The Meanings and History of the Lunar New Year
By Jessica Wettig Hendrix
We are all familiar with the Gregorian calendar year, which begins on January 1. It is based on how long it takes for the earth to rotate around the sun (365 days). While this is the most common calendar type known and used today, there are a few other types of years that are lesser-known. One of them is the Lunar New Year.
What Is The Lunar New Year and Lunar Calendar?
The Lunar New Year begins on February 1 and is determined from moon cycles and the lunar calendar. This calendar was made in contrast to solar calendars, which were used to create the Gregorian calendar. Solar calendars and lunar calendars often overlap and create lunisolar calendars.
Each lunation is about 29 ½ days. The months of the lunar calendar often alternate between 29 and 30 days. The period of 12 lunations (lunar year) is 354 days, 8 hours, and 48 minutes, 34 seconds. So, lunar calendars are generally 11 to 12 days shorter than the solar year (Gregorian).
Each new lunar month starts on a particular moon cycle. The lunar calendars generally begin either the day of a new moon or the day after a full moon. Some are based on the first sighting of the lunar crescent, which you will find in the lunar Hijiri calendar (The Hebrew Calendar)
How is it Used?
Most countries use the Gregorian calendar. But the lunar and lunisolar calendars are often used throughout the world to determine religious festivals and national holidays. Some of these holidays include:
Rosh Hashanah (Hebrew Calendar)
Easter (The Computus)
Chinese New Year
Japanese New Year
Korean New Year
Vietnamese New Year
Mongolian New Year
Nepali New Year
Mid-Autumn Festival (Chinese and Korean calendars)
Chuseok (Chinese and Korean calendars)
Loi Krathong (Thai calendar)
Sunuwar calendar
Vesak/Buddha’s birthday (Buddhist’s calendar)
Diwali (Hindu calendars)
Ramadan
Eid al-Fitr (Islamic calendar
Eid al-Adha (Islamic calendar)
How Can I Use a Lunar Calendar?
The moon has a strong impact on our everyday lives. From the time we are born, the moon’s position affects our astrological signs and contributes to our personalities and lives. Astrologers use the moon phases, lunar days, zodiac signs of the moon, and much more to study how the moon affects everything around us. You can do the same.
Many practitioners use the moon to guide their rituals and practices. For instance, a full moon is thought to have a great deal of energy. The full moon energy lasts for about three days and is a great time to celebrate your progress and gratitude. During the new moon energy, it's the perfect time for setting intentions and starting new projects. The first quarter moon (waxing) perfect time to make decisions and take action toward goals. During the last quarter moon energy (waning), focus on releasing, letting go of what no longer serves you. Try rituals for cleansing, breaking free of toxic habits and relationships.
The moon is thought to represent the goddess, while the sun is seen as the god. The three main phases (waxing, waning, and full) are seen as the Triple Goddess. You might have seen the symbol before. The three moons as also known as the maiden, mother, and crone. Sometimes they represent birth, life, and death. These meanings teach us that the world has a cycle, and everything had a beginning, middle, and end.
Overall, the moon impacts the world with its cycles and energy. The lunar cycle can be seen as a relationship between the sun and the moon. When the moon is full, the full light of the sun (god) is shining on the moon (goddess) and shining down on us. This is a combination of the two strongest powers in the world. When the light fades, its intense pull fades as well. Then we wait until the new moon comes, and we get to rest, renew and recharge.
Download a free copy of my 2022 Lunar Calendar here
The Rock Shop, sells healing crystals, books, aura cleansing salt soaps, aura scrubs, aromatherapy, and candles for any of your ritual needs. Contact the shop or stop in for more info. Susan is a Licensed Spiritual Healer Life Coach, Reiki Master, Certified Ho’ Oponopono Instructor, and Light Worker. She and her husband own the Nice Rock Shop at 311 Broadway Street, Paducah KY. Subscribe to her YouTube channel, Nice Rock Shop, follow her on social media, or contact her at NiceRockShop@gmail.com. The website is NiceRockShop.com.
©Copyright 2022, Susan K. Edwards NiceRockShop.com
コメント