We will be ringing in the New Year on February 7th, 2008. The CHINESE New Year, a very Auspicious Day for many. Every year I do a special mailing and strongly suggest to my clients that they follow the relatively simple things on the list I've provided....and every year I get the most wonderful feedback from them; they believe doing these simple and inexpensive things have helped and so do I.
Because I am adding to the list this year, I am putting this post in parts. (Believe me I've read enough posts telling me to keep it short and to the point). And I TRY-which doesn't mean I succeed. It is important to me that I relay the information correctly...
I do follow all these things myself and I do believe they help a great deal in the year we are projecting for ourselves. So I've added again to the list for this year and I will also include information for those that have a home/office as well. They generate money and clients and are very valuable rooms in our homes!
One note: I have a wide variety of clients. Most of them take the suggestions I make and do make the changes and report success. And I have other clients that literally put their heart and soul and INTENTION into each and every change, keeping in mind what they want to attract back (The Law of Attraction). These are the people that report the BEST news---they and their energies are fully engaged and they are focused on what they want to achieve. For years I have been writing that ENERGY FOLLOWS INTENT. If you want the Energy to change, keep your intentions focused. Here's to the BEST 2008 for All of you!
* If at all possible, pay down your credit cards and bills prior to the Chinese New Year. Try to start the year off with as little debt as possible. If we want to start a clean slate, this is one of the best ways to do so.
* CLEAN. Clean out dust, clear out the cobwebs (from your home as well as your thoughts) and start the new year with a different environment. The very act of cleaning helps to energize your surroundings!
* At the risk of repeating myself (over and over again) it does mean clear out that clutter. Remember the rule of clutter: If you don't need it, use it or LOVE it, get rid of it. Pass it along to someone who will be very grateful to have it.
* Make some changes. They could be changes in your routine, changes in your thoughts or physical changes. New Years and New Beginnings mean a new way of doing things, disregarding things that aren't working for us and incorporating or trying new things that may. It's time to be truly open to change to allow the new energy IN.
* Fruit to Feng Shui Consultants signifies Abundance....Abundance in ALL areas. Put a bowl of fruit out on your kitchen and/or dining room tables to signify the abundance that is sure to follow. You can eat them the day after New Years, not before!
* Add fresh flowers. They not only are pure "Chi" (Energy) but they actually can help change the energy in a space with the use of colors that signify elements as well...make sure you get a few red flowers in the bunch. Some people put them in one room; some put a small bunch in many rooms. (Last year I bought quite a few, they gave my home a lovely feeling).
* Sweep the kitchen floor as close to midnight as possible. It symbolizes letting go of the old and putting it right outside.
* If you are home on the New Year, burn a candle. Blow it out as close to Midnight as possible with your wishes and Intentions for the New Year in place. Celebrate this night as if it were a birthday.
* Finally, open the doors and windows as close to midnight or at midnight if possible. We are welcoming in not only a New Year but also new hope and new beginnings!
These things don't take very long and don't cost much money at all but it's a wonderful way to start any new year and let go of the previous year, particularly if you had struggles or difficulties. Now that you've cleaned out your home, let go of old thoughts that no longer benefit you. We need room for all the new, wonderful energy that you are attracting!
*For additional changes that I myself am incorporating into this year, please visit my next post.
*Carole Provenzale has been a Certified Feng Shui Practitioner since 1997 and is the Founder of Feng Shui Long Island providing Feng Shui Consultations for All of Long Island including Oyster Bay and Feng Shui Consultations for New York City (Manhattan) Apartments for over a decade. Phone consultations are available for those at a distance. Feng Shui consultations for homes, offices, businesses, corporations, renovations, real estate, pre purchase and new construction. All Consultations are personalized and affordable. 
LUV Chinese New Year Carole! Sing Hi, a doll of a Taiwanese nun from our Buddhist Temple here called me last night to remind of the special service this Sunday, the beginning of the 2 week celebration. It is such a marvelous time with bell ringing and gonging and food!
Fruit and Flowers are always a significant part of the services. I'm going to refer back to your suggestions here to implement at home.
