Chinese New Year
Click here to watch the full conversation between Dr. Kelsey of Sacred Acupuncture + Chiropractic and Dr. Karen of Sacred Spa + Wellness as they discuss the Chinese Zodiac, animals + elements, customs + traditions of Chinese New Year and each will impact your Zodiac. This discussion dives into how best to harness the energy of the rabbit year and use it to best optimize your health, wellness and create abundance through energetic techniques and Traditional Chinese Medicine.
Dr. Kelsey + Dr. Karen also provided highlights of their conversion below:
Dr. Kelsey:
“Chinese New Year Facts from my half:
Also known as the lunar new year, it takes place this Sunday January 22nd . The day after the first new moon of the year.
We are welcoming the year of the water rabbit
Water Characteristics: Times of strong will, creative, receptive to change, more introverted tendencies.
Rabbit Characteristics: Rabbits are fast paced and usually lucky years (think of the lucky rabbit foot people carry around). The Rabbit likes to avoid confrontation and many disputes will be settled this year through negotiations. They are alert to their surroundings and dislike anything that can cause discomfort, they would rather run the other way. Rabbit years focus on women and their advances as well as children and the home. This is a year for the arts.
The Chinese zodiac is made of 12 different animals, and the corresponding animal for the year you were born is your zodiac (some differences may be in January or February birthdays, you need to look at the exact date).
To see how the year of the water rabbit will affect you personally a good text we recommend is Your Chinese Horoscope for Each and Every Year by Neil Somerville.
The last time the year of the water rabbit was 60 years ago. In 1963 we had the United States and the Soviet Union come to a peaceful conclusion with the Nuclear Ban Treaty, Martin Luther King Jr. gave his "I have a dream" speech, and the first women climbed Mount Everest.
In Light,
Dr. Kelsey Crow”
Dr. Karen:
“Happy Chinese New Year on January 22nd, the Year of the Water Rabbit!
The Water characteristics are times of strong will, creative, receptive to change, more introverted tendencies. Characteristics of rabbits are fast paced and usually lucky years (think of the lucky rabbit foot people carry around). The Rabbit likes to avoid confrontation and many disputes will be settled this year through negotiations. They are alert to their surroundings and dislike anything that can cause discomfort, they would rather run the other way. Rabbit years focus on women and their advances as well as children and the home. This is a year for the arts.
Here is a recap of all the different Chinese Zodiac animals and their predictions for the year.
Rabbits, this is your year! Make sure you set your goals; with determination, you will have a successful year. New year's resolutions and manifestation will be extra strong. Think of something you can achieve this year.
Rats: Be patient this year and take your time. Allow for personal time and focus on your health. Reflect on what you have and don’t spend too much time ‘scurrying’ around. As health is a major tip for this animal, it is important to put yourself first for self-care this year.
Ox: A good year for oxen to join social activities, this will be a time for romantic endeavors. The year of the rabbit will help you move forward in your occupation as well. Be careful with your budget. This will be a year for you to possibly join a running group or class, make working out a social occasion.
Tigers: Don’t pounce ahead too quickly, this is a year for reflection and deliberation. Your job will provide a raise in income or position, and it is a good year for you financially. This year is a good time for inner reflection, think about taking regular walks or repetitive exercise like swimming.
Dragons: This is a good year to listen to advice and set yourself up for a beneficial year next year (Year of the Dragon). Rabbit years are slower for Dragons, so enjoy this time with family and friends. For dragons working out with a trusted partner or trainer may work best for you.
Snakes: The year of the rabbit is a constructive year for snakes, with intention and effort a raise in income is common- especially for creative individuals. This may be a time to enjoy travel. Traveling and outdoors are going to light your fire this year, think about hiking or trail running for your health tip.
Horses: Your active nature will be good this year, just make sure your independent tendencies do not take over. It is a good time to spend time with others, go out socially, or volunteer. A good year to build a base for the year to come. Horses will also benefit this upcoming year with group activities. Find a group to surround yourself to help achieve your goals.
Goats/Sheep: Year of affinity with the rabbit, a good year for you! Goats should be social this year, as new friendships can arise. At work and home great opportunities may occur. You will be extra lucky this year and your new year's manifestations may be more achievable this year. Try to get regular exercise with those that push you forward.
