Chinese New Year Tips to be applied before February 8, 2016

Chinese New Year starts on February 8 and lasts for 15 days.  This is China’s most colorful and important event of the year.  This year it is named “The Year of the Fire Monkey.”  There are a total of 12 animals and they rotate throughout the years.  There are many activities that happen during this time.  On the first night of the celebration, there are fireworks to let go of the old and bring in the new, just like we do here in the USA.  Also, on this night, they open all the windows and all of the doors in the house to allow the old year to go out!  They have large parades and the lion dancing sways back and forth to the beat of the drummers.    On the 5^th day of the New Year is the Chinese Lantern Festival and it is very colorful and beautiful.  You will see paper lanterns made of the animal of the year and also large lanterns that are displayed in their parades animal.  If you want to know your Chinese animal sign, click here: 

1. Clean your house well in advance of the New Year. Do not sweep or clean on New Years’ day or it will represent you sending your wealth out the door.  All brooms need to be in closets.
2. Wear red since it is believed to be a happy color and symbolizes a bright future.
3. Give red envelopes filed with crisp dollar bills to children.
4. Decorate your home with nuts and sweets on a beautiful tray.  You can also add chocolate gold coins to this mix as well.
5. Entertain your friends and laugh and enjoy the evening.
6. Open every door and every window on the stroke of midnight to let out the old year.
7. Clear your mind of “clutter” this day and keep your thoughts bright and optimistic for the coming New Year.
8. Don’t scold your children or cry on this day for if you do, it will symbolize what you are coming year will play out for you.
9. Postpone washing your hair this day as you will be washing out your good luck.
10. Display large bowls of oranges on the tables to give to your friends and family as gifts.

Feng Shui expert Grandmaster Too has shared her traditions with students and followers of Feng Shui during her training sessions.  She has told them that early in the morning of the New Year, she brings in a truck full of oranges and she rolls them from the front door straight through her whole house.  She is creating her own luck by following this ancient tradition.    

                                    

Chinese New Year Day

Wake up New Year’s morning to good music, friends, and partners and just be grateful for your wonderful life. Do all things on this day to establish habits for the year.  Make plans to do what you wish to do for the rest of the year.  Really enjoy yourself and keep a good balance in all things.

Call, text or email family members or friends with whom you wish to have contact with in the New Year.  This will follow you through 2016.

Wear something new and take care to look extra special that day.  Do not dress in black or white that day, because Chinese look at those colors as funeral colors.  Wear red for fortune when possible.  Do your hair & makeup, but do NOT wash your hair this day as it is symbolic to throwing your good luck away.

Since this is a day to be festive in your mood with a joyful atmosphere, you should not argue with others on this day.  Say ONLY nice things and do not lose your temper.  It sets the pattern of peace & harmony for the year.  Try not to use many sharp objects (like knives & scissors) on this day as it is symbolic of cutting into your luck. 

I am available for Feng Shui consultations, speaking and coaching and can be reached at 412-215-8247 or yvonnephillips1@aol.com

The Harmony of the Holidays

Feng  Shui  is based on ancient principles that were set into place by man watching and

listening to the sounds of the environment.  When you are able to  duplicate this,  the natural flow of energy that we all strive to have,  will arrive on a daily basis.

When you are setting in place your holiday decorations, you increase the energy of a space (Yang energy) or decrease the energy of the space (Yin energy) in order to suit your particular goals.  If you have set into place goals for the year and you ignore the positioning of your holiday decorations, you are missing out on a great opportunity of anchoring in your wishes for the year.

If you want to light up your life, your way, try these tips to help you along!

·        Start at the outside entrance way and light it up and it will take care of bringing in the great chi energy from outside your door straight into the house.

·        Decorate early and take down late to keep the highlighting of you and your family going on for the rest of the year.

·        Add a colorful Welcome mat to the door area as it will increase your company.

·        The addition of aromatherapy right at the door sets the tone of others coming in to your house.  This can be done easily by adding cinnamon to the wreath on the door or it can be placed in plants that are closest to the front door.

·        The inside entrance should have a colorful rug and if you want to work on your wealth, place Chinese coins underneath the rug.

·        If you feel the need for safety or security in your home, light up your protectors, whether they are Foo Dogs or Lions.  This can also be two large plants at the front door.

·        Place your Christmas tree in the area you want to increase the energy. 

·        Use all the ornaments that you really like and give pleasure to you.

·        As your life changes, change your décor as appropriate.

·        Candles create the fire energy, so use appropriately.

·        Keep décor in bathrooms minimal because this is the area of Water and you don’t want it to be increased.  It is symbolic of you losing money.

·        When creating new seating arrangements make sure you are making them inviting and comfortable for your guests.

·        Utilize the colors of the year to enhance your home.  The year 2013 is Emerald green by Pantone.

·        Use Poinsettias (fire energy) to increase your wealth and if you place them in front of mirrors; you will double this intention.

·        Do not over decorate your rooms as you will create an off balance.

·        Place artwork that creates a good memory or feeling that can enhance an area of your life. 

·        The addition of coins decorated with ribbons can be placed on your trees for increased prosperity.

·        Want a special person to be a star in your house?  Make lots of star cookies.

·        Need heavenly help?  Make angel cookies.

·        Do you want a house in harmony & balance?  Bake a gingerbread house and place a light inside to increase the chi energy.

Belief makes everything possible!  The only thing that stands between you and what you want in life is the will to try and the faith to believe it is possible.

If you think you can, you can! 
Motivation Mentor