Welcome Year of the Fire Horse 🔥🐎
I created the above arrangement as a symbol of my vision for myself, others, and the planet at this time of transformation on Earth.
To me, the Knight of Inspiration is the powerful energy of the Fire Horse, riding in with speed and grace under a starburst fireworks of celebration. The Horse heads toward the Tree of Life, a multicultural symbol of health, wealth, and peace.
To bolster the intention, I’ve added ammonite representing good fortune and heart-shaped stones of the sacral and third eye chakras to support creativity and insight.
The combination of rich blues with metallic earth tones echo the concept of Oneness and wisdom of the ancients:
As above, so below.
New Beginning Abound
Tuesday, February 17, was an auspicious day with the occurrences of a new moon, solar eclipse, and the lunar/Chinese New Year (Year of the Fire Horse). All this on the heels of Saturn entering Aries on Friday, February 13.
What’s interesting to me is that the creation of the Chinese calendar, originating some 4000 years ago, was based on observation of the zodiac and corresponding seasonal changes and incorporates the elements of lunar and solar cycles. The Gregorian calendar largely imposed by Western religious missionaries on Eastern cultures was only adopted in China for public purposes less than one hundred years ago.
Today, the Chinese calendar is still used to mark Asian holidays, seasonal festivals, and selecting best dates for events such as weddings and business openings.
A lunar year in the Chinese calendar is from one Chinese New Year to the next. A solar year is marked by either the time between two Winter Solstices or from one Spring Equinox to another.
New Milestones for a New Age
Considering that last December I was guided to choose to observe the seasons instead of our traditional calendar to mark my next year, I felt incredibly validated to learn that my body here in present day was reacting to the same powerful forces that influenced the Chinese emperor in 2637 BCE. And that this system that initially guided agriculture remains the basis of Asian cultural and social event planning today.
To celebrate this confirming milestone of how to mark time in a new paradigm as I reject the limitations of current one in the Escape the Patriarchy Challenge, I created the above image to represent how I view the future.
Knight of Inspiration. This card from the Muse Tarot represents inspiration, spontaneous creation, taking risks, charging ahead, following your dreams, enthusiasm, and getting things done. Yeah! Way to start a year and a new paradigm!
Tree of Life. A symbol across many cultures, the Tree of Life is always depicted as a leaf-bearing tree with branches reaching skyward and roots descending deep into the earth. Among many its meanings, it represents the relationship between sustenance and abundance and corresponds to the ancient aphorism “As above, so below.” What I love most about this piece is the added heart at the center. The additional perk for me here is that I’ve wanted Tree of Life artwork for a long time but hadn’t found the right piece—until last November when I found this brand new plaque (signed on the back by the artist) on a free shelf at a metaphysical event center. Divine timing?
Ammonite. According to the information card I received with this piece, early Feng Shui wisdom states that ammonites bring wealth. The radial markings resemble the shape of the chakras. Ammonite is known for attracting success, good fortune, wealth, and total abundance to its user.
Chakra crystals. I’ve chosen to add heart-shaped sandstone and amethyst, stones of the sacral (2nd) and third-eye (6th) chakras respectively, to this New Year tribute. The sacral chakra, located in the pelvic region, is the energy center for creativity and nurturance. The third eye, located slightly above and centered between the visible eyes, accesses inner vision and divine guidance. Like the Tree of Life, this combination of lower/higher chakras honors the above/below dynamic.
And so, dear readers, I offer this as a visual and written message to you with sincere wishes for your highest good in the next year, however you choose to observe it.
Until next time,
☮️ and ♥️, Shelley