New Shifts Are Coming With the New Moon & Lunar New Year
Did you start off the New Year feeling optimistic & excited, only to find life feeling heavy, chaotic, & messy? You’re not alone!
(Some New Year, am I right?)
There’s a reason for it though, and luckily, we’ve made it out of the thick of it!
Shortly after the New Year, Mars & Mercury went retrograde. Basically, communication, drive, motivation, and action all went out the window! We found ourselves in a two-ish week window of the world just seeming slow, stagnant, and just down-right frustrating! Nothing seemed to be going how we planned!
Well, that time has come to an end, my friends. Both planets are now direct, bringing about an increase in desire and action as well as more effective communication. Whew!
But there’s more good news here. Beginning this coming week, January 21, there are two more major events that will bring about a positive impact for us all.
On January 21 there will be a New Moon in Aquarius. As we know, New Moons are all about reflection and goal setting. But paired with it being in Aquarius AND Mars and Mercury now direct, this New Moon is all about asking ourselves:
What people and communities have felt nurturing and supportive?
Where do I want to put more of my time and energy?
What do I believe in, what is valuable to me, and how can I nurture that?
How can I develop and grow within myself in order to achieve my goals and desires?
Where in my life do I need to speak up more?
Where in my life do I need to take action more?
This New Moon will feel like a weight has lifted and we’re actually able to consider these questions… and then take action on them!
Curiously, the Lunar New Year falls in alignment with this New Moon. 2023 is the year of the Water Rabbit. While last year was the Tiger, all about action and, I’ll say it, impulse, this year is about slowing down, reflecting, and consciously and intentionally taking action.
You know, that whole concept of thinking before we act.
Some consider the year of the rabbit to be about prosperity and peace. The Rabbit, like the New Moon in Aquarius, is asking us to take time to reflect on what it is we’re wanting and how we can efficiently and effectively go about achieving it.
But don’t get me wrong, the entire year of 2023 isn’t just about reflection and inaction. Thankfully! It’s more about taking the time for forethought before we act, and becoming clear in what we’re creating and moving towards.
So how can you utilize the year of the Water Rabbit and this New Moon in Aquarius?
1.) Create the space
It can be all too easy to get caught up in the everyday chaos of life. Let’s be real, there are days when I don’t think I’ve even stopped and just observed my surroundings. There’s always a to do list, something to be worked on, a task to complete. We forget that the stillness and the being is just as important, if not more so at times. Especially when things have already felt chaotic, take just a few moments to be still. To breathe. And to allow your inner guidance to talk to you. And if you’re someone looking for help in creating the space or being held accountable, we’ve got you. Check out our classes here.
2.) List out your goals
You may have already done this on New Year’s Eve or New Year’s Day, however, things change, and when we’re experiencing a mercury retrograde, that usually means we’re re-evaluating what’s working and what’s not. So if you’ve noticed some shifts in those goals, now is the perfect time to reassess before moving forward.
3.) Come back to the basics of self-care
We hear self-care over and over again. Sometimes it can feel a little frustrating if you’re someone who’s already limited on time (where are my fellow moms at?). So let’s reframe this for a hot second. Let’s take it all the way down to the basic level and then you can build upon that.
Number one: water. Drink that water all day long. Carry around that water bottle like it’s your baby, your precious cargo. Trust me, you’ll feel the difference of being hydrated within that first day. And while you’re at it, throw in some electrolytes. Boom. Done.
Number two: sleep. If your work schedule is crazy, I’ve been there and I get it. But are there ways to sneak in just a little bit more? Is it possible to read a book rather than watch TV or be on your phone before bed? It can be a challenging transition, but it’s worth it.
Number three: less sugar. I’m not even saying more vegetables, eat 100% clean here. Just… less sugar. It messes with sleep, it messes with digestion, and it messes with your mood and energy levels. Start by looking at the things you eat in your everyday life and just notice any added sugars. You’d be surprised how often it sneaks in there.
That’s it! Start with those three basics and notice what happens!
Then once you’ve got the basics down, you can start adding in additional practices that resonate with you.
4.) Customize your practice
Lastly, customize that yoga practice for the Lunar New Year and Aquarius New Moon! Maybe you noticed in the last two weeks a desire to move more slowly, or a decrease in desire to practice at all. That’s totally fine and it’s amazing to be able to notice and listen to the signals our bodies are giving us. Now that we’re entering a different time, notice if that energy starts to pick back up! To complement the Lunar New Year and New Moon, try beginning your practice with some really juicy and long stretches, moving into some sun salutations to build up that heat. After that, spend some time focusing on chest and shoulder opening poses, like camel, wheel, and dancer. If you love a guided practice, check out our classes here. We’d be honored to guide you.
All in all, think of this time as a New Year reboot over here in the Western Hemisphere. The last couple weeks may have felt like upheaval and like you’re just barely treading water, but that time is coming to a close. Reflect on what you learned from it all, and insights you’ve gained, and prepare yourself for some forward movement and action as we move further into 2023!
