The Chinese calendar is based on a lunar and solar calendar. Under this system, a calendar month usually lasts 29.5 days, so over a period of years, there is a lag. Thus, the Chinese insert an extra month every few years, and which also explains why the New Year is on a different date each year, unlike the solar calendar, that is a fixed date each year.
There are many, many traditions associated with the Chinese New Year. One delightful belief is that if one of your plants blooms on New Year's Day, you will have prosperity in the coming year. Look around your yard. It's possible you have something blooming right now. Of course, here in the northern hemisphere it is winter, and most of our yards are looking pretty drab.
The Chinese New Year is Symbolic
The Chinese New Year is full of symbolism for ushering out the old and ushering in the new. Among the traditions is a ban on cooking in the kitchen on the first day of the Lunar New Year. This is because it's considered bad luck to have sharp objects such as knives and scissors out. Cooking - and having to cut things - could possibly cut off the good fortune for the rest of the year. So, why not give the kitchen a rest and take your family out for your meals this Chinese New Year?
However, the Lunar New Year isn't just about the cultural aspects of the year. In feng shui, it also represents a change in 'time' feng shui, known as flying star feng shui. In the days following the New Year, the directions take on new meanings as they relate to time feng shui. This means that some sectors will have difficult energy, others beneficial energy. You can get the full 2011 scoop here.
The Chinese typically celebrate for the first 15 days of the New Year. Although you may not have time to celebrate that long, simply preparing in advance for the New Year will help you to usher in prosperity and abundance at the time of the New Moon -- a time believed by astrologers around the world to have special power to make whatever you want to happen come true.
In the meantime, here are some ideas, and a schedule, to help you observe - and make the most of -- the Chinese Lunar New Year.
One or two days beforehand:
Do a thorough cleaning. Sweeping and cleaning on the first day of the New Year is considered bad luck because it can sweep all the good luck out the door. The god of luck is said to avoid dirty houses. So keep your house clean all year long!
Make New Year Preparations. Organize, buy a new outfit, clean, declutter, re-arrange and refresh your decor.
Purchase flowers. Bulbs, such as daffodils or hyacinths, are especially auspicious. Display these bulbs or other flowers such as azalea, pussy willow, lotus, or peony.
Make annual feng shui placements. Put out remedies and enhancements. Have remedies from the past year? Put them outdoors in the sunshine to cleanse them or wash them in salt water.
On the day of the New Year, Thursday, February 3rd:
Go out to eat for your meals. For breakfast, have a big glass of orange juice (oranges represent gold). And if you just have to eat at home, make it finger foods. Cutting and chopping food represents cutting your luck -- and work.
Wear new clothes today. New clothes represent the new that you want to be bringing into your life. Put on something red for an extra boost!
Have a good day. The Chinese believe it's bad to start the New Year by swearing, yelling at the kids, or getting angry or upset. So, take the day off from worry and anxiety. It might not be a bad idea to avoid the newspaper or the TV news! Rent some funny movies to invite fun and enjoyment into your house for the new year!
Write wishes for the New Year. Write wishes on ribbons or paper and affix to a tree to let them blow in the wind, much like a Tibetan prayer flag.
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© K Weber Communications LLC 2002-2011
Kathryn Weber is the publisher of the Red Lotus Letter Feng Shui E-zine and certified feng shui consultant in classical Chinese feng shui. Kathryn helps her readers improve their lives and generate more wealth with feng shui. For more information and to receive her FREE Ebook "Easy Money - 3 Steps to Building Massive Wealth with Feng Shui" visit www.redlotusletter.com and learn the fast and fun way how feng shui can make your life more prosperous and abundant
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