I am sitting here in my tank top and house pants, writing you as fireworks go off all around me. It is the night before Lunar New Year and I am quiet and alone. Just a few years ago, I would’ve felt completely unsettled doing something so against the grain.
Right now, I feel right at home.
I’ve always wondered how the most boisterous, celebratory festival of the year falls on a New Moon, a time when we are all feeling the pull to be quiet and still.
This year, I am doing my best to manage energy and expectations. I guess you could say I am leaning all the way into my Aquarius placements — detachment is a godsend when you are learning to advocate for your own needs. Other Asian kids and fellow people-pleasers would understand. Sometimes, you’re so focused on the “good of the group” that you forget you’re burning the candle on both ends.
This is our first Aquarius New Moon with Pluto present. I liken this to having a badass uncle you forgot you were related to at the party. He sits you on his knee, gives you angpao, and tells you not to give a sh*t about what anyone else thinks. I like him already. 🧧
I think this might be the first year I’ve felt so empowered to truly root for myself.
To center on my own wellbeing and values, instead that of others.
It’s freaking awesome. And I wonder why I don’t do it more.
Happening at 20º Aquarius, this New Moon is occurring right above my natal Mercury in Aqua. The planet of the mind. My thoughts, communication, writing.
I think this might be the first Lunar New Year where I am thinking clearly.
Where I am not operating from a place of lack or trauma or scarcity.
I’ve attended 3 family reunions already, and turned down one tonight.
All of them were decisions made on the basis of my capacity, and my priorities.
Not fear. Or tradition. Or “saving face”.
One thing I’m really proud of myself for is saying yes to showing up for Shawn. This is the first year that his family is fracturing from their usual Lunar New Year dynamic, so there’s a bit of chaos in the air (understandable, with Uranus squaring this New Moon! ⚡️).
Shawn was asked to single-handedly handle ancestral prayers for his entire family today. Last minute. All by himself.
In the past, I would’ve just let him handle it alone.
But one priority I’ve realized recently is that I want to be a team with Shawn.
That’s a big value of mine. So, with the clarity of thought from my Mercury, I made a decision to go with him. It was smoky and illuminating and frankly, exhausting.
But we got it done. Me and him, together. Our own little family. ♡
After the prayers, I was too tired to follow him to his aunt’s reunion dinner at night. But that’s okay. I stayed home and ate pizza and watched cult classic Flipped (so good!!) and had the best time ever. 🍕
I’m learning Lunar New Year isn’t just about traditions and food and red packets. It’s about the family you choose and the company you keep and the values you uphold. The way you help each other through.
What insights are coming through for you under this New Moon? I’d love to know.
Comments for this one are open for all to reflect and connect 💋 Join our blossoming lil’ cosmic community! Happy Lunar New Year!
In the spirit of Aquarius, which rules community and the Internet, I’d like to shoutout a few of my dearest friends here on Substack:
- wrote a moving piece on relational standards and made me cry, mostly out of how grateful I am to be her friend. 🌻 Reading about how much our time together in KL meant to her is truly something else. I love you!
- celebrates her 42nd birthday and the 1-year anniversary of 💐 I felt overcome with joy reading this because I feel like I’ve been there every step of the way. Her Substack reminds me of the magic of the everyday, in the best way. Happy birthday Sheryl! Love you!
- wrote this sprawling piece about how breathwork changed her life. I LOVE a good personal story where the author pieces their life puzzle together, and this is no different. 🧩 So proud of you love!
Do we like having a lil’ rec corner here on the ‘stack? Let me know!
I’m so excited to be celebrating 500 subscribers today ♡
This is a milestone I’ve dreamed of for months, and I just hit it under this glorious new moon. I’m truly so excited for the possibilities here, and I couldn’t be more grateful to be on this journey with you.
Thank you for reading. I love you! — Gwen ⌇ The Asian Astrologer 🪐
As a recovering people pleaser, I really am proud of you for putting yourself first. That’s huge ✨ congrats Gwen and Happy Lunar New Year 🧧
I'm so proud of you on SO MANY LEVELS!!!! Proud of you for honouring your needs, sharing your heart, and for doing what feels best for you this Lunar New Year. It's inspiring to me how you showed up for Shawn, too. And lastly, congratulations on 500 subscribers!!! 🎉❤️ My heart is full reading this post. Thank you for the shout-out 🫶 I'm missing you and patiently awaiting our reunion! Happy New Year, Gwen ❤️🐉