New Year, New You: An Experiment in Magical Radical Transformation

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2012-11-08










Yeah. . .She's not this classy. Trust me.

I'm reposting this because it's getting to be that time of the year for starting to plan how awesome you're going to be in the new year. You can definitely do this course in a self-guided manner and all the prompts are now posted here. My muse and I have an on-going disagreement of sorts. Well. I do. She is indifferent as usual to my thoughts and feelings. She clomps into my bedroom, heels in hand, cosmo and cheese fries on her breath.

She (poking me hard): Hey. Get up.


Me: What? It's bedtime and we're not talking friends --


She: Whatever. I have an idea.


Me: Your ideas are disorderly and often inconvenient. I'm going back to bed.


She: No, you're not. I'm going to keep poking you in your brain pan until you listen. Are you listening now? Are you listening now? Are you listening now? Are you listening now? Are you listening now? Are you listening --


Me: JESUS CHRIST, I HATE YOU!


She: So it goes like this.


So, you're supposed to be, like, magicians, occultists, witches in the woods and the kitchen and on the soccer field, right? Workers of wonder. Dream weavers. People who get shit done. Isn't this the year to make your own luck? You're feeling especially awful with the nights that never end and run over by the holidaze and you can't drink joie forever before needing a meeting. So now's the fucking time. Don't wait until that stupid glitter ball drops and you're already making drunk and/or sentimental mistakes, start now. Start now when it's hardest. Start now when you feel so weighed down with emotions better left to glittery and not so glittery vampires and when you feel like you could sleep forever. Now is the time you need to wake up. Get up, get up! Don't miss this moment. Create magics great and small, mundane and mystical. Find everything you've been looking for, mysteries revealed in every form of divination and song and when you fuck it up, when you are too tired to try, bring each other up from bloodied knees to get back up smiling. You are all made of stars and you have stardust in your veins. Do something about it.


Here is what you'll do. You'll write prompts. You'll explore. You'll fall down. Sometimes you'll lay there awhile, finding things under rocks that you never wanted to know. They'll pull you back, using yarn, glue, cajoling and stern words. You'll keep sewing yourself into who you'll want to be and you'll tell them, sometimes too much, because that's your way and what's needed. You'll find how far you can really fly when you've made wings to carry you and be breathless from your accomplishments. Besides your words, you'll give something made from your hands.


Here is what they'll do. Form a community of tealight hearths and stories high bonfires. They'll whisper their stories, spirials of success and failure. You'll learn from each other, make each other laugh, piss each other off. You'll get things done together and alone. You'll be afraid together, so knees up.


Comments:


Goal Evaluations, Two Years On | Jack-a-Dreams
2013-12-18 04:05:26
[…] long after I started this blog, Deb started her New Year, New You project and challenged people to come up with goals for the new year that we could work on, both magically […]

Katie K.
2012-11-08 17:44:05
I took a look back and saw my progress from the start of the project until now, thank you again for doing all of this.

Christopher DeGraffenreid
2012-01-19 00:47:27
I thought I would join this endeavor. If nothing else it'll make me blog more often.

http://sorceryandspirit.com/

Deborah Castellano
2012-01-12 23:27:09
Gotcha both Lyn and Katie!

Lyn Thurman
2012-01-10 18:21:36
Oh, I'm late but your button is up on my blog. Count me in, Deb!

Katie K.
2012-01-10 16:42:45
oh heyyy: I added the button too!! another entry :)

Leatheraven
2012-01-06 17:09:09
It took a while, but I'm all in!
Melissa

http://leatheraven.livejournal.com/94982.html

Sister Krissy Fiction
2012-01-04 19:14:19
Alright. I'm late. I'm fashionable. But I've joined the party!

http://wp.me/p1Scr3-1k

theforestwitch
2012-01-02 21:47:21
A few weeks behind, but no biggie! I'm so in! :) Button's up, and first post is made!

http://theforestwitch.wordpress.com/2012/01/02/new-year-new-you/

Hannah
2012-01-02 00:14:11
This is a great idea, I'm definitely joining!

http://thesilenceofthemoon.blogspot.com/2012/01/new-year-new-you-blog-challenge.html

Forest Rose
2011-12-30 23:29:30
As usual, I'm late to the party. I'll try to play catch up. ~blush~

http://rosethornhill.blogspot.com/2011/12/new-year-new-you.html

Deborah Castellano
2011-12-30 20:27:42
@ Mari - Welcome to the Experiment! I could be particularly dense, but does your blog allow comments?

Kyndyl
2011-12-30 19:06:17
posted on my profile and will be on my dw account too

http://morgwensraven.dreamwidth.org/
http://morgwensraven.livejournal.com/

Foxy
2011-12-30 15:25:40
I"m game! I went a step beyond and made an entirely new blog for this project. I've been meaning to re-vamp my writings for a while and this is the perfect kick in the robes.

http://pvwitch.blogspot.com/

Mari Adkins
2011-12-30 15:08:49
i'm going to give this a try and see what happens. also tweeted about it for you.

http://mariadkins.com

MG Ellington
2011-12-30 03:00:01
http://xjenavivex.livejournal.com/645367.html

It is friends locked but you have access under your LJ username.

