Year of the Ram
GOOD ADVICE by MOLLY GALLAGHER, FEBRUARY 19, 2015
Thursday is the first day of the Lunar New Year—or Chinese New Year. And just like January 1 is a great time to take a deep breath and start anew, so is February 19. Year of the Ram?
So what’s in store this year? Judith Wendell, an expert in Feng shui and Chinese astrology, says you can expect philanthropic vibes and loads of creativity during the Year of the Ram (which is also known as the Year of the Sheep or Goat). But in order to really reap the benefits, you should reflect on 2014 first.
“Whether it’s house cleaning, paying off debts, or clearing up misunderstandings, you want to try to get things done before the new year,” says Wendell. (Though if you can’t quite get to your vacuuming for another few days, that’s okay.)
The Chinese Zodiac gives every birth year an animal sign, which determines their astrological outlook. You’re a Ram if you were born in 1943, 1955, 1967, 1979, 1991, or 2003. And you might be also be incredibly chic or cool—Catherine Deneuve and Mick Jagger are rams.
But no matter what sign you are, there are certain things everyone needs to know about how the Year of the Ram will affect you. Here’s what Wendell forecasts:
1. First things first. Is it the Year of the Ram? Sheep?! Goat? It’s all three. Several Asian cultures celebrate the Lunar New Year, and they each refer to 2015 differently, explains Wendell. No one animal is right or wrong, the same things can be expected of all of them. “The goat, ram, and sheep are treated as similar animals,” she explains.
2. The creative juices will flow. If you’ve been dreaming about writing a novel, taking an art class, or if you work in a creative industry, 2015 is going to be stellar. “The ram is known as a very creative and intelligent sign,” Wendell says. “Creative types could thrive in the environment this year, as well as those pursuing creative endeavors.”
3. You may be feeling charitable. “[The ram] is considered to be the good Samaritan of the zodiac. Potentially, there will be more attention to the environment, and people will be more inclined to give back,” Wendell says. “Rams are good-natured and sensitive to beauty and balance.” So if you’ve had that charity organization on your to-do list for months, you may finally get yourself in gear to put in the hours.
4. Give a talisman for good luck. As a new year gesture, it’s good luck to gift a talisman of thebest friend affiliated with the lunar year animal, Wendell says. The Ram’s best friend is thehorse. “When the ram sees its best friend, it’s elated and looks well upon the person carrying the horse,” she says. Think of it as impressing the ram by having friends in common. (But if you’re gifting to a friend who was born in the Year of the Rat or the Ox, a horse won’t do the trick. “They need a rabbit and a pig because a rabbit, pig, and ram create a harmony,” Wendell says.) —Molly Gallagher
For more information or to book a astrology session with Judith Wendell, visit www.sacredcurrents.com