One thing I studied in college was Ancient Egypt. I took classes on Egyptian history, Egyptian artifacts in the Hearst Museum, and Egyptian religion.
The Egyptian calender was a few days shorter than a full year. To make their years fit with the 365 day solar year, extra days had to be added at the end of the year. These intercalary days were considered dangerous as they were outside the normal year. Since the normal calender was not in effect, the proper order and stability of things was in chaos. Malevolent spirits and forces could influence the world more than normal. There was a fear of great evil and mischief happening on these days.
On the topic of evil, or at least less than perfect things at the end of the year...
New Year's Resolutions
I don't like them; here is why.
If you make a resolution or pledge it will be as effective as what you are basing it on. Since the change of the year is nominal, any resolution made because of it will be nominally effective.
To illustrate this I will present a successful change. Consider someone who makes a pledge to give up a bad habit during Lent. If she is motivated by being a better person and getting closer to God, it has a good chance of success. The reasoning behind the action is love of God, which is very important to her.
Now back to New Year's. Unless you worship the sun and take great meaning in the change of years, December 31st to January 1st is just another night. If you were a true pagan, the winter solstice is much more meaningful and happened a week ago.
New Year's resolutions fail because they are based upon something of no importance or meaning. If you want to change your ways, do it because living a better life is important to you. If you want to make a resolution to improve you life in general, start following it when you think of it and do not wait for the calender to say it is time.
The things people come up with as resolutions are usually great ideas. They are changes worth making. However, if motivation for a habit change is as thin as a sheet of paper from a calender, it's success will be just as thin.
If you want to make a change for the better, make it for the right reason.
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