If any of the other participants want access, just email me at [email protected] and I'll figure out something.

witchinthesuburbs
2011-12-28 14:44:11
Hi, I'm here finally - hope I'm not too late, better late than never, right?
http://witchinthesuburbs.wordpress.com/

Thanks to you & your muse for being the big kick in the arse I needed.
x

Serenity Raven
2011-12-27 12:16:54
I love this idea. I am late too but would still love to participate. http://getoffyourbroom.blogspot.com/

Aradia
2011-12-26 17:50:31
So, I am late to the party, but I'm in! Have added the button to my brand-new (and barely formatted) blog, and discussed the project in my intro post:
http://diviningbelle.blogspot.com/2011/12/intro-inconvenient-priestess.html

I plan to get through the prompts I missed in the next few days - I love this idea!

Pallas Renatus
2011-12-26 12:59:40
Not quite sure how I missed this, but I'm so in! Added the button to my blog, and did an introductory post here: http://pallasrenatus.blogspot.com/2011/12/on-new-year-new-you-experiment.html

Willow Silverhorse
2011-12-25 20:58:33
Ok, here's the deal... I'm so digging this idea that you have going! And I'm definitely joining, but I'm not joining with Confessions of a Country Witch... I've actually started an all new blog, and it's kinda funny that you have this around the same time, because my new blog is all about a new beginning for me! So... if you give me a few seconds (maybe minutes because I switched to wordpress like a dum dum and have a small idea of how to work it) I will add your party button to my blog. I was also hoping maybe you have the time to drop by my new blog and see if it's something you would be interested in following as well... thanks for the new party, and for being an amazing YOU!

http://motherearthsarms.wordpress.com

destaphiton
2011-12-22 05:32:49
I was tempted to participate but I delineated my reasons not to over at

http://destaphiton.blogspot.com/2011/12/its-tempus-eversionis-again.html

;)

Lux
2011-12-21 08:48:14
I finally decided to get aboard!

http://jeweledlotus.blogspot.com/2011/12/new-year-new-you.html

Wren
2011-12-21 03:50:59
Done!

http://rebisraven.blogspot.com/2011/12/new-year-new-you-challenge-accepted.html

Jennifer
2011-12-20 22:01:27
I'm all about this and thank you! Here is my link and i will be adding your button to my site in the next few minutes!

http://www.confessionsofakitchenwitch.com/

Avalon
2011-12-19 15:40:45
Hi there. :) Nkyinkyin linked me to this and it sounds like where I'm headed, so I posted a little something.

http://signoftheunicorn.com/2011/12/new-year-new-you/

nkyinkyin
2011-12-19 04:43:01
<a href="http://nkyinkyin.dreamwidth.org/9211.html>late to the game</a>, but it appears that i was already playing. ah, synchronicity, what would i do without you?

Lilith
2011-12-17 23:35:42
Reviving my blog and joining in! I was blogging mainly in Slovak, English is not my mother language, so forgive if it sounds funny sometimes, but I'll do my best and will translate the entries as well as I can!

http://lilithsowlnest.blogspot.com/2011/12/for-year-and-day.html

Rose Weaver
2011-12-17 17:39:40
I've finally written my entry for this project which is a terrific idea!

New Year, New You

michaelseblux
2011-12-17 02:54:09
Alright, I'm game. Sign me up over at The Digital Enchiridion

http://michaelseblux.wordpress.com/2011/12/16/new-year-new-you/

Monsignor Scott Rassbach
2011-12-17 00:20:48
This is a great experiment, and I'm ready to go. Got the image up, and have done a post.

Good luck to us all!

http://eighthsermon.blogspot.com/2011/12/new-year-new-you.html

ximeragrey.com
2011-12-16 23:54:57
Discovered this site through RO and Jason Miller. I only recently started blogging. Would love to participate though!

I blogged about New Year, New You, and I added the button to my sidebar.

http://ximeragrey.com/2011/12/16/new-year-new-you/

Peeps
2011-12-16 21:39:58
Delurking to join. Something like this has been poking at me recently, so how could I not?

http://paganpeeps.blogspot.com/

Unknown
2011-12-16 20:51:59
Unlurking to join the challenge. First little bit here:

http://witchybook.livejournal.com/133713.html

Elerah
2011-12-15 22:26:37
I'm limping in too!

http://agreenbranch.wordpress.com/2011/12/15/a-new-year-a-new-you/

Looking forward to it

snaegl
2011-12-15 15:24:34
One last straggler coming in...

http://snaegl.wordpress.com/2011/12/15/new-year-new-you/

Great idea! I'm looking forward to seeing what folks do with this.

birchtreemaiden
2011-12-14 20:16:11
There is also this one:

http://birchtreemaiden.wordpress.com/2011/12/14/new-year-new-you-goals/

polyphanes
2011-12-13 23:43:01
Done and done!

https://digitalambler.wordpress.com/2011/12/13/new-year-new-you/

Was just introduced to your blog by this spreading through the blogosphere. Wonderful idea!

