,Year of The Fire Dog 4704
January 29, 2006 – February 17, 2007
Chinese New Year
People often wonder why the date for Chinese New Year changes each year. The Chinese calendar is a lunar calendar, based on a 60-year cycle. This is comprised of the 12 zodiac animals, and, the Five Elements. The Chinese New Year falls on the second new moon after the winter solstice. (All months begin with a new moon). In 2006 Chinese New Years falls on January 29th. It is represented by the Fire Dog (a Dog year and the element fire).
Positive and Negative Influences
Feng Shui energies also change from year to year. Thus, it is important to be aware of where auspicious and inauspicious energies move at the beginning of each year. To that end, if ‘negative’ energy moves into important locations in our homes or offices, we need to mitigate the situation. In the Year of the Dog, the inauspicious energy is called ‘Five Yellow’, or, the number 5 in the ‘Flying Star’ system. It symbolizes obstacles and misfortune and it arrives in the West. If your office, bedroom, or entrance is in the West, a metal object or wind chime will help to deplete the ‘5’, which is an earth number and metal weakens earth.
Another traditional suggestion is to Clean House – Before the New Year arrives. The Chinese consider it very important to give the house a thorough cleaning. It is as if you are sweeping away any bad luck that may have accumulated over the past year. Yet, don’t clean for the first few days of the New Year – if you do, you risk sweeping away your good luck!
Celebration
In the Chinese culture, the word “year” is ‘nian’, It is also the word for a type of animal, which, in folklore, could hurt or kill a human being. It is thought, when one is lucky enough to be alive for another New Year celebration, it is good luck to give Red Envelopes with money inside. These are given especially to children because red symbolizes protection against evil or inauspicious Chi.
Each of the twelve animals will have their own fate in this Year of the Dog. In general, it is predicted that there will be more harmony and international cooperation for world peace and humanity in this year. Yet, there may be more natural disasters such as earthquakes, drought or unfortunately even man made ones, such as a nuclear explosion.
Practice
To help insure your Good Fortunes this year and for insight into your own astrology as well as specific feng shui recommendations for preparing your home or office, please contact me.
‘Gung Hey Fat Choy’
(Wishing You Prosperity), Judith Wendell