It has been a Chinese tradition that on the third solar term 节气 , people would go to worship the Tiger God to seek for safety and ward off backstabbers or troublemakers for the year. This day is known as Jing Zhe 惊蛰, which means awakening from hibernation, in direct translation from Chinese. It normally falls on the 6^th or 7^th of March.

It was believed that on this day, all insects and animals will be awaken from their hibernation when a loud band of thunder strikes onto the earth and soon after, the insects will harm the crops and the hungry tigers will hurt lives to feast.  Hence people start praying for safety and good harvest by offering food to the Tiger God.

And today, whoever wants to ward off backstabber and troublemakers will visit the temple to give offering to the Tiger God. A generous piece of raw pork, fresh duck eggs, greens beans, sesame seeds, joss stick, incense paper and offering set is used for the prayer. A  raw pork is rubbing and placed on the Tiger’s mouth to symbolize feeding the Tiger. Throwing of green beans and sesame seeds on the ground is to chase away problems and trouble. To complete the offering, raw duck eggs is offered by displaying near the statue, burning of joss sticks and incense paper of Guardians of nobility.

This year of Dragon, Jing Zhe is on 5^th March 2012, 12:21 Hour.

The 3 killings comprise s of 3 types of bad omen, depending on where or which part of the 3 Killings is being disturbed.  The 3 types of killings are namely Jie Sha which brings robbery, loss of money or belongings. Follow by Zai Sha which denotes accident, mishaps, injuries or illnesses.  The last one is Sui Sha which brings setback and hindrance which can last up to a year.

Each year, there will be a new Yearly God on duty, looking after all matters on earth.  His appointment would commence on the 1^st solar term – li chun.  And the next would take over the baton on the following li chun.

Each year there will be some zodiac with opposing forces with the Tai Sui.  It can be determined base on the earthly branch of the pillar of destiny.  It can further be classified under offend, clash and punishment with the Tai Sui.

This Year of Dragon in 2012, the Tai Sui is called 彭Peng-2 泰Tai-4.

In the Taoist practice, praying to the Tai Sui at the beginning of the Lunar Year seeking for protection and peace would deflect the negative impact for those who has offend, clash or punishment formation with the Tai Sui.

For the year of Dragon 2012, praying to Tai Sui is during the first 15 days of the Lunar New Year.  The most ideal time for prayer is on 4 Feb 2012 which is the first solar term knwon as Li Chun.

In the Year of Dragon 2012, those born in the year of Dragon is in a offend formation with the Tai Sui.  And for those born in the Year of Dog is considered in a clash formation with the Tai Sui.  Lastly, for those born in the Year of Ox and Goat is in the punishment formation with the Great Duke Jupiter.

If one do not fall under the above category, the person’s pillar of destiny (ba zi) might still have clash, offend or punishment formation with the Tai Sui.

Part of the theory is also used in Feng Shui. In fact it is an important aspect of concern.  It is associated to the orientation of a premise determined using the Chinese Fengshui Compass known as Luo Pan marked with the 24 mountains.  The position of the Tai Sui changes every year.  The location where the Tai Sui resides should best be kept quiet with no disturbance.  Activities like renovation, ground breaking, earth digging, repairing and nailing on this area must be avoided till the following year.  If the Tai Sui is disturbed, misfortune would befall on the residence such as injuries, financial losses, business failure or sudden illnesses.  The impact varies according t the pillar of destiny.

In the year of Dragon, the Tai Sui is located at 112.5 to 127.5 degree of the Southeast known as the Mountain of Chen.  If the main entrance of a premise is located at this specific degree, slamming the door while opening and closing is also considered as disturbing the Tai Sui.

Base on the Chinese tradition, some procedures should be observed such as getting a new broom, duster and cloths for the spring cleaning. Pomelo leaves are are used to tie on broom and duster to sweep and cleanse the entire house. You can also soak some pomelo leaves and flowers to clean affected area in the home or office.

