January 15, 2025 • 15 mins
In this episode of 'Conversations with the Chinese on Auntie,' host Patricia Petersen discusses the upcoming Year of the Wood Snake and shares detailed Feng Shui insights. She highlights the significance of balancing the elements amid predicted tumultuousness, including tips on incorporating metal, fire, and earth elements into everyday life. Patricia also reminisces about cherished Lunar New Year traditions from her upbringing in Singapore, providing practical advice for preparing homes and kitchens for the festivities. The episode is a heartfelt blend of cultural wisdom, personal anecdotes, and useful Feng Shui tips to help listeners welcome the Lunar New Year with abundance and balance.
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
(00:00):
Hi, everyone.
Welcome to conversations with yourChinese on Auntie season three.
Season three.
Wow.
How are y'all doing?
I want to come here andcheck in with all of you.
How are you doing 2025.
(00:20):
As I'm recording this right now, LA isgoing through the devastation of the fire.
I'm sending so much love and I prayfor rain every day for the area.
I'm keeping all of you whoare affected by the fire.
(00:41):
In my heart.
Now in this episode, Iwant to talk about the.
year of the wood snake,which is the upcoming.
lunar year I love lunar newyear and just like last year.
(01:03):
I want to do a little bit about theyear, what to expect the elements.
And you'll hear me talk about this year asthe year of the wood snake, even though.
Technically lunar new year.
Doesn't start.
Until January 29th, but formany of us who celebrate.
lunar new year.
(01:24):
The energy of the new year.
The wood snake has already started.
I hope you enjoy this episode.
This year.
It's the year of the wood.
Snake.
Lunar new year in 2025falls on January 29th.
(01:47):
And the year of the wood snakeis predicted to be just as
tumultuous as the year of thewood dragon, which was last year.
In case you're new to this podcast, I.
am an avid learner and lover of FengShui and I have had the same Feng
(02:10):
Shui teacher for the last 30 years.
I do consult with her and chat with her.
And we talk about theupcoming year, the elements.
And I don't know how long I'llbe able to do this because she is
in her eighties and her health.
Isn't great.
(02:30):
So I will do this.
For as long as I can, as sheshares her knowledge with.
With me and I share it with you.
So for this upcoming year,the year of the wood snake.
While there are lots of opportunitiesfor growth and advancement.
It is an unbalanced onebecause the elements of 2025,
(02:54):
the year of the wood snake.
There's too much woodelement and water and.
The element of metalis completely missing.
. So when metal is missing, whatthat means is that the year is
(03:14):
short on resource luck, meaningthe luck for progress and success.
I mean, there are things you cando to balance that out, especially
in the field of Feng Shui.
And I'm going to let you research that.
I'm not going to get into it here.
The great thing about this year isthat there is a double Lap Chun.
(03:38):
At the beginning of the year.
And at the end of the year,What it means is that's a
double dose of spring energies.
In the Chinese culture.
They say that you, we wantlunar new year to start.
when there's Lap Chun because itbrings new opportunities and growth.
(04:02):
And.
It means that usually it's agreat year for those who know
how to tap into the energy.
Now, let's talk about because we aremissing the metal element this year.
What you can do.
(04:23):
Bring in furniture of metalelements, you can also wear clothes
that signify the metal element.
So usually that's white, silver colour.
You can also wear jewelry that are metal.
(04:46):
Since metal is completely missingfrom the chart and earth and
fire are also in short supply.
to attract good fortune you want to makesure that you bring in these missing.
Elements.
Now, I know it's a contradiction.
(05:06):
When we see that.
Fire is in short supply.
And then we look at.
What's happening in LA right now.
But remember the year of the Woodsnake doesn't start until January 29th.
So a few colors to wear this year.
(05:27):
White gold, silver.
They are great.
And for fire element.
Red and orange.
And earth element.
Is represented by shades of yellow.
So remember in order to balance thisyear, you want to bring in the elements
(05:50):
that are missing or in short supply.
So, like I said before,wear metal jewellery.
Bring in some furniture, ifyou want new furniture that
has metal element within them.
And.
Since there is an excesswood in the chart.
(06:10):
Remember.
Try not to wear too many Brownsor greens and oh, so unless your
place is missing the wood element.
Don't bring too many big,huge plants in this year.
RemembeFeng Shuhri.
The elements, these things are allabout finding balance and harmony.
(06:32):
And nobody can ever get Feng Shui.
A hundred percent.
balanced.
When I think of lunar new year.
The food.
Oh, that is something that Ireally miss, having grown up in
(06:55):
Singapore there's a lot of local.
Cuisine and food that.
