Feng Shui and New Year Rituals
What is Feng Shui?
Susan Chan, feng shui expert in New York City says, “Feng Shui is an ancient Chinese art that originally came through India and Tibet 7000 years ago. The word feng means wind and shui means water in Mandarin and Cantonese.” She explains that wind and water are referenced “because we can learn a lot about balance and harmony from studying Nature. Qi flows naturally and easily in nature and we want that same effortless energy to flow through our homes and our bodies.”
How Can Feng Shui Be Used To Improve Your Luck, Prosperity or Health?
“The best way to use Feng Shui is to make sure your health is optimal.” Susan further emphasizes that your home should feel like things are flowing, as they do in nature. This requires being in tune with nature so that you can look at your space, home, land and notice how they all affect you. It also requires that you explore your “inner landscape” which can be your physical and emotional health.
Susan says “the best way to use feng shui is to make sure your health is optimal.” She emphasizes that your home should feel like things are flowing, as they do in nature. This requires being in tune with nature so that you can look at your space, home, land and notice how they all affect you. It also requires that you explore your “inner landscape” which can be your physical and emotional health.
What Is Feng Shui’s Relationship to TCM? (Traditional Chinese Medicine)
Susan compares the way acupuncture, similar to Feng Shui, looks to reduce blockages of qi so that circulation in the body is optimal and organs can function as they should. She further explains, “When qi is blocked in your home or body, imbalances manifest. Physical or emotional pain, anxiety, fatigue, health issues. The job of a Feng Shui practitioner and a licensed acupuncturist is to promote healthy and flowing qi."
Susan’s Advice For the Year of the Rabbit?
“The year of the Tiger, [was about] bringing energy that was active, fierce and ambitious. The Rabbit is a different animal - tolerant, sensitive and gentle and moves at a different pace than the Tiger. Because of the shift to slower energy, the upcoming Rabbit year is a good time for personal reflection, a time to be kind and sensitive with yourself and others. The Rabbit year is for inner and outer peace.”
Susan’s New Year Ritual*:
Prepare to say Farewell to the Year of the Tiger
1) Sit quietly and reflect upon the last year Think about both the good things and the not-so-good things that happened. Maybe you lost your job, or experienced what seemed like an unfortunate event. Were you able to reframe it and learn a lesson? Did you recognize the opportunity it may have opened up for you? Perhaps you learned how resilient you were or how much support you have within your network. It’s important to remember that even the most challenging situations often bring along huge learning opportunities.
2) Change the energy of your home. It’s important to release the energy of the past year in a loving and grateful way. Start by burning some sage or incense and walk it through your home while reflecting on what you were grateful for in the last year. Remember – every experience was an opportunity for growth!
Next, open all the windows of your home for approximately 9 minutes to release the old energy. Remember that the intention is to be grateful for the last year while making room for good things in the next year. All the while, smile and let the year go. Say something that expresses gratitude such as, “Thank you Tiger year, for everything you have given and shown me. I now release you and welcome in the energy of the Rabbit.
3) Cleanse your own energy. Now do the final cleansing – take a bath or shower to rinse away the old energy. Allow the water to collect and wash away all of the thoughts and energy that you need to let go of.
Now time to say Hello to the year of the Rabbit:
Showing the Benefactors section indicated in step 4
4) Create your intentions for the Year of the Rabbit. Sit quietly again and reflect on what you want to feel in this next year. Be clear – reflect not what you want, but how you want to FEEL in this next year For example, if you want a new job, say “I want to go to a workplace everyday where I feel appreciated, heard and have fun with my colleagues.” Continue this list until you feel satisfied. Don’t limit yourself. Allow yourself to dream big. Remember that it’s all about the intention so smile, feel happy while you’re writing it and write it in the present tense as though it’s already happening.
Next, put your intention in a red envelope and put it in the Benefactors section of your bedroom
5) Nourish yourself. When you’re all done, I suggest making yourself and your loved ones a nice meal. Nurture yourself with things that make your inner “home” feel good. Remember, your meal doesn’t have to be sinful to taste delicious. Chew slowly. Be present as you enjoy every single bite. It’s always a nice practice to be grateful for all the lovely ingredients that allow you to feel nurtured.
6) Meditate into the New Year. This is very different from the typical champagne-clinking kind of new year. The focus is on sharing an intimate moment with yourself and perhaps, loved ones. Around 11pm, light a candle, sit in a comfortable position, close your eyes and enjoy the energy shift into the new year.
If you can only do 15 mins, do 15 mins. It’s not a perfect science. If you can’t stay up that late, that’s ok too. We are not grading you on being perfect.
* If you don’t get a chance to do the ritual on the exact date, that’s ok! Do it any time you like in the new year. Again, Feng Shui is all about intention. With intention alone, you can literally move mountains.
In Chinese culture, we say, "Gung hay fat choy!," which literally means wishing you great happiness and prosperity!"
GUNG HAY FAT CHOY!
How To Get In Touch
Susan Chan (She/Her)
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Posted on 1/19/23