There is nothing like the overwhelming opportunities for renewal and reflection that New Year's Eve celebrations can bring.

Last night I bid 2014 farewell by sharing a few beers on the beach with a good friend, and we had a good view of the 'kids' fireworks that were at 9pm. We were alone on the beach to watch the sun set, but as 8.30 rolled around local residents started strolling down to the beach to get a view of the light show that was being held in town. There was so much cheer - people bidding "Happy New Year" to strangers, kids covered in glow-stick jewelry jumping out of the skins with anticipation, and just a lot of general positive feeling.

It's a unique moment as the celebration is secular, without any political trappings. It's simply the turnover of the calendar year that we work by, but as a pagan I still feel like the moment is significant - the atmosphere simply buzzes and the unified energy of people ready to let go of one period of time and summon in the next can't be denied. We danced up a storm in the shallow waters as the fireworks went off, feeling childlike and free, and just sharing in the joy of the moment. Life can be simply joyous if you let it.

I was all tucked up in bed, warm with contentment, by the time the midnight fireworks announced a new beginning. This is a fresh opportunity available to everyone. What a great time to do some goal setting or spring cleaning. I've bombed out on New Year's Resolutions with the best of them - and I sadly recalled my failure to realise some of the goals I had in 2014 - but you bet I will be recasting some of those and I really look forward to seeing what adventures, laughter and learning there is ahead!

Happy New Year! May 2015 bless you with opportunities to grow in positive directions and may you share it with the energies, souls and deities that you hold dear.