They are only available during.
Lunar New Year, and it's reallyhard to get it here in Canada.
Some of the rituals, my family didand practiced for Lunar new year.
(07:16):
Is of course the month before.
The new year.
You would repair anything that inthe house that needs to be repaired.
You do that.
Clean the house, thewindows mop the floors.
Vacuum.
Light incense to cleanthe energy of the house.
And remember when you do that, you want tomake sure that two sets of windows open.
(07:39):
So, old, energy can go out.
New energies can come in.
De clutter get rid of things, donatethings that you no longer use or broken.
Get them fixed.
One of the.
Things I really loveand have good memories.
Is my mom would buy lime trees ororange trees and put them in the house
(08:05):
because that signifies abundance.
And I also remember we wouldpaint the place every five
years fresh coat of paint.
Brings fresh energy in.
(08:26):
Remember to restock the kitchen youwant to make sure your kitchen is clean.
The refrigerators clean, fully stock.
The essential , like salt, sugar.
With us, it would be beans.
The rice urn.
Remember the rice urn the Chineseculture is very important.
(08:46):
Most of us would have a big,huge rice urn my mom kept ours.
Under the sink in the kitchen.
Before lunar new year, she would wash it.
Dry it.
And in Feng Shui.
It is recommended that if youplace a red packet, Containing.
Coins.
At the base of the urn..
(09:08):
And my teacher said, keepa coin from last year.
if last year was a good year.
If it wasn't a good year, thenyou put new coins in, but if
you had a good year last year.
You want to keep one of thecoins and then add two new coins.
This helps you to make sure that youare abundant throughout the year.
(09:32):
For the first 15 days off lunarnew year that your rice urn be
at least three quarters full.
And I would also say, keep it.
full, if you can, throughout the year.
And then you stock up yourpantry and your fridge.
(09:53):
Now.
On new year's Eve.
Most Chinese people wouldhave reunion dinner.
. How that looks like reallyis people come together.
Family comes together.
You sit down and have a meal.
My family because ofour dialect background.
(10:15):
We had hot pot.
Now the hot pot is filled withlots of shellfish and meat
and vegetables and meat balls.
People eat hot pot as a celebration.
At the end of the year, wheneverybody comes together.
To warm up their stomach, their body.
(10:35):
And it is.
The spirit of togetherness and walk.
It reflects.
Time for bonding, sitting aroundsharing stories and laughters.
It's signifies, love and friendship.
. So lunar new year is usually celebrated in 15 days.
(10:59):
The first three days for me, my family.
were spent visiting families andpaying respect to the elders.
Children love this because when yougo from family to family, You say.
Hi to the elders and your relatives.
They give.
You a red packet filled with money.
(11:20):
red packets are generally given tochildren and young adults who are single.
On the first day of lunar new year.
It is advised to wake up early.
have a shower, clean up,put on a new set of clothes.
Wish your family members a happynew year and offer them sweet tea.
(11:47):
This.
Helps you to ensure that you'realways staying good relations
with your family members.
The last day of lunar new year.
So this year it wouldbe the 12th February.
Is known as . The Chinesepeach blossom day.
Where, it is believed thatit benefits couples in love.
(12:10):
Now in the past, single women wouldtoss oranges written with description.
What they want in the partner.
Into the river to attract a partner.
But today.
This practice isn't done as much in.
So there you go.
(12:31):
This is my little recapof the upcoming year.
For those of you celebratinglunar New Year I hope.
you get together with friends and family.
If, you don't have anybody around youmaybe check out any local celebrations.
I know where I live, the SunYat Sen garden has events.
(12:54):
And.
One of the universities alsohas some stuff going on.
So.
, even if you don'tcelebrate lunar new year.
If you want to partake in some of the.
Food and goodness visit.
An Asian grocery store.
(13:15):
By now as we're in the middle ofJanuary, a lot of the Asian grocery
stores, they have the treats, thesnacks, the food, the decorations.
They're all out now.
Go and take a look and if you have.
Any Asian friends, you go visit them.
During lunar new year.
(13:36):
Bring a couple of oranges.
Better.
If you can find Mandarinoranges and you greet them.
With Gong Xi Fatt Chai, Xing Nian KuaiLe when you read them with these words
and you offer them Mandarin oranges.
You are offering themabundance prosperity.
(13:58):
Have a great new year, everyone.
Be good to yourself.
This is Yi Yi.
Take good care of yourself.
And if you are enjoying the show.
Please feel free to rate, subscribe,and leave a review wherever
you listen to your podcasts.
(14:19):
That helps me and that also help others tofind a show and I greatly appreciate it.
