Happy Year of the Rabbit!

Today is the start of the Lunar New Year and the Year of the Rabbit (Hare)! So what can we expect the next 12 months to bring? According to Susan Levitt and Jean Tang in Taoist Astrology:

The year of the Hare is a time of peace, calm, leisure, and rest after the chaos of the previous Tiger year. People enjoy the arts, gourmet food, and luxuries. Money can be made easily, but it is spent easily. The Dragon year that follows will be a wild and exhausting time, so enjoy a Hare year as an opportunity for relaxation, pleasure, family gatherings, entertainment, and comfortable travel. Expect political compromise and diplomatic peacemaking on a global level.

Well, that sounds pretty good, doesn't it?

To encourage prosperity and abundance for the upcoming year, exchange a coin with another person while wishing them Gung Hey Fat Choy (Happy New Year)! Make sure each of you brings your own coin of equal value to give to one another -- don't just pass the same coin back and forth. You don't want prosperity to simply swirl or circle around -- you want it to come and stay with you!

Or how about making a Prosperity Bowl?

Gung Hey Fat Choy!

Today is the Lunar New Year, so welcome to the Year of the Rat, everyone! Gung hey fat choy!

What can we expect in a Rat Year? According to Susan Levitt and Jean Tang in Taoist Astrology, the Year of the Rat is:

. . . a time of plenty, bringing abundance and good fortune. In this auspicious year, some of Rat's prosperity can influence everyone, regardless of one's birth animal. Expect a powerful year, when people are firm about their goals, passions and aspirations. Although there may be fluctuation in world economies, it is an excellent time to start a business, buy property, invest in long-term plans, or accumulate wealth. But it is not a time for foolish risks . . . . Rat loves the pack, so it is also a time for socializing, entertaining, and enjoying ourselves.

Okay, then! Sounds good!

Here's a fun little traditional ritual to encourage prosperity and abundance for the upcoming year. Exchange a coin with another person while wishing them Gung Hey Fat Choy (Happy New Year)! Make sure each of you brings your own coin of equal value to give to one another -- don't just pass the same coin back and forth. You don't want prosperity to simply swirl or circle around -- you want it to come and stay with you!

Gung Hey Fat Choy!

Today is the Lunar New Year, so welcome to the Year of the Pig, everyone! Gung hey fat choy!

What can we expect in a Pig Year? According to Susan Levitt and Jean Tang in Taoist Astrology, the Year of the Pig (or Boar) is:

. . . a time of self-indulgence and fun. It is also a time of peace, understanding, harmony, and fellowship. Ease and enjoyment of the good life will be valued more than power and status. People can be kinder to each other in everyday interactions and feel little need for competition. Extravagant vacations, sumptuous meals, and lavish spending on luxuries and fine clothing are to be expected. Individuals tend to feel content and satisfied, ignoring the bills that accumulate over a Boar year. The following Rat year will be the time to face realities after Boar year's indulgence.

Well, that sounds great, doesn't it? At least until the bills come in. Sort of like Christmas!

My Rare One and I celebrated the Lunar New Year a couple of weeks ago at West Edmonton Mall. It's an annual event showcasing the local Asian community and featuring fun, entertainment, and games of luck and good fortune! Here we are, looking suitably festive --

And finally -- to guarantee good luck and prosperity for the upcoming year, be sure to exchange a small coin with a friend today -- click here for details of this fun little ritual! My Rare One and I do this every Lunar New Year!

Gung Hey Fat Choy!

Today is the Lunar New Year, so welcome to the Year of the Rooster, everyone! Gung hey fat choy!

What can we expect in a Rooster Year? According to Susan Levitt and Jean Tang in Taoist Astrology, the Year of the Rooster is:

. . . a time of practical endeavors, conscientiousness, hard work, and discipline. Politically conservative police states gain power, and law and order are championed.

Oh my!

Because I was born in 1957, my astrological sign is Rooster too! Hopefully, that should mean 2017 will be an especially good and benevolent year for me. Hey, any other Roosters out there?

And finally -- to guarantee good luck and prosperity for the upcoming year, be sure to exchange a small coin with a friend today -- click here for details of this fun little ritual!

Gung Hey Fat Choy!

Today is the Lunar New Year, so welcome to the Year of the Monkey, everyone! Gung hey fat choy!

What can we expect in a Monkey Year? According to Susan Levitt and Jean Tang in Taoist Astrology:

The Year of the Monkey is a time of courage, action, anarchy, and true devotion to even the wildest of schemes. Success can be attained in business, politics, and real estate. Everyone wants to work the shrewdest angle, get the best deal, and win big. Now is the time to start new endeavors, for they are destined to succeed under Monkey's influence. But woe be to the dull or slow-witted. Monkey will steal all the peanuts and leave nothing but empty shells.

To celebrate this auspicious year, here is my favourite photo of monkeys! They are Japanese macaques, also known as snow monkeys, who live high in the Japan Alps. The most northern-living of all non-human primates, snow monkeys love to relax in the outdoor mountain hot-springs. Look closely at this wintertime photo of a male and female pairing -- do you see their tiny baby who they are sheltering from the elements and keeping warm between them? Only its little eye is peeking out!

[photo from the internet]

And finally -- to guarantee good luck and prosperity for the upcoming year, be sure to exchange a small coin with a friend today -- click here for details of this fun little ritual!

