Happy Chinese New Year

Happy Chinese New Year! My family celebrated the New Year last week, because my brother Bubba was in town. We went to a nice Chinese restaurant and had soup with those yummy crispy noodles, followed by beef, chicken, and shrimp dishes. Wikipedia says it's traditional to have a chicken and fish dish, which we did! To top off the meal we had strawberry and lemon ice cream which was sweet and refreshing. This year I remembered to cut my hair in the days leading up to New Year because it's supposed to symbolize a fresh start.

MamaH sent this excerpt about the New Year to the family and I thought it was interesting so I wanted to share it with my bloggy friends.

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THE YEAR OF THE RABBIT, 2011

02/03/2011 - 01/22/2012 (Metal)

According to the Chinese Zodiac, the Year of 2011 is the Year of the Golden Rabbit, which begins on February 3, 2011 and ends on January 22, 2012. The Rabbit is the fourth sign of the Chinese Zodiac, which consists of 12 animals signs. The Rabbit is a lucky sign. Rabbits are private individuals and a bit introverted. People born in the Year of the Rabbit are reasonably friendly individuals who enjoy the company of a group of good friends. They are good teachers, counselors and communicators, but also need their own space.

According to Chinese tradition, the Rabbit brings a year in which you can catch your breath and calm your nerves. It is a time for negotiation. Don't try to force issues, because if you do you will ultimately fail. To gain the greatest benefits from this time, focus on home, family, security, diplomacy, and your relationships with women and children. Make it a goal to create a safe, peaceful lifestyle, so you will be able to calmly deal with any problem that may arise.

Not many people know that the Rabbit is the symbol of the Moon, while the Peacock is the symbol of the Sun, and that together, these two animal signs signify the start of day and night, represent the Yin and Yang of life. It is said that anyone making supplications for wishes to be fulfilled are certain to get what they want... and in the Year of the Rabbit, the wish-granting aspect of the Sun and the Moon combined is multiplied. The Moon is YIN and this is the Yin of Heaven, signifying magic. Thus on each of the Full Moon nights of this year, go out into your garden to gaze into the Full Moon and visualize plenty of Moon dust and Moon glow flowing into you, filling your whole body with bright white light and granting you fearlessness, love and courage. This will not only strengthen your inner "Chi" energy, it will also bring wisdom into your life.

That last part, about channeling the moonlight during nights of full moons, is something I've never heard. before But I'm open it! If I remember I will go out side and soak up some moon glow so I can strengthen my inner Chi.