It’s time to get ready for the New Year.  Although we will ring in 2007 on January 1, 2007, many people around the world celebrate the Chinese New Year.  But did you know that there are 2 different Chinese New Years’?  The New Year we see celebrated with Chinese Dragons and gifts of money in red envelopes and wonderful food is the Spring Festival, which is the beginning of the new year based on the lunar calendar.  In 2007 the lunar New Year starts on February 18^th. 

But there is another Chinese New Year based on the solar calendar and it is this New Year that is important from a feng shui perspective. 

The beginning of the solar year is exactly between the winter solstice and spring equinox and occurs on either Feb 4^th or 5^th.  In 2007, it takes place on Feb 5^th at 1:14 p.m.  This is called Li Chun or Beginning of Spring. 

Back in the September newsletter, I talked about your ming gua being based on your year of birth.  The solar calendar is used for this calculation.  For example, if your birth date is January 3, 1982 your year of birth is considered to be 1981 because it occurs before Li Chun.  If you were born on February 8, 1982 your year of birth is 1982.  This is true for determining the gua, or trigram of your home as well.  (Remember this is based on the date the roof went on the building).  Please make sure that anyone performing a feng shui analysis for you takes this into account.  There are practitioners that have not been taught this important point of the time element in feng shui. 

Li Chun is important in Xuan Kong, or Flying Stars feng shui, because it marks the time when the prominent annual star changes.  Any feng shui remedies that have been in place need to be reevaluated. 

Li Chun is also the time when the locations of potentially negative qi patterns change.  These are called the Tai Sui and the San Sha.  If not addressed, these areas can foster misfortune.  In 2007, Tai Sui (or the Grand Duke) occurs in a 15° sector of the Northwest.  You should not sit for long periods facing the Tai Sui but sitting with you back to the Tai Sui is supportive.  The San Sha (or Three Afflictions) covers a larger area in the West.  You should not sit for long periods with your back to the San Sha, but facing it is acceptable.  In both cases, you should avoid disturbing the ground (such as gardening), or engaging in noisy activity such as renovations in these areas unless you have placed metal, possibly a wind chime, between your home and the activity.

Note for December:  The monthly 5 Yellow Sickness star is in the NW this month.  Place heavy metal or moving metal as the appropriate remedy for this monthly negative qi.

Next Month:  It’s time to start thinking about your garden.  I know it’s cold and dreary now, but what better time to plan for the garden that will support your home.