It's the Year of the Horse - and Olympics, of Course

Happy Year of the Horse. It's Chinese New Year, and we're celebrating (at least in our own ways). I'm a bit off-schedule today. I awakened at 2:00 am instead of when my alarm would go off at 3:00 am. I tossed a bit, but gave up and started catching up on my morning meditation routine. By the time I was finished with that and headed downstairs (since I had extra time, I indulged a bit in some extra "me" time), it was already almost 4:00 am and I leave for the pool at 4:30 am. *sigh*. So now I'm running a little late - LOL. 

This New Year is the Year of the Horse. I was born in 
a year of the Horse, so it's going to be MY year - if I 
can just survive the next few months - LOL. 

I hope you're all enjoying watching the Olympics if it's your thing. We're happily watching as much curling as possible, and a lot of the ski competitions. Basically, we both adore the Olympics, so when they're on, we have it turned on. I don't know, or care about, the medal count, but I'm sure the USA is doing just fine. 

The USA Men's Curling Team is quite young (most of 
them) and they're REALLY good. They're fun as heck 
to watch. Some of the shots they're able to make have 
been nothing less than incredible. Bravo! 

Did you happen to catch the prime time Women's Monobob bobsled run? An absolutely wonderful woman from the USA won that one - and they had done a feature on her earlier in the evening. It was lovely to meet her family - husband and two kids. The kids are both quite young, and they're both completely deaf. So she speaks fluently with her hands to them, while speaking orally to others. Typical woman - juggling multiple tasks at a time - LOL. She finally got the Gold, however, and I'm so very pleased for her. 

Did you know that the Monobob competition is the only 
competition in the Olympics that is restricted to women 
only? I wasn't aware of that either - LOL. Congratulations 
to Elana Meyers Taylor for winning the Gold in this year's 
competition. It's a gorgeous track, I'd love to try it out 
sometime. 

So, I'm wrapping this up, and diving into another day of a million tasks. We have a firm schedule that we need to stick to for closing on time, and there really isn't any wiggle room at all. DH has been working massively hard to get things going - photographing shelving units, cabinets and display cases. Everything has to go. It's a job!! Have an excellent Tuesday and I'll be back tomorrow. Slava Ukraini. 

Happy Lunar New Year - It's the Year of the Wood Dragon

Happy Lunar New Year to all of you. We now enter the Year of the Dragon - a most auspicious year for many of you, but probably not for all. Let's spend an enjoyable morning exploring the Year of the Dragon and Chinese astrology as it relates to this new year. 

Chinese New Year is the most important day on the 
Chinese calendar. It's a time for celebration and 
contemplation, to join loved ones and strangers, 
and to wish everyone a healthy and prosperous 
upcoming year. 

First of all, it is not only the Year of the Dragon, it is also the year of wood (each year has both an animal and an element assigned to it). So, to be precise, it is the Year of the Wood Dragon. Dragons signify power, beauty, strength, vigor and charm. If you were born in a Year of the Dragon, you share those traits with others of your year. You also, of course, have your own astrological month sign which also is influenced by the specific year. What Chinese astrological sign are you? Here's your reading for the upcoming year, according to the "Times of India". 

We are now into the Year of the Wood Dragon, a year of 
great possibilities to be guided by strong personalities 
and to float above the maelstrom like a small piece of 
wood in a vast ocean. It'll be a year of challenges, and I 
have no doubt that in many ways we'll be grateful to see 
this year end in 2025. 

Let's break down the year ahead by your astrological sign. Now ... I'm not in agreement with the breakdown they present here (it's from the "Times of India", so they're probably right and I'm probably wrong), but you can make your own determination. Here is the year ahead for you, based upon your astrological symbol - Western and Chinese. 

Rat - Sagittarius

 Rats get along very well with dragons, so you'll have a prosperous year if you are a rat. You will do great in the physical world (finance and business), but not so good in your personal life because of a lack of communication skills. 

Ox - Capricorn 

This one is DH, so I looked carefully at this - LOL. It's going to be a tough year for the Ox - they are diametrically opposed to the energies of Dragon. But, income will increase, so that will make DH a happy man. 

Tiger - Aquarius

There might be some challenges in this year, but your finances will be secure. Be picky about those you meet, but behave nicely with everyone you interact with (probably wise words for all of us). 

Rabbit - Pisces

The year ahead will share good and bad equally, so be cautious with investments, watch your bank account carefully, and seek advice from elders or those with wisdom before jumping into things. My Father was a Pisces, and he was very good with money. 

Dragon - Aries

My mother was a Dragon - I'm sure she's celebrating in another dimension today. If you're a Dragon, you'll have a year of achievement, advancement and revitalization. 

