Tag Archives: Chinese New Year

THE WAR ON CHRISTMAS HAS BEEN WON!

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It’s New Year’s Day and in my neighborhood. like the greater part of Ashland, Christmas decoration are being taken down. Those, of course, that were not removed the day after Christmas. So the politically correct forces can declare an open victory against the religious aspects of this holiday. Many folks got their lights and geegaws up right after Thanksgiving, in order to match Walmart and Target. The expansion of the Christmas buying season has trumped anyone who found Christmas to be the celebration of the birth of the Christian’s Son of God. Material acquisition has trumped inward reflection and gratitude.

The next target? Obviously, the only one left! Thanksgiving. Madison Ave has yet to figure out how to Sarah Palin Turkey 5commercialize the bird, however, Sarah Palin did a pretty good job on it not so long ago. It’s interesting to note that neither the Jewish High Holy Days, nor those venerated by  Buddhists have fallen to the venal appetites of those who have elevated Money above Existence, Spirit, God or whatever such a power means. Does anyone see any human arrogance is such a path? What does it have to do with Nature and the real world? Not much , if anything, from this man’s point of view.

2014 is The Year of the Horse – and Chinese astrologers suggest we can expect Mother nature to step up larger and more dramatically as we keep climate change under wraps and in denial. Gaia is pissed off. Oh well, time for the Koch brothers to sell more Coors!

Quantum Theory

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Do you think Quantum Theory has anything to do with Feng Shui and vice versa? And who cares anyway? Well, the more I study Feng Shui and the world, the more connections I’m finding between the two. At a recent celebration of Chinese new Years, I explained to about 80 people the connections I have found between the iChing, Feng Shui and Quantum Theory. It’s my thesis that the two are arriving at virtually the same place, one 3,000 years before the other. Which tells me 2 things: Westerners who dismiss Feng Shui are the same ones who feel horse drawn plows are better than tractors and much more efficient. And for friends born in the East if they think that having the bamboo flutes and the money frog will bring them luck, these folks belong with those who prefer Twinkies to a good solid meal. Either way, we need to knock down phony barriers and realize we are onto something very profound.

Chinese New Year – The Year of the Rabbit

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If you live in an area with a Chinese community, chances are they will be celebrating this weekend as the Year of the Rabbit takes over from the Year of the Tiger.  Try to attend these celebrations and observe that everything being done has some symbolic meaning.  These don’t always translate well into our Western culture, but they may help you understand the rich complexity of this ancient culture. And perhaps, in your own heart, welcome the Year of the Rabbit – it bodes well for those of us who align our spirit with the wonderful Rabbit.

Traditional Feng Shui objects

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Recently a student of Feng Shui appeared at my door wanting to buy various Feng Shui objects.  He was disappointed that I did not carry these as a favor to my clients. But I find such things unnecessary to invoke the full effect of a powerful Feng Shui analysis and correction.  In fact,in my experience it is often more effective to use the Five Elements and their interactions for correcting unfavorable situations. Moreover, when done in good taste, the cures add to the beauty of both business and home.

Chinese restaurants are often decorated with all sorts of Feng Shui symbols, and that probably keeps the owners mindful to intend good fortune.  But it is not a requirement. Beauty calls forth it’s own favorable Feng Shui.  Play with it and see what results you get.

Ancient calendars and Feng Shui

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The latest issue of my newsletter briefly speaks to the history of the calendar as we approach the Year of the Rabbit.  It’s fascinating that the ancient world, whether Western or Easters or Middle Eastern all seem to have a 12 month calendar.  As long as there have been women, this should not be surprising. Between a woman’s period and observations of the longest and shortest days, the year forms itself and divides very nicely.  But I did turn up on interesting fact which contradicts much of what has been discussed & wrtten about in the New Age movement for years.

The Mayan calendar ends in 2012.  What this implies has often been interpreted as ‘the end times’ or whatever.  Yet if one looks into Mayan mythology, one find that the date actually marks the beginning of a new cycle, not an ending.  The same is true in the Vedic tradition, as we are ending the cycle of  the Kali Yuga, The ending of that period is predicted to be very unpleasant, as the demon goddess Kali is is finally defeated and we enter a new Yuga, the Satya Yuga.

