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The Daoist Outlook・019

Jan 03, 2025

Happy Solar New Year


   Western civilization loves yang energy. Look at our winter - parties, bright lights, fireworks, and loud noises fill the air. Even our mainstream creation story begins with a Big Bang. Yet here we are, in the deepest pit of yin. All of this banging and clanging feels a little out of place, doesn’t it?

   As the noise fades and everyone begins to wrestle with their resolutions, we can start to see the strain. We've only just begun and many resolutions have already burned out. Why? Because forcing yang in the pit of yin goes against nature's groove. "Go with the flow,” means aligning with the rhythm of the seasons and having the momentum of the planet behind you. 
   Now that the holiday fireworks have passed, let yourself return to routine. There's still a little winter left, go ahead and soak it up. When else do you have permission to sleep in like this? Our next moon is an earth tiger, and with it comes the spring of a whole new year, the yin wood snake. Til' then, keep slapping that snooze bar and let those ridiculous resolutions rest.

✧ Ditch those Resolutions ✧

Less Stress: Most resolutions are knee jerk and forced. Just stop.
More Rest: You have a big year ahead. Rest now while you can.
Less Hustle: What do you have to prove? Stop running around.
More Snuggle: Hug. Spoon. Cuddle. Embrace your loved ones.


✧ Solar Sun v. Lunar Moon ✧

Measure a Year: A solar year has 365 days, a lunar year has 354.
Measure a Month: A solar month has 28-31 days, a lunar month has 28-30.
Measure Seasons:
Equinoxes and solstices are fixed in a solar calendar.
Measure Time: 
Solar is for civil use, lunar is for cultural and religious use.


Contents

・Shifu Says: A brief word from our head teacher, Shifu David Wei.
・The Five Elements: We finished with the palm, what about our body?
・Tea of the Month : A new month means we get a new flavor!
・The Daoist Calendar:
Special holidays and how to observe them.
・Madame Xu's Lunar News: Horoscopes from our Hong Kong oracle.


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