People often wonder why the date for Chinese New Year changes each year. The Chinese calendar is a lunar calendar, based on a 60-year cycle that is represented by the 12 zodiac animals and five elements Chinese New Year falls on the second new moon after the winter solstice (all months begin with a new moon). In 2007 Chinese New Years falls on February 17th and is represented by the Fire Pig (a Pig year and the element Fire).

Feng Shui energies also change from year to year. Thus, it is important to be aware of where auspicious and inauspicious energies move at the beginning of each year. To that end, if 'negative' energy moves into an important location in our home or office, we need to mitigate the situation. In the Year of the Pig, the inauspicious energy called 'Five Yellow' or the number 5 in the 'Flying Star' system - symbolizing obstacles and misfortune, arrives in the Northeast. If your office, bedroom, or entrance is in the Northeast, a metal object or wind chime will help to deplete the '5' which is an earth number and metal weakens earth.

Another traditional suggestion is to 'Clean House' - before the New Year arrives. The Chinese consider it very important to give the house a thorough cleaning. It is as if you are sweeping away any bad luck that may have accumulated over the past year. Yet, don't clean for the first few days of the New Year - if you do, you risk sweeping away your good luck!

In the Chinese culture, the word "year" is 'nian' which is also the word for a type of animal, which in folklore could hurt or kill a human being. It is thought, when one is lucky enough to be alive for another New Year celebration, it is good luck to give Red Envelopes with money inside, especially to children. Red symbolizes protection against evil or inauspicious Chi.

Monkeys and Snakes are in direct conflict with the Pig and have a more challenging year. It can also be difficult when you are in your own year, as is the case for the Pig this year. It is very beneficial for these signs, as well as others, to carry a small Tiger with them at all times (i.e. 3" carved jade Tiger) as the Tiger is the best friend of the Pig. These can be gotten in Chinatown or if you prefer contact me and I can send you one.

Each of the twelve animals will have their own fate in this Year of the Pig. In general, it is predicted that there will be more international conflicts and disharmony. Fire is the symbol of the financial market, which will be strong in the first half of the year and then drop off somewhat in August. Professor Lin Yun Grand Master of the Black Hat Sect of Tibetan Buddhist Feng Shui, suggests that gold will rise in price and the value of the Euro will soar while the dollar will hold steady. He also recommends stocks in the biochemical, pharmaceutical, medical and information technology industries. But to avoid stocks companies involved in metals, construction, fashion, publishing, and beverages.
To help insure your Good Fortunes this year and for insight into your own astrology as well as specific feng shui recommendations for preparing your home or office, please contact me at:
Sacred Currents 212-410-1832.

'Gung Hey Fat Choy'
(Wishing You Prosperity),
Judith

In traditional Feng Shui, the things that are closest to us have the biggest influence on our lives. And there is nowhere else we spent as much time as our beds and thus in our bedrooms. When setting up a bedroom to support your love life and health, it is important to appreciate what every area of the room represents.

The position of your bed is most important. You should have a clear view of the door without being in line with its path. This usually means that the bed is diagonally across from the door. If the bed must be in the direct path of the door a round clear crystal could be suspended from the ceiling to help disperse the oncoming Chi (the Chinese word for energy). Equally important is having a solid headboard. A headboard is symbolic of having a protective mountain at your back. It also acts as a unifier of relationship Ð two acting as one. Wrought iron or open lattice headboards do not accomplish this.

Energy must flow into your bedroom for a relationship to flourish. Make sure your bedroom door is unobstructed and swings freely thus symbolizing open and clear communications between you and your partner. Also, do not store things under your bed which can limited the healthy flow of energy. Next, to have a balanced relationship the bed must also be balanced by having equal access on both sides. Each side of the bed should have a night table and lamp and never get cluttered. It is also important that your box spring be of one piece Ð undivided. Otherwise, an energetic 'split' occurs over time.

Other than the bed, the area of the bedroom that is most significant for a good relationship is the SW or back right hand side of the room. This is the area that is considered to represent marriage, partnership, romance and nurturing. Healthy plants are a good symbol here for your growing relationship. Pictures of the two of you (or anything in pairs), fresh flowers and candles particularly in the colors red, white or pink, strengthen this area. An oval or round mirror in this area can be a symbol of expanding unity and wholeness in your relationship. The color of your bedroom can range from terracotta to the softest pink because these are the colors associated with joy, love, and romance. But the color peach is not considered a stable one for a long lasting relationship but good for sexual encounters. Beige, brown, yellow and taupe are fine for the bedroom too, because these colors represent trust, connection, and growth. Relationships desirous of ensuring sensual bliss should use red or pink sheets. If this does not fit your personal taste, try putting a red sheet on the underside of the mattress (next to the box spring). Red is considered a particularly auspicious color. It connotes happiness, sensuality and act as a protector. It is important to always crack at window again allowing for the healthy flow of air and chi.

Start to recognize that everything holds a vibration and potential meaning. In this way you can put the meaning you want in your bedroom and relationship. Placing mundane and transcendental objects (i.e. a crystal) with intention is a big part of what give them potency. And who does want a potent relationship!

FYI...the Crystal in the photograph above is by Dr Emoto. He has tested the effects of words, prayers and thoughts on water and then photographed the resulting crystal formations. The crystal above was formed when the word LOVE was repeated. The human body is 70% water ~ think about it!