The Chinese Solar Year started on February 4th and brings us into a 3 Wood year. On February 19th, we welcome the Lunar Chinese New Year: the Year of the Green Sheep. All of this will offer different energies to different people. However, there are some things we all can do to celebrate and prepare ourselves for a happy and prosperous year.

This blog was written by one of our project designers, Franca Giuliani, a Feng Shui Specialist. You can read more about her here.

1.) Get a New Door Mat

When was the last time you got a new door mat? How many feet do you think might have wiped their shoes on your current mat? Door mats hold a lot dirt and stagnant chi. Obtaining a new door mat can be a metaphor for welcoming new energy into your space. Now, if you happen to live in the North East part of the United States, you may want to get new one now but wait until the snow melts to put it out.

2.) Get Rid of 9 Things

Getting rid of items in your space allows room for new opportunities. However, the key is not to fill that space with something else. Leave it opened. And, you don’t have to pick large items. It could be that you get rid of a pair of shoes and a shoe box; or books you no longer want; or that knick-knack you hate to dust.

3.) Wear Something New 

For the first few days before and after the 19th, wear something new to attract new and good things into your life.

4.) Paint Something

If you have a painting project, doing it within the first 30 days of the new year is great. Again, it’s a metaphor of newness. It doesn’t have to be an entire room. Maybe you were thinking about putting a new coat of paint on a piece of furniture. Or, maybe it’s just about painting a planting pot your favorite color. No matter what it is, remember to clean up after you are finished.  Maybe try marsala.

5.) Get 9 Mandarin Oranges

Keep 9 mandarin oranges in a bowl on your table and counter. After the 19th, eat one each day. Mandarin oranges represent gold and wealth.

6.) Dust Everything

Wipe down everything in your space. This could be the start of spring cleaning. Especially, wipe down your desk (home and office) and organize. It’s amazing how much dust can everywhere. The best thing to do is take everything off the desk, clean, and strategically put everything back in its place. Getting rid of the old dust is another metaphor for inviting new opportunities

7.) Create Cut Out Words

Cut out auspicious words out of red paper, place them on a window or hang on a wall … somewhere where it will be seen. The words have to resonate with you and what you want in the new year, such “Joy”, “Wealth” “New Job”, “Good Health”, etc.

8.) Make a Donation

Donate some money in a red envelope. Traditionally, children are given money in red envelopes. But, by making a small donation to your local church, food bank, animal shelter, police or firefighter organization helps to spread abundance throughout your community. There is an ancient saying, “Give away what you want to keep.”

9.) Smile More and Remember to Be Grateful

As the new year approaches focus on the good in our lives. The more energy we put towards something, the more it grows … either negatively or positively. Let’s remind ourselves of the positive and happy things we want to grow.