Last year my son & I were in Vancouver's China Town just when they were starting preparation
Gong Xi Fa Cai!!
WooHoo! We have a couple of blocks shut down in Chinatown and loads of good food, dragon dance and all kinds of stuff! I can't wait!
Here's our agenda: http://www.chinatownhi.com/
Carol....Gung Hey Fat Choy ( I hope I said that right)
Have a Happy and Prosperous New Year!
Cheers, your friend in Canada!
PS: Love to see you list you send to your clients, Can I copy it?
THANKS
Carole - I love deadlines! They make sense to me and really work for me in getting things done before them. I love the list...it is very doable and it looks like many things need to be done at midnight when it is way past my bedtime...eek. Will do my best and am looking forward to the rest of my to-do list.
Hugs and sunshine!
Ps: You are NEVER boring.
Hi Karen...Happy Birthday to a fellow Aquarian! : )
You share so much wonderful and helpful information with us. I am printing this out and putting on my calendar so I will be reminded. It's the cleaning out clutter that is my hangup, I'm working on it. :0)
Carole,
What a beautiful and so very helpful post that imparts hope, change, and energy! Congratulations on your gold star.....as I was reading I was thinking to myself 'wow, this is a gold star post!' and was thrilled to see the star there when I reached the end . (((-:
This morning I'm going to work on clearing out....of many things.
Jo
Thank you ActiveRain, I am delighted!
Robert, I wish you a wonderful time in France! I would do whatever I could get done before I left and enjoy the trip--(I honestly can't think of a better thing to be doing!)....
Katerina, Well, it's your Intentions with the fruit, whey don't you have Tristan draw some fruit for you? Wouldn't that be Auspicious? It would really be infused with Energy! I know you have a home/office and that is fairly complex so I'm hoping to get a post up on that as well--but I have a feeling you already know what to do :)
Deborah, I love the Celebrations as well, you're lucky there is such a place near you to celebrate! Ringing of the bells and gongs is not only ringing in the New Year but also considered "Ringing in the Money" -- something we all could use more of I'm sure! Have a wonderful time and take pictures if they allow you!!
Sally, Your link and activities look wonderful! I don't know if I will be getting into the City this year for the dragon parade (which I love as well) but certainly feasting that night is significant! We are told to eat well. Unfortunately, there will be work involved, there are more things I've added--sorry! But it will be worth it.
Kathy, There will be more...try to do as many as you can, that's why I posted early on this. I did all of these and more last year and truly put my best intentions into everything I did....I don't think that it's a coiincidence that I had a fabulous year!
Joan, This is the Year of the Rat, the first cycle of 12--and it's a VERY good year! Don't believe all that stuff you read about in the news, I truly do believe in these suggestions (and they make perfect sense to me!).
Lisa, Thank you, I do hope you'll follow the suggestions, I honestly believe in doing them...and more. Ah, the WORK part is coming up. But I do believe it helps ensure a wonderful New Year!
Lorinda, Good, I am so glad you're involved in it and these suggestions will help start you off to a wonderful New Year!
Deborah, You have a WONDERFUL, DOUBLE celebration, I love hearing that! It also might be nice to know it's going to be an especially wonderful year for Rats :)! Enjoy it.
Karen, Be especially careful to make the changes and be up at midnight if you can, it is almost like (in Western Astrology) being born on the "cusp." This is projected to be a wonderful year for you as well....and try, if you can to do the other suggestions I'm going to post.
Most of these actions will bring a sense of well-being anytime of the year. I really need to work on the clutter part of this. You are such a good teacher!! GBU!!
Fred, Of course you can copy it, it is meant to help everyone. There are some additional things I am adding so make sure to include them and then there will be one for a home/office if you have one (and I don't run out of time!). Blessings to you and everyone for a wonderful New Year!!
Sher, Thank you, I try not to bore (but don't know if I always succeed :) Don't these things just make sense to you when you think about them?? They do to me. And you know I'm sending some work so get moving over there :)!
