This edition of Feng Shui Tips helps us Welcome in the God of Wealth this Lunar Year!
Li Chun or the first season of the Year of the Yi Wei Goat (乙未) commences at 12.09 pm Local Standard Time on February 4th.
However welcoming the God of Wealth or Cai Shen at the Lunar New Year is another particularly important event in the Chinese New Year Festival.
In 2015 the first day of the first Lunar Month is the 19th of January and the God of Wealth arrives from the West (260°) between 11.00 pm to 1.00 am. However the most auspicious time to receive Cai Shen is actually 11.40 pm Local Standard Time on the evening of the 18th February or 12.40 am on the morning of the 19th February, if you are currently observing Daylight Saving Time.
If you would like to invite the God of Wealth into your home then simply follow these steps and may you enjoy much happiness, health, success and prosperity in the Year of the Yi Wei Goat! Please note that it is unsuitable for you to personally welcome Cai Shen if you are born in the Year of the Tiger or Monkey, so just get another family member or friend to do it for you.
The first thing you must do is to clean your home, paying particular attention to all the main Qi openings (windows and doors) that are located in the West, as this is the direction that Cai Shen is arriving from. Start at the main entrance and work your way around in a clockwise direction.
Ideally kaffir lime juice and leaves should be added to your bucket of soapy water for extra cleansing properties, but this is up to you. Alternately you can also use a few drops of Kaffir Lime Essential Oil. Please note that this type of spring cleaning is best done during auspicious days leading up to the Lunar New Year and these dates are:
• February 2nd – Avoid cleaning if born in the Rabbit Year
• February 4th – Avoid cleaning if born in the Snake Year
• February 7th – Avoid cleaning if born in the Monkey Year
• February 10th – Avoid cleaning if born in the Pig Year
• February 11th – Avoid cleaning if born in the Rat Year
• February 13th – Avoid cleaning if born in the Tiger Year
• February 15th – Avoid cleaning if born in the Dragon Year
• February 16th – Avoid cleaning if born in the Snake Year
• February 18th – Avoid cleaning if born in the Goat Year
Just before 11.40 pm LST on the evening of the 18th February (or 12.40 am DST on the morning of the 19th February) you should shower and change into fresh clothes in order to demonstrate your sincerity. Then open all West facing windows or doors in order to receive the auspicious Qi into your home. Following this, light 3 tea-light candles and place them in the West sector of your home. Please do so safely and do not leave them unattended.
At 11.40 pm LST or 12.40 am DST stand (or sit) next to the open window or in the door way of your home and face towards the West. Inhale the prosperous influences, welcome them into your home and visualize the positive goals you wish to achieve this year in both your professional and personal life.
Alternately you can burn 3 sticks of incense in the West sector of your home, bow three times and sincerely pray for well wishes, whilst inviting Cai Shen to come into your home
If you would like to know more about preparing your home and yourself to make the most of the opportunities and challenges that lay ahead, then join us on Saturday the 7th of February for the IFSA Australia Chapter Chinese New Year Dinner.
Our expert speakers are Edgar Lok Tin Yung, Tyler J. Rowe and myself and as always we will be most pleased to advise you about the prospects and obstacles that the Year of the Goat will bring and what you can do to improve your future and that of your loved ones.
Tickets can only be purchased via the IFSA OZ secure online shop and prices include 3 speakers, a tasty eight course Banquet, door prizes and a goody bag filled with fabulous Feng Shui items. This represents great value so why not put together a table of your family, friends or colleagues and we’ll look forward to seeing you there!
