The New Year already here?

Here's to a new year everyone! It's already arrived for Aussies and those in Eastern Asia! And, personally, the Winter Solstice kind of marks it for me! It's the time the darkest night passes and, however slowly, and with whatever cold ahead, the days length and I feel a sense of renewal.

I haven't studied when and why the new year has happened to certain places and cultures. I'm familiar with the lunar calendar having a different new year, but it's led by the moon, definitely not the sun and solstice. Though at least it has an astronomical reasoning.

This is definitely something to look into! For myself for sure, but maybe to others.

As always, I'm curious. Have you researched the new year timing? Do you celebrate on your own schedule? I'd love to hear it all! For now, I can admit I'm not a fan of the US new year hoopla and I prefer those I've spent in Japan, with friends or family, and preferably at a temple to literally "ring" in the year (they clang the huge bell at larger temples).What have been your favorites?