Laurie, I love these things, I'm betting you will find a different feeling in your home after you do them. And they're easy....get rid of clutter! It's really important to let the new energy in (for all those new clients coming your way!).
Ardell, You will still want to open the doors and windows, that is to allow the new, fresh energy in. I also had a wonderful 2007 but we allow ourselves to grow and prosper by opening up to the outside. I would follow my own time zone for midnight so whenever it turns midnight for you in your time zone.
Cynthia, That's probably the best thing you can do, it's what allows the new energy to come in and you have room for it from a Feng Shui Perspective. When I am in my clutter clearing mode I follow that rule: If I don't need it, use it or love it, it's GONE! It works.
Melissa, I wish I had auto email reminders to go out to everyone! Don't miss the day, put it in your calandar before you forget. I know a few of my clients forgot last year....I didn't get happy reports from them. We can all use more good fortune!
Jo, I know, there is an emotional clearing out that I try to do as well. But I know you will do things with all INTENT. This, to me, isn't real work, I didn't get to that yet!
Diane, You're very welcome, I wish everyone on AR and everywhere a truly wonderful New Year!!
This year Chinese New Year falls on my bday again! Great reason to celebrate in NY this year. I can't wait to see all the celebrations NY has to offer!!! Thanks for all the tips.
Looking forward to hearing the comments for the "new beginning" next month. We don't have alot of clutter in our house and I have to declutter my mind. Thanks for the post.
Carole- Whohooo! I'm ready and roaring now (ha, ha...after I typed that I realized how apropos - I was born in the year of the Tiger). I'll be doing this and following the rest of your recommendations as well. Also, I'll be incorporating what I can of these suggestions into my clients homes between now and the Chinese New Year.
Jackie
Carole
Happy Chinese New Year to you this 2/7. The year of the rat.
Sincerely
Tom BRaatz
Hi Carole-
Love the information in this post & will be watching for more! Happy & Healthy Chinese New Year!
Kathy
Elizabeth, I truly believe doing these simple things are what made 2007 such a wonderful year for me and I'm glad to hear you are going to do it. I even have a bit of a clutter problem but you can bet it will be clean and wonderful for the 7th! GBE my friend!
Team DiMuria, Thank you for your comment. I am sure these will help you in the coming year and beyond, I'm glad you will be doing as many as you can. They are not difficult just perhaps a little time consuming but well worth it.
Lisa & Robert, I do as well and they have beautiful traditions, they are all heartfelt and done with Intention. I am sure they already know about these things but it wouldn't hurt to pass it along. Thank you for your comment.
Fernando, You kind of just hit the lottery! That may bring you a ton of business...it was a stretch for me last year to pay off my credit cards but I did it, I had a zero balance at the New Year so do the best you can and think good thoughts :)
Michelle, Chinatown in New York is huge now, it has taken over the Bowery! There is a site online for our New York Chinatown if you want more information, if you do a Google search it will pop up. Have a wonderful time if you go, their celebrations are so much fun!
Latonia, Just cleaning up and clearing out will help declutter your mind...or taking a walk and reconnecting with Nature if it's not too cold where you are. I go to the parks even in the winter--I just have about five layers of clothes on :) Happy New Year to you!
Wayne, Glad I could help :) They are most likely doing all these things and more, it is taken very seriously by them and this is a particularly Auspicious Year!
Maria, I have no doubt you will be doing them all and that it will truly benefit you even more. This is, by the way, a wonderful time for new ventures...so think of your home/office first.
Jackie, Your clients are going to love you when their house sells so fast! I think it's wonderful that you can incorporate some Feng Shui into all the homes and businesses you do and I really believe in cleaning and clearing out for the New Year. Nothing is difficult, it just makes sense.
Tom, Hi, it certainly is...there is more about this New Year in the next post. I wanted to get the information out on suggestions first and hope you can follow some. Thank you for your comment.
Donna, Hi, I have silk flowers all over and they do brighten up the room. For the New Year, though, it is suggest to buy live cut flowers because they really add Chi and life force. I had bouquets in many rooms last year and loved it!
