Author - Sami Merlyn, DD

What Is the Lunar New Year?

Lunar New Year (also known as Chinese New Year) happens this year on Sunday, January 22, 2023. Why does the Lunar New Year start at a different time each year? How is this important holiday celebrated? What does the Year of the Rabbit symbolize? Learn all about this holiday!

When Is Lunar New Year?

Lunar New Year begins on the date (in East Asia) of the second new Moon after the winter solstice, which always takes place in late December. This means that the first day of the Lunar New Year can occur anytime between January 21 and February 20.

In 2023, this new Moon occurs in China on Sunday, January 22, marking the start of a new lunar year.

Winter is here!   Mercury turned Direct  January 18th 2023                                    New Moon is on Jan 21, 2023

Mercury is now Direct.  Moon is new on January 21st.  Chinese New Year is pending… Spring is on the way… It is Time to begin again!!

Al Manning, founder of the ESP LAB, used to say, “What’s new?  Me!  I am always new and exciting.”  This dovetails with an affirmation from Dr. Al Fann, the actor who ran the Institute for Higher Mind—which was down the street from the ESP Lab in Hollywood when I lived there in the late 1970’s.  Al Fann would say, “I am unique, wonderful and extremely exciting!” Point is, that these positive attitudes can lead you to a better day and a more successful life.  

By Sami MERLYN, DD 

                                            Winter is here!   Mercury turned Retrograde Dec 29th, 2022                                  FULL MOON in Cancer, Jan 06, 2023

I am happy to say that despite whatever challenges, the ESP LAB and I made it through the past year! Huzzah! Huzzah.  It was a year of the tiger which some say is a vicious year.  2023 is the year of the Water Rabbit, which starts on the Chinese New Moon of January 22nd, 2023 (Chinese New Year), and ending on February 9th, 2024 (Chinese New Year’s Eve). The softer sign of the bunny is a symbol of peace, prosperity, and longevity… along with fertility.  Let it be a better year for all of us.  2023 is predicted to be a year of hope.

winter mercury retro full moon Jan23

What Is Mercury Retrograde and What Does It Mean for You?

Mercury enters retrograde motion starting on December 28, 2022, and lasting into the new year! According to the age-old practice of astrology, we are all influenced by the effect of Mercury in retrograde. What exactly does it mean for each of us, though? Read on to find out.

What Is “Mercury Retrograde”?

Three times a year, the planet Mercury appears to travel backward across the sky. We refer to these periods as times when Mercury is in apparent retrograde motion, or simply ”Mercury retrograde.” To those who practice astrology, these times in particular were traditionally associated with confusion, delay, and frustration.

Fall is near!   Sun enters Libra Sept 22, 2022!                                                                  FULL MOON in Pisces, September 10, 2022   

The planet Mercury– which rules the mind, communication, business, & transportation– has gone on another vacation and this one lasts from September 9^th to October 2^nd, 2022.  Mercury is Retrograde approximately 20% of the time.  I have moved into plod mode for this term, and suggest that you do the same!  It takes patience and perseverance, but you can do it! We can do it!!  We can get through this! As Al Manning would say, “This too shall pass.”

     Right after Mercury went Retro, the Moon was full in the sensitive and fertile sign of Pisces.  Full moons are always good times to make a wish.

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If you haven’t seen a supermoon yet, Thursday night is your last chance in 2022!

For the fourth and final time this year, the supermoon, also known as the Spurgeon moon, will occur at 9:36 p.m. EDT (6:36 p.m. PDT) — and the next one won’t happen until June 14, 2023.