Ancient Traditions

Chinese New Year – A Celebration of Good Fortune

Posted by on January 23, 2012 at 6:15 pm

Share Today’s New Moon marks the start of the Chinese New Year. The dates differ every year as the Chinese New Year is based on the Lunar Calendar and follows the cycle of the Moon. The start date is the second New Moon after the Winter Solstice on the 21st December. This Chinese New Year [...]

Circle of Animals/Zodiac Heads

Posted by on June 7, 2011 at 5:32 pm

Share Two weeks ago I went to see an outdoor exhibition of sculpture at Somerset House in London. The exhibition by the chinese artist Ai Weiwei consists of 12 bronze animal heads representing the 12 animals of the chinese zodiac. The 12 animals are Rat, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Ram, Monkey, Rooster, Dog, [...]

Easter and the Full Moon

Posted by on April 24, 2011 at 9:44 am

Share Ask anyone what they know about the full moon, which takes place every 28 days, and they may mention the effect the moon has on the tides or the infamous werewolf who howls at the moon. What some people don’t realise is that the date Easter falls in the calendar is determined by the [...]

The spring equinox and a fresh start

Posted by on March 21, 2011 at 6:54 am

Share   This year the Sun’s move in to Aries takes place just before midnight on March 20. This signals the arrival of spring and the vernal equinox when day and night are of equal length. In many religions it’s a time of profound significance, indicating the transition from winter to spring and darkness to [...]