Hi Kathy! I'm glad you will be doing these things and truly believe they help. It's wonderful what a little Feng Shui can do :) Thank you for your comment.
Ntsike, It is the Year of the Rat in the Chinese Zodiac. It certainly isn't a myth to the thousands of people that celebrate it, they use a different calander then we do and a different astrological system. They do all these things and more to ring in the New Year and hold wonderful Celebrations. Thank you for your question.
Aziz, Thank you for your comment. They are not difficult and I'm glad you're going to implement them. I wish you much happiness and success in 2008!
Michelle, I had been wondering whether to put this in the staging groups but I don't know what interest there is in Feng Shui. The additions you can make for your clients are wonderful and they will appreciate it--most people are aware of Feng Shui now and they are certainly aware of The Secret. You may want to put up a Red Envelope in the homes and businesses you do, that information is coming :) Thank you for your comment and I wish you a terrific New Year!
Michelle, I know your school and had the advantage to take a weekend intensive with Terah Kathryn Collins. We learned all methods of Feng Shui by many different mentors and had an opportunity to have weekends with mentors who we did not have as teachers and I signed up for most. I am thrilled that you use the methods in your staging and I'm sure it helps homes sell because I've been redesigning for years and implement Feng Shui principles; my clients love it and they absolutely do feel it---and so do buyers. It truly brings alot to the staging business when you have a knowledge of Feng Shui and incorporate that. I'm curious if you do consultations? There is nothing nicer then a follow up with someone who's had wonderful things come into their lives!
Ines, I thought you knew most of this. We use the blessings to sell a home along with Feng Shui methods and redesign and I've had (or my clients have had) lots of luck with this; it's one of the reasons some realtors work with me. But I grew up with people burying St. Jospehs statues (upside down and they have to be dug up again when they get a sale) and I know it's still widely used. Clients are usually more then happy to have anyting that will help and it often does :)
Happy New Year to You!
Carole: I'm glad you had the pleasure of meeting Terrah. She has managed to distill down Feng Shui, at least in my mind, in a way that makes it understandable and useful to Westerners for the way we live. I have a logical mind - things have to make sense in a scientific way - and Terrah managed to win me over. I don't promote myself as a practitioner, so pure Feng Shui consultations are rare, but I do get a lot of work in staging & design because I am able to apply Feng Shui in a way that helps my clients with their goals.
May good health, happiness and prosperity live in your house in the Year of the Rat.
Bob & Carolyn, Thank you so much, I am wishing you the BEST of 2008!
Christy, Feng Shi is very intricate, there are so many layers to it but learning about it would be wonderful for you! Happy Chinese New Year!
Ines, I can start to see beforehand who will really take this to heart and get the best results. Intention is a very powerful thing. Thank so much for comment.
Michelle, Western methods are necessary to me to avoid costly renovations that may not be practical or do-able. I am sure your clients love that you incorporate Feng Shui into you staging and it profits both of you. I wish you a wonderful, healthy and prosperous New Year as well!
Sheron, You want it done before Midnight on the 7th so it's actually the Eve. If you can't stay up you can do it before you go to bed--or set your alarm :) I am a night person so I'm usually up at 12:00 anyway.
Eric, I'm glad to hear you and Karen will be taking the suggestions to heart, I really feel they DO help. I hope you both have a wonderful year!
Carole,
Thank you! Great tips and very easy to follow.
Happy New Year!
Chris, Thank you very much, I wish the same to you and your family!
Elaine, It is going to be a wonderful year, there is more about the general forecast in the next post. Chinese astrology is quite complicated and it's difficult to address some of your questions but I can tell you that they go by a lunar calander so they are following phases of the moon which changes the dates every year. They also celebrate for 15 days, it is their most important holiday. If you are (or may be) between signs you have to determine it by the time you were born. Sites on the internet differ so if you want to be really precise you'd need to get a book about it by a highly respected author on the subject, it can become very confusing.
Kathy, It's funny that you asked that because I do celebrate both (can't have too many celebrations :) and I do things things on OUR New Year as well! To me the biggest expense if the flowers and you have to clean anyway...I also like to cover all the bases :) Thank you for asking, I thought it was a great question.