Also, you can go to my website andsign up for newsletter I send one
out maybe three or four times a year.
With free materials and updates.
My website is Patricia Petersen.cathat's PATRICIAPETERSEN.CA.
(14:49):
You can also follow me on Instagram.
Again, thank you so much for listening.
Have a great week and I'll see you soon.
Thank you for your support.
Hi, everyone.
Welcome to conversations with yourChinese on Auntie season three.
Season three.
Wow.
How are y'all doing?
I want to come here andcheck in with all of you.
How are you doing 2025.
(00:20):
As I'm recording this right now, LA isgoing through the devastation of the fire.
I'm sending so much love and I prayfor rain every day for the area.
I'm keeping all of you whoare affected by the fire.
(00:41):
In my heart.
Now in this episode, Iwant to talk about the.
year of the wood snake,which is the upcoming.
lunar year I love lunar newyear and just like last year.
(01:03):
I want to do a little bit about theyear, what to expect the elements.
And you'll hear me talk about this year asthe year of the wood snake, even though.
Technically lunar new year.
Doesn't start.
Until January 29th, but formany of us who celebrate.
lunar new year.
(01:24):
The energy of the new year.
The wood snake has already started.
I hope you enjoy this episode.
This year.
It's the year of the wood.
Snake.
Lunar new year in 2025falls on January 29th.
(01:47):
And the year of the wood snakeis predicted to be just as
tumultuous as the year of thewood dragon, which was last year.
In case you're new to this podcast, I.
am an avid learner and lover of FengShui and I have had the same Feng
(02:10):
Shui teacher for the last 30 years.
I do consult with her and chat with her.
And we talk about theupcoming year, the elements.
And I don't know how long I'llbe able to do this because she is
in her eighties and her health.
Isn't great.
(02:30):
So I will do this.
For as long as I can, as sheshares her knowledge with.
With me and I share it with you.
So for this upcoming year,the year of the wood snake.
While there are lots of opportunitiesfor growth and advancement.
It is an unbalanced onebecause the elements of 2025,
(02:54):
the year of the wood snake.
There's too much woodelement and water and.
The element of metalis completely missing.
. So when metal is missing, whatthat means is that the year is
(03:14):
short on resource luck, meaningthe luck for progress and success.
I mean, there are things you cando to balance that out, especially
in the field of Feng Shui.
And I'm going to let you research that.
I'm not going to get into it here.
The great thing about this year isthat there is a double Lap Chun.
(03:38):
At the beginning of the year.
And at the end of the year,What it means is that's a
double dose of spring energies.
In the Chinese culture.
They say that you, we wantlunar new year to start.
when there's Lap Chun because itbrings new opportunities and growth.
(04:02):
And.
It means that usually it's agreat year for those who know
how to tap into the energy.
Now, let's talk about because we aremissing the metal element this year.
What you can do.
(04:23):
Bring in furniture of metalelements, you can also wear clothes
that signify the metal element.
So usually that's white, silver colour.
You can also wear jewelry that are metal.
(04:46):
Since metal is completely missingfrom the chart and earth and
fire are also in short supply.
to attract good fortune you want to makesure that you bring in these missing.
Elements.
Now, I know it's a contradiction.
(05:06):
When we see that.
Fire is in short supply.
And then we look at.
What's happening in LA right now.
But remember the year of the Woodsnake doesn't start until January 29th.
So a few colors to wear this year.
(05:27):
White gold, silver.
They are great.
And for fire element.
Red and orange.
And earth element.
Is represented by shades of yellow.
So remember in order to balance thisyear, you want to bring in the elements
(05:50):
that are missing or in short supply.
So, like I said before,wear metal jewellery.
Bring in some furniture, ifyou want new furniture that
has metal element within them.
And.
Since there is an excesswood in the chart.
(06:10):
Remember.
Try not to wear too many Brownsor greens and oh, so unless your
place is missing the wood element.
Don't bring too many big,huge plants in this year.
RemembeFeng Shuhri.
The elements, these things are allabout finding balance and harmony.
(06:32):
And nobody can ever get Feng Shui.
A hundred percent.
balanced.
When I think of lunar new year.
The food.
Oh, that is something that Ireally miss, having grown up in
(06:55):
Singapore there's a lot of local.
Cuisine and food that.
They are only available during.
Lunar New Year, and it's reallyhard to get it here in Canada.
Some of the rituals, my family didand practiced for Lunar new year.
(07:16):
Is of course the month before.
The new year.
You would repair anything that inthe house that needs to be repaired.
You do that.
Clean the house, thewindows mop the floors.
Vacuum.
