Saturday 25th January, 2020 is Chinese New Year’s day, the first day of the Chinese Lunisolar Calendar in the year 4717. The zodiac year of the Yang-Metal-Rat, referred to as the Golden Rat or the Warrior Rat.
The home should be spotless for the new year, you should have had a haircut and now you are ready to forget about work and chores for two weeks (until the full moon) and feast with family and friends. The idea is your start the year, how you want the year to go – give the year it’s tone! Bring on the dumplings!
How is Chinese New Years Day Calculated?
The Chinese New Year celebrates the combination of the lunar and solar cycles. The solar start to the year for the Chinese is February 4 – 立春 Lìchūn (start of spring). The lunar months start with a new moon, therefore Chinese New Year combines the solar and lunar cycles by starting with the closest new moon to February 4. This is, most often, the second new moon after winter solstice.
Note: Prior to the Julian calendar (which took effect on 1 January 45 BC enforced by the Romans), both the Germanic and Scandinavian Calendars were lunisolar fixing the beginning of the year at the first full moon after winter solstice.
Another Note: When calculating your Chinese zodiac sign, you use the solar date February 4th as the beginning of the year. For determining your zodiac animal, ignore the Chinese New Year (new moon) date, and simply use February 4th as the beginning of the year. All babies born after that date are the new zodiac sign and all babies born before February 4th are the preceding zodiac sign.
General Predictions for the Yin-Earth-Pig Year
After Chinese New Year 2020, the Chinese believe that we begin a new cycle and as with all new beginnings, there will be a shift in ecology, politics, and economics. This is a Yang (male)-Metal-Rat year, and the rat is considered intelligent, creative, and industrious. The Elements at play in 2020 are Metal and Water.
According to the Chinese Horoscope theory, Yang (male)-Metal is connected to metal (iron, steel etc.), weapons or strong winds. The imagery of Yang (male)-Metal is that of a warrior wielding a powerful sword. Rat contains Yin (female)-Water, which is connected to flood, rain, storms, dew, lakes or ocean.
2020 imagery of Yang (male)-Metal-Rat is like a ship in the ocean pushing against the strong wind. This combination shows signs of a storm!
If the lucky element of your Chinese birth chart is water, then Rat will bring you good fortune in 2020. 2019 was the Pig year. Pig and Rat are both in the Water group. If you did well in 2019, then you should continue doing well in 2020.
Rat and Horse have an opposing relationship. Metal and Fire have fighting relationship. People born in Fire-Horse (1966) and Wooden-Horse (1954) years may struggle with relationships. Ox, Dragon, and Monkey have favorable relationships with Rat in the Zodiac. People born in Wood-Ox (1985), Water-Monkey (1992), Water-Dragon (1952), Water-Ox (1973), and Earth-Ox (1949) years will have good relationships. A good reputation can bring you good fortune.
More Specific Predictions for the Yin-Earth-Pig Year
The most important thing to remember here that the year has an energy and there is your own personal energy (zodiac astrology). In fact, it really depends on your own zodiac sign and how that interacts with the year in question.
For example, 2019 Yin Earth Pig was a good year for Donald Trump The earth element is favorable to Donald Trump. For Donald Trump’s luck cycle according to Chinese Astrology in 2020 click here
For a more detailed forecast of your own animal zodiac sign in 2020 click here
Why Does Alex Prefer A Lunisolar Calendar?
From ancient times people have recognized that the most important heavenly bodies, the sun and moon, have the greatest influence on the earth, it’s nature and it’s inhabitants. The solar positions are represented by the 24-solar terms. The phases of the moon are represented by the dates of the month. Since ancient times, it has been observed that the calendar you follow – i.e., how you follow time – influences the flow of your daily life.
For example, if you simply follow a solar (sun-yang) calendar you become more yang-biased. Follow a lunar calendar and you tend to be more yin-biased.
New emperors, kings and the dawning of new ages introduce new calendars.
‘Who owns your time owns your mind; own your own time and know your own mind – follow both lunar and solar rhythms’
We believe who owns your time owns your mind, body, and spirit. Thus, we encourage you to own your own time and know yourself – stay in touch with both lunar and solar rhythms to facilitate this.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Alex Tan L.AC. is a licensed Acupuncturist. After completing his degree in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), Alex lived and practiced Chinese Medicine for 10-years in Beijing, China. A native-born Australian, the son of his Australian mother and Chinese father, Alex’s bi-cultural heritage helps him skillfully bridge Eastern and Western health perspectives. He believes the true power of Chinese medicine lies in a balanced approach towards prevention and treatment. Rooted in Chinese Medicine observation based theory & methodology over millenniums, Alex’s talent lies in delivering these Eastern healing modalities to his modern Western clients. For more about Alex click here
Alex runs a clinic in Flagstaff, Northern Arizona. Alex welcomes comments and questions to his articles. To schedule an appointment in person or telco-appointment click here