Gung Hey Fat Choy!

When the New Moon rises tonight, it marks the Lunar New Year. Welcome to the Year of the Sheep, everyone! Gung hey fat choy!

What can we expect in a Sheep Year? According to Susan Levitt and Jean Tang in Taoist Astrology:

The year of the Sheep is a time of peace, calm, and contentment. Travel is highlighted as are relaxing vacations. Life's hectic pace is slowed and people are more caring, sensitive, and emotional. Family, close friends, and intimacy are valued. All the arts will flourish and creativity will flow, but such refined beauty and elegance is expensive, and debts may easily accrue. Sheep's love of peace prevents major political upheavals and severe weather changes.

To guarantee good luck and prosperity for the upcoming year, be sure to exchange a small coin with a friend today -- click here for details of this fun little ritual!

Happy Year of the Horse!

Gung hey fat choy, everyone! Happy Chinese Lunar New Year and welcome to the Year of the Horse! Isn't this a great photo of a young woman and her horse enjoying a good laugh together? I found it on teh interwebs.

What can we expect in a Horse Year? According to Susan Levitt and Jean Tang in Taoist Astrology:

The year of the Horse is a time of victory, adventure, exciting activities, and surprising romances. Decisive action, not procrastination, brings success. Energy is high and production is rewarded. . . . On a global scale, expect world economies to become stronger and industrial manufacturing to rise -- or expect economic chaos and collapse . . . . Under strong Horse's influence, there is no middle ground.

Well, given all that, you'd better ensure good luck and prosperity for the upcoming year by exchanging a small coin with a friend today! Click here for details of this fun little ritual.

Year of the Serpent

Gung hey fat choy, everyone! Happy Chinese Lunar New Year! Welcome to the Year of the Serpent!

In Chinese mythology, serpents are often associated with goddesses and heroines. Serpents bless us with the powerful feminine yin energy of wisdom, mystery and sensuality. Well, that sounds promising, doesn't it? So what can we expect in a Serpent Year? According to Susan Levitt and Jean Tang in Taoist Astrology:

The year of the Serpent is a time of introspection, planning, and seeking answers. People will ponder and think before they act. Good taste and elegance will prevail in fashion, theatre, film, and all the arts. Serpent wisdom influences contributions in the sciences through new technological inventions and discoveries. But this is not an auspicious year for gambling, investing, or taking any financial risks because the calamities of the previous Dragon year can continue into Serpent year. Expect political extremes, scandals, and the exposing of secrets.

Don't forget to exchange a small coin with a friend today to ensure good luck and prosperity for the upcoming year! Click here for details of this fun little ritual.

Year of the Dragon

Gung hey fat choy, everyone! Happy Chinese Lunar New Year!

In Western mythology, a dragon is an evil fire-breathing creature which must be slain by a hero (preferably a knight in shining armour on a white steed). But in Eastern mythology, a dragon is a wonderful creature of dynamic energy, prosperity, wisdom and protection. Dragons get the love and respect they deserve in Asia!

What can we expect in this Dragon year? According to Susan Levitt and Jean Tang in Taoist Astrology:

The year of the Dragon is a time of ambition, power, and daring. Events seem as if they are magnified threefold with increased intensity. The energy and vitality of the Dragon year may make some people overly optimistic. A Dragon year is an excellent time to start a business, marry, have children, and take incredible risks. On a global level, expect extreme earth changes, such as earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, and tidal waves.

Don't forget to exchange a coin with a friend today to ensure good luck and prosperity for the upcoming year! Click here for details.

Year of the Rabbit

Gung Hey Fat Choy, everyone! Happy Chinese Lunar New Year! (which technically began last night with the New Moon).

And wow, 2011 is the Year of the Rabbit or Hare! So what can we expect for the upcoming 12 months? According to Susan Levitt and Jean Tang in Taoist Astrology:

The year of the Hare is a time of peace, calm, leisure, and rest after the chaos of the previous Tiger year. People enjoy the arts, gourmet food, and luxuries. Money can be made easily, but it is spent easily. The Dragon year that follows will be a wild and exhausting time, so enjoy a Hare year as an opportunity for relaxation, pleasure, family gatherings, entertainment, and comfortable travel. Expect political compromise and diplomatic peacemaking on a global level.

Well, that sounds pretty good, doesn't it?

Every year Canada Post issues a commemorative stamp for the Chinese Lunar New Year. Here is this year's offering, which I like very much:

Now go eat a moon cake or set off a firecracker or something, eh? And don't forget to exchange a penny with a friend! Click here for the details of that little good luck and abundance ritual which I posted last year.

Gung Hey Fat Choy, Valentine!

So not only is it Valentine's Day today (smooch, smooch, mwah!) but it's also the Chinese Lunar New Year! 2010 is the Year of the Tiger, which means it will be a year of unexpected opportunities, bold and decisive actions, and major life experiences. Yowza!

Here's a little traditional ritual to encourage prosperity and abundance for the upcoming year. Exchange a penny (or other small coin) with another person while wishing them Gung Hey Fat Choy (Happy New Year)! Make sure each of you brings your own coin of equal value to give to one another -- don't just pass the same coin back and forth. You don't want prosperity to simply swirl or circle around -- you want it to come and stay with you!