Monkeys: You have most likely felt frustrated this past year, as the rabbit year comes more comfort will happen in your life. Make sure to focus on the future and to not dwell on the past. This will be a special year for you romantically. As this year brings comfort make sure you are still staying active and healthy. You may be drawn to relax but make sure to do little workouts throughout the week.
Roosters: This is a good year for the rooster to make healthier lifestyle changes. Advances in a healthy diet and exercise can encourage the rooster’s confidence. Focus on the now not the future and be conservative with money. This is a year of health for the rooster! Your confidence will grow as you see changes happen in your life.
Dogs: A good time for you to review the past year, as a lot has happened. Romance and relationships will be present throughout the year. Expect changes and surprises, be open and willing to adapt. Keep a close eye on big purchases and the budget. This is a year for the dog to go with the flow. Your life has lots of change occurring so consistency in workouts may be beneficial. Make a calendar if needed to keep track of your self-care routine
Pig: Year of affinity with the rabbit, a good year ahead! Opportunities in vocation may arise and act when your gut tells you to. This is a year to decrease debt or increase savings as income may rise and seek direction with financial matters. You will be extra lucky this year and your new year's manifestations may be more achievable this year. Try to get regular exercise with those that push you forward.
Chinese New Year is the time to clear out the old, bring in the new energy, decorate and celebrate with family and friends. Here are some customs and traditions that are typically done in preparation and during this significant time of year.
Clean House: A thorough cleaning is needed to drive off the old energy and remove any bad luck away from the house and get ready for the new start to the year. Every corner of the house must be cleaned including floors and walls.
Shopping: After cleaning people will go shopping, from a new piece of furniture to a new dinnerware. The belief in Chinese culture is that since this is a new year, they should buy a lot of new things. Purchasing new items symbolizes welcoming new things and getting ready for a new start.
Wear new clothes: Generally, it is the duty of the middle generation of a family to buy new clothes for all family members. Although some adults do not follow this custom anymore, every child wear brand new clothes on the New Year’s Day, from head to toe.
For people in his or her zodiac year of birth, a piece of new clothing in red is needed.The character “Fu”, meaning good fortune or happiness, is used to express people's good wish and yearning for the future, so people usually paste it on the gates or some furniture in the house during the Chinese New Year.
Paper cut outs carries people’s good wishes. words or patterns are cut on red paper, recollecting the happy moments in life or imagining the better life of the New Year.
The papercut outs of the Fu character are the most popular pattern and are pasted on windows.Family Reunion Dinners: As the festival approaches, family reunion becomes the major concern of every Chinese. No matter how far apart of the family members, they would get back home for the biggest annual gathering. A home-made dinner is served and a whole fish is a must, representing surplus and good fortune of the New Year.
Dumplings: The most important food during Chinese New Year is the dumplings, which are made with flour and stuffed with different fillings. It is a custom to eat dumplings on the New Year’s Eve, the 1st and the 5th day of the New Year. Because their shape resembles the monetary ingots used in ancient times, dumplings are believed to bring wealth in the coming year.
Glutimous Rice Balls: In south China, the Glutinous Rice Balls are a traditional food for the Chinese New Year. The balls are made of sticky rice flour stuffed with different fillings such as black sesame or peanut. Their round shape symbolizes reunion, harmony and happiness.
Red envelopes. also known as lucky money, is prepared for children by the elderly and given after the reunion dinner. In Chinese folk culture, children will live safe and sound for the whole year if they get the lucky money
Fireworks. Fireworks are always set off at midnight. In some places, people also set off firecrackers on the morning of the first day of the New Year.
Here are some fun facts for the upcoming year!
Lucky numbers in 2023 are 5, 7, 9 and any numbers that contain them.
Lucky days are 15, 27 and 30 of every month.
Lucky month: the month of March belongs to the rabbit
The most suitable zodiac signs for rabbits are the goat, dog or pig
The least suitable zodiac signs for rabbits are the rat or rooster
As the year of the rabbit quickly approaches, now is the time to embrace into its positive and powerful energy and make the most of it.
- Dr. Karen Willams”