Hello,
Happy Wood Serpent Yǐ Sì 乙巳 year! San nin faai lok! Kung Hei Fat Choi! (Cantonese) Xīnnián kuàilè! Gōng xǐ fā cái! (Mandarin) Happy New Year! Happiness and Abundance!
Today is the Lunar start date, the most commonly celebrated date. The Chinese follow a combined lunisolar calendar that marks sun and moon trends and transitions. The Solar node start date of the Wood Serpent begins very late in the night on February 3rd (in the Northern Hemisphere). The solar date is because of the calendars’ tracking of the Start of Spring – the sunlight and warming trend begins which means new life, new Qi energy and blessings. Traditionally on the first day of the year, we don’t clean (including showering!), so that we don’t wash away the good Qi/lucky energy that has entered today with the New Moon. Prior to today, we would have done a thorough clearing of our home and work, in order to make room for the good luck (Qi) of the new year. This is just a good practice overall to do. A cleansed and orderly home, translates to an orderly mind because our subconscious and unconscious brain, our deeper channels and vessels, no longer has to sort through the visual clutter. Allow good healthy Qi to flow in your home, and in your mind!
It’s also that time of year we see and eat special foods. Particularily auspicious is a round shape. The symbolism of a round ball signifies the wholeness of a family, health, peace and harmony. The sweets are to sweeten the blessings of the year. The Red Envelopes are a method of delivering the blessings. Red brings luck and life and is traditionally worn at this time of year. These favourites are back at the clinic for a week as we enjoy bestowing you with blessings and luck!
This year, Heaven’s descent of Yin Wood – Yǐ 乙 – is with the Earthly Branch of Sì 巳, the Serpent. Serpent is my preferred term for the more Yang and bold nature of this energetic sign and more true to the original Taoist terms. The Serpent sits in the Yin position in the order of the animals, but has Yang energy within its core. It is a Yang Fire as its majority core self, with a little bit of Yang Metal and little Yang Earth. The Serpent is a keen observer and leader. Its leadership comes from its Yang Fire. This is the Sun that shines overhead in the sky, waiting to brighten and warm our day, bring joy and show the way. It is unafraid of leading when needed and sedating its Yang Fire with its own inert output of Earth and Metal. The Yang Earth holds steady patience and the Yang Metal cuts through to forge its path, creating and organizing an opportunity when it is ready. The key is when it’s ready. The Serpent is a Fire sign that is a finisher. The Metal within it likes to have conclusion, closure and clarity. Serpents are therefore often leaders in an entrepreneurial role. Globally speaking, we will likely see more entrepreneurship this year as a whole for the globe! If you’re curious to dive deeper and a bit more technical into what the Wood Dragon has in store, you can read one my articles posted at this esteemed company in our Chinese medicine world: Eastern Currents .
We will continue to speak about easing transitions in future newsletters. Note that I also continue to have a lot of teaching engagements around the world this year. I’m thrilled to be continuing to pass on this sacred and efficacious Classical Chinese Medicine & Acupuncture system passed down through my Master, Grandmaster Dr. Richard Tan, OMD, and inspired by my Agong Tan & Nagong Cheng. The team of Dr. Kathleen Dang and Suzanne Williams are here to support you while I am gone and have access to your eChart (consent to share and collaborate was signed at your first visit). They have been trained and certified in Balance System Acupuncture by me, and I have full confidence in them. I’ll still be in clinc 2 days per week when I am back. You can always be on the waitlist for any of us whether a new patent referred, or a current patient for a follow up.
I wish you smooth flow!
Yours in good health and happiness,
Dr. Sonia F. Tan, DAOM, RAc, RTCMP
Doctor of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (degree), Registered Acupuncturist & Regsitered TCM Practitioner
