Astrologer Karagay told how to celebrate the New Year correctly

Russia has its own feng shui

The coming New Year is one of those rare occasions when you need to celebrate it in a noisy company, trying to create an atmosphere of magic. If you want to stay at home, no problem, the main thing is to be a generous and cheerful host. Be careful with alcohol: The Dragon does not like drunk people and may inadvertently decide that they are making an offering to him.

In fact, the New Year according to the eastern calendar begins on February 10, 2024. But according to Russian tradition, we honor the animal directly at the junction of December and January, without waiting for its official “crowning”. Therefore, you should choose clothes and dishes for the festive table based on the preferences of the Dragon.

— In the tradition of Feng Shui and the Chinese calendar, December 31 is in no way connected with the New Year. In China, the New Year will be celebrated on the second new moon from the winter solstice and will fall on February 10 in 2024. But Russia has developed its own feng shui and paradigm for celebrating the New Year, and all the traditions are mixed. People perceive the New Year from December 31 to January 1 as a meeting of the Chinese – and, accordingly, the beginning of the Year of the Dragon, says shaman and astrologer Karagay.

The dragon in tradition is a symbol of the highest form of power and wisdom. There were times when only emperors and rich people could touch the image of a dragon. But now, around the world, we joyfully pay homage to the new owner of 2024,

By the way, the dragon is the only really non-existent animal from the entire cycle of the eastern calendar. However, his authority is so strong that they prepare for the meeting carefully and in advance.

New Year’s table

Traditionally, it is not customary to put on the table dishes from animals – the owners of the year, for example, in the year of the Rabbit – rabbit meat, in the year of the Pig – pork. But you can’t physically prepare anything from the Dragon, because he is a mythical creature. Therefore, during the holiday you can eat whatever you want.

We associate the image of a dragon with fire and a predator; dishes on the New Year’s table can be meat. Dumplings would be appropriate, and hide a small coin in several of them – the Dragon loves pleasant surprises.

Since 2024 is the year of the Green Dragon, we definitely include the color green. This can be greens in the form of side dishes and snacks, a green tablecloth, napkins and other accessories. Total green can be diluted with gold and all shades of red. But the white color in the East is associated with mourning, but in Russia this is not the case, so do not be afraid of the color of purity and innocence.

What to wear

We celebrate the Year of the Green Dragon in green, wear jewelry with green stones, for example, jade – it will be the most relevant for the New Year. Fabrics are natural, with beautiful decorations, preferably gold and red.

You shouldn’t spend a fortune on a New Year’s costume; be smart, you can get by with a beautiful mask or tie with a dragon image.

New Year’s Eve is replete with lights, and on the eve of the Year of the Dragon we are generally happy to try: candles, sparklers, garlands – for every taste. But here it is important to be dragon-wise and not to go too far: remember that a spark ignites a flame, and simple fun can turn into disaster.

We don’t need fires, let fire-breathing dragons remain in the pictures. Take all precautions and do not leave children or your elderly friends and relatives alone with a candle, fireplace, or stove.

What to give for the New Year

Of course, the wise and zealous Dragon will be happy with practical gifts. But this is not necessarily about household appliances; a certificate for a luxury spa or an unusual master class is quite suitable. Wooden utensils or interior items would be appropriate.

Well, the traditional red hongbao envelope: decide for yourself what to put in it. Dragon figurines made of natural wood, stone, glass – anything other than plastic, which is unlikely to be inhabited by spirits, are also suitable as a gift.

If you want something completely original, give some incense. The Dragon likes their smoke and will be very appropriate. Just don’t take it anywhere, on street stalls or in mass markets, you don’t need a headache, choose trusted places. Coins, pendants, bracelets with Dragons – symbolic gifts will delight future owners.

Signs for the New Year

When setting the table in the year of the Green Wood Dragon, place a banknote on each corner of the table (preferably green, but this is not important). Place a bonsai or money tree in the center of the table – the symbol of the element of the year will come in handy.

Place a beautiful crystal vase filled with different fruits – bright oranges, tangerines, persimmons, let it become a symbol of the cup of abundance. You should also put your personal gold or silver jewelry and other valuables there, and this will increase abundance throughout the year. A caveat: the fruit from the vase must be eaten in the coming days.

Rituals for the New Year

Any holiday requires the observance of certain rituals. The change of year can be symbolically represented as the death of the old year and the birth of a new one. The most important ritual is cleansing. And here we are not only talking about general cleaning with washing windows and complete decluttering (this goes without saying). Make a change, especially if you haven’t done this for a long time. Any habit sooner or later turns our life into a stagnant swamp where there is no movement of energy.

It is not necessary to make large-scale moves, if the dimensions of the apartment do not allow, rearrange the dishes on the shelves or swap the chairs. Fill your space with new colors – the original color of curtains or bedspreads creates a new habit.

The auspicious color this year will be green; it will attract happiness and good luck to your home. If you still haven’t got indoor flowers, now is the time. But don’t create a jungle if you don’t have time to care for it later. There is nothing worse than dying plants. Let it be a couple of succulents that are easy to look after.

In our tradition there is a ritual of seeing off the old year. 2023 was the year of the Hare (Cat), but, of course, we are not preparing either a cat or a hare, it will be the wrong farewell.

Even if you had a bad year, the association “eat the hare – get rid of the negativity and end the bad streak” is obviously a failure. Only through gratitude. And if you have a cat at home, make him a special offering: feed him so that he will be incredibly happy.

How to celebrate the New Year in different countries

The main feature of the coming year is noise, fun and crowds of people. But before you go on a visit or invite family and friends over, be sure to perform a decluttering ritual. It is unlikely that we will understand the Italian tradition of throwing everything unnecessary out of the windows, but giving everything unnecessary to someone who needs it more is not a bad idea.

The Japanese place a pot with a pine tree at the entrance, and decorate the house with bamboo rakes – raking happiness and prosperity. At 00.01 on January 1, the bells of the main Buddhist temples ring exactly 108 times.

In Cuba, they eat 12 grapes and pour water on passers-by to wash away all bad luck and illness.

In France, they bake a cake and disguise a bean in one of the pieces. The one who finds it receives the title of the bean king, whose wish is fulfilled as a holy deed on this day.

While we are burning a piece of paper with a wish written on it, the residents of Ecuador grab a suitcase in their hands and try to run around their house in 12 strokes of the clock – for good luck and prosperity.

In Vietnam, the oldest person is seated at the table; it is believed that the older he is, the more wisdom those around him will gain.

In Brazil, burning candles and white flower petals are placed in the water as an offering.

In Israel, people eat a lot of sweets to attract the sweet life into the family.

In Greece, guests along the way pick up the largest stone, so that they can then put it at the threshold of the owners of the house, wishing their wealth to be just as heavy and huge.

— Different countries – different traditions. But the main thing is that on this day we try to get together, put the best treat on the table, dress up in beautiful clothes and forgive each other everything negative. This is probably what the change of year is all about—resetting and updating,” says our expert. – Let me remind you of one more true sign: how you greet the year is how you will spend it. Don’t forget about this and tune in to fun, kindness and wisdom: we are waiting for the Great Green Dragon to visit us.