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January Musing from Rebecca Crichton:

An Early Entry into the Year of the Fire Horse

Remember when we would trade guesses about what sign of the zodiac a person was? There was often someone who knew enough to describe a particular set of characteristics for each sign. We may, however, be less familiar with other systems that assign personality attributes based on the alignment of the stars at their birth.

The Chinese zodiac comprises twelve animals, whose energies and behaviors are attributed to people born in a particular year. Having been born in 1942, the Horse is my animal. And even though it doesn’t technically begin until February 17, I’m getting a head start on the bold spirit and energies of the year of the Fire Horse.

As in all things of this sort, the variety of descriptions is mainly positive, with some warnings about how too much of some of those good things can show up with their shadow states.

For 2026, I am owning my equine profile and claiming it as the working theme for NWCCA. I want to remember and try to embody the concepts as described on Spiritualify:

2026 is not a passive year. We are urged to action, encouraged to be brave, and pushed to make decisions we may have postponed for too long. The Horse represents freedom, strength, determination, and the will to break through limitations. We can expect deep transformation, emotional surges, rapid shifts, and challenges that demand courage rather than avoidance. This is a year in which overthinking can hold you back, while intuitive action propels you forward.

January’s essay extolls the value of editing and how it applies to many aspects of our lives.

 
We continue our series of asking people to reflect on their life learnings. In Not a Stepford Wife, well-known activist, author, and educator Judy Pigott shares wisdom and humor as she considers what she’s learned over the decades.
 

Now that the holiday season is done, we can look forward to what comes next. We are excited about our river trip with Grand Circle Tours: The Romantic Danube. We hope you can join us for this enriching exploration of beauty and history. Ruth and I will be offering NWCCA tour members additional opportunities for creating and sharing community. 

January often leads to new learning and beginnings. I plan to harness my equine energies in the discovery of the possibilities and opportunities that will emerge in the coming months.

One of the things I want to begin the year with is an expression of our appreciation for those whose donations allow us to continue our work. We literally couldn’t do it without you.

May we all gallop ahead in 2026!
Rebecca

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NWCCA’s Collaboration with Town Hall returns in February with

It Takes a Village

Monday, Feb. 9, 7:30 PM, The Medhi Reading Room, Town Hall Seattle

Join Rebecca Crichton and members from some of the Aging in Place Villages in our region. The Village Movement helps people age in place, providing an alternative to leaving their homes as they age. Villages are community-based, nonprofit, grassroots organizations formed through a cadre of caring neighbors who want to change the paradigm of aging. It’s all about neighbors caring for neighbors! Learn why they say: “If you’ve seen one village, you’ve seen one village!”