What is the Astrological New Year? Fortune-boosting rituals for the Spring Equinox from Keiko — Vogue Japan
3/19 is the Astrological New Year
Have you ever heard of the Astrological New Year? Spring Equinox (this year, it’s on Thursday, March 19th in the U.S.) is the first day of the astrological calendar and is said to encapsulate the energy of the entire year. “It’ll be a waste to let this lucky day go by without taking proper action,” says Keiko, Japan’s leading astrologer and bestselling author. What is the Astrological New Year all about? What kind of action can we take to ride this powerful wave of energy? Keiko tells us all.
Every year, the power of the Universe reaches its peak on the Astrological New Year. How can we harness this power?
A new year always starts on January 1st and ends on December 31st—many of you may think this is an obvious fact. However, this is only according to the calendar that our human society adopted and made the standard. In astrology, we use a different calendar—one that actually corresponds to the cycle of the Universe.
On the astrological calendar, the new year begins not on January 1st but when the Sun enters Aries: the day of the Spring Equinox (this year, it’s on Thursday, March 19th at 11:49PM EDT). I refer to this day as the Astrological New Year: the first day of the Universe’s annual cycle. The fact that this term is getting more popular signifies that more and more people are becoming aware of their connection to the Universe.
Currently, the entire world is under great stress from the effects of the novel coronavirus. It certainly feels like the rug has been pulled out from under our feet, with the normally joyful spring just around the corner. In astrology, viruses are represented by Mercury, the planet of information. Viruses and information are the flipsides of the same coin. With the Mercury in retrograde until March 10th, please be careful not to let fake news or rumors paralyze you in fear. Don’t forget: the most effective protection against an invisible enemy is for each one of us to maintain a positive attitude.
Let’s get back on topic. What I’d like you to remember is this: the Astrological New Year is one of the most powerful days of the year to give your fortune a big boost. After all, the entire year’s worth of energy is packed into this one day!
It’s also worth noting that we’re currently in the middle of the Triple Great Conjunction (TGC) period, one in which Jupiter, Saturn, and Pluto are gathered in Capricorn. The TGC period will continue until mid-December this year—but that’s not all. The nine months leading up to December are the final days of the era of the earth element, which has lasted for the past 250 years. Then in December, a new era ruled by the air element will begin. In other words, we’re in a transition period in which our collective focus and values are shifting from materialism to information, knowledge, and human connection. In order to come out on top during this historic paradigm shift, it’s crucial that you take the time to greet the Astrological New Year mindfully. I’m going to share with you eight actions to take, as well as tips on how to spend your time the day before and the day of.
1. Clean and declutter.
Because the energy of the Astrological New Year is massive, it’s an absolute given that you make room for it beforehand by cleaning your home. In particular, the day of the Full Moon in Virgo (March 9th) is the optimal time to start the cleaning process. If you haven’t been cleaning regularly, be sure to get an early start. Don’t forget to discard items that you no longer need.
2. Make sure the entryway is sparkling clean.
Energy enters our home through the entryway, so it’s crucial that you clean it the day before the Astrological New Year (March 19th). The key is not to leave the shoes out; put them all away and leave the entryway clutter-free.
3. Sleep with the crown of your head facing the East.
The crown of the head is known as the anchoring point that connects us to the Universe. By “anchoring” here I mean it in a spiritual sense: to focus our consciousness and firmly plug it into the Universe. The energy of the Astrological New Year flows in from the East. So on the night of March 19th, be sure to sleep with the crown of the head facing the East.
4. Light a candle in the entryway.
The massive energy of the Astrological New Year belongs to the fire element. This is because the Sun is entering Aries, a fire sign. If you light a candle in the entryway, the Universal law of “like attracts like” will draw the auspicious energy of the Astrological New Year into your home. Keep it lit for at least 30 minutes before you blow it out. As always, be very careful when using fire.
5. Massage the back of your neck.
If the crown of the head is the entryway of Universal energy, the back of the neck (between the head and the shoulders, where three vertebrae stick out) is the entryway of opportunities. Take a nice bath and give this area a slow and thorough massage. It’s even more effective if you use sea salt.
6. Give your room a makeover.
With Universal energy shifting, this is a great time to change the furniture or interior of your home. If you can’t do anything drastic, even a small change is fine. Red and orange are recommended accent colors.
7. Enjoy Chinese food.
Chinese food is often cooked quickly on high heat and is a perfect embodiment of the fire energy of the Astrological New Year. BBQ, charcoal grills, and spicy food are also recommended. Enjoy delicious food and boost your fortune at the same time!
8. Try something new.
Try something you’ve never experienced before to kickstart the boosting of your fortune. For example, go to a newly-opened shop or restaurant, or get off at a train station you’ve never visited before. You can also order an item on a restaurant menu you’ve never tried before.
Finally, here are the recommended power rituals for the evening before, and the day of, the Astrological New Year. Give it a try!
Evening of March 18th
Clean the entryway, then place a pile of sea salt on a small dish and put it outside the main entrance. Sea salt, harvested from the ocean, has the power to keep negative energy away.
Decorate the entryway with white flowers, a mirror, and a photograph of your family. (Note: Be sure to position the mirror in a way that reflects the photograph.)
Day of March 19th
Open the main entrance door wide and let fresh energy in.
Light an incense in the entryway.
Light a candle in the entryway. Leave it lit for at least 30 minutes before blowing it out.
Evening of March 19th
Move the white flowers, mirror, and family photo from the entryway to the bedroom.
Light a candle in the bedroom. Keep it lit for at least 30 minutes before blowing it out.
Take four petals from the white flowers, wrap it in a handkerchief, tuck it under the pillow, and go to sleep. (Note: you can wrap the four petals in a piece of tissue and discard it the following morning. Place the rest of the flowers anywhere you like.)
https://www.vogue.co.jp/lifestyle/article/2020-03-06-spring-equinox2020
**