"They function a little like tarot or oracle decks. You can pick one or several cards whenever you feel like you need some guidance or perspective,” says Dong. On the Inner Compass company website, creator Neel van Lierop describes the cards as “activated from a combination of ancient wisdoms linking Mayan mythology, Taoism, Buddhism and the I Ching."

A personal favourite of Dong’s is a concrete dome diffuser made of lava rocks that soak up aromatic solutions by Photogenics + Co, a modelling agency-turned-aromatics brand from Los Angeles. “The idea of that cross-discipline really resonates with me because I’ve always struggled to tell anyone, simply, what I do,” she says. “I think society gives us this pressure to follow a singular path, to be able to say, ‘I’m an architect’ or ‘I’m a doctor’. I’m always inspired by brands, or people, who dare to do a bit of everything.”

More than a store, Dong has made The New Moon an educational tool for women like herself who are on their own spiritual path, inviting experts in various wellness modalities to share their wisdom on her platform, like Zoey Gong, a traditional Chinese medicine practitioner, and Kimberly Peta Dewhirst, a Hong Kong-based astrologer.

“I am by no means positioning myself as a wellness expert,” Dong says. “This is a platform for the modern woman and I would say the modern woman is a multihyphenate. We wear many hats and do many things. At the same time, we’re nurturers at home and a best friend to someone else. The New Moon is a place to seek wisdom, read stories and perhaps find a piece that can bring joy and colour to their life.” 

See also: The Traditional Chinese Medicine Skincare Brands To Try