Happy New Year of the Wood Dragon

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Happy New Year of the Wood Dragon
Photo by Vlad Vasnetsov

The Chinese New Year is on Saturday, February 10th. Also known as the Lunar New Year or Spring Festival, Chinese New Year is celebrated at the second new moon following the Winter Solstice. This festival marks the end of winter and the beginning of a long-awaited spring.

According to the Chinese zodiac, 2024 is the Year of the Dragon which is also the year 4797.

The Chinese Zodiac dates to the Qin Dynasty over 2000 years ago and is rooted in a system of zoolatry (or animal worship). As the legend goes, the Jade Emperor challenged all the animals in the Kingdom to a “Great Race.” Whoever arrived at his palace first would win his favor. The Rat was first because he tricked the Ox who was second, then the tiger, a rabbit whose tail had been bitten by a wolf, and a dragon saved him. As the rabbit got away, he accidentally crossed the finish line and then the dragon followed, so dragon years are powerful and vital, then the snake, horse, goat, monkey, rooster, dog, and pig.

Feng Shui originated in China as did the Chinese philosophy of the five-element theory. Each of the years in the Chinese calendar are not only named for one of the twelve animals, but they also refer to one of the five elements- water, earth, fire, metal, and wood.

In Chinese culture the highly revered dragon, the only mythological creature in the Eastern zodiac rather than an actual animal.
Photo by Ravit Sages

So, what does the Year of the Wood Dragon have in store for us? In Chinese culture, the highly revered dragon is the only mythological creature in the Eastern zodiac rather than an actual animal. And when it is the year of the Dragon, we can access all of Puff’s (remember Puff the Magic Dragon) legendary magic and then some. Dragons symbolize courage, tenacity, and intelligence. This year will symbolize fearlessness and a good year to start fresh and take risks. It is predicted to be a lucky year to build a solid foundation or something new with long-term potential. The last time we had a wood dragon was in 1964 the same year that the Beatles took America by storm and President Johnson signed the US Civil Rights Act of 1964 into law.

Wood Dragon years combine the dragon’s characteristics with the nurturing wood element. The combination is expected to bring growth, progress, and abundance. The wood element is expansive, which amplifies the Dragons go-get-em influence.

Some themes we can expect to rise up during this year are:

  • Power and Authority – shifts in leadership.
  • Innovation – pushing boundaries of innovation
  • Drama – what is more dramatic than a fire-breathing dragon? Life can imitate a Broadway play this year.
  • Ambition – if you are a passionate ambitious person, this is your year.
  • Transformation and renewal – 2024 is the year when complete renewal is possible. We may burn away old habits and transform every aspect of our lives down to the grown level.
  • Celebration – Joy is the great unifier in 2024 and we can all use a dose of this uplifting energy.

The challenges to expect this year as you work towards your goals could be anger, drama, inflexibility, abuse of power, and burnout.

The Year of the Wood Dragon is expected to be a trailblazing year full of fresh starts, passion, abundance, and great luck.

Happy New Year!

Have any Feng Shui questions? Feel free to contact me at michelle@michellecromer.com and sign up for your Power Color or visit me on Facebook at Michelle Cromer–Creating a Meaningful Life.

Happy Year of the Yin Water Rabbit

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Happy Year of the Yin Water Rabbit
Photo by Tima Miroshnichenko

The Chinese New Year is on Sunday, January 22. Also known as the Lunar New Year or Spring Festival, Chinese New Year is celebrated at the second new moon following the Winter Solstice. This festival marks the end of winter and the beginning of a long-awaited spring. According to the Chinese zodiac, 2023 is the Year of the rabbit, which is also the year 4795.

Chinese zodiac

The Chinese Zodiac dates to the Qin Dynasty over 2000 years ago and is rooted in a system of zoolatry (or animal worship). As the legend goes, the Jade Emperor challenged all the animals in the Kingdom to a “Great Race.” Whoever arrived at his palace first would win his favor. The Rat was first because he tricked the Ox who was second, then the tiger, rabbit whose tail had been bitten by a wolf, and a dragon saved him. As the rabbit got away, he accidentally crossed the finish line, and then the dragon followed, so Rabbit years are full of dumb luck – right place right time, then the snake, horse, goat, monkey, rooster, dog, and pig.

Feng Shui originated in China and as did the Chinese philosophy of the five-element theory. Each of the years in the Chinese calendar is not only named for one of the twelve animals, but they also refer to one of the five elements- water, earth, fire, metal, and wood.

So, what does the Year of the Water Rabbit have in store for us?
In Chinese culture, the rabbit is known as the luckiest out of all the twelve animals. It symbolizes mercy, elegance, and beauty. This year will symbolize longevity, peace, and prosperity. It is predicted to be a year of hope. Rabbit years bring lucky breaks and partnerships for those on their true path. Although the Rabbit is not the strongest of animals its charm, and speed attract money, fertility, lovers, and success. This is especially true combined with the water element of the year. This will be a calm year. A year that represents sensitivity, intuition, and in its most positive form the way to inner peace. A relaxing year and a year full of good friends and family. However, be careful because the devil-may-care attitude might lead to inaction. So don’t get trapped like the rabbit almost was by the wolf.