The cleaning should begin from the main entrance and work inwards to the premise if you have enjoyed a favorable year. Otherwise you should sweep from the most inner part of the premise and out of the main entrance to clear all energy that has been build up in the premise and allow the new auspicious “qi” to fill your space.

The Dates stated below are selected from the Chinese Almanac which is meant for this activity of “cleansing & removing the old and welcoming the new”.

Bring along with you sweets, cakes or cookies to share with colleagues to symbolize harmony and joyous relationship for the year.  Many bosses distribute red packet also known as ang bao to staffs on the first day of commencement of business as a gratitude and encourage better performance in the New Year.

For the year for Dragon 2012, the auspicious dates to commence business are as follows:

For the year for Dragon 2012, the auspicious dates for traveling during the Chinese New Year are:

Dong Zhi normally falls between 21^st Dec to 23^rd Dec of the year.  This year, Dong Zhi is on the 22^nd Dec 2011, Singapore.

Dong Zhi has the shortest daylight of the year as the hemisphere is leaning farthest away from the sun.  For many cultures including the Chinese, this day represent treat of chilly air, long hours of darkness and seasonal affective disorder.

Base on the theory of yin and yang, the yin energy, which is at its most powerful, meets the yang energy at the Northern hemisphere and make their turning point, giving way to the light and warmth of yang.  For this reason, Dong Zhi is a time for hopefulness.

Chinese feast like a New Year on Dong Zhi as they celebrate the good year they have had.  It is also an occasion for family reunion and put on new clothing.  Some dishes are must to have on this day such as dumpling, sweat glutinous rice ball soup, red bean congee and wine.

Dumpling is belief to stimulate a person intellect and making the person more intelligent and hardworking for the year ahead.

Sweat Glutinous Rice Ball called Tang Yuan is a popular Chinese desert, which symbolize family unity and prosperity.  Many choose to eat 9 rice balls during Dong Zhi as 9 is the most Yang number and is a complete number for Chinese.

Red Bean Congee is belief to be able to ward of evil spirit, bad luck and troublemakers (xiao ren) for the coming year.

Wine is of course to keep warm and to keep the gathering into the long night.

On the day of Dong Zhi, it is important keep yourself warm as the yang energy on earth is unbalance, especially at the point of the change. This year, 2011, it will be at 13:01 Hour.  Anyone who falls ill on this day is belief to have bad fortune on the coming year.

Try some of the above dishes to keep warm and have a bountiful year ahead !

According to the I-Ching, the number 9 is the most yang number.  The appearance of double 9 symbolizes excessive yang, causing an imbalance.  As such, this date is a potentially dangerous day. 

The traditional practice is to place chrysanthemum flower or dogwood (zhuyu) in the house to ward off negative energy and prevent misfortune.  Consuming chrysanthemum tea or wine is commonly practice as it is said to be able to ward off bad health and ill fortune for this season. 

It is customary to go for mountain climbing as it symbolizes advancing in career to the highest level – 9. 

May you advance in everything you do!

The position and arrangement of the study table is a crucial factor.  It aids concertration, creativity and memory to attain better acedmic results.  To begin with, you have to identify your child’s literacy direction or known as wen chang position.  Refer to the chart below for literacy direction with the zodiac and year indicated.

After you have determine the direction, simply place the study table in the sector or against the wall or window of this orientation to increase the concentration and efficient of the child’s study. Try to leave as much space as you have behind the chair to encourage unlimited potential.

There are some other useful pointers to encourage good results.  These are:- 

• Make sure your child is not sitting with their back against the door.
• Avoid glass table.
• Make sure that nothing sharp or piercing is directed towards the chair.
• Open up window daily to air the room.
• Keep toys away from study area.
• Keep loose papers, books and your stationery tidily organized at all times.
• Avoid overhead beams or uneven ceiling directly above the head and the study table.
• Proper lighting is essential but avoid lighting directly above head.
• Avoid having aircon blowers behind the chair.

Achieve better academic results by observing these Feng Shui principles!