issues). Baths made with such herbs can either draw or cleanse away. Your prayers over the herbal waters determine which way the plant allies will go.

Mentally, I recommend the herb guanabana. This herb can be ordered online, but a lot of Latin markets also carry it in dried form. It can be taken as a tea or made into baths. This herb is great for easing mental anguish, especially if you also find yourself struggling to sleep peacefully at night.

Another big piece of navigating the mental is our own attitude and behavior. This is a year that many of us will be challenged not to fall into conflicts with people over political differences. The ascendancy of President Trump, and everything that follows his wake, will also bring a lot of mental instability that will affect peoples’ behaviors around us. How we react and respond to this will make or break us this year. But in KEY areas of our life, the degree to which we are able to respond calmly and remain calm will highlight the other person’s poor behavior, and this can bode very well in certain situations.

Holding those you love closer to you this year is also very important. All the external stresses on us can definitely disrupt familial and relational harmony. Frequent communication and not giving up when that gets hard are critical to our key relationships weathering the storm of what will come at us this year. If you are honest with yourself and know that communication is not your strong point, this is a good year to get into therapy, coaching or similar modalities and improve your skillset. There is no shame in that game! There are other areas and issues that could be brought up. But the ones I am pointing to will place people in a position where they can better respond to the challenges—and blessings—this 2025 year brings.