Chinese New Year's Eve and the New Holiday Moon

Tonight is Chinese New Year's Eve. In China, New Year's evening is called Ch’u-yeh, the "evening of discarding", because we can finally be done with the old year, and with winter.

This last day of the year is busy for Chinese families, because it’s the last chance to complete preparations and be ready to start the year fresh. When the running around is done, the family spends the rest of the day at home together -- family connections are the big theme for this holiday.

Tonight is also the new moon. This first new moon of the Chinese year is called the Holiday Moon, because it's the start of a month-long holiday season in China. The new moon is a time of high energy and clear thinking. Historically, the new moon is when women took time to be alone; it's a time to retreat, set intentions, and initiate something new.

Agenda:

1. Retreat Day

2. Choose a month theme

3. Set intentions

4. New moon altar and meditation

5. Thanksgiving ceremony

6. Welcoming ceremony

7. Have a family open house

1. Retreat Day:

If at all possible, I schedule a day of retreat on the new moon, or near to it: I do less talking, less business, and more personal thought and action. My retreat starts today and continues through tomorrow, with more time for writing and reading, and some artwork.

2. Choose a month theme:

At the new moon I choose a new theme to begin to give attention to. My theme this next 30 days is Receptivity and Love: I will explore what it's like to be the earth, accepting the seed and willing to nurture it. 

Receptivity requires that we be open and available, gentle, loving, and sweet; but it isn't a passive condition - receptivity requires that we do the work to care for what we receive, and have the strength to love without conditions.

Receptivity goals might have to do with improving my loving relationship with my family, or with enriching self-love, or being more openhearted, trusting, and generous. Also, I can use the image of being a fertile earth mother when I am nurturing something new in my life.

My love practices this month:

• Daily Love Cycle reading and work.
• Love Journal, to record moments of receptivity as well as impatience and defensiveness.
• Grandmother work- learning support techniques.
• Make valentines for friends and for the Earth.

3. Set intentions:

Last week I brainstormed some wild and crazy ideas for the next 30-days, and today it's time to narrow it down a little, to the priority items that I could possibly focus on this next month. This isn't a list of the practical things I need to do this month; rather it's my top actions, studies, and growth goals that fit with the "taste" of this month of my life.

After I list my top goals for the next 30 days, I'm ready to set some intentions for action. I've written just two intentions, the ones I might act on today, and will write more later.

I intend to hold the entire Meeting in the Light as I serve as Clerk of the Month; I will learn the names of new people, check in with committee clerks and the care team, and follow up on threads of business, because wise leadership requires attention and love,and is one way to witness love to the world.

I intend to become a better helper and advocate for #1 as he negotiates his anxiety and frustration; learn about self-reg, help him learn how to become comfortable around people, regulate big feelings, and follow directions, because he is on a journey towards becoming a gentle, thoughtful young man and helping on that journey is what a grandmother is made for.

I intend to be a ruthless clearer this month - clear the studio and the cupboards, papers, clothes, fabric; go through every storage bin and pass on or recycle everything I no longer need, because this stuff is suffocating me, and could be cherished by someone else.

4. New moon altar and meditation:

It's time to clear my altar, and discern what to put on it for the next 30 days. (For my thoughts on altars see About Altars). I generally keep it simple and choose only things that speak to me and feed me, and reveal what I believe in. I ask, what quality of Spirit do I want to invoke? 

Things I'm keeping-

• my straw doll - for luck and protection
• a  quartz crystal - for the purity of winter
• a beaded snake - for healing and regeneration

Things I'm adding-

• a pink candle - for openness and generosity
• a heart - for receptivity and love

5. Thanksgiving ceremony:

Ch’u-yeh is a day of thanksgiving for the blessings of the old year. Chinese families fill this afternoon and evening with many ceremonies giving thanks-offerings to a variety of Chinese gods, to their own ancestors, and to the Spirits of the mountains, forests, and rivers. They light incense and candles, and place flowers, fruits, and other special foods on the altar; then they bow and offer sincere thanks.  

This ceremony is traditionally done in the afternoon, when other work is done. Today after lunch I will make myself a pot of tea, and settle on a cushion in my study.

1. I will light a small white candle, center myself, and feel myself fill with thankfulness for all I have now in my life.

2. I will offer a prayer of gratitude to my ancestors, and to the Spirits of the mountains, forests, and rivers, and God in all forms. 

3. Finally, I will send thanks for the blessings of the old year, and ask for an abundance of new blessings for the New Lunar Year.

6. Welcoming Ceremony:

Last week, on Little New year, we sent the Kitchen God and his wife to heaven in a fire. Today I will have a small ceremony to welcome the Kitchen God and his wife back home.

First I will make a new portrait using a copy of one I drew a few years ago, and color it with colored pencils.

Then I will hang it in the niche in my spice rack, light red candles, and have a moment of silence to think about ways I could improve.

This year I resolve to have greater integrity with care of my home and land, and all the creatures who live here.

7. Have a family open house:

Traditionally, the whole family gathers tonight to share a grand feast, usually a whole chicken or fish to symbolize family togetherness. 

This year we won't get together, because we've all been sick, and we just want to rest.