is there a most auspicious time of day on Chinese New Year to open windows/doors for nine minutes? Or does time of day matter?

N L D., Lindale, TX

Hi! Thanks for your question!

Yes, there are more auspicious hours to perform feng shui adjustments. I think most of you are familiar with the Taoist concept of yin and yang, which is a philosophy that describes everything as a dance between two opposites. Some examples of yin and yang (in that order) are: dark and light, moon and sun, cold and hot, feminine and masculine, internal and external, passive and active and so on. Everything in our universe has both yin and yang; that’s why I say it’s a dance. The yin yang symbol represents this constantly moving relationship between the two opposites. Then the little dot of white in the black, and the little dot of black in the white…this means that with yin there is yang, and within yang there is yin. The darkness only exists in relationship to the light.

When we look at how a day progresses in time, there are hours that are more yin and hours that are more yang. 11am to 1pm are the most yang hours of the day and beneficial to activate and start new endeavors with a big push of energy. Similarly, the hours of 11pm to 1am are the most yin hours of the day and may be a more ideal time to unravel and/or clarify internal workings of the mind, or have a more subtle push forward (like a "slow and steady wins the race" type of attitude).

As you see, feng shui philosophy is layered and is interdependent on many Asian philosophies, which really makes it so rich and powerful. I hope this information helps you to apply some changes in your life in a more powerful way! Let us know if you made feng shui adjustments for the Chinese New Year and how they made you feel!

by Anjie Cho

Thanks for reading our "Q&A Sunday". If you have personal questions, we encourage you to check out Practical Feng Shui or hire one of Anjie's Grads.

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Happy Lunar New Year! Happy 2021! To help you make the most of this new year, I put together an overview of what you can expect from 2021, the Year of the Ox, based on your zodiac animal. (If you’re not sure what your animal is, read on!)

To welcome the lunar new year, Mindful Design School is offering a New Year’s Reset Package, which includes a live ritual to peel away the old year and welcome the new one. This is an especially powerful ritual in 2021 for some people depending on your birth year animal, but everyone can benefit from these practices! To find out more about who can get the most from this ritual, be sure to check out our podcast episode Welcome the Year of the Ox.

BTB Feng Shui always recommends carrying a three-dimensional charm to welcome good luck and protection each year. This year, since the Rat is the Ox’s best friend, we recommend a three-dimensional Rat charm, available in the color of your choice in the Holistic Spaces store!

*Please note, if your birthday is in January or February, your animal sign may be the preceding year. If you were born on the cusp, we we recommend you find your natal chart online .

Rat 子

Resourceful, like to be busy, can sniff out opportunities
Years: 1924, 1936, 1948, 1960, 1972, 1984, 1996, 2008
Rats are best friends with Dragons, Snakes, Monkeys, and especially Oxen! The Ox and Rat are considered best friends in the Chinese Zodiac, so this means it’s a good year for Rats!
Overall energy of the year: Good
What to do: Embrace the calmer energy of the Ox year. Don’t push riskier endeavours.
You are most compatible with: Dragon, Monkey, Rat and Ox.
You clash with: Horse.

Ox 丑

Steady eddy, hard working, ploughs through problems calmly
Years: 1925, 1937, 1949, 1961, 1973, 1985, 1997, 2009
Oxen are great friends with Snakes, Roosters, and Rats. You may think that since it’s the year of the Ox, it would be a very lucky year for anyone born in the year of the Ox. But in fact, it may be a little more challenging for Oxen. In BTB feng shui we practice a protection ceremony called the Golden Cicada Ritual. Think of it as a way to smooth out the rough edges, and to bring more ease in the coming year. If you’re interested, there is a class available here, we also recommend you carry a 2021 charm (Rat) with you for extra support.
Overall energy of the year: So-so
What to do: Make time for self-care and take breaks. Oxen work too hard!
You are most compatible with: Rooster, Snake and Rat.
You clash with: Ram/Sheep.

Tiger 寅

Dynamic, self-reliant, Tigers leap forward with creative ideas
Years: 1914, 1926, 1938, 1950, 1962, 1974, 1986, 1998, 2010 Tigers are friends with Horses, Dogs, and Pigs. The creative and dynamic tiger finds the Ox’s stead-fast work ethic a little tiresome.
Overall energy of the year: Mostly neutral
What to do: Take advantage of the calmer energy (may feel boring to tigers)
You are most compatible with: Horse, Dog and Pig.
You clash with: Monkey.

