Chinese New Year begins on the first New Moon after the Winter Solstice – which is why it always begins on a different day each year – and ends on the Full Moon 15 days later. The first day of the Lunar New Year is “the welcoming of the gods of the heavens and earth.” The 15th day of the new year is called the Lantern Festival, which is celebrated at night with lantern displays and children carrying lanterns in a parade. In the Far East, this is also the end of winter and the beginning of spring. Farmers take this opportunity to welcome spring as they plant for the new harvest. Thus, the Lunar New Year is also called the Spring Festival.

Today is the first day of the Chinese Year of the Tiger.

According to my friend, expert Eastern astrologer Susan Levitt:

Mighty Tiger pounces in after a slow Ox year. Anticipate a dynamic year of sudden opportunities and bold actions. Tiger brings drama and excitement, tempers flare, and the wildest dreams can come true. Volume is turned up to a roar and life experiences are on a grand scale. There is little restraint as brave Tiger pounces on new endeavors. Expect massive social change, political rebellion, and military coups all over the world.

2010 is the year of the metal Tiger. Metal is one of the five Taoist elements metal, water, wood, fire, and earth. Metal’s color is white, water is black, wood is green, fire is red, and earth is yellow. According to legend, tigers live one thousand years. Half way through life at age five hundred, they turn white. Tigers scare off thieves, ghosts, and fires. Tiger is a powerful animal totem to contact in the shamanic realm to assist in banishments and purifications. Tiger magic is luckiest for those born in Tiger, Horse, Dog, and Pig years. Only wily Monkey is not compatible with the ways of the Tiger. Plan to throw a big celebration to welcome the year of the white Tiger.

Be sure to check out Susan’s website to find out what the Tiger has in store for you.

A Chinese proverb states that all creations are reborn on New Year’s day. The Chinese New Year is a celebration of change … out with the old and in with the new! The celebration of Chinese New Year is all about securing abundance for the upcoming year: happiness, health, togetherness, luck and prosperity.

This is a good time to take a look around your home and take efforts to enhance and stimulate positive energy flow. Bring in flowers and live plants to create beauty. Do a thorough cleaning and eliminate clutter. Make sure that the first thing you see when you enter your home is inviting, clean and inspiring. It’s also the time to associate with people who will bring you joy and focus your energy on things that will bring you good fortune.

Of course, this is one of the times of the year when I particularly miss San Francisco. As one might expect, Chinese New Year is a very big holiday there. San Francisco hosts the largest Chinese New Year celebration outside of Asia, which will be culminating on February 27 with their Chinese New Year Parade. SFGate.com is a great source for information and stories about the celebration and its traditions.

Gung Hay Fat Choy!