Happy New Year

Happy new year!

The whole shebang

When these words hit the Internet, there was one minute left in 2011 on the East Coast of the U.S. By now, we’re past that, even if only by seconds. We’re in that new chapter of the future, and people don’t call the years “two thousand” anymore. It’s “twenty” from here on out. Quicker. Fewer characters. Faster downloads.

Yeah, it’s the future, baby.

But I bet I’m not the only Burner who doesn’t feel like I live by the Gregorian calendar anymore. Burning Man has rearranged the year.

The Man in flames

Standing aboard the Crystal Ship on Burn Night, we say “Happy new year” to each other. What else can one say while the Man is burning? It’s the zero point. Reset the clock. The Man burns in 365 days. The Burner’s year ends with the summer, when the days are still long. January 1 is like its shadow.

It’s 2012 now. The Man burns in 244 days.

We count down each year to that summer night, but we name our Burns by the default calendar. Burning Man 2012. I’m sure we’ve all been thinking about this one for a while.

Love Temple

Burners are the kind of people who pay attention to Mayan prophecies, even if only to make fun of them. We like to think about time and history. We also build temples to honor the galaxy. And some of us are into aliens and what-have-you. But it’s not just us. This 2012 thing has permeated the culture. There’s no way to avoid it. This year is pivotal, even if only in our minds.

So happy new year, you dusty bunch. New Year’s Eve is the biggest party in the world. Burning Man can’t hold a candle to it. I don’t even think the comparison is a stretch. New Year’s parties, whether it’s the end of summer or the middle of winter, have their reputation for debauchery. But that’s not all there is to the Burn or the Ball Drop. On both nights, there are these moments of reverie, these still moments when we catch ourselves, and we stand by the edge of the racing river of time and fall silent.

The Trojan Horse

The solstice is past. We get a little more light every day from here until summertime. Welcome to Twenty-Twelve, my neighbors. The 27th Year of Burning Man. What do you make of it?

All photos by the incomparable Scott London

About the author: Jon Mitchell

Jon Mitchell

, a.k.a. Argus, was publisher of the Burning Man Journal, the Jackrabbit Speaks newsletter, and the Burning Man website from 2016 to 2019. He joined the Comm Team as a volunteer in 2010 and as year-round staff in 2014. He co-wrote a big story about spending 24 hours at the Temple of Juno in 2012. His first Burn was in 2008.

9 Comments on “Happy New Year

  • Jon Mitchell says:

    Thanks for everything, my neighbors. I love building this city with you. As always, if you like what I jotted down, you can lend me your ear on Twitter @JonMwords, or you can send me a message via jonmitchell.me.

    How was your Default New Year’s Eve?

    Report comment

  • Barbara says:

    My default New Year’s Eve was great, Jon! Reflective. Contemplative. Full of sleep. Thanks to Burning Man, I am still feeling freed up and like I’m part of a secret American society whose web holds me and grounds me against the onslaught of hatred, backwardness, and gratuitous cruelty toward their own people in which so many Americans are engaged here in this place where I live in isolation. Have a fantastic new year, Burners everywhere, and thanks for being your awesome selves!

    Report comment

  • Skyzer says:

    New Years always falls when the Man falls. December 31st is just another excuse to feel like shit on January 1st…hahahaha. BTW is there gonna be a theme this year or is it up to us to have our own themes in every camp?

    Report comment

  • Shade D. Jay says:

    I thought 2012 was the “Theme” is it not?

    Report comment

  • Ralph5ta says:

    hey i too was on the crystal ship indeed the burn has transformed the year with a different view and angle- hope to find and dj for you all again cheers and love in the new year-
    matt ralph

    Report comment

  • Yeah, what’s the theme Burning Man?

    My vote:

    Apocalypse 2012: Lifting the Veil

    But whatever the theme, can’t wait.

    Report comment

  • Simon of the playa says:

    Thats all fine and dandy, but more importantly, will beats antique be there now that bassnectar has jumped the shark?

    Report comment

  • Kevin Ells says:

    I believe the theme for 2012 is Fertility 2.0

    Report comment

  • phuc tard says:

    Not going this year. The Org has made such a mess of this relitivly simple process that I will spend my 2000 bucks else where.

    Report comment

  • Comments are closed.