Rabbit 卯

Easy-going, sociable, the rabbit hops along with grace
Years: 1927, 1939, 1951, 1963, 1975, 1987, 1999, 2011
Rabbits are friends with Rams, Pigs, and Dogs. Rabbits will enjoy the quieter, more stable energy of the Ox. For extra support and ease with Ox, we recommend you carry a 2021 charm (Rat) the Ox’s best friend.
Overall energy of the year: Neutral
What to do: Gracefully bunny hop over minor set-backs, and enjoy the slower pace.
You are most compatible with: Pig, Sheep and Dog.
You clash with: Rooster

Dragon 辰

Energetic, strong, dragons fly through life with purpose
Years: 1928, 1940, 1952, 1964, 1976, 1988, 2000
Dragons are best friends with Monkeys, Roosters, and Rats. Dragons respect the Ox’s work ethic and tenacious nature.
Overall energy of the year: Pretty good
What to do: Align your powerful Dragon energy with the stable and determined energy of the Ox
You are most compatible with: Rat, Monkey, and Rooster.
You clash with: Dog

Snake 巳

Intellectual, Snakes slide through life with wisdom and grace
Years: 1929, 1941, 1953, 1965, 1977, 1989, 2001, 2013
Snakes are best friends with Rooster, Monkey, and Ox; this is good news for the Snake. Snake’s wisdom will serve them well, and is looked upon favorably by the Ox.
Overall energy of the year: Good
What to do: Use your subtle influence and keen intuition
You are most compatible with: Rooster, Ox and Monkey.
You clash with: Pig

Horse 午

Strong, active, horses will gallop by looking for adventure
Years: 1918, 1930, 1942, 1954, 1966, 1978, 1990, 2002
Horses are best friends with Tigers, Dogs and Rams. You just came out of Rat year, which was a tough one -- for all of us :) Horses are efficient and hard-workers which the Ox respects.
Overall energy of the year: Ease
What to do: focus on projects that were left undone in 2020 (Rat) and channel that Ox energy into tackling them.
You are most compatible with: Tiger, Dog and Ram.
You clash with: Rat

Ram 未

Gentle and kind, but under that soft, wooly exterior is strong determination
Years: 1919, 1931, 1943, 1955, 1967, 1979, 1991, 2003
Rams (Sheep or Goat) are friends with Pigs, Rabbits and Horses. The good-natured Ram is not a fan of the hard-working Ox. Because Ram clashes with the Ox, so it is important in BTB feng shui to practice the Golden Cicada Ritual. If you’re interested, there is a class available here. We also highly recommend you carry a 2021 charm (Rat)
Overall energy of the year: Might feel like Ox is a bit of a task-master
What to do: Tap into your strength and determination
You are most compatible with: Rabbit, Pig and Horse.
You clash with: Ox

Monkey 申

Clever, curious, Monkeys will charm others with their ap-peel
Years: 1920, 1932, 1944, 1956, 1968, 1980, 1992, 2004
Monkeys are friends with Dragons, Rats, and especially Snakes. Monkeys will do well this year if they focus their energy and don’t try to take the quick way to doing things. Use the Ox’s hard-working energy to balance your curious nature, the Ox won’t tolerate any monkeying around.
Overall energy of the year: Pretty good
What to do: Use your clever Monkey and ways to channel your energy for success.
You are most compatible with: Rat, Dragon and Snake.
You clash with: Tiger

Rooster 酉

Articulate, astute, Roosters strut with confidence
Years: 1921, 1933, 1945, 1957, 1969, 1981, 1993, 2005
Roosters are best friends with Snakes, Oxen, and Dragons. Roosters like the solid work ethic of the Ox. They make a good team and appreciate each other's focus and determination.
Overall energy of the year: Supportive
What to do: Just because you have the opportunity to do a lot and accomplish much, doesn't mean you should. Don’t get caught up in working too hard, take time for yourself.
You are most compatible with: Ox, Snake, and Dragon.
You clash with: Rabbit

Dog 戌

Loyal, dogs look out for others and they are dogged protectors
Years: 1922, 1934, 1946, 1958, 1970, 1982, 1994, 2006, 2018
Dogs are best friends with Tigers, Horses, and Rabbits. They are in a mostly neutral relationship with the Ox. Dog and Ox see eye-to-eye on being fair and steadfast. For extra good luck and support, we recommend you carry a 2021 charm (Rat) this year.
Overall energy of the year: Neutral
What to do: Don’t pick fights, instead choose to channel your inner peace-maker.
You are most compatible with: Tiger, Horse and Rabbit.
You clash with: Dragon

Pig 亥

Good-nature, trust-worthy, fun-loving. Pigs are always there to help ‘snout’
Years: 1923, 1935, 1947, 1959, 1971, 1983, 1995, 2007, 2019
Pigs are best friends with Rabbits, Rams, and Tigers. Pigs are hard-working but know how to have to have a good time. Yes, Pigs work hard, but the Ox doesn't appreciate the Pig’s bon-vivant side, so we recommend you carry a 2021 charm (Rat) to soften the relationship and give the Pig more support.
Overall energy of the year: So-so
What to do: Be selective of who you do business with, and use the stable and analytical ways of Ox to support you.
You are most compatible with: Sheep, Rabbit and Tiger.
You clash with: Snake

To learn more about what you can expect in 2021 based on your birth year animal, make sure you listen to our podcast Welcome the Year of the Ox!

Don’t forget to grab your three-dimensional rat charm this year, here at Holistic Spaces!

Check out our New Year’s Reset Package here!

If you're really interested in more personal, in-depth predictions, please reach out to a Four Pillars or Bazi practitioner for a consultation!