The Chinese New Year 2009: Feng Shui Advice from a Feng Shui New York City-Manhattan Consultant.
Things you MUST do to start YOUR year off RIGHT!
Posting about the Chinese New Year has become a Feng Shui Long Island and New York Consultant's Tradition. The ENERGY of this time of year is magnified by many and very intense. Here again are a list of things I do as a Feng Shui Consultant in New York City to ensure success for the coming year in ALL aspects of my life
I urge you to try them as well. They are inexpensive and simple and they DO work! The Chinese New Year in 2009 begins on January 26th and lasts for 15 days. You might even want to celebrate with a nice Chinese Dinner but book NOW-These festivities in New York City sell out FAST.
Remember, too, that ENERGY FOLLOWS INTENT. In The Secret it is called the Law of Attraction, in Feng Shui we use the word Intention. Here's to The BEST 2009-The Year of the Ox-for ALL of you!
- Pay down your credit cards bills or make an early payment. Anything you can put to those bills show that you have every intention of paying them off as soon as possible.
* A Few "C" Words: Clean. Clear the dust and the cobwebs from your space AND your mind. The very act of cleaning helps to energize your space. And start the year off with a new environment.
* Clutter-or DE-Clutter in most cases. Remember the rule of thumb with Clutter
IF YOU DON'T NEED IT, USE IT OR LOVE IT, GET RID OF IT.
Allow plenty of room for the new energy you are creating.
- Make some changes: With the New Year and this very auspicious time, make some changes in your life or in your routines. Take risks, start new plans, open yourself up to possibilities that you might never have dared to dream. It's time to be truly open to changes that come your way---Look into EVERY opportunity that may come your way before turning it down!
* Add Fresh Flowers to as many rooms in your home as possible. In Feng Shui,fresh flowers signify fresh ENERGY. Remember to get some colors mixed in to help signify all the elements of Feng Shui.
- Add a bowl of fruit in your kitchen ( your area of nourishment and considered by Many to be the most important room in your home). Fruit signifies ABUNDANCE in ALL Areas. Create some for yourself this year and every year.
- Open the doors and windows as close to midnight or AT midnight if possible. By Doing this you are letting in the New, Fresh Energy.
- Burn a candle if you are home-blowing it out just around midnight as well. Send your intentions OUT and truly Celebrate this day....It is by many accounts, a New Day to start all over again.
- Try to resolve any "unfinished business." Particularly, if you can make amends with someone you've had difficulties with in the past.
* Make a Blessings List: List All the wonderful things you Do have in your life And all the things you have to be grateful for.
- This is the time to use Red Envelopes if you have them. Fill 9 Red Envelopes With 3 like coins...3 nickels, Dimes or Quarters. Place them in the WEALTH areas of your home according to the Bagua. NOTE: They do NOT need to show!
- Respect your Money. Don't throw it back in your wallet or pocketbook, put it in order in your wallet.
- Replace any burned out Light Bulbs. Light up your space...and your life.
* This is a wonderful time to Smudge your home using pure, Native American SAGE. If you have not done this in the last six months and are not allergic toSmoke, walk hrough EACH room of your house paying particular attention to . Corners where Energy can linger and become stagnant.
** You can also clear your home by
Using SOUND techniques. Ringing a bell or even chiming a spoon on a crystal Glass will accompliish this.
- Clean your mirrors. Your mirrors are a reflection of YOU. You should see Yourself clearly so you can see exactly where you are going in life.
- A Special Note for your Home Office or Office Desk: You can use Feng ShuiPrinciples on them as well to connect your home and your business. An upcoming post will provide more information if needed.
- You're going to be making some changes in your surroundings right now that will have a huge impact on the coming year. Please remember: Simply making these changes will not be nearly as effective unless you put your INTENTIONS behind them.
- FOCUS on what you really want in your life this year. Every single time you make a change, keep in mind WHY you are doing it and what you wish to create.
