Tips & Traditions to celebrate the Chinese New Year:

According to the Chinese astrology, 2013 is the Year of the Water Snake, which begins on February 10th 2013, and ends on January 31st, 2014. The Water Snake prefers quiet predictability to chaos and commotion. This sets the tone for steady progress in the year.  Like the snake, one must be disciplined and attune to details in order to achieve one’s goals. To learn more about the Year of the Water Snake and how it relates to your animal sign, check out one of my favorite Feng Shui websites www.fengshuishopper.com, and be sure to check out what charms will bring you good luck for the New Year or which will support a particular goal. Click here for Chinese Animal Charms.

Begin a Chinese New Year tradition!

In the Chinese New Year the first two weeks are the most important and set the tone for the year. You may not have 15 days to celebrate but here are suggestions of how you can tap into that powerful energy.

  • Celebrate the Chinese New Year’s Eve with dinner with friends grab Chinese take out or head to your favorite restaurant. Make the evening’s theme to give thanks for all you have and set your goals for the New Year.
  • If you can’t do dinner, then consider going out to lunch with a co-worker.
  • Make enough food on the Chinese New Year Eve to have leftovers, for this symbolizes that you’ll have money rolling into the next year.
  • Freshen up your home with new plants and fresh flowers.
        • Orchid: a symbol of perfection, abundance, and higher growth.
        • Narcissus (Papering whites) Ideal for anyone seeking a new career.
        • Lucky Bamboo: resilience, good fortune and fortitude.
  • Celebrate New Year’s Day by bringing in a sweet treat to work and add red napkins for good luck.
  • The Chinese believe eating certain fruits over the next 15 days will bring you good health, prosperity and success for the year.
        • Oranges and tangerines represent money and wealth for the coming year.
        • Apples symbolize good health and safety.
        • Pineapples symbolize fame and promotion.
  • Clean and de-clutter your space over the next 15 days allowing new opportunities into your life. (Do not sweep the floor as it implies sweeping your fortune away).
  • If anything breaks during the New Year, say  “Fall to the floor and burst into bloom!”
  • Wear shades of red and new clothes as it symbolizes good luck and attracts new things into your life.
  • Say only positive things to your friends, family and yourself over the next 15 days.

And remember just live life to the fullest by dreaming big and being FEARLESS!

WAN SHI RU YI   

(May Everything Go As You Wish!)