Kung Hei Fat Choi! The Lunar New Year on January 28, is a great opportunity to refocus on setting new intentions or refocusing on old ones.
 
This year is the Year of the Rooster, which is the tenth zodiac sign in the 12-year cycle. According to Chinese culture the rooster represents fidelity and punctuality. People born in this sign are thought to be beautiful, kind-hearted, courageous, independent, humorous and honest.  
 
Chinese believe that energy needs to be shifted and cleansed before the beginning of the Lunar New Year to welcome good fortune. Traditionally, this focused the celebration around appeasing the Gods through Feng Shui design, lighting prayer incense, and preparing large meals to signify abundance. Here are some other ways you can light up the Lunar New Year and make it a prosperous one!

• Just as the moon cycle brings a new phase every month, we also have the opportunity to start a new phase in our own lives. Light the Aloha Elixir Moon Soy Intention Candle during the different phases of the moon as a tool to further release your intentions to the universe. During the new moon of the Lunar New Year celebration, this elixir enhances meditation towards abundance, manifesting desires, and protection.
• One of our favorite ways to celebrate the Lunar New Year is by enjoying some of our favorite treats, each which are rich with symbolism. One of these are gao, which sounds the same as the word for “tall” or “high.” The cake symbolizes achieving new heights in the coming year and is made from glutinous rice flower, brown sugar and oil.
• Many eat or display tangerines or oranges before the New Year since it is believed to bring a wealth of money and good luck in the coming year. The tradition stems from the fact that the Chinese words for “gold” and “orange” sound similar while the word for tangerine echoes the word “luck.” Many also leave the leaves on the fruit when displayed since leaves represent longevity.
• A popular activity in Chinese culture is to put money in a red lycee envelope and feed it to lion dancers which encourages your own prosperity in the New Year. This act can be done at home to encourage reaching your own financial goals with our Money Pot Kit. Packaged with a beautifully handmade money pot, a limited edition money intention candle, petite assorted gemstones, and good luck coins, the Money Pot Kit is blessed with the energy of limitless abundance.
• Another tradition is to clean the house before the New Year to get rid of all the bad luck collected in the previous year. Many believe that you can’t sweep during the first few days of the New Year or you will sweep all the good luck away!

• Just as January 1 is an opportunity to create a new outlook on your life, the Lunar New Year equally shifts the energy towards new beginnings. Manifest clarity with one of our elixirs charged with crystalized energy full of positive growth. Our New Beginnings Soy Intention Candle contains clear quartz, citrine, and jade for high vibrations of self-empowerment and to help open the path as you embark on a New Year.  

 
Every new beginning starts with the desire for change and positive change begins with positive intent. Just as the Chinese proverb says: “be not afraid of growing slowly, be afraid only of standing still.” Tap into the arrival of the new lunar calendar and celebrate the start of something new and great!

​Achieving your New Year’s Intentions in 5 Simple Steps
 
Happy New Year!
 
With 2017 now upon us many of us are busy thinking about our intentions for the coming year. I have many clients come to me for recommendations on how they can best reach their goals.
 
My tips for achieving New Year’s intentions is simply not to get overwhelmed and take things day by day. Just like climbing a ladder, the top is reached step by step. If your resolution is to move into a new home, set aside some time every day to plan your move by taking 20 minutes to search for a new house or condo. Remember that things may not happen on our timeline, but the belief that it will eventually occur helps to fuel the motivation to get there.
 
Ready to climb the ladder into 2017? Here are my steps to intention success:

1. Set an achievable goal. While being optimistic is part of having a positive mindset, it is equally as important to be realistic when setting your intentions for the year. If your intent is to be a millionaire by the end of the year and you currently make $30,000, then set smalls goals that will help your income increase such as applying for higher paying jobs or turning your hobby into extra income. You may not be able to achieve the six figure status right away, but it is still positive growth if you can focus your energy on growing from your $30,000 to $50,000 within a year.
2. After you have set your goal, believe it to achieve it. When you plan a trip before booking the ticket, you take the necessary steps to get there – such as saving for expenses, research places to visit, maybe even learning the language and culture. You may not know it, but you are actually strengthening your belief that you will indeed arrive at your desired destination. The more energy you place into the belief that you will achieve your goal, the higher your chances of getting there.
3. Next up, find the tools to make your goals a reality. Maybe your New Year’s resolution was to lose 20 pounds. You can’t lose weight just by thinking the body will transform if you don’t also change your eating or exercise habits. Enrich your intentions by investing in your goals’ growth, whether that means signing up for a class at your local gym, lighting an intention candle, investing in new workout clothes or creating a vision board. Remember: actions speak louder than words.
4. Recently, we shared a blog about the gift of gratitude. One of the things we emphasized was to continue being thankful beyond just the holiday season. Gratitude plays a role in abundance – don’t forget to show appreciation for everything currently in your life as it signifies that you’re ready for new and positive change. I encourage my clients to practice at least one minute of gratitude before stating your intention every morning. Not only is it a great way to start your day but it is also a good reminder of what you already have as you work towards accomplishing what you want.
5. To reach your goals work on creating an environment that encourages you to reach your intentions. For example, if your goal is to quit smoking, then adapt your environment to remove ashtrays or avoid the smoking section outside of your workplace. Surround yourself with positive energy to help you achieve your goals – whether that means rearranging your space with the help of Feng Shui or simply clearing negative energy with the Aloha Elixir Releasing Spray it is a small step that can make a big difference.

 
Remember that goals are easier to achieve when you have a plan in place! No matter how big or small your intention is, never stop believing that you can achieve it. If you’re looking for some help, be sure to check out our line of Aloha Elixir products to help you on your journey.
 
Wishing you the best of luck in 2017!