Enter the Dragon – Year of the Wood Dragon

The New Moon in Aquarius always marks the Lunar New Year in Eastern Astrology, This year, the New Moon in Aquarius occurs in Hong Kong at 6:59 am February 10, 2024. Here on the East Coast of the United States the New Moon is exact at 5:59 pm February 9th. This marks the Chinese Zodiac to move from the Year of the Rabbit into the Year of the Dragon.

The dragon is a powerful creature who can teach you how to be assertive and stand up for yourself. The dragon can also help you access your hidden strength and courage. Finally, the dragon symbolizes change. If the dragon is your totem, you may find yourself going through many changes in your life. Strength, Wisdom, conviction, Bravery, Loyalty, Enthusiasm. If you have a dragon spirit animal, you are intelligent, brave, and can overcome any obstacle in your life. You are confident and always ready for anything that comes your way. Others miss things you notice right away; your intuition never steers you wrong. Dragons also have great patience, which is necessary when pursuing your goals.

The Dragon is always a powerful year, but this year’s New Moon in Aquarius is combined with the new energy of Pluto in Aquarius also joined by Mercury, the Communicator in Aquarius. We will most likely be hearing about many changes, endings, transformations and new beginnings. Here is the chart for the New Moon.

Different than Western Astrology and the Planets, the Eastern Astrology applies animals and elements to give us the energy of that year. They run in 12 year cycles, similar to Western Astrology. The Animal of the Year is combined with a specific Element for a joint energy. We are entering the year of the Yang Wood Dragon. Even numbered years are Yang energy, odd numbered years are Yin energy. This is powerful growth energy.

In the days leading up to the New Year celebration is a great time for cleaning and purging; preparations for Spring. The key is to have your cleaning and purging completed before the Sun and Moon come together in an exact conjunction marking the New Moon. It is superstition that any cleaning, clearing, smudging, purging during this time symbolically represents throwing away our luck for the year. I would say, have these preparations completed by Thursday, February 8th. The week leading up to this year’s celebrations are called the “Little Year” and run from February 2-9 in Hong Kong. They are 13 hours ahead of East Coast USA.

There are many taboos that carry over into other cultures world wide. New Moons are a time to set intentions for the new, the beautiful, the abundance, joy, happiness, good health and abundant wealth. Strict rules apply and included in the top 10 taboos are:

1. Do not say negative words. All words with negative connotations are forbidden! These include: death, sick, empty, pain, ghost, poor, break, kill and more. The reason behind this should be obvious. You wouldn’t want to jinx yourself or bring those misfortunes onto you and your loved ones.
2. Do not break ceramics or glass. Breaking things will break your connection to prosperity and fortune. If a plate or bowl is dropped, immediately wrap it with red paper while murmuring auspicious phrases. Some would say 岁岁平安 (suì suì píng ān). This asks for peace and security every year. 岁 (suì) is also a homophone of 碎, which means “broken” or “shattered.” After the New Year, throw the wrapped up shards into a lake or river.
3. Do not clean or sweep Before the Spring Festival, there is a day of cleaning. That is to sweep away the bad luck. But during the actual celebration, it becomes a taboo. Cleaning or throwing out garbage may sweep away good luck instead. If you must, make sure to start at the outer edge of a room and sweep inwards. Bag up any garbage and throw it away after the 5th day. Similarly, you shouldn’t take a shower on Chinese New Year’s Day.
4. Do not use scissors, knives or other sharp objects. There are 2 reasons behind this rule. Scissors and needles shouldn’t be used. In olden times, this was to give women a well-deserved break. Sharp objects in general will cut your stream of wealth and success. This is why 99% of hair salons are closed during the holidays. Hair cutting is taboo and forbidden until all festivities are over.
5. Do not visit the wife’s family. Traditionally, multiple generations live together. The bride moves into the groom’s home after marriage. And, of course, she will celebrate Chinese New Year with her in-laws. Returning to her parents on New Year’s Day means that there are marriage problems and may also bring bad luck to the entire family. The couple should visit the wife’s family on the 2nd day. They’d bring their children, as well as a modest gift (because it’s the thought that counts).
6. Do not demand debt repayment. This custom is a show of understanding. It allows everyone a chance to celebrate without worry. If you knock on someone’s door, demanding repayment, you’ll bring bad luck to both parties. However, it’s fair game after the 5th day. Borrowing money is also taboo. You could end up having to borrow the entire year.
7. Avoid fighting and crying. Unless there is a special circumstance, try not to cry. But if a child cries, do not reprimand them. All issues should be solved peacefully. In the past, neighbors would come over to play peacemaker for any arguments that occurred. This is all to ensure a smooth path in the new year.
8. Avoid taking medicineTry not to take medicine during the Spring Festival to avoid being sick the entire year. Of course, if you are chronically ill or contract a sudden serious disease, immediate health should still come first.Some related taboos:
- Don’t visit the doctor
- Don’t perform/undergo surgery
- Don’t get shots
9. Do not give New Year blessings to someone still in bed. You are supposed to give New Year blessings (拜年 / bài nián). But let the recipient get up from bed first. Otherwise, they’ll be bed-ridden for the entire year. You also shouldn’t tell someone to wake up. You don’t want them to be rushed around and bossed around for the year. Take advantage of this and sleep in!
10. Chinese gift-giving taboosIt was mentioned above that you should bring gifts when paying visits. It’s the thought that counts, but some gifts are forbidden.Clocks are the worst gifts. Gifting clocks (送钟 / sòng zhōng) is a homophone of paying one’s last respects (送终). Splitting pears (分梨 / fèn lí) is also a homophone of separation (分离).Some regions have their own local taboos too. For example, in Mandarin, “apple” (苹果) is pronounced píng guǒ. But in Shanghainese, it is bing1 gu, which sounds like “passed away from sickness.”
These don’t just apply to the Spring Festival, so keep it in the back of your mind!
For the Spring Festival, these rules may seem excessive. Especially when you add in the cultural norms, customs and manners. But like a parent would say, they are all for your own good. Formed over thousands of years, these taboos embody the beliefs, wishes and worries of the Chinese people.

Here are your Stars & Cards for All Zodiac Signs for this Lunar New Year and the New Moon- en-JOY! I have several years of Lunar New Year articles and Feng Shui articles that relate see below the video for the links to previous years.