This is a great year for stability, the perfect year to go back to school or write a book or start a ritual of reading every day. The Rabbit is the most literate of all the animals. Jeff Bezos was born in the year of the rabbit and look what Amazon has done for the book industry. Great year for romance. The rabbit is a strategist so a great analytical business year. The rabbit symbolizes good luck, so if you practice patience, you should experience lucky breaks in business and romance.

Happy New Year!

Have any Feng Shui questions? Feel free to contact me at michelle@michellecromer.com and sign up for your Power Color or visit me on Facebook at Michelle Cromer Feng Shui.

Year of the Yin Metal Ox Free Class

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Year of the Yin Metal Ox Free Class
Photo by Victoria Emerson from Pexels

Happy Chinese New Year! On February 12th we are entering the Year of the Yin Metal Ox, which is actually the year 4720 in the Chinese calendar.

Long, long ago, there was no Chinese zodiac. The Jade Emperor wanted to select 12 animals to be his guards. He sent an immortal being into the world to spread the message that the earlier one went through the Heavenly Gate, the better the rank one would have. The next day, all the animals set off towards the Heavenly Gate. The rat got up very early. On his way to the gate, he encountered a river. He had to stop there, owing to the swift current. After waiting a long time, the rat noticed an ox was about to cross the river and swiftly jumped onto the ox’s back. The diligent ox did not mind at all and simply continued. After crossing the river, the ox raced towards the palace of the Jade Emperor. Suddenly, the rat jumped off the ox’s back and dashed to the feet of the Emperor. The rat won first place and the ox was second.

Tiger and rabbit came third and fourth because both are fast and competitive, but the tiger was faster. The rabbit got across the river by hopping on stepping-stones and a floating log. Good-looking dragon was fifth and was immediately noticed by the Jade Emperor, who said dragon’s son could be sixth. But dragon’s son didn’t come with him that day. Just then, the snake came forward and said dragon was his adoptive father; so the snake ranked sixth. The horse and the goat arrived. They were very kind and modest and each let the other go first. The Jade Emperor saw how polite they were and ranked them seventh and eighth. The monkey had fallen well behind. But he jumped between trees and stones and caught up to be ninth. Last were the rooster, dog, and pig. These 12 animals became guards of the Heavenly Gate.

We all know last year, the year of the Metal Rat was not what any of us expected. However, the message of the Year of the Yin Metal Ox could not be clearer: Success will come to those who work hard. Really hard. This year will embody the characteristics of the ox; duty, discipline, and dependable. An ox moves slowly so this year will slow down as compared to that quick-moving year of the rat.

Every Chinese Zodiac year is based on one of the five elements and each of you, based on your birthday, was born under one of these 12 animals. I want to invite you to a free Live Zoom Event I am having on February 10th at 11:00 am MST about the Year of the Yin Metal Ox and what it specifically means to you based on the animal you happen to be.

First I will show you how to determine your animal, and then I will give each of you forecasts on finances, health, career, and love, based on your unique animal. All you have to do is click the link in this video description. I only have room for 90 people so sign up soon. If you don’t get a spot, I will make sure the recording is available to you.

Here’s to a wonderful, safe, healthy, and successful Year of the Yin Metal Ox!

Have any Feng Shui questions? Feel free to contact me at michelle@michellecromer.com and sign up for your Power Color or visit me on Facebook at Michelle Cromer Feng Shui.

It’s The Chinese New Year! Discover How to Make it Your Best!

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Would you like to usher in more wealth, happiness, love and good fortune? 2015 is the Year of the Goat or Sheep, which begins February 19, 2015.

Listen to the replay and learn what to do and not do in order to make 2015 the best year ever!

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Happy Chinese New Year! It’s the year of the earth dog!

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Friday, February 16th, China will celebrate the beginning of its New Year. Each Chinese year is given its name from the Chinese zodiac and each year is characterized by an animal as well as an element, and this year is the year of the earth dog!

Start the New Year out by thoroughly cleaning your house. This process is called, “sweeping the dust, and is symbolic in that it represents putting away old things and leaving the past behind.

This is a lucky year full of harmonious relationships. Success will be achieved through the quality of communication between people and learning that being selfless and generous can bring the promise of a more generous harvest in return.

The year of the earth dog is a good time to make lifestyle changes. If you smoke – quit even though you have tried before in the year of the earth dog you will succeed. It’s a wonderful year to start something new like a business or buy a new home.

The dog is the symbol of intelligence and protection, and this is a year to demand radical changes to our life conditions and to preserve the future of our children.

Famous people born as an earth dog are Michael Jackson and Madonna both who represent the characteristics of being serious and deliberate in their work and in their successes. And always masters at being able to communicate their talent to all of us.

Chinese New Year is an opportunity to celebrate a new start! Happy New Year!

 

Michelle Cromer