New Lunar Year, 72-hour New Moon & Solar Eclipse fast

Welcoming this new cycle and harnessing the vibrant energy of the Fire Horse.

Fasting has been a part of my lifestyle since 2010, although the first years were a time of exploration more than anything. After a couple of years of regular fasts, something shifted in my mindset; what started as a tool to support my physical health became a meditative practice – while continuing to be very beneficial to my physical well-being. Every fast brought something to the surface: first, the hunger pangs, of course, and over time, I also paid attention to the language I used when talking about food – little things like "I'm starving" and the likes. I know that they are only turns of phrase, yet in my fasting state, those words seem to carry much more weight because I realised that I was far from starving. In fact, I have been blessed enough to never experience starvation. What I have experienced is discomfort. Food and the act of eating can be very comforting, and when that is removed, the discomfort is not only physical but also emotional and mental. This marked a profound change in my fasting practice, and this shift in consciousness is the reason why I still fast regularly to this day.

In 2013-14, I began fasting with the changing of seasons as a ritual to move with nature's rhythm mindfully. Then, in 2015, I started to fast one day a week in addition to the seasonal three-day fasts. I have spoken about this in many other posts, but beyond the numerous physical benefits, fasting has helped me a great deal to be present with myself, to process my emotions fully, and navigate challenging times with patience and grace.

A few weeks ago, I decided that this year I wanted to fast to welcome the new lunar cycle and the annular solar eclipse that is happening today. I started my fast on February 14th (technically on the evening of February 13th), and I ended it this morning, February 17th. This three-day fast has been one of the easiest fasts I have done, physically, mentally, and emotionally. I felt very calm and focused throughout. This has been a general theme for me in the last few months: a deep sense of inner peace and presence with myself. I feel like I have been in hibernation and that I am now preparing to come out of the cocoon I have been in. In a previous post, I wrote about the fact that I have enjoyed this winter season for the first time in... never :D. I spent the last few months being a homebody, cooking, reading, writing, being creative, and just doing things that speak to my soul and make my heart sing.

It has been the most wonderful wintertime, and I am so grateful to have had this time to nurture myself. Now I am ready to come out of hibernation and embrace the Fire Horse energy of 2026. As an Earth Horse myself, I am looking forward to the new adventures that lie ahead. Let this new year be full of magic!