The first new moon of 2018 will happen on January 17 at 2.17am GMT.
This new Moon is called “Mauni Amavasya” and is a time to announce the arrival of spring in India. Mauni means silence. On this day, let us keep our words kind and gentle or try to maintain silence so we can focus on our voice within.
It is said that the river Ganga turns into nectar on “Mauni Amavasya” so a dip in the Ganges, or conscious bathing leads to purification. The fortnight from this new Moon until the Lunar Eclipse on January 31 is a good time to focus on purifying one’s spoken words and energy. Om Shanti.
(The photo was taken at the Glasshouse on the Ganges, above Rishikesh)