In the longstanding tradition of mystical Jews and lifestyle publications, we bring you New Moon Readings. They aren’t fortune telling or magic, and they’re not about luck or a mysterious power. They draw upon on the wise monthly themes of the Hebrew calendar, the influence of the solar system on our daily lives, and, sometimes, totally pagan prognostication tools (tarot!) to guide us.
This is New Moon Reading is brought to you by At The Well.
It is the coldest, darkest part of the year. For weeks, we’ve huddled indoors, only to emerge, bundled and wrapped, to scurry from building to building, rarely getting enough time to enjoy the fresh, if cold, air.
Some of us walk into work when it’s still dark, only to exit after the sun has already set. We can get seriously grumpy.
We yearn for the warmth and the light.
The spiritual energetics of this month reflect these dark times; cooped up inside, with so much time spent in the dark, we often encounter the darkest corners of our inner worlds, too.
Last month, Kislev asked us to reach into our hearts and connect with our dreams. Tevet asks us to touch something a little more fiery.
This month, we’re challenged to look at our internal lives without flinching; process our deepest, most difficult feelings; and purify ourselves of the negativity we may find.
According to the teachings of the Kabbalah, an ancient Jewish mystical body of knowledge, every month falls into the category of Jacob (good inclination) or Esau (evil inclination), named for the twin sons of Isaac and Rebecca.
Tevet is one of the three Hebrew months belonging to Esau. It is one of our most challenging months, a fact reflected in the history of Jewish people. It was during Tevet that the walls of the first and second Temples were breached.
If you feel like you’re thrashing during Tevet, that’s normal.
Your struggle is part of the cycle.
Although dark and difficult, Tevet is your opportunity to grow. Judaism dares us to incorporate the light, the positivity, and the call of the Divine into all that we do.
With every thought and action, we have a chance to become active participants of the world. We have agency, and it’s on us to remember the blessing that is our free will. We can choose to be thankful for the lessons we’re offered and make our way ever closer to equilibrium.
Facing, and even embracing, the darkness that Tevet unveils is an important step in this process.
Welcome this shot at wisdom.
Everything you discover and release this month will help you make space for expansiveness later this year.
The spring brings Passover, a holiday of expansiveness. Plant your seeds now. It’s not too late. They’ll blossom in time.
This New Moon Reading is brought to you by At The Well, which connects women to body, soul, and community through wellness education and Jewish spirituality. Get the full At The Well guide to Tevet here.
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