Addenda and Corrections

[helwen]

Time off is good... didn't go out (too cold), and didn't nap, but did have hot chocolate and then tea, while reading some of Spiritual Mentoring: A Pagan Guide by Judy Harrow.

So, I didn't describe when the Chinese new year starts correctly; it's the second new moon after the Winter Solstice.

Also, although I guess it was implied, I said the new year starts on the new moon, which may not seem usual for a celebration. But because it goes on for 15 days, the culmination of the holiday is on a full moon. It's like how the growth/germination of plants/seeds are hidden in winter, then appear visibly to our eyes in the spring, or a creature is pregnant and then gives birth to that which has been hidden from direct sight. So the tradition is to clear out the old and no longer needed, prepare the way for the new, going into seeming darkness, only to bring forth the new year into the light.

Comments

may not seem usual for celebrations

[lauradi7.livejournal.com]

Rosh Hashana (the new year in the Jewish calendar) begins on the new moon, as does Ramadan. Or maybe you meant not usual for a Chinese celebration.

Re: may not seem usual for celebrations

[helwen.livejournal.com]

No, I meant for the way a lot of westerners celebrate, both Christian (Easter) and many Pagans.