Marzena, Thank you for your comment, I do hope you'll try them, we can expect a great year ahead :)
Carole: I went to the Los Angeles Chinatown today to buy some Chinese New Year red envelopes. My original plan was to put 8 chocolate coins in each envelope and give them to my Chinese clients and Chinese REAs as a Happy New Year present. As I couldn't find anyone who worked in the store who spoke enough English to help me, I approached one of the other shoppers and asked her for her opinion of what I was buying. Turns out I had picked up the red envelopes for newly weds. Glad I asked. She told me that putting candy in the envelope was for children only, and that I should put money in the envelope $1 or $2 in each because "Chinese people like money" (her words). Then she suggested that I put $1 lottery tickets in each envelope, which would suggest good luck. Sounded like a good idea to me. When I went to pay for my purchases, I asked the cashier (who was also Chinese) if she thought the lottery tickets were a good idea. She thought it was a bad idea, because if the recipient didn't win, they would think it was bad luck and that hiring me would be a gamble. She thought $1 or a few $ was the best idea, "because Chinese people like money" (I'm sensing a theme here).
So, what are your thoughts on this? Also, if I go with the $1-$2 thing, is it OK to also include my business card in the envelope to hint that hiring me would bring the REA prosperity? I am trying to do a positive thing here and don't want it to blow up because I have made some kind of etiquette blunder.
Miss Carole--
I have to admit I love this stuff! And I loved yoga, too.
Billycherry
Kathy, How nice of you to come back just to thank me, that's so nice of you!
Hi Michelle, They do make separate cards for the chinese new year but they are often difficult to find. They are also used for weddings and have the symbol of "double happiness" on those; I don't think they would be offended if you offered them the newlywed envelopes as I know some people who buy plain red envelopes from OfficeMax and they are fine. The Chinese and other cultures do like money and during a consultation I suggest 3 LIKE coins (3 dimes, quarters) in the envelopes but in the New Year they want something more significant so it has to be paper...a dollar is fine. I would absolutely NOT give a lottery ticket, however.
They are also given to Children so I think that if your clients have children you might give to the children and not the clients or everyone but I don't know how many people you're planning on doing this with and don't want it to cost you a fortune. You can put a business card in, I can't see that would offend them in ANY way. I hope this explains it better, if not just give me a call and I'd be happy to go over anything with you.
Hi Carole,
Great post, thanks! I am bookmarking this to make sure I follow it.
Bill, Thanks for your comment, I love it too!
Michelle, You're welcome, I hope it helped...
Julie, As always thank you for the lovely comment. I hope this helps people, I really do believe in it!
Trace, Good, I'm glad to hear that, they're not difficult changes but they sure do help ensure a wonderful New Year.
Oh Carole, I missed this post. I'm actually going to print this and follow it. How far in advance of New Year do you put the fruit on the table? What if it does go bad?
Someone mentioned a two week celebration. So much to learn.
I know that in a previous post you had mentioned the red envelope energy. I've missed that post if you have already written it? This is something that I definitely want to incorporate into my life.
So glad that I met you here on AR!
Hi Carole - I'm lost - do we celebrate and do the rituals to bring in the new year tonight (the 6th) or tomorrow night (the 7th?).
thanks,
ines
Kate, Thank you, I've been cleaning out for weeks! Happy New Year!
Ines, I'm SO sorry to get back to you late, I was not really on the computer much the past two days and am trying to catch up. It would have been done on the EVE which was the 6th but the Chinese celebrate this event for two weeks so if you can do some of the things I mentioned it is certainly not too late. Fresh flowers and fruit (for chi and abundance) and sweep the kitchen floor to remove old energy!
you better believe there are fresh flowers all over my house - even in the kids' rooms! :)
I try to always have fresh flowers and NEVER do fake. I find that they add color and the right energy in spaces that need it (without having to reupholster or paint walls). Flowers are the easiest fix.
Hi Carole..am I right we have ten days to get things in order not just one night like the Western Culture? I need to clean up my desk.
Cheers