Happy new (Lunar!) year, new moon in Aquarius and enrolment for Ecoliteracy for Educators 2023 is now open!
Picking up where we left off 2 weeks ago with Lunar New Year, the Aquarius New Moon, and the next Sabbat in the Wheel of the Year - Imbolc
Briefly: Today is the last day to enrol on Moontime, myths and medicines - course begins 1 February /\ Enrolment for Ecoliteracy for Educators 2023 is now open at the Early Bird price of £360 /\ 1 week until Imbolc - how will you mark this cross-quarter day in the Wheel of the Year?
Hello there,
How’s January treating you? I hope you’re doing ok and are able to take time to rest and recharge whilst we’re still in the depths of Winter.
Lunar New Year
Today is the second New Moon after the Winter Solstice (the shortest day) which means that tomorrow (22/01/23) it’s Lunar or Chinese New Year. Happy New Year! In the Chinese Zodiac 2023 is the year of the rabbit (or cat in Vietnam) - an animal who is considered to be a Yin in terms of Yin and Yang (阴阳) as well as associated with the moon.
According to buildingbeautifulsouls.com
Chinese Rabbits are associated with the moon from where, it is said, that they gather all their special qualities. Non-judgmental, sympathetic (even eerily empathetic) and open-minded, Rabbits seem to draw a crowd of followers wherever they go, many of whom are seeking the sage advice only the Chinese Rabbit can offer.
This Chinese zodiac animal is a seeker of peace and detail oriented in the extreme. They will do everything in their power to avoid conflict and will leave not even the tiniest element of a project unfinished once begun.
Something else I learnt from researching for this newsletter edition is that there’s not only an animal assigned to each year in the Chinese Zodiac, but that these animals also cycled through the Chinese five elements of Earth, Metal, Fire, Water and Wood...
2023 is the year of the Water Rabbit. The last time there was a Water Rabbit year was in 1963!
Aquarius New Moon
On the subject of water, this New Moon (according to Western astrology) falls in the sign of Aquarius. Despite sounding like a sign which is associated with the water element, Aquarius is in fact a fixed air sign. When the moon is new in Aquarius, this is a time to re-commit to the changes you wish to make in 2023, especially those which are underscored with the intention to serve your community, strive for social justice and advocate for collective good health.
Imbolc
As well as taking inspiration from the Chinese and Western Zodiac and the moon phases, I also look to the Celtic Wheel of the Year and Tree Calendar to guide me through the seasonal cycles we experience in the Northern hemisphere. The next sabbat, or celebration, in the Wheel of the Year is upon us in just over a week’s time on 1 February and is known as Imbolc. One of my favourite Imboc rituals is to find some reeds and weave a St Bridgid’s Cross.
In my next newsletter which comes out on Imbolc, I’ll be sharing some rituals to mark this festival of the Goddess Bridgid.
Thank you for reading and New Moon blessings x
Lastly: Just to remind you that today (21/01/23) is the last day to enrol on Moontime, myths and medicines and enrolment for Ecoliteracy for Educators at the Early Bird price of £360 is available from today! Course begins on 20/03/23.