What does this have to do with Feng Shui? I hear you ask.  Quite simply, the effective use of Feng Shui to remove blocks to harmony and prosperity helps anyone/everyone get through the hard times we are witnessing.  And we’re just beginning! You might want to sign up for the newsletter just to keep one viewpoint in your pocket.

THEY YEAR OF THE RABBIT IS, almost, UPON US

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Well, not quite. Next in the 12 year Chinese cycle is the Year of the Rabbit beginning February 3, 2011. And while it portends many positive changes, many of the Year of the Tiger’s bumps and hiccups will continue. As we see the megabanks and multinational corporations having a deliciously profitable year, many small folk could use a healthy dose of the positive chi Feng Shui offers. I know I’m bragging when I say every business I’ve helped has seen an increase in its bottom line. Expanding from that, you may want to consider, at minimum, a cleanup of the Chi at your business. At maximum, consider an analysis and recommendation by a feng shui master. It’s money well spent. I’d be glad to put you in touch with some of my clients if you need to hear it directly from them. Otherwise, check out the “Clients” section of this blog. And may your holiday season brings all the abundance and prosperity you could wish for.

Thoughts on the Year of the Tiger

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It occurs to me that yesterday’s posting was strong.  And well it should be, as this is a Metal Tiger year.  What does that mean?  In its simplest form, each sign is affected by the system called Five Elements Theory.  Each element either moderates or strengthens another element.

Wood feeds fire.  Water douses fire. One element supports, the other moderates or negates.  When we look at a Metal Tiger, know the following: metal will moderate or stop growth (seems we already know that – look at the world’s economies.)  That stifling effect ripples out into other parts of our world.  But metal supports liquidity and flexibility.

So the message is clear: one needs to remain supple but grounded so if things go awry, you can shift as needed.  Don’t expect huge development and growth, but, like the hippies say “Go with the flow Man!”

Tiger, Tiger, burning bright

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We’ve already had a tsunami in Hawaii, devastating earthquakes in Chile and Haiti, and those are only the disasters being reported by CNN.   It’s all part of the year of the Metal Tiger.  This isn’t going to be easy for any of us, and that’s why I suggest buckle up.  Things will be moving quickly, could be disastrous or disquieting; beneficial or catastrophic.

We’re all aware that there is more happening in the world than we can possibly grok, and we should not have to.  We are in the Information Age and we are having our own tsunami of information – most of it irrelevant to our existence.  When I wrote Pay Attention, I meant it as a life ring for what can become a tsunami of overwhelm.

We exist in the center of 3 cycles.  The innermost is ourselves, alone in the world.  The second one contains our friends, neighbors, our local community. And the 3rd is the circle that contains the world.  We have great influence on the first circle, and we can influence the second.  Bu we have no effect on the 3rd circle.  Yet many of us waste our time and energy bemoaning “those dupes in Washington” or “that crazy governor” and on and on.  When we realize using our energy in this way is pouring money down a toilet, it becomes obvious if we want to have any effect at all, we need to work within the circles where we can have a real effect.

Paying Attention can help.  This is something I need to continually remind myself of, and I hope, writing this, it helps you well.  Happy Tigers!, Or, as e.e.cummings said:

Tiger, Tiger, burning bright
In the forests of the night,
What immortal hand or eye
Could frame thy fearful symmetry?

Year of the Ox means?

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It is said the Buddha asked all the animals to gather with him on Chinese New Year (January 26 this year.)  Only 12 showed up and he gave a month to each animal.  This year is the year of the Ox.  People born in the Year of the Ox are loyal, steadfast, hard working and stable.

So – if you were born in any of the following years: 1913, 1925, 1937, 1949, 1961, 1973, 1985 or 1997, 2009, you were born in the year of the Ox.  

chinese-zodiac

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

In the Rogue Valley, Jacksonville is the center of activity as there was a huge Chinese population during the gold rush days. It did not last, as the Chinese were forcibly sent back when I became illegal for a Chinese to live in OR. 

But February 5 will see an entire day of activities celebrating the Year of the Ox.  For a full schedule, see http://www.mailtribune.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20090130/TEMPO/901300307.  And outside the area, see if there is a local Chinese Association that will know what’s happening at this auspicious time of the year. Gung Hay Fat Choi!