Light incense to cleanthe energy of the house.
And remember when you do that, you want tomake sure that two sets of windows open.
(07:39):
So, old, energy can go out.
New energies can come in.
De clutter get rid of things, donatethings that you no longer use or broken.
Get them fixed.
One of the.
Things I really loveand have good memories.
Is my mom would buy lime trees ororange trees and put them in the house
(08:05):
because that signifies abundance.
And I also remember we wouldpaint the place every five
years fresh coat of paint.
Brings fresh energy in.
(08:26):
Remember to restock the kitchen youwant to make sure your kitchen is clean.
The refrigerators clean, fully stock.
The essential , like salt, sugar.
With us, it would be beans.
The rice urn.
Remember the rice urn the Chineseculture is very important.
(08:46):
Most of us would have a big,huge rice urn my mom kept ours.
Under the sink in the kitchen.
Before lunar new year, she would wash it.
Dry it.
And in Feng Shui.
It is recommended that if youplace a red packet, Containing.
Coins.
At the base of the urn..
(09:08):
And my teacher said, keepa coin from last year.
if last year was a good year.
If it wasn't a good year, thenyou put new coins in, but if
you had a good year last year.
You want to keep one of thecoins and then add two new coins.
This helps you to make sure that youare abundant throughout the year.
(09:32):
For the first 15 days off lunarnew year that your rice urn be
at least three quarters full.
And I would also say, keep it.
full, if you can, throughout the year.
And then you stock up yourpantry and your fridge.
(09:53):
Now.
On new year's Eve.
Most Chinese people wouldhave reunion dinner.
. How that looks like reallyis people come together.
Family comes together.
You sit down and have a meal.
My family because ofour dialect background.
(10:15):
We had hot pot.
Now the hot pot is filled withlots of shellfish and meat
and vegetables and meat balls.
People eat hot pot as a celebration.
At the end of the year, wheneverybody comes together.
To warm up their stomach, their body.
(10:35):
And it is.
The spirit of togetherness and walk.
It reflects.
Time for bonding, sitting aroundsharing stories and laughters.
It's signifies, love and friendship.
. So lunar new year is usually celebrated in 15 days.
(10:59):
The first three days for me, my family.
were spent visiting families andpaying respect to the elders.
Children love this because when yougo from family to family, You say.
Hi to the elders and your relatives.
They give.
You a red packet filled with money.
(11:20):
red packets are generally given tochildren and young adults who are single.
On the first day of lunar new year.
It is advised to wake up early.
have a shower, clean up,put on a new set of clothes.
Wish your family members a happynew year and offer them sweet tea.
(11:47):
This.
Helps you to ensure that you'realways staying good relations
with your family members.
The last day of lunar new year.
So this year it wouldbe the 12th February.
Is known as . The Chinesepeach blossom day.
Where, it is believed thatit benefits couples in love.
(12:10):
Now in the past, single women wouldtoss oranges written with description.
What they want in the partner.
Into the river to attract a partner.
But today.
This practice isn't done as much in.
So there you go.
(12:31):
This is my little recapof the upcoming year.
For those of you celebratinglunar New Year I hope.
you get together with friends and family.
If, you don't have anybody around youmaybe check out any local celebrations.
I know where I live, the SunYat Sen garden has events.
(12:54):
And.
One of the universities alsohas some stuff going on.
So.
, even if you don'tcelebrate lunar new year.
If you want to partake in some of the.
Food and goodness visit.
An Asian grocery store.
(13:15):
By now as we're in the middle ofJanuary, a lot of the Asian grocery
stores, they have the treats, thesnacks, the food, the decorations.
They're all out now.
Go and take a look and if you have.
Any Asian friends, you go visit them.
During lunar new year.
(13:36):
Bring a couple of oranges.
Better.
If you can find Mandarinoranges and you greet them.
With Gong Xi Fatt Chai, Xing Nian KuaiLe when you read them with these words
and you offer them Mandarin oranges.
You are offering themabundance prosperity.
(13:58):
Have a great new year, everyone.
Be good to yourself.
This is Yi Yi.
Take good care of yourself.
And if you are enjoying the show.
Please feel free to rate, subscribe,and leave a review wherever
you listen to your podcasts.
(14:19):
That helps me and that also help others tofind a show and I greatly appreciate it.
Also, you can go to my website andsign up for newsletter I send one
out maybe three or four times a year.
With free materials and updates.
My website is Patricia Petersen.cathat's PATRICIAPETERSEN.CA.
(14:49):
You can also follow me on Instagram.
Again, thank you so much for listening.
Have a great week and I'll see you soon.
Thank you for your support.
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