Happy Chinese New Year – Welcome Spring
Chinese New Year or Lunar New Year ushers in the Year of the Wood Dragon on February 10, 2024. Chinese New Year is the beginning of Spring. It is a time of celebration where families join together to start the new year off right. I always think it’s fun to read the projections for the new year. Here are some excerpts from several forecasts. And then I’ll explain why it’s considered the beginning of Spring.
2024 is a Wood Dragon year, which is said to “bring evolution, improvement, and abundance; it is the perfect time for rejuvenated beginnings and setting the foundation for long-term success.” In Chinese culture, the Dragon holds a significant place as an auspicious and extraordinary creature, unparalleled in talent and excellence. It symbolizes power, nobility, honor, luck, and success.
“The influence of the Dragon suggests the importance of revising your plan and being flexible as you move forward. Not all outcomes may align with your initial expectations, which doesn’t necessarily indicate failure. As the year progresses, collaboration becomes crucial, especially in the final months. “
If you were born in 2024, 2012, 2000, 1988, 1976, 1964, 1952, then your Chinese zodiac sign is the Dragon. People born in Dragon years usually possess natural courage, tenacity, and intelligence, often displaying enthusiasm and confidence.
Why is the Chinese New Year different from Jan 1?
Chinese New Year is the considered the beginning of Spring. Energetically, spring begins when the light begins its return, the days start getting longer, and the dormant forces under the frozen ground begin to come to life again. It signifies new beginnings and a fresh start. After the freeze we’ve been under lately, some warmer weather will be welcomed! Bring on Spring!
As things begin to unthaw and spring upward, this rising energy can cause patients to come to me experiencing intense feelings of irritability, often accompanied with anxiety and depression. Statements like “ I’m feeling jumpy and frustrated” or “I’ve been really moody” are common. These are normal feelings to have, and sometimes we call this “Spring Fever”. There is a famous Zen saying that goes: “Sitting quietly, doing nothing, spring comes and the grass grows by itself.” In other words. Relax! It will resolve as spring comes.
“Sitting quietly” is contrary to Western culture however, where we tend to want to take control and go, go, go. However, forcing ourselves to push forward during winter, against natures directive to conserve energy for spring, can create an imbalance in our bodies and mental state. Trying to force yourself to go to the gym, to loose those unwanted pounds in the peak of winter, when you really want to hibernate is going against this natural flow and imbalances can emerge. For this reason, I usually tell my patients who are eager to implement their new years resolutions, to wait a few weeks until Chinese New Year when the energy of spring is emerging. “Spring comes and the grass grows by itself”.
Chinese Medicine is based on what we see in Nature. For example, when winter arrives, nature enters a process of withdrawal. Cold slows everything down. As this occurs in nature and it also happens within our bodies. Everything in nature enters a period of dormancy including us. Without this period of rest, there could never be enough energy to produce an emergence of growth in spring. This occurs in our bodies as well! We must rest in winter so our energy can emerge healthy and strong in spring.
During this transition toward Spring is a great time to come in for acupuncture. I can help make this time of potential imbalance a lot smoother, calming anxiety and frustration and helping your energy to emerge smoothly
So for now, just relax, stay warm and do some gentle movement. Once we reach Lunar New Year, then you can begin to emerge and take advantage of the burst of energy to propel you forward to meet your new years goals.
2024 is forecasted to bring about opportunities, changes, and challenges. If you’re seeking a shift in your current life, this year might offer a favorable chance. Save up your energy now to make the shift you want.