Li Chun or the beginning of the spring season for the Year of the Jia Chen Dragon (甲辰) commences at 16.37 on February 4th. However welcoming Cai Shen or the God of Wealth at the Lunar New Year is another particularly important event in the Chinese New Year Festival!
The Chinese believe that welcoming the God of Wealth into your home on the first day of the first lunar month ushers in good wealth luck for the year. The time and direction vary each year and people whose Zodiac sign conflicts with the day should not participate in the ceremony; which applies to those who are born in a Dragon (辰) or Dog (戌) year.
In 2024 the first day of the first Lunar Month commences on February 10th, with Cai Shen arriving from the South East (135°) early in the morning between 11.00pm and 1.00am (LST). In fact, the most auspicious time to receive Cai Shen is 11.40pm LST on the evening of the 9th February, but be sure to make the necessary one-hour time adjustment if you currently observe DST.
If you would like to invite Cai Shen into your home then follow these simple steps and may you enjoy much happiness, health, success and prosperity in the Year of the Jia Chen Dragon!
The first thing you should do is to clean your home, paying particular attention to all the main ch’i openings (windows and doors) that are located in the South East, as this is the direction that Cai Shen arrives from. Check for auspicious days to clean your home and then start at the main entrance and work your way around in a clockwise direction. Ideally either kaffir lime essential oil, juice or leaves should be added to your bucket of water for extra cleansing properties, but this is up to you.
Earlier in the evening on the 9th February you should shower and change into fresh clothes in order to demonstrate your sincerity. Then open all South East facing windows and/or doors to receive the auspicious ch’i into your home.
Following this light 3 candles and place them in the South East sector of your home. Please do so safely and do not leave them unattended. You may also wish to prepare a platter of other offerings to welcome Cai Shen, such as sweet cakes, fruit, tea or wine.
At 11.40pm LST stand or sit next to an open window or in a door way and face towards the South East. 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 South East sector of your home, bow three times and sincerely pray for well wishes, whilst inviting Cai Shen into your home.
Gong Xi Fa Cai to all and here’s to global peace and new beginnings in 2024!