Chrys
2011-12-13 22:57:27
Blogg'ed!

http://qotcpcf.livejournal.com/1325564.html

This works well with the fact that my Level One Diagnostic may be a matter of months rather than weeks. Also, making magic beads :-)

Vagabond Anne
2011-12-13 22:32:31
Count me in! I've been enjoying your blog, and while I'm new to this magic hoo-ha, I'm glad to learn more. Here is my link: http://vagabondanne.wordpress.com/2011/12/13/new-year-new-you-new-me-new-world/

andrewbwatt
2011-12-13 21:17:09
I don't normally delve too deeply into magic on my blog. The blog is usually about teaching in a middle school rather than about magical stuff. But I am going to try this out.

Here's my link.

The ocelot
2011-12-13 19:55:11
I've been reading for a while, and enjoying your blog immensely.

This particular post was a much-needed kick in the magical pants for me; I'm in! I've added the button and blogged here:

http://theserpentandthefoxglove.blogspot.com/2011/12/new-year-new-you-new-witchery.html

And yes, the possibility of winning fiber prizes is a hell of a lure (grins).

ELI
2011-12-13 10:01:37
This is something I can get with.

Well, I can get with a lot of stuff. But this is especially motivating!

http://themoodytower.blogspot.com/2011/12/new-year-new-you-lets-get-radical.html

Ocean Delano
2011-12-13 01:34:46
Fantastic post, Deb! This is my first time posting to your lovely blog, but you've totally inspired me. :)

Here's a link to my post:

http://turningmagicaround.blogspot.com/2011/12/new-year-new-you-time-is-now.html

Mr Black
2011-12-12 22:00:41
Bazinga!

http://beyondchaosmagick.wordpress.com/2011/12/12/its-the-new-year-so-here-comes-the-new-you/

http://thehollowones.wordpress.com/2011/12/12/its-a-new-year-new-you-experiment/

Simon Tomasi
2011-12-12 21:36:41
Done.
http://simontomasi.blogspot.com/2011/12/new-year-new-you-sharpening-magical.html

Jason Miller,
2011-12-12 20:33:19
Ok, I am on board

http://www.inominandum.com/blog/?p=616

Rufus Opus
2011-12-12 19:38:10
I'll play!

http://headforred.blogspot.com/2011/12/new-year-new-you-im-in.html

Satyr Magos
2011-12-12 19:20:38
This is absolutely brilliant. Count me in.

Initial post up along with image/link in side bar.

http://journeythroughtheobsidiandream.blogspot.com/2011/12/new-year-new-you.html

Deborah Castellano
2011-12-12 17:07:49
You all rock my socks! Thank *you* for making this a reality! I've started a spreadsheet to keep track of all entries.

Jow
2011-12-12 16:33:46
Done and done.

http://jow-amagesblog.blogspot.com/2011/12/new-year-new-you.html

Katie K.
2011-12-12 02:49:58
I LOVE YOU SOOOO HARD!
Also, I'm blogging this.

birchtreemaiden
2011-12-11 17:56:57
Done and done!

http://birchtreemaiden.wordpress.com/2011/12/11/new-year-new-you-taking-part-in-an-experiment/

Looking forward to playing with you and whoever else jumps on this train. :-)

Hanshishiro
2011-12-11 16:51:44
Hello,
Long time lurker, first time poster.
I have made a post on my blog about this experiment, and I'm going to find out how to add this button.
You can check here :
http://diem-et-noctem.blogspot.com/2011/12/new-year-new-you.html

Bea
2011-12-11 15:25:00
Button added and introduction made. Thank you so much for this, this project could not have come at a better time!

petoskystone
2011-12-11 13:59:41
Button added, & a brief note about why the button has appeared. I choose Wednesdays for 'updates'....but that's as far as I've gotten. My muse in the coffee cup beckons...

jackwren
2011-12-11 04:20:35
I've added your button to my sidebar and I'm looking forward to your prompts. I really need a muse to kick my ass, and since mine isn't up to the job at the moment, I'm hoping yours will step in. :)

The Unlikely Mage
2011-12-11 03:42:06
Done, and thank you! This is just what I needed to hear, cause I'm nearly surrounded in RL by people who refuse to do this. Thank goodness my girlfriend is sensible or I'd crack hard.

http://theunlikelymage.blogspot.com/2011/12/new-year-new-you-experiment.html