new orbit, new outlook

The New Moon in Capricorn (18 January 2026) brings the first powerful reset of the year, inviting us to set grounded intentions, create a steady foundation, and commit to our long-term visions. 

This Capricorn New Moon is a time to redefine success, cut distractions, and build a life that feels aligned, meaningful, and sustainable. 

the human circadian rhythm ("biological clock")

If you’ve been feeling called to take yourself and your dreams more seriously, this New Moon is your sign to begin. One steady step at a time. 

2025 recap

This past holiday season has been the first time in over a decade that wonder | wander | women have spent together, back in our island home in the Philippines. 

Unfortunately, it was not a happy case of time flies when you're having fun. But more of an overload of challenging circumstances - both personal and global. 

holiday wreath

Same time last year, while our US half spent the holidays with our Spanish cousins in New York City, our UK half spent it with longtime friends turned family - amid the bright Christmas lights in Regent Street and holiday cheer of Piccadilly in London. 

holy nights tarot draw

Sunset on the eve of December 24th marks the beginning of the Holy Nights that end on the feast of the Epiphany on January 06. An ancient tradition for tapping into and harnessing the energies of the coming year. 

It is our opportunity to consciously imprint each card and month with our focus and intent. Tap into our inner wisdom and reflect on the guidance revealed in each message. 

classic tarot deck

Here is how it works: 

The Holy Nights are from sunset on December 24th until sunset January 6th. I recommend having a specific journal for this practice, a candle, and utilizing some sort of oracle cards.

cards drawn for December 24, 25, 26

When the sun sets on the 24th until sunset on the 25th we are imprinting the entire next year. It is recommended to draw a card (and write it down) and also to pay attention to anyone you happen to run into, your dreams, and any other themes that arise. 

planner art

wonder | wander | women love art journaling! Scrapbooking, watercolour, doodles and urban sketching, whatever it is, we want to try it. But over the past few years we noticed the trend of artistic planners, from Hobonichi to bullet journaling, and last year we finally decided to try it.

I used bullet journals for almost a decade, but aside from a single highlighter, a few stickers, and the occasional doodle when I didn't have my sketchbook, my planner was very basic. I preferred to keep art in my journals and sketchbooks. But watching others draw and paint in their planners, I really wanted to see if I would enjoy it too.

Happy 2020 folks!

This New Year's celebration was totally topsy turvy for wonder | wander | women. All our well laid plans set up way in advance were lost in the gusting gales of December 30.

Hudson River, 30 Dec 2019

Winter weather in the East Coast has always made holiday plans more challenging especially when road conditions are not the best and can get pretty nasty very quickly. Safety first is a definite must.

Image from NOAA.gov

New Year, New Hope

The phrase 'New Year, New You' dominates our mailing lists and social media feeds. As if our past experiences are empty shells to be thrown away like garbage, our previous selves erased and rebooted.

eyes on our skies

It seems that life is so accelerated everything is multiplied or inundates us in multiple events.

Orion Nebula M 42 Celestron C 14

Feb 15 is no different. We will be treated to three celestial events. 

The new moon. A partial solar eclipse. 

It is also the start of the Chinese New Year of the Brown Earth Dog. 

grey and green - a stormy New Year!

While typhoons ravage the Philippines, wind and rain hit the UK at speeds of up to 60 kph.

Picture from BBC Weather

post holiday blahs

wonder | wander | women love the way rain curtains down on us back in Negros Island.

Its flatness lends itself to some spectacular lightning shows and thunderstorms. 

The Philippines was hit by quite a big storm on Christmas day and since then the hush of raindrops on the leaves and the swoosh of branches lashing in the wind have been our constant companions.