Snake - Taurus

I'm a Taurus, but I'm also a Horse in some writings of the Chinese zodiac, so the demarcation lines of this article must be a bit different than ones I've seen in the past. Still, I can deal with being a snake, I love snakes and adore their flexibility. For snakes, 2024 will be a year of personal and spiritual development, and you'll keep in closer contact with family members, giving gifts and helping when needed. Sounds just about perfect for me! 

Horse - Gemini

The year of the Wood Dragon may be a challenging one for the Horse. New situations will require adjustments. But, when they look back, they'll realize this year was one of the best in their lives. 

Goat/Sheep - Cancer

It will be a year of ups and downs for goats, with some emotional upheavals. However, at the end of the year, you'll be happier than the start of the year, so hang in there for that "happy ending". 

Monkey - Leo

Monkeys get along very well with Dragons, so it should be a great year for you. Both personal and professional success will come, but set something aside for that "rainy day" that you know will come. My aunt (my father's sister) was a Leo. 

Rooster - Virgo

It's a mixed year for roosters, but your charm will pull you through when mixed with your kindness. Don't back away from the challenges that you will face, you'll feel better after you've passed through them. 

Dog - Libra

Dogs and dragons don't get along extremely well, so it will be a year of challenges. Be careful to not get bogged down in your own thoughts this year. 

Pig - Scorpio

You'll have a year of growth and expansion with some good opportunities coming in Spring. Be open to a new love interest as well. 

So there you have it - in a synopsis. I'm sure other reporting sources will say different things, and they will all be right, and all be wrong. That's the beauty of fortune-telling - you're neither right nor wrong, you're like a wisp of smoke - there for a moment, then gone with the next gust of the morning breeze. Have an excellent New Year and a wonderful day. I'll be back tomorrow. Slava Ukraini and חיים למען ישראל.

Good Imbolc and Happy Year of the Tiger - Who Will Guard and Rule Your Castle?

Good Inbolc and Happy Year of the Tiger. We're moving ever closer to Spring, and I couldn't be happier about that. There's still a lot of snow still to come - sometimes March is our snowiest month - but I get hopeful when Imbolc begins because we're one full step removed from the Winter Solstice, the days are absolutely getting longer, and hope is perching on the hearth instead of hiding in the deepest woods. 

There are many ways to celebrate Inbolc. Take a look at 
a few of them here. I think I'll add some cinnamon to my 
morning tea. That should be delightful. 

What is it about those deepest woods? It's a central part to "fairy tales" that many of us grew up with. The woods that Hansel and Gretel were abandoned in. The woods that wood-choppers made their living within - a career choice that doesn't have a lot of call these days. The woods where our deepest fears lived and where "The Wild Things" lived. What became of those woods? 

Happy Year of the Tiger to all of you. Tigers are extra 
smart this year (the stars are aligned), but the year may 
bring unexpected ups and downs. Stay conservative and 
increase your charitable work. Because of an unfortunate 
alignment, there is also a higher chance of injury, 
quarrel or legal trouble this year. There will be 
obstacles and setbacks, but the outcome will be 
positive in the end. 

They still exist - in the far corners of your mind. It's deep in those mental woods that your deepest fears have found their home. There are caves where they can hide, large trees where they can perch, and cobwebbed dells where you fear to tread with good reason. In those depths of the mind, Shelob still lives and danger lurks around every corner. 

Without darkness we couldn't appreciate the light. Without 
the dark shards of the mind, we couldn't dream and 
soar in the night. Embrace that dark, but understand it 
has no lasting power over the light. It is only the other 
side of the light and the two must always remain in 
balance with each other. 

It's that deep sense of instability that drives mankind to join with others and create various villages, towns and cities. In numbers there is safety - at least sometimes. Of course, those who have malice on their minds move right along with the flow and set up their own domiciles in the towns and cities. Sometimes they even come to power in them, putting all people at risk by their actions. 

Small villages led to bigger ones. Bigger ones led to 
larger and more imposing buildings and a larger and 
more complicated governmental structure. I'm not 
sure it was a great idea, but we outgrew our 
small villages a long time ago, and the "ruler" or 
"ruling body" have been given powers - good and bad - 
that maybe were unanticipated in those early days. 

As we move toward true Spring, it's certainly something to think about. What thoughts are you allowing into your mental village? Are you culling out the riff-raff and keeping them outside your castle walls? Are you electing good people to guide your actions? Or are you sitting in your small room, looking out of a dirty window pane with fear that you'll be noticed? Remember - it's YOUR village, so allow those entry who will support your efforts and help you with success. Have an excellent Inbolc, enjoy the beginning of the Year of the Tiger, and I'll return tomorrow, I'm off to the swimming pool.