What is Chinese New Year?
New Year is one of China’s oldest festivals. It marks the beginning of a new year and a new agricultural season, and is considered a time for loved ones to reunite and take part in traditions designed to bring good fortune for the next 12 months.

Chinese New Year is held each year between 21 January and 20 February. The main celebration will be held this year on 31 January, although the festival will begin a day earlier. Each year the exact date of Chinese New Year changes because it is actually determined by the lunisolar cycle.
This year brings the year of the Horse.
The Horse is one of Chinese favorite animals: in centuries past they provided quick transportation to destinations for people before the invention of automobiles. Horses are legendary for their ability to run long distances on great journeys, therefore, the Horse is not only a symbol of traveling, but also a sign of speedy success. They like to compete with others, constantly in pursuit for their freedom, passion and leadership. Astrologers predict 2014 will most likely provide very busy schedules for goal reaching, prosperity, success, and a great time to travel!
According to Astrologists, there might not be a bigger shift in energy over the entire 60 year wheel of Chinese Astrology than this one coming up. They say this will be a promethean year, “the Beginning of all beginnings”. Full of optimism, uplift and inspiration guiding us into purposeful action. Where light, hope and clarity of vision come galloping in! Coupling the year of the Horse with it’s element this year of Wood further activates the year of vibrant energy clearing out from years of inward introspection from Water elements. The time has come to break out of those cocoons (planning and thinking and worrying) and start DOING. With gusto.

This will be a promethean year, the Beginning of all beginnings, arriving around January 31st to February 4th, 2014.  Full of uplift, optimism and compelling inspiration, we will be guided into purposeful action of the most elegantly simple and powerfully fruitful kind.  After two years of feeling every revelation of corruption in the dark as if it was scouring our subconscious insides and wringing us dry of watery emotion, we are READY for this change!  Light, hope and clarity of vision gallop in. Emerge from your cocoons, everybody, here we goooooo! – See more at: http://westernschooloffengshui.com/2014/01/2014woodhorse/#sthash.R0wy9pSx.AGFrbTDk.dpuf
There might not be a bigger shift of energies in the entire 60 year wheel of Chinese astrology than this one coming up–the shift from two Water years of deep introspection to the fast-paced spurt of extroverted forward propulsion that the Wood Horse brings.  Hold on to your hats, folks, and realize that you won’t be able to, nor will you want to, slow your horses in the New Year ahead! – See more at: http://westernschooloffengshui.com/2014/01/2014woodhorse/#sthash.R0wy9pSx.AGFrbTDk.dpufb
There might not be a bigger shift of energies in the entire 60 year wheel of Chinese astrology than this one coming up–the shift from two Water years of deep introspection to the fast-paced spurt of extroverted forward propulsion that the Wood Horse brings.  Hold on to your hats, folks, and realize that you won’t be able to, nor will you want to, slow your horses in the New Year ahead! – See more at: http://westernschooloffengshui.com/2014/01/2014woodhorse/#sthash.R0wy9pSx.AGFrbTDk.dpuf
There might not be a bigger shift of energies in the entire 60 year wheel of Chinese astrology than this one coming up–the shift from two Water years of deep introspection to the fast-paced spurt of extroverted forward propulsion that the Wood Horse brings.  Hold on to your hats, folks, and realize that you won’t be able to, nor will you want to, slow your horses in the New Year ahead! – See more at: http://westernschooloffengshui.com/2014/01/2014woodhorse/#sthash.R0wy9pSx.AGFrbTDk.dpuf
What will the year of the horse bring?
For those born on the year of the horse, they will encounter their Year of Birth. It is believed they will offend Taisui, the god in charge of fortune, so their finances may fluctuate. In terms of career, it is advised to keep the peace between colleagues.
For those not born on a horse year, the year ahead will bring health and prosperity. It is said to be an excellent time to travel, as the next 12 months will bring good luck. You are advised to mingle with the locals, savour authentic cuisine and discover somewhere you have never been before.

How is it celebrated?
In China, New Year traditions vary depending on the region, although there are a number of customs that remain at the heart of all Chinese New Year celebrations:

  • Cleaning 
    Out with the old and in with the new. In the run up to New Year, houses are cleaned top to bottom. Some Chinese people take a bath with pomelo leaves (a citrus fruit native to South East Asia) as it’s believed to enhance prosperity for the coming year. It is also traditional not to wash your hair during the initial days of New Year as it risks washing out any newly acquired prosperity.
  • Decoration 
    Doorways, windows and various other parts of houses are decorated with red ribbons and banners to ward off evil. It is also customary to put on brand new red clothes – red being a color associated with good luck – in the early hours of New Year’s Day as it is thought to ward off evil and symbolizes a new start.
  • New Year’s Eve meal
    Chinese New Year is a time for families to reunite and the New Year’s Eve meal is the most important of the year. Dumplings and fish are served as symbols of prosperity and children receive gifts, including envelopes filled with money.
  • Fireworks
    It wouldn’t be Chinese New Year without fireworks and fire-crackers. Traditionally they are set off on New Year’s Eve in order to bid farewell to the old year and usher in the new.
  • Festival of the Lanterns
    The 15th day of the festival is known as the Festival of the Lanterns. It marks the last day of the lunar year and the end of all Chinese New Year celebrations. Red paper lanterns of all shapes and sizes are hung in streets and from almost all houses. Children often make their own lanterns in order to light the way as they stroll through the streets with friends and family. Many people write poems on the lanterns, while others inscribe riddles for others to solve in exchange for small gifts.
    Wishing you continued Health and Prosperity!
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