Chinese New Year and New Moon February 4, 2019

Legend has it that in ancient times Buddha asked all the animals to join him on Chinese New Year. Twelve came and Buddha named a year for each animal.

Chinese New Year always commences on the second New Moon after the Winter Solstice. It is a time of psychic and emotional rebirth. During the five days prior to the New Year, the Chinese clean their homes thoroughly: nooks and crannies are cleared, and astral debris is swept away before the New Year Dragon awakens. Please, no cleaning and sweeping on the actual day! During the waxing moon, (the two weeks leading up to the Full Moon) families and friends reunite and celebrate; all debts are paid, old grudges are forgiven and ancestors are honored. “Lucky money” is given to children in crisp new red envelopes. Incense is burned and offerings are made to Heaven and Earth; doors are flung open to welcome the New Year; lions, dragons, and unicorns dance in the street.

Chinese New Year ends on the Full Moon 15 days later. The 15th day is called the Festival of Lanterns; this year it falls on February 19. Lanterns painted with birds, flowers, and signs of the zodiac are hung in the temples and carried in a parade under the light of the Full Moon.

2019 is the year of Earth Pig, the fortunate Golden Pig. Under the influence of the Golden Pig, we can find peace, happiness, and contentment in life. There is sex, fine food, and success. Those born on the year of the Pig love luxury and fine things. They tend to be peaceful, optimistic and sensitive. They often find success in the arts, including the culinary arts. You were born in the year of the Pig: 1911, 1923, 1935, 1947, 1959, 1971, 1983, 1995, 2007, and 2019.

This New Moon in Aquarius and the Chinese New Year brings a wave of fresh energy and inspiration. The world is moving quickly right now. Can you feel it? We are posed at a threshold. John O’ Donohue writes in his beautiful book, To Bless the Space Between Us: “At any time, you can ask yourself: At which thresholds am I now standing? At this time in my life, what am I leaving? Where am I about to enter? What is preventing me from crossing my next threshold?”