Has the New Year gotten off to a slow start? Do you feel like you’re just now finding your groove for 2017? If so, you may be feeling more in alignment with the day much of the world considers the beginning of 2017. January 28th marks the Chinese New Year.
The Chinese New Year calendar is based on 12-year cycles, each represented by an animal. Last year’s unpredictable Monkey is replaced with a slightly more reliable Rooster. The Rooster fits well with 2017 being a 1-year in numerology as they both represent the energy of being proud, precocious, proud, resilient, hard working, self-starter, independent, and confident. If you’ve been looking to start something new, this is the year to do it.
With feng shui originating in China and being an integral component of Chinese Medicine, it’s not surprising that the home plays a role in Chinese New Years traditions. Similar to our “spring cleaning,” it is part of the Chinese New Year traditions to clean house.
Cleaning the home is considered essential for sweeping away bad luck to make room for incoming good luck. The front entrances of homes and businesses, which is an energy hotspot in feng shui, are decorated with red and gold colored paper banners with messages, such as ‘happiness’, ‘long life’ and ‘wealth’.
It’s also Chinese tradition to hold a family gathering on New Year’s Eve. However, the gathering must be limited to 8 or 9 guests based upon numerology. Noodles are usually served as they symbolize longevity. Money gifts are also given to children in auspicious red envelopes.
Think about how you might incorporate some of these traditions into your New Year. The New Year is a time to consider what is and what isn’t working for you. It is the perfect time to declutter. Clean out your closet. Get rid of clothes that no longer fit you, not just physically, but mentally, emotionally, and spiritually too. Our clothes say so much about who we are and what we express into our world. Consider whether you have a new message.
And like the Chinese tradition, the New Year is a great time to clean your home. No need to wait until Spring. Start 2017 off on a clean slate literally. Sweep away what no longer serves you to allow space for what you want more of in your life.
After you clean your home, space clear your home using sage or a Smudge Spray. In doing so, set the intention to clear away any old or stagnant energy in your home. Follow this by blessing your home with a mantra or prayer to help bring in happiness and prosperity for the upcoming year. Add a rooster motif for an extra dose of good luck. It might also help you wake up earlier to kick start your year off just right.
Tisha Morris is the best-selling author of Decorating With the Five Elements of Feng Shui (Llewellyn 2015), Mind Body Home: Transform Your Life One Room at a Time (Llewellyn 2012), Feng Shui Your Life: The Quick Guide to DeclutteringYour Home and Renewing Your Life (Turner Publishing 2010). Tisha is based in Los Angeles where she works with homes and business and facilitates trainings. To learn more, visit Earth Home with Tisha Morris.
