Need another opportunity to start your New Year's Resolution List? No problem! Make January 23, 2012 your new year. This particular date kicks off the year of the water dragon and ends February 9, 2013. Some Chinese astrologers refer to it as the "Black Water Dragon", so be careful wearing too much of the sleek-black look on this day, which can cause your mood to slide. Feng Shui practitioners believe the dragon is considered a cosmic animal. This basically translates to receiving back what you send out. For example, if you want to generate more sales, business or income in 2012, give or add customer service benefits to new and potential clients.
Although some Feng Shui practitioners feel 2012 has a few financial hiccups in store, positive fashionistas know to avoid focusing the mind on things you do not want entering your life or space. Especially since 2012 also includes a powerful and positive aspect: help from above, also referred to as heaven luck. Don't be surprised if an old client returns or someone from your past offers you a new opportunity. Learn to say "yes" to the right opportunities during the year of the dragon. Sometimes what seems like an unexpected turn or detour in your career or life, generally translates to cosmic forces gently pushing you into your divine life path direction. Once you allow this energy in, it only produces the right doors to open designed specifically for your life.
Let's take an active approach to welcome the dragon:
1-Take color a step further and decorate your dining table with bowls filled with yellow, orange and red fruit. (Feng Shui Tip: Eating a piece of fish enhances your earth luck for the coming new year.)
2-Organize your financial house. What does that mean? Shred old papers, update checking accounts, check investments, file receipts, and declutter the area where you normally write out payments. Clearing out this space and organizing this area of your life, creates a welcoming energy for new business and financial flow during 2012. If you currently dread the thought of receiving or paying bills, remember you are creating more bills. Write out checks from a feeling of wealth to generate income. How does this work? When you pay the bills with a feeling of having more than enough in your account, the universe creates free-flowing money to enter into your account. For those fashionista skeptics (like myself) try it for 30 days. Money energy comes in different forms. For instance, you may receive a free cup of coffee or even a pending invoice paid-in-full. However it comes, welcome it to create more of the flow.
3-If you recently took advantage of the after-Christmas sales and purchased a new outfit, this is the day to wear it. If you choose to wear black, the dragon loves bold colors, so mix your black ensemble wearing bright red, orange, purple or yellow.
4-Some practitioners suggest slightly opening your windows at midnight to let the negative chi of the previous year out, allowing brand new powerful and positive chi into your living space.
5-Eat out to celebrate the new year. If this is not in the monthly budget at the time or can not fit into your evening schedule, think about preparing foods that do not require knives or sharp objects. Be creative and have fun, giving your kitchen a rest on this day. Feng Shui practitioners believe using sharp objects on the new year cuts into your luck for the coming year.
6-Write your wishes on colorful paper for this year and if you have a tree in your backyard, secure the papers to the tree allowing the wind and breeze to send your wishes up into heaven or the universe, whichever you prefer. This action resembles free-flowing Tibetan Flags.
7-Add life energy to your home and clean! Yes, clean! Feng Shui practitioners also believe that the dragon will visit well-kept homes with positive chi for the new year.
8-Bring more color into your home with fresh flowers in your favorite color scheme.
9-Last but not least-Enjoy the day! Give your mind a rest from all the regular worries you carry with you throughout the day. Make it a point to challenge yourself for 24 hours to focus on the things you are going to create and bring into your life during the year of the dragon. Leave behind all of the disappointments, arguments and comparisons you might have engaged in this past year and reverse these energy-grabbing feelings with a new and improved energy flow. Life becomes easier when you naturally flow with the natural current of your life, not against it.
So, celebrate and welcome the year of the dragon and re-create Monday, January 23, 2012, as your official commencement to the new year. Surround your self with colors that create instant joy and happiness, ensuring all of your dreams and projects to bear fruit in 2012!
