Thankfully I can do my spiritual thanksgiving by travelling to see and honour my family - it's convenient I know, but gathering together and celebrating a holiday together as we have since our family began all those generations ago is one big animist ritual, even though my parents don't realise it.
I will miss not seeing in the New Year at a shrine though, as I did last year. Last year was magical - the snow made you really believe in the death of the old year, but the happy faces of all the children, chattering away as they lined up to pay their respects, gave you hope for the New.
This year I think I'll get up in time to see the first Sunrise, light a cigarette (probably the only one I'll smoke in the UK) and think about all the friends and family that make my life what it is.
I will miss not seeing in the New Year at a shrine though, as I did last year. Last year was magical - the snow made you really believe in the death of the old year, but the happy faces of all the children, chattering away as they lined up to pay their respects, gave you hope for the New.
This year I think I'll get up in time to see the first Sunrise, light a cigarette (probably the only one I'll smoke in the UK) and think about all the friends and family that make my life what it is.