Welcome to a new month, February, and for many people in the world, a New Year. The 1st February was Chinese New Year, so also a New Moon, but it’s the start of Imbolc, the Celtic spring festival as well.
Here in the UK it might seem a bit strange talking about spring on the 31st of January, but Snowdrops are out, I saw Winter Aconite the other day and lots of my bulbs are poking their shoots above the soil. So, Spring is definitely on its way.
I know some of you have felt like 2022 hasn’t really started yet. I think that’s a common feeling at the beginning of every year, but I think particularly noticeable in the past two years. Celebrations may have been muted because of the COVID pandemic. Maybe you couldn’t do the usual things that you do on New Year again this year because people were sick or you couldn’t travel to see people, or you just didn’t feel like it. I know some families celebrated Christmas in January, once the virus outbreak in their household was over.
So perhaps you can start again now. Just forget about January and go with start of Year of the Tiger.
Are You a Tiger?
If you were born in a Year of the Tiger you are considered to be brave strong-willed or stubborn, pioneering outspoken, impulsive, playful, enthusiastic, impatient, fearless, strong, and have a strong sense of justice. The Chinese years go in 12 yearly cycles with the 12 zodiac animals, but also the addition of one of the 5 elements. This year is a ‘Water Tiger’ year, those happen only once every 60 years. So, in addition to the regular tiger characteristics there is an emphasis on family.
If you were born in 1950, 1962, 1974, 86 or 98, you will be a tiger. But if you were born in January or February, you need to double check where the new year fell in that year. Because it’s based on lunar as well as solar characteristics, Chinese New Year can move several weeks in either direction between January 21st and February 20th. You may be on the cusp of one or the other.
Increase Your Luck for the Coming Year
In Chinese tradition, it’s the way you behave and what you do at the beginning of the year, that affects your luck for the rest of the year. On Chinese New
Photo by Thyla Jane on Unsplash
Year, there are traditions about what you should and shouldn’t do. You should compliment people, be nice to people because, what you give comes back to you. If you’re kind to people, give people gifts, particularly money, that will come back to you throughout the year. You’re not supposed to sweep on New Year’s Day because you might be sweeping away all your luck. Women are not allowed to go outside, which may or may not be a good thing.
In anticipation of new year, you clean your house and you put up red decorations and lanterns. It’s a spring festival and continues for about two weeks ending with the Festival of Lanterns.
