I am writing and publishing this article on 7th February 2025... or am I?

Seems a straight forward enough question... yet, the answer of course, depends on which calendar you're using.

The vast majority of those reading this post will be attuned to the standard western version of yearly measurement - meaning that, to them, of course I am writing and publishing in the Gregorian calendar year of 2025.

Difference of Opinion

There are billions of people on this earth who would beg to differ with the date in question though.

I asked around - people I know, acquaintances, random people I encountered - and also clarified some answers through AI. The clarification was necessary as different sects within each group disagreed by a small number of years. AI went with what it perceived as the general consensus of opinion within such groups. 

Here's the main takeaways of opinion on 'our year of 2025'...

• The Hebrew calendar says we're now in the year 5785.
• The Tamil calendar says it's 5126.
• The Chinese believe it is 4722.
• The Korean Dangi calendar would suggest it is 4358.
• Most Buddhists believe it is 2568.
• The Nepali Calendar of Bikram Sambat says we are in 2081.
• Followers of Jainism believe it is 2080.
• The Ethiopian calendar goes with 2017.
• The Coptic Orthodox calendar proposes 1741.
• Islamic scripts say it is now 1446.
• The Persian Solar Hijri Calendar (popular in Iran, Afghanistan, etc) have us in 1403.
• The Zoroastrian Shenshai says it is 1394.
• The Sikhs using the Nanakshahi calendar would go for 556.
• The Japanese - using traditional systems of yearly measurement - would state we are in Reiwa 7.

Why Does it Matter?

For some, those who find themselves where the year has a religious or cultural significance the date of the year matters a lot. We have to keep in mind if we are looking at religion, prophecy, even the astrological wheel or trying to ascertain the dawning of a new epoch then such things matter a great deal.

For others, who ascribe to a more liberal lifestyle it probably doesn't matter at all. 

Hopefully, we can all agree that we are here, in this bodily incarnation, for but a relatively short time.  If we live for a century or more, it doesn't really impact us as a physical mortal - outside of religion/culture - if we call it the year 5785, 2025, 556, Reiwa 7 or anything else and from this standpoint it is probably only useful to be aware of the differences and to keep our minds open to the possibilities.

Not Convinced?

Hopefully the celebrations of New Year's Eve are still fresh in your memory. Alcohol-and-Haggis fuelled singing of Auld Lang Syne, fireworks by the boat-load in many western capital cities, etc, etc, all signifying the end of '24 and welcoming in 2025.

"January 1st is New Years Day!"

But is it though, really?

For instance, the British only recognised January 1st as New Years Day in the 1750s. They changed in order to accept the Gregorian calendar and to align with most of Catholic Europe.

Prior to that, New Year's Day would have been understood throughout the British Isles to be in tune with nature; i.e: the Spring Equinox.

The British Isles aren't special in this regard. Many countries dropped the Spring Equinox as a marker for new year to adapt to the Gregorian model. 

Again, this may not matter to you but if you get a quiet moment to yourself, it's worth asking your own inner-knowing...

"What makes more sense, a new year that begins in the depth of winter when everything is dark and dead or a new year that begins when all fauna and flora are bursting into new life?"

Again, the purpose of the exercise isn't to convince you that what you thought you knew is wrong, it is intended to keep you open to the possibilities.

Best wishes on your journey of self-discovery!