2015: Year of The Goat

2015 is the Year of The Goat in Chinese astrology. Ranking eighth in the long list of animals tied to the Chinese zodiac, people who are born under this sign are said to be calm, mild-mannered, good-hearted, sympathetic, dependable and intelligent. They also prefer to avoid being the center of attention – a trait that’s rare among other Chinese zodiacs. Of course, this is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the characteristics of the Year of The Goat.

One of the perks of being born under the Chinese zodiac Goat is good health and well-being. As stated above, people who born in 2015, and other Goat years, are typically calm and cool-headed. This means they experience less stress and anxiety than others. And when you have lower levels of stress, you tend to experience fewer health problems. People who are born in the Year of The Goat also tend to prefer fresh, nutritious foods as opposed to empty-calorie processed foods, further boosting their health.

According to Chinese astrology, people born under the Goat work best when paired with partners who are born under the Horse. Some of the top careers for the Year of The Goat include pediatricians, nurses, doctors, teachers, musicians and florists.

It’s important to note that people born under the Goat tend to live private lives instead of placing themselves in the spotlight. They often prefer a quiet evening at home instead of attending public events. This doesn’t necessarily mean that all of their time is spent cooped up indoors, but Goats are humble people whom typically prefer a quiet, low-key night over public gatherings and events.

Here are some other fun facts about the Year of The Goat:

• Lucky colors include green, red and purple.
• Lucky numbers include 2 and 7.
• The Year of The Goat is associated with the Earthly Branch symbol.
• In addition to 2015, other years symbolized by the goat are 1919, 1931, 1943, 1955, 1967, 1991, 2003, and 2027,
• Lucky flowers include carnation, primrose and the alice flower.
• Goats are most compatible with Horses, Rabbits and Pigs.
• Goats clash with Rats, Ox and Dogs.
• Located on the Pearl River, the city of Guangzhou is believed to represent the Goat.
• People who are born in a Goat year typically have successful careers.
• Earth (Tu) is the element associated with the Year of The Goat.
• Check out this link for more fun facts!

 Chinese Lunar New Year: Year of the Goat

February 19th is the Chinese lunar New Year.  The celebration of the New Year, the Spring Festival, is China’s longest and most important holiday.  Because it is based on a different calendar, it falls on a different date between January 21 and February 20 every year.  You can think of Spring Festival as Christmas and New Year all rolled into one.  Just like our holiday season, it’s a time of celebration, visiting family and friends, giving gifts and preparing for the next year.

Chinese Lunar New Year:  Spring Festival

In China, there are many New Year’s traditions during the 15-day Spring Festival.  Many people clean their homes to sweep away the past year and usher in the next.  Oftentimes family members travel home for a visit.  Children receive red envelopes, called hóngbāo in Mandarin, filled with money from their relatives. People hang red lanterns outside their homes to bring happiness and good luck.  On Chinese New Year’s Eve families gather for a huge meal and enjoy “lucky” foods together.  And, of course, there are fireworks.

The Chinese zodiac has 12 years in its cycle, each one represented by an animal; 2015 is the Year of the Snake.  Astrologers say that people born in the Year of the Snake are wise but enigmatic.  They are very intuitive and size up situations well, but say little.  Snakes are refined; they like to dress well and are usually financially secure. They are intense and passionate in relationships, but can become jealous and suspicious.  Snakes prefer a calm, stress-free environment.

Recommit to Your New Year’s Resolutions

The Chinese do not traditionally make New Year’s Resolutions like we do in the west, however this is a good time to reflect on the goals you set a month ago. Are you keeping your New Year’s resolutions?

If you’re having trouble, maybe it’s time to take a lesson from the Snakes.  Take a quiet moment and reflect on what is stopping you.  Do you need to get serious?  Do you need additional support?  Are your goals genuine—do you want to do them or do you think you should do them?  Why haven’t you kept your New Year’s Resolutions?

If your resolutions include improving your health in 2015, I can help you with that.  Give me a call (425) 686-4498 and we can arrange an appointment for anything from a tune-up to weight control to mood balancing.

If you need to make a deeper commitment to your resolutions, take a moment and think about what you need to do to keep them.  Write down 3 easy action steps.

…and do them.  Now.

Use the Chinese lunar New Year as a do-over.  Commit to your New Year’s resolutions.

Gōng Xǐ Fā Cái.  Happy New Year.