windandwaterfengshui.com Blog

In the weeks leading up to the Chinese New Year, it is customary to make preparations for the 15-day Spring Festival.  Here are some tips!

Before the New Year

• Clean your home thoroughly, including basements and attics.  Wash windows, paint, clean filters and drains, dust, clear clutter
• Organize files, closets, drawers,  calendars and schedules
• Replace, repair or remove anything that is broken (especially clocks and watches)
• If you have an altar in your home, clean and re-state your intentions
• Pay your debts and balance accounts
• Reconcile any disputes you may have
• Clean and optimize your computer files and drives

On New Year’s Eve (February 2)

• Sweep the entire house, starting at the front door and ending at the back door
• Get a haircut
• Prepare a reunion gathering and meal that continues through the midnight hour, bridging the old year and the new
• Replace your front door mat to avoid dragging remnants of last year’s energy into your home in the new year
• At midnight, open all windows and doors to allow old energy to escape and new energy to enter – smudge or ring bells to clear
• Light firecrackers or display decorative Chinese firecrackers to frighten away unfriendly spirits and introduce yang energy to your celebration
• Set your intentions for the New Year

On New Year’s Day (February 3)

• Put all brooms, knives and scissors away so as not to cut into or sweep away good fortune for the year
• Welcome deities from heaven and earth to guide you through the year
• Honor and pay respect to elders
• Wear new clothing to put your best foot forward in the new year
• Do not lend or borrow money on this day
• Do not cry so as not to bring sadness with you into the new year
• Decorate with and wear the color red – the color for joy and virtue
• Distribute red envelopes (ang pow) to children
• Display fresh flowers (especially peach and plum blossoms) for abundance
• Put out a bowl of oranges
• When leaving your home, the words exchanged with the first person you meet influences the luck of the year so make them positive!

Wishing you good ch’i,

Diane Gallin, CFSC

Wind and Water Feng Shui Consulting

www.windandwaterfengshui.com

Email   diane@windandwaterfengshui.com    Telephone   727-459-1459

2011 heralds the year of the Yin Metal Rabbit.  While the western calendar recognizes January 1 as the first day of the New Year, Chinese tradition celebrates a ten day New Year Festival, geared to both the agricultural seasons (yang) and astrological moon phases (yin).  The solar (Hsia) calendar marks the beginning of spring on February 3 when we welcome the year of the Rabbit.  Gentler in nature than the ferocious Tiger it follows, the Rabbit lends an air of beauty, grace and diplomacy to the year.  For many, this will be a welcome respite from the turmoil of 2010.

In Chinese Astrology the Rabbit is associated with springtime and all the joy and optimism it brings.  Nature begins to recover from the cold yin winter, farmers ready their fields for planting, animals and insects stir. We envision longer days, warmer temperatures and fertile pastures.  Nature gives birth to itself again in the cycle of life, and the tranquil Rabbit accomplishes her tasks with careful discernment rather than force.  In Five Element Feng Shui, the Rabbit belongs to the Wood element aligned with flowers, morning, family and new beginnings.  How appropriate for the New Year to begin on the first day of spring!

During the weeks leading up to the Chinese New Year Festival, it is customary to clear away old energy (and bad luck) from the previous year and to set the stage for all that is new and promising.  It is proper to clean house, make repairs, paint, wash windows and pay debts so as not to carry burdens from the previous year with you into the next.  In Feng Shui we advise clutter clearing in every bagua area of your home and office to make room for new and inspiring changes in these areas of your life.

As the Tiger begins his retreat and the gentle Rabbit peeks out from her warren, borrow some of her good manners, social responsibility and kindness to guide you through the year.  As always, I wish you good ch’i and  ‘si ji ping an’ ~ peace and prosperity in all seasons. 

Happy New Year!

Diane Gallin, CFSC

Wind and Water Feng Shui Consulting

www.windandwaterfengshui.com

Email   diane@windandwaterfengshui.com    Telephone   727-459-1459