HAPPY CHINESE NEW YEAR! 
http://www.FengShuiManhattan.com
Feng Shui Long Island and New York was established in 1997 by Certified Feng Shui Consultant Carole Provenzale. Along with Laura Cerrano, Feng Shui Long Island provides on site Feng Shui Consultations for all of Long Island and New York City-Manhattan and distance consultations by phone.
Feng Shui Consultations are available for Homes, Offices, Businesses, Retail, Corporations, Renovations and New Construction. We also work closely with Realtors for Home Redesign and Pre-Purchase and teaching the Art of Feng Shui to Real Estate Agents.
These all seem like sensible tips for ringing in the New Year! The intent of one's actions is definitely important. Do you think that the sound techniques for clearing energy is the reasoning behind clinking the crystal glasses before giving speeches or toasts?
More wonderful tips - thank you Carole. I will be watching for the post about my office and my desk! I need help, my friend. My desk is becoming embarrassing - not a good thing!
Your post has helped me become more excited about the new year. Thank you for the thought and energy you put into it.
Hi Carole-This is an awesome post. Thank you for all the time and effort you put in it. Question for you. Where is the wealth area in your home. I will be doing these things but can't open windows or doors at midnite. Too dangerous. How long would you leave them open for if you did. That might work but not to leave them open. Great job. Chat again soon.
Great Post once again! Thanks Carole for giving us some great ideas to energize our homes and lives! Can't wait to get home an put these to work.
PS. will any read envelope do?
Carole, I'm going to follow your list in it's entirety. People need "pleasant" right now, and you offer much in the way of direction! Thanks-
WooHooo! Happy Chinese New Year to you too Carole!
SOunds like a good list to me Carol. I love all your great pictures! Happy Chinese New Year:)
Now that I have my list I should get to work! Thanks for another level of education on your profession. It's amazing how much I am learning. You are certainly a true professional, that's apparent.
Carole, I'm finally learning some of this...I remembered a lot from last year, so it must be sinking in :) Happy Chinese New Year to you!
Carole, all your suggestions are so well grounded, like you are. I do think overall if we want to change for the better we do need to FOCUS on what we want and head that direction.
Crole How many New Year's do I have to do? Just got done with one. Mmm BTW what animal is it this year?
Hi Carole
Gung Hay Fat Choy! (may prosperity be with you)
Mandarin:
Xin Nian Kuai Le! (Happy New Year)
Where can one find those beautiful red envelopes? I would love to have some of them so I can welcome the new year.
I love the part about decluttering -- I have to get to work on that. I certainly want to make some room for some new energy in the new year.
As the Queen of Procrastination, what a great opportunity to start a NEW YEAR! I was on a ship on Jan. 1, then I read a blog about "inaugurating" business plans on Jan. 20th, great idea...now I can officially ring in another NEW YEAR! Already have the fresh flowers, fruit in the kitchen, a sage smudge stick, going to get RED envelopes tomorrow! Great post!
Carole, thank you for the tips, we are already doing a few of them but I didn't know about fresh flowers being fresh energy or fruit being abundance and a few other new ones. I'll get on those today, thanks again!
Rich, It's true, they're not difficult OR expensive and DO help. I don't believe that's why they chime the glasses although in Space Clearing we like to hear anything that reverberates.
Debbie, Thank you, I hope to get it up soon. I am late on my Lemonade post :)
Mel, These are things I truly do myself every year and they really do work. I hope you'll try them and I'm glad you're excited about it.
Sharon, If you're standing at the front door of your home, the Wealth Area is in your back Left Hand Corner. And you only need to leave your doors/windows open for a minute or two--I'm in NY, anything more then that I couldn't stand myself :)
Cat, Any Red Envelopes will be fine. Even white envelopes if you decorate them in Red. It is the energy put into getting them...whether it's going out to buy them or making them that is important.
Lauire, Good, I'm glad to hear that. I honestly believe these things work and do help you both personally and professionally in the coming year.
Sally, 2009 is going to be a great year. That's my prediction and I'm sticking to it :)
Bill, These things help your year--and are inexpensive. I think it's wonderful we can start all over again!
