Oxen – Photo: New York Times
Year of the Ox
The new moon arrives on Thursday at 2:06 p.m. ET and marks the beginning of the Chinese New Year. We’re entering the Year of the Ox.
Actually, I have to admit that I’m not entirely sure if the New Year begins precisely at the time of the new moon. It seems to me that that would make the most sense, but I do notice that most links on the internet state that the new year begins on February 12th. My assumption is that 2:06 p.m. Eastern Time on the 11th is actually the 12th in China and the other countries that celebrate this on a national level.
So if I’m jumping the gun by a day, please forgive me.
Rituals and Customs
I found this site when I was looking to see what year we’re entering. While I suspect it is watered down for more superficial understanding, it nevertheless describes a lot of the traditions, rituals, and beliefs that comprise New Year celebrations in the cultures that celebrate this lunar observance.
I decided to write a quick post on this and include the link to this site for two reasons:
First, when I discovered this site I found the rituals intriguing. Some of the taboos and customs are quite specific, and it makes me wonder what fundamental benefits following these brought to the health and welfare of the people over the past thousands of years.
Second, I thought it might be worthwhile for us to use this opportunity to once again reflect, if ever so briefly, on what we want to let go of in our lives (leave it in the Year of the Rat!) and affirmatively contemplate what we would like to bring into our lives as we enter this new year.
New Moon Cycle
The new moon tomorrow is taking place in the sign of Aquarius. As usual, we can see this as a time when we’re planting the seeds of new ideas, projects, etc. and can watch to see how they develop and grow over the next two weeks as the moon grows to fullness in two weeks.
But of course there are times when the projects or ideas we’re ‘planting’ will take longer to bring to fruition. Another cycle we can look at is that it will take six months for the moon to become ‘full’ in the sign of Aquarius. So…perhaps we might want to note on our calendars the full moon in Aquarius and see whether our efforts (seeds) are bearing fruit by then.
Just a thought.
Happy New Year!
(T-289)