February 1, 2022 makes the start of the Chinese New Year which is a time of changing energies and transitions. It is the beginning of a new year on the traditional lunisolar Chinese calendar and was traditionally a time to honor deities and ancestors

2021 was the year of the Ox which focused on anchoring ourselves in a new reality. 2022 moves us into the year of the Water Tiger. This ushers in openness, newness and fluidity in our lives, encouraging us to follow our intuitions and dreams.

This yang (masculine) Water Tiger year will bring out our emotions and things will change rapidly. Be prepared to innovation, embrace technology, improvements and development in sustainable environment and flow with more ease.

Photos courtesy of Helene Lang

Traditional Celebrations and Activities

In preparation to the celebration, people give their houses a deep cleaning, which symbolizes to remove the bad luck and making their homes ready to receive good luck.

Red is the main color for the Lunar New Year as red is an auspicious color symbolizing prosperity and good energy and suppose to repel evil spirits and negativity.

Other important activities are offerings to ancestors, giving red envelopes with money to family members and friends, eating family dinner on New Year’s Eve, firecrackers and watching lions and dragon dances.

Prepare Our Lives and Homes for the New Year

Nowadays we can find big lunar new year celebrations in many western countries. Even if we don’t celebrate big, it is a great idea and tradition to prepare our homes for the beginning of the new year and the desired spring. What does it mean in Feng Shui?

It is a great time of the year to reflect on our lives and homes. We want to rise our vibration and be aligned with love, joy, happiness and peace.

We are staying home more than ever — it is our hub for working, playing, creating, entertaining and recharging. We are not just there to spend the night and run in and out, it is now where we are living most of our days and nights. Questions to ask yourself include: How does your home feel? Are there rooms or spaces that you avoid or where you feel your energy drops? Are there positive changes you could make that would align better with one of your new year goals?

Our Homes Have a Powerful Impact on our Lives

We are sensitive creatures and perceive the moods around us. Loving encounters like a smile from a stranger and the wonderful light, colors and sounds of nature refresh us and nurture our well- being. Unfortunately, we also perceive the fears and insecurities around us and take them with us into our home. Or we can be impacted by the sights, smells, sounds and flow of our living spaces.

Feng Shui is an ancient Chinese art and science that utilizes tools to harmonize and balance our homes and lives. When we walk in a home with good Feng Shui, we feel the home is giving us a big hug. We feel connected with the natural elements, supported in all what we do. We feel happiness when we step in our front door — everything is okay. We are home. We are safe.

Feng Shui Your Way to a New Year

To prepare your home for the new year of the Water Tiger, consider giving it a deep cleaning which clears out any bad luck and stagnant energy and opens the spaces for new spirit.

Declutter and get rid of anything that does not make your heart sing. Clutter increases your stress level and makes you feel stuck. Go from room to room and get organized and clear. This process can take a while and it can be very emotional, so take your time and be kind to yourself. Once you’ve decluttered an area and can sense the change, you will feel lighter, more clear-headed, focused and insightful — it can inspire you to keep going. Surround yourself with things you love, need and that have intention.

If weather permits, open your windows a bit and let air circulate and sunshine in. Use full spectrum lighting which most resembles natural light and make sure to place lamps and lights in dark corners. Hang a beautiful Swarvoski Feng Shui crystal in a window so a magical prism of color can infuse your room with positive light and energy.

Light candles and use diffusers to infuse your home with scent. I recommend using soy or coconut wax candles and high-quality essential oils.

Uplifting Images and Sounds. The artwork, photography and images in your home are very important. Curate what you display and incorporate things that promote peace and happiness. Play music that inspires you to dance around your dining table to raise the vibration and create a joyful mood.

I wish for you a luminous, nurturing space. As we transition the New Year of the Water Tiger, I invite you to embrace the new season, breathe it in and feel gratitude for your wonderful life.