Carol, I am a true believer :) These are things I do myself and know they help (and I do many more but the post was already quite long :)
Lisa, Good, I'm happy to hear that! I redo the post from the year before and add to it--and hope I don't overwhelm anyone !
Gary, I think these suggestions make sense--and I already know they work. With all the work that goes into Business Plans, these are wonderful to incoporate as well.
Gayle, It's the Year of the Ox. Potentially good for business but NOW WITHOUT WORK There is nothing hear really hard or time consuming and you DO want a good year, right? Trust me on this.
Joan, Thank you! I love this time and go out and celebrate it as well. The Red Envelopes can be found in Chinatown or on Ebay but it's probably too late. Try Office Max if you have it or make them, just decorate white envelopes in Red.
Cheryl, GOOD, I am really happy to hear it. I do believe this ensures a wonderful year to come--with unexpected surprises! Last year on The Chinese New Year I was on the Radio :) Talk about a wonderful way to begin my year!
Kevin & Monica, I love fresh flowers and that's primarily what costs some money.....I fill my home with them for the Chinese New Year and love how it looks and feels!
Carole, are these all things that you are supposed to do ON the actual day of Chinese New Years or in the week leading up to it? What is the time frame involved with it??
Carole,
What a wonderful list of things we can do to help ring in the new year in a positive and refreshing way...I'm going to make a list of the things you've mentioned here and do as many of them as possible on January 26th or before.
thank you so much for your help and guidance on things that bring greater joy, happiness and success into out lives!
((-:
Jo
Carole- I never knew about doing these things on Chinese New Year, thanks so much. I'll have to get a sage smudge stick- where would I find those? I already have the red envelpes but I didn't know they were supposed to be 3 LIKE coins. I thought they were supposed to be 3 Chinese coins. I didn't have Chinese coins, so I used Canadian coins :) Just weird I guess! Now I'll put 3 like coins in them.
Hi Carole-Got another question as I really like this feng shui. When you are talking about standing in front of your home are you speaking of outside or inside. Don't want to sound dumb but depending on which it is. It is different. The entrance is on the side. Thank you. Thank you for your very nice comment on my blog
not sure why, but I cannot seem to get rid of items, that I have had for a long time and dont ever miss or use, I guess I need to say "just say 'let go'
Carole--So do these things have to be done on the 26th or can they be done the weeks before...And where are the wealth areas of the house...I have red envelopes...worth a shot right? :)
Thanks for the post! I will have to sart at the beginning and work my way down the list!
Kate, I'm sorry, it is leading up to it...and some prior to midnight on the EVE of the Chinese New Year if you can.
Jo, I hope you do them, I haven't stopped since I started and absolutely believe they do make a difference.
Linda, They can be three Chinese coins. Most people don't have them so I suggest three like coins, either one is fine. Sage (smudging sticks) are sold on Ebay and in Chinatown...and of course if you live near a reservation. If you can't get it, use a sound technique.
Sharon, There are no dumb questions. Stand at the front door, inside OR outside. You have many Wealth areas but we can concentrate on two if you like. One (from the outside) is the back left hand corner of your property---and if you stand inside the front door it is the back left hand corner of your home. Put the Red Envelopes inside your home but you can always look what's outside in your weath area too.
James, You know how you feel when you've cleaned an area? It's such a good and light feeling! When you let go of the old "stuff" there's so much more room for new, fresh energy to enter. You can do it....If you don't need it, use it or love it really let it go.
Teri, You can start right now--I've already begun and that way I'm not in a rush to get everything done. I leave buying the flowers and fruit until just before the New Year.
Susan, It's not that hard but do try to get to as much as you can. This always helps me and I believe it will help others as well.
Carole--Thanks!! We always have fresh fruit in the kitchen...I hope the kids will take instead of junk food so that one will be easy. :)
Hi Carole-Thank you so much for the clarification. I appreciate that a lot. Have a super day and I'll talk to you again. :-)
I've already done a few of those things and... I didn't realize they were Chinese New Year related. I guess I better complete the list now.
