This Lunar New Year ushers in the Year of the Wood Goat/Sheep. According to the Chinese, it is a lucky year that can bring fortune, adventure, and romance.  During the Year of the Goat, people will declare “San-Yang-Kai-Tai,” which means “Three Goats Start Fortune.”  It is an expression that means it is spring and time to celebrate and look forward to a prosperous future!  Throughout the ages, Chinese artists have included three goats or sheep in their paintings to wish people good fortune!

In the Chinese New Year the first two weeks are the most important and set the tone for the year.

For the past couple of years, I’ve been hosting a Chinese New Year Party for my close friends, it’s a great excuse for a girls night. The night before the party I put together red envelopes for everyone to take home and add to their rice wealth bowls, I share their annual prediction for their Chinese animal and create some fun games.  If you want to plan your own party, head down to Party City or The Paper Store (they carry Red envelopes) and pick up some decorations and red envelopes to give to your friends.

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.

There is one tradition that I truly love and have seen every year bring much success to individual lives. It’s the traditional rice wealth bowl and this year I created a video to show exactly how to make your wealth bowl. So, check it out and don’t forget to leave me a comment about how you created your own wealth bowl and of course any successes from last year or the new!

WAN SHI RU YI   

(May Everything Go As You Wish!)  

P.S. Feeling challenged with your space? Not sure how to use the bagua?  Feel overwhelmed with clutter and organizing?  Schedule a Free 30 minute Clear Your Clutter with me and let’s discuss how I can help you create a space that looks and feels good. Click here to fill out a questionnaire and get started today.