Today marks the first new moon of 2023. A new moon occurs when, as Pink Floyd says, we see the dark side of the moon, or in more scientific terms, we see the side of the moon not being illuminated by the sun, which makes the moon blend in with the night sky, creating darkness.
Tonight's new moon is a particularly special one for a number of reasons:
It is the closest new moon to Earth since the year 1030. At 3:54 p.m. EST, the moon will be exactly 221,561 miles (356,568 km) away from Earth, (This is according to Timeanddate.com, which sifted through data from NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory to determine the distances of every Earth-moon distance for hundreds of years. - that's pretty cool work.)
Because of our new moon's darkness, a green-hued comet, named C/2022 E3 (Z.T.F.), may be visible to the naked eye, most definitely with binoculars or telescopes, for the first time in 50,000 years. It is from the outer solar system and made its closest approach to the sun on Jan. 12, the comet is now steadily brightening as it swings toward the Earth. C/2022 E3 (Z.T.F.) glows green due to ultraviolet radiation from the sun. The sun's powerful energy is absorbed by a molecule in the comet called diatomic carbon — thus creating two carbon atoms fusing together. The reaction emits green light. While the comet won’t pass us until Feb. 2, it is already nearly visible to the naked eye. To catch the comet, look north. On Jan. 21, the night of the new moon and thus the darkest skies, the comet will be close to Draco — the dragon-shaped constellation that runs between the Big Dipper and the Little Dipper. For anyone living above the 35th parallel — imagine a curving East-West line running from North Carolina through the Texas Panhandle out to Southern California — the comet will be visible all night starting Jan. 22. But it is relatively low on the horizon in the early evening, and it might be better to look for the comet later in the evening or even early in the morning when the comet swings higher in the sky. It is recommended to look this weekend when the phase of the moon is new, and it therefore won’t cast a glow over the sky. But the comet will become brighter as it gets closer to Earth and will be easier to spot toward the end of the month. If you wait until then, you might want to try early in the morning after the moon has set.
It marks the Lunar New Year, according to Chinese astrology, this Chinese New Year starts on 22 January 2023 and ends on 9 February 2024. The year 2023 is the Yin Water Rabbit. Fun fact - the word “moon” shares its origins with the Latin word metri, which means “to measure,” and mensis, which means “month.” The Moon is called the Moon because it is used to measure the months. The Yin Water Rabbit is symbolized by longevity, peace, hope, prosperity, harmony, and fertility. It encourages exploration of our spiritual side. Due to the fact that the Rabbit is a symbol of new beginnings, fertility, and rebirth, we may find that we are bringing something new into the world or making room for something new to come into our lives. Rather than moving forward or affirming what we already know, Yin energy asks us to keep an open mind, remain open to new possibilities, and expand our idea of what is possible. It is recommended that we keep an open mind and refrain from putting restrictions on ourselves in the form of limiting thoughts, attitudes, beliefs, and even ambitions and wishes. In Asian communities around the world, friends and family will gather over good food and good laughs, with plenty of good luck to go around to celebrate the new year.
This new moon is in the sign of Aquarius, Aquarius is an air sign, probably the most ethereal and abstract of all. Aquarius relates to a universal understanding of air values. Aquarius is represented by the Water Bearer—a figure emptying a jug of water. This gesture is meant to sweep away the past, clear away stagnant thinking that's holding us back, and make room for what's next. Ruled by Saturn and Uranus, the Aquarian superpower involves reflecting on the past while figuring out how to move forward into the future.
The Tarot card associated to Aquarius is the Star. In this image we see the water bearer pouring two jugs of water – one onto the Earth and the other into a pool. One foot is on the ground, one in the water. The woman is bare. Again, we have the idea of cleansing, being in touch with and yet not ruled by emotion. The brilliant stars, billions of miles away remind us of a wider connection to the cosmos – the wonder of the universe, the urge to answer the question ‘is it just us, are we alone?’. In the Northern Hemisphere, Aquarius season comes in the middle of winter. Think of it as a cool blast of wintry air that can help us find clarity, revelation, and sudden electrical insights. Aquarians are usually full of ideas, ready to get the big picture on a problem and figure out how we should all move forward collectively into the unknown. Aquarius says onward—into the future!
As with all new moons, it is time to manifest and release. Clear what once was for what will be. Thought-filled plans, manifesting, and creation come to you as if touched and inspired by God. Instant intuitive connections and synchronicities abound, notice them. Keep in mind the above influences that are actively participating with you and your creation of life. Recite and be open to the phrase, "Dear Universe, Feel Free to Amaze Me."
We are creating a community from one. Knowing our individual qualities brighten the world, bringing those gifts forward and sharing them to uplift the community as a whole. We are the one, the collective, breathing in the darkness to create light.
Please be kind.
Hope and light lives within us all.
xoxo
Joyce
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“I don’t understand it any more than you do, but one thing I’ve learned is that you don’t have to understand things for them to be.” ― Madeleine L’Engle, A Wrinkle in Time
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Resources:
https://www.nytimes.com/article/green-comet-watch.html
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