THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

January 1, 2026

I do not make New Year’s resolutions. However, I do have certain New Year’s rituals I tend. One of these is to pay close attention to whatever image stands out in a New Year’s dream. The image that stands out this year is ginger. The dream voice said I would need to bring the “qualities” of ginger into relation with whatever I, but most particularly with my writing and teaching. My usual approach to working on such a  “command” is to begin with an exploration of the etymology and symbolism of the word. 

Etymology

Ginger does not have an Indo-European root. The earliest known reference is found in the Dravidian language of ancient India: inchi-ver which referred to “ginger root.” The word traveled through many languages as it developed, historically finding its meaning of “spicy taste” to metaphoric sense of “spic,”” with spunk,” “pizazz.” as well as referring to hair color (red in US, ginger in UK). From the etymology one gets the impression of something “fiery” and “energetic.” `I was a red head as a kid, so there may be a backward reference to things related to a younger age when I had ginger hair. 

Symbolism

The use of ginger has generated symbolism in three areas: the shape of the plant, the taste, and cultural uses. The shape of the plant has given rise to the image of “horny-body” as well as “branching rhizome.” This symbolism suggests multiplicity rather than singularity. The taste of the plant has given rise to symbols of heat, fire, circulation, and pungency. This symbolism suggests strong motion. The cultural uses of ginger have given rise to its uses in medicine, trade, ritual, and preservation. These images suggest that ginger does not refer to the “rare” or “hidden,” but to the open, common and available. In many traditions, ginger is used to “ignite” animation, spirit and spunk, arousing one from stupor and listlessness. The horn imagery is connected to masculine, strength, and potency. The rhizome associations indicate something is “arising.” The ritual uses can be seen in warding off illness, calming nerves as a prelude to engendering courage, heating the body so it can take action.

Application

All this etymology and symbolism refers to something highly energetic, moving, fiery, spirited, and potent. These are the qualities, then, that the dream voice tells me to bring to  my activities this year, particularly in connection with my writing and teaching. I take these dream voice messages as tasks and do what I can to bring the task to fruition. This is not my ego intention, but the intention of something other that speaks to me in dreams. When an intention comes from the deep psyche, it is more likely to be carried out than if it is only an ego-based resolution.