Carole, wonderful and inspirational as always! I can see how these could make a fresh start for the new year.
Hi Carole: I need all the energy I can muster which is why I made my move to another firm recently but I love your ideas and I intend to try everyone of them if at all possible. You have the most interesting information.
Carole I was doing good until I hit this line "Pay down your credit cards bills or make an early payment", thats were I realized ....Im doomed!
Happy Chinese New Year of the OX to All
Teri, I keep it around too but not that I eat that much of it. I do love what it signifies.
Sharon, Hi, I'm glad it helped and thank you for the questions!
Chuck, You have time, finish the rest :) Sweeping the kitchen floor is an absolute MUST.
Diane, Isn't it nice to know we can celebrate BOTH New Year's?
Donna, I wish you so much success in your new place. It was a good time to move for new beginnings and these things will help you ensure a successful year!
Fernando, Make a $5.00 payment. It's not the amount, it's the intention.
Hi Carole~ I have a lot of friends in SF and I will see if they can pick any up in Chinatown. If not, I love the idea of making them.
I just now saw this post - and it is the 25th, happy new year. I love the list and would like to do many if not all of the things -- AND, since it is the 25th -- I don't think I can do all in one day. Is it okay to do them over the next week or so?
Carole ~ Thank you so much for posting these reminders. I'm going to set some time aside and get busy preparing for the New Year, which I hope will be full of good fortune for all of us!
I love the traditions and symbolisms associated with the Chinese New Year.
Such a great post Carole!
Happy New Year!
Carole I have a question on how to determine the wealth corner of your office. Is it as you enter the door of the office or as your individual space. The orientation is different depending on what you use. I used the left corner of my office as I enter my cubbie. It could also be the desk itself - I'm not sure so I put them in the left corner of my office - or does it really matter. Perhaps the intention is more important than the location???
Carole, I really enjoy your tips and this is great! I love that they are all pretty simple things (though I am snoozing at midnight). Thank you so much for sharing!
Joan, I was busy all day today--and looking forward to 2009! I hope you were able to get what you wanted and wish you a wonderful Chinese New Year.
Alexsandra, Do what you can but don't stress. Open the windows and doors tomorrow (even if only for a minute or two) but don't do anything else tomorrow. After that you can do all of these things.
Maureen, It took me most of the day and part of yesterday but I'm ready...I love the Chinese New Year and really do believe this helps!
Craig, I do too! I missed my Chinese meal tonight but will go out at the end!
Kate, Each Space has several different Wealth Areas. Your ENTIRE Space has one (standing at the front door looking IN and going to the Back Left Hand corner.) Your OFFICE space may have another---Stand at the ENTRANCE to determine how many areas you would like to address and where they are. Your DESK'S entrance is where you sit...so you can go to the back left hand corner of your desk as well. If that didn't help, call me and I'll go over it with you.
Crystal, I may be as well, I have an early morning tomorrow :( And Tuesday........It's going to be a long but wonderful week.
Thank for your advice. I am going to do what you told us.
Wish you have a Happy Chinese New Year!!!
Carole, I had been compelled to do some of the things listed in the last few days but didn't get near as far as I had hoped. I will continue with the list as there are things that make me feel better about my surroundings. I wonder though if the placement of the red envelopes and a few others are only meant to be done before the new year or can you do them in the days following and still benefit?
I love this post and will be waiting for the future post you mentioned about desk space!
Gung Hay Fat Choy!
Carole, this is a wonderful list and I've started implementing many of the changes in your post. It's surprising how many 'things' we hold on to...but no more. Thanks for sharing and Happy Chinese New Year!
Grace, Good, I'm glad to hear you're taking the advice. I know it helps me every year!
Libby, You can do them now as well...the Chinese New Year lasts 15 days! I do everything I list and it really doesn't take that much time. I wish you luck and am so glad to see you back!
Debbie, Happy New Year to you as well. I love the fresh flowers in my home and this is the time I really fill my house with them. I feel better when I know these things are done and hope you do as well.