Many years ago, I was introduced to the idea of selecting a single word for each calendar year to act as an intention, touchstone, and big-picture goal. The beauty of a single word intention is that the simplicity means multiple ways of connecting are possible.
For example, my 2023 word was “Root,” and it was a great illustration of the way that intention words can play out in different ways. 2023 took me through darkness. I lost a dearly beloved friend to cancer, my Crow-brother Caine became desperately ill with long Covid, my wonderful dog Corey died during the summer…it was a hard year. And yet, somehow, in the month of December – a month that is traditionally awful for me – I felt more firmly grounded than I had been in years. 2023 taught me many things about what I’m rooted to, where my values lie, and what happens when I must travel in the dark.
My word for 2024 was “Choice.” I was trying to be more intentional about what I committed to and where I put my energy and focus. As in many years of One Word practice, my word played out in ways I could not have predicted. I developed significant problems with uterine fibroids in spring necessitating a hysterectomy. “Choice” is a powerful word when you only have about four hours of function during the day. I had to prioritize, conserve energy, and find new ways to meet the obligations I could keep. I had to choose rest and to center the needs of my body. I learned a lot this year.
This upcoming year, 2025, is rolling in with an ugly tide here in the United States. The worst of us and his supporters have been elected to the highest office in the land and new assaults on bodily autonomy, human rights, and the rule of law are here. This will worsen once the transition of power to the new administration is complete. The despot our under-educated populace chose will continue to bring out the absolute worst in the structures of power in this country. His cult-like following in our governing bodies is empowering those whose bigotry, misogyny, racism, and hatred form their policy decisions. We are in for a very rough four years and the longstanding issues our country wrestles with remain as well: our cops continue to systematically oppress and assault black, indigenous, and people of color on a daily basis. The accelerating climate crisis is worsening. Horrific wars are playing out as I write this. It is a dark time.
On the micro level, I have two books in the hands of my publisher and some exciting speaking engagements planned in support of them. I am involved in a couple exciting projects relating to my area of magickal focus. I am scheduled to lead a Pagan and Heathen tour of Iceland in late summer with my beloved spouse. My band’s show calendar is already nearly full for festival season. I have garden expansion plans for my beautiful old haunted house. My own Pagan community continues to grow, with wonderful new leaders and teachers grabbing the torch and running with it. There is hope amidst the chaos, new growth below the muddling haze of life in these United States.
I have been sitting with all of these thoughts, with what I learned from a seriously rough year. I needed to find a word that would help me stay focused on the Work, on what will truly help get my community and I through the unfolding horror show. I had a word in mind that felt close to correct, but I wasn’t fully committed to it yet. Then a friend was discussing some of their practices around One Word selection and shared a perspective I hadn’t heard yet: “It’s a gift you give yourself for the coming year.”
That changed my ruminations. If I could give myself a gift for 2025, what would it be? What blessing could I offer myself to help make life a little brighter, a little more hopeful? What gift could help me get through when the days are hard? What focus point would return me to center?
The word appeared almost instantly:
Joy.
My word for 2025 is “Joy.”
There’s a reason that when oppressors seek to dominate a culture, they cut off that culture’s access to its celebrations. Joy is one of the engines that fuels resistance. Joy reminds us what we’re fighting for and that we’re not alone. Joy refills our depleted reserves of energy. Joy brings us together with those of like mind, deepens our connection to our closest companions, and enhances our relationship to and with our non-human neighbors. To my mind, Joy is not happiness – it is more profound than that. Joy is a powerful upwelling of connection, optimism, hope, recognition, and resonance. This year promises harsh challenges. As a Joyful Warrior, Joy is one of the shields I will carry.
Things I think Joy will look like when it is self-directed:
- Choosing and making time for activities that replenish my joy, optimism, and enthusiasm
- Savoring moments when I realize I am experiencing joy rather than rushing through them
- Prioritizing my mental and physical health in order to create a good structure for holding and generating joy
- Spending more time on spiritual practices that feel joyful
Things I think Joy will look like when it is outwardly-directed:
- Creating, supporting, and developing more activities and environments for my community that are joyful in nature
- Using my role as a teacher and community organizer to shore up, strengthen, and brighten the various groups, circles, and communities I come into contact with
- Prioritizing joy when it comes to my written work and exploring various aspects of it in my blogs, sermons, and workshops
- Connecting with and supporting other groups and organizations focused on this aspect of resilience
There are a lot of ways to anchor an intention in everyday surroundings.
Find an image containing your word, or that reminds you of your word, and set it as the background on your phone, tablet, or console.
Display your word. Write your word on a sticky note and stick it to your desk. Or, go one step more elaborate and build an entire vision board. There’s not a ton of useful stuff that’s going to happen between now and January first. Break out some old magazines, glue sticks, and scissors and make a big self-care mess. Arts and crafts will be a better use of your time than most stuff right now.
Build a playlist. I have one that I created for my “Courageous” year that I still listen to when I need to be brave.
Write an affirmation. Those of you who have studied with me personally have already most likely experienced my affirmation lecture, probably more than once. I’ll TL:DR it for you: self-talk matters. Say nice things instead of cruel ones. Here’s my Joy affirmation:
“I am choosing to cultivate joy.”
Journal. Write about your word. Think about what actions will support it and write those down too. Revisit that journal entry from time to time to help hang onto the thread on hard days.
Set some check-ins. Put a calendar notification in your device for two weeks from now, a month from now, three months from now, or even further out to check in with how you’re supporting your intention. Remember, we all fall off the wagon sometimes. Resilience is the ability to dust off and climb back on.
So, what’s the word?
Your word?
Hit me up in the comments. Let’s figure out what we most need to carry with us into a new calendar year.
If you enjoy my blogs, sermons, and articles, please consider supporting me through Patreon. Patreon is what enables me to invest time in writing, teaching and exploring the wide world of spirit. Through small monthly donations from supporters, I am able to make ends meet and devote time to this Work that would otherwise be spent at a mundane form of income generation. Here’s the link: https://www.patreon.com/glassewitchcottage
