Earning favors from the ‘Tiger’

In the upcoming Year of the Water Tiger, balance remains key.

While they say fortune favors the brave this 2022, you must also learn how to “tame the tiger—control your emotions, think first before you do something, and make sure to take calculated risks,” said certified master feng shui consultant Joyce M. Co.

“The nature of the tiger is aggressive, full of energy, but there could also be hostility. In the Year of the Water Tiger, you need to be proactive, but do not be too aggressive. You need to strategize. Don’t be impulsive. Remember there’s a presence of three tigers this year which indicates big opportunities but also big risks,” Co explained in an interview with Inquirer Property.

To help you better usher in luck, wealth and prosperity, Co shares a few things you can do within the safety of your homes right before you celebrate the Chinese New Year on Feb. 1.

Also known as the Spring Festival, the Chinese New Year marks the transition between the Year of the Ox (2021) and the Year of Tiger (2022). Its celebration, which traditionally lasts for 16 days, is typically marked with festivities, dragon dances, fireworks and big gatherings among families and friends prior to the pandemic.

For now, however, it’s best to focus on your home, and your family or your bubble to ensure your safety while celebrating the Chinese New Year.

According to Co, it’s best to fix everything that is broken, defective or damaged inside your home. Declutter or do some spring cleaning. You can either donate or throw out the things that you no longer use or, as the Mari Kondo way tells you, the things that no longer spark joy.

Cleanse your house using red incense fortune sandalwood. Burn an incense and move it around the house particularly in the so-called “yin corners” or areas where there is “dead energy.”

Co also advised that if you practice feng shui and you have existing cures from the previous year, you need to update it. Feng shui cures or adjustments change every year so it’s best to seek guidance from a certified feng shui consultant.

Decorate your homes with yang energy—vibrant colors and red lanterns, among others. Think of it as if you’re decorating for Christmas, Co explained, which means it should be bright, lively and colorful.

On the eve of Chinese New Year, put a red mantle on your table and fill it with round fruits such as kiat kiat, breads that do not spoil easily like mamon, tikoy which is associated with prosperity, and gold coins (yes, you could use your favorite chocolate gold coins from your childhood). Essentially, this means you have prosperity on the table, that you’ll have abundance for the year, Co said. You can also do karaoke or videoke in lieu of the noise that you usually get from dragon dances, fireworks and big gatherings.

On the day itself, it’s best to spend Chinese New Year with your loved ones.

“We can’t do a dragon dance this year nor can we invite so many friends to celebrate and be merry. What you can do, in my opinion, is to just stay within your bubble and share a sumptuous meal with your loved ones. The essence of the Chinese New Year celebration this year is to be with the family. The mere fact that you’re complete and everyone is healthy, I think that’s already being lucky,” Co said.