Chuc Mung Nam Moi1 Happy New Year!
Actually Happy Lunar
New Year, aka Chinese New Years! The Lunar New Years is the longest and
most important celebration in the Asian Calendar. In the Asian culture,
this is a very joyous holiday full of festivities, food, and
superstitions. The first day of the year marks how the entire year will
be. This was my favorite holiday growing up and now I'm proud to connect
others to it so they can celebrate it with me. I hope you find it fun
and partake in some of it, if nothing else it's great small talk! The
nerd in me put it all in one for you, so it's kinda long...
February 10 marks the
beginning of the year of the Water Snake. If you've already goofed on
your reSOULtions, just start over here, you may have better luck. I'm
sending you this early so you have time to prepare for it and send it
your friends.
Below are some traditions and what this year could mean for you.
1. Dirty Doings
Put your feet up and
relax. Certainly the most enjoyable of the Lunar New Year superstitions,
sweeping and cleaning is strictly forbidden. Asians believe cleaning
means you'll sweep all of your good luck out the front door.
2. Time to Come Clean
Before you can enjoy
number two, you need to give the house a full spring clean, before
putting cleaning tools in the cupboard on New Year's Eve.
3. Read Between the Lines
Be sure to stock up on
reading materials before Lunar New Year, as bookshops will be padlocked
tight. In Cantonese, book is a homonym for 'lose'.
4. Choppy Waters
Make sure you avoid
rough seas in the new year by NOT buying shoes over the holiday period.
In Cantonese, shoes are a homonym for 'rough'.
5. Balance the Books
If you're in debt,
it's time to dip into your pockets and pay people off. The Chinese
believe that if you start the new year in the red, you'll finish it the
same way.
6. Ghostly Conversations
Caught round a
campfire over the holiday period? No ghost stories. Tales of death,
dying and ghosts is considered supremely inauspicious, especially during
Lunar New Year.
7. Lady in Red
Lunar New Year is
packed with colors, and while all the colors of the rainbow bring good
luck, it's the color red that is considered the ultimate luck bringer.
8. Sweet Year
Hong Kongers have a
sweet touch at the best of times, but Lunar New Year offers the perfect
chance to raid the sweet shop, as eating sweets is said to deliver a
sweeter year.
International Feng Shui
consultant Marites Allen, said it is difficult to say exactly what the
future of a particular person would be especially during the Year of the
Snake which is regarded as an unpredictable being, but she recalled
that the last time that year of the snake occurred in 2001, the World
Trade Center attack in the United States and the ouster of then
Philippine President Joseph Estrada happened. "This is not to say that
similar catastrophic events are indicated in 2013, but to be forewarned
is to be forearmed.
In fact, Allen said
whatever good things that were started in 2012 even has a good chance of
being carried over to 2013 "and could mean better prospects for us who
are prepared to make the most of these elements." "The key is to
continue to update our knowledge and have the proper cures and enhancers
in place where they are needed."
For instance, those born
under the Boar sign are warned about having a challenging year in 2013
as certain mishaps and obstacles may happen while those born under the
signs of the Ox and Dog are expected to have a good year in 2013 -if not
better than what they had in 2012.
Those born under the Dog
sign are expected to have many happy moments and improvement of luck but
must watch out for ill-meaning people while those under the Rooster
sign may have some wealth luck in 2013 but must be aware of potential
risks of getting robbed or physical harm.
People born under the Monkey
sign faces a potential improvement in their relationship but must take
care of their health just like those who are born under the Sheep sign.
Those born under the year of
the Horse are expected to have an improved year in 2013 after suffering
through a challenging 2012 but there are still some obstacles that may
hinder their full recovery.
People born under the Snake
are expected to have a good year but faces waning energy while the
Dragons are expected to have an improvement in their relationship luck.
Dragons are also advised to stay low in 2013 though they could expect a
better year than what they had in 2012.
Those under the Rabbit sign
are advised to watch their temper due to the presence of the Argument
Star in their chart in 2013 while those under the Tiger must watch out
for possible mishaps and mischiefs, including potential robbery problems
despite having the Lucky #8 star in their chart which could bring
wealth and good luck.
People born under the Ox may
expect a lucky year in 2013 like those under the Rat symbol who are in
for plenty of good news due to the presence of income and promotion luck
in their charts.
Allen stressed that forecasts are there to serve as guide and it is still up to the person to pursue their own luck and how they would live their lives.
