Also known as the Spring Festival, Lunar New Year is a two-week celebration that begins on the first day of the first month of the Lunar calendar. This year, the festivities begin on Valentines’ Day (Feb. 14)! It celebrates family, the start of a new beginning, and hope for a prosperous New Year. A major holiday, Lunar New Year is celebrated in China, Korea, Vietnam, Malaysia, Singapore, and in Asian American communities. While regional customs and traditions concerning the celebration vary, most traditionally celebrate with decorations, visiting loved ones and eating symbolic foods.
TIGER
While the Tiger is indecisive and stubborn, it is matched by their magnetic and grand passion towards anything they put their mind to. With exciting developments happening for them in 2010, it will be important to leave the past behind and concentrate on the future. Financially, everything improves for Tigers, but they also need to take extra care in planning and thinking all projects through. Romantically, Tigers may see friendships suddenly turn into something with exciting consequences. The year 2010 will prove to be challenging for the Tiger, but will force to them to find encouragement and strength within themselves to triumph through the year.
RAT
Rats are charming, elegant and clever, but can be a bit gossipy and prone to being distracted. While the year 2010 may bring times of melancholy, Rats will most definitely be more self-confident, and be more innovative than before. Travel will be a strong feature and if there is dream destination in mind, it may become a reality. For the lonely rats, year 2010 promises a great love life, and for the ones that are blissfully married, the year will be filled with romantic joy. However, it is essential for all persons born under this sign to be extra thoughtful and caring throughout the year – an inadvertent remark or gesture could lead to discord with loved ones.
OX
Sturdy, earthy, no-nonsense, yet affectionate and easy-going are traits that best describe the Ox. This year, the Ox will be in conflict with dragons and horses, and to avoid these conflicts, remember to keep an open mind and to not judge others without any basis. Contrary to it’s methodical habits, the 2010 Year of the Tiger will force the Ox to adapt to a fast pace, new routines, delays and unexpected obstacles, but may be an opportunity to discover hidden talents and personal power. Career opportunities will present themselves often, but your working attitude will be slightly lackadaisical and without much enthusiasm. Put in effort to change the attitude.
RABBIT
Cuddly, warm and affectionate are the outward traits of the Rabbit, but they still hold a mysterious aura with a desire to be the center of the attention. The Rabbit should look forward to unexpected promotions and recognition this year that should be acted upon quickly, but these new opportunities could be physically exhausting, so it is important to keep work balanced with rest and relaxation. The Year of the Tiger will be filled with various social events and an unexpected romance may develop from a work related gathering. The most important thing to note is for Rabbits to act on opportunities quickly and not hang around to see what happens.
DRAGON
Dragons are assertive, energetic and talented, but can have the tendency to be condescending and tactless without realizing it. This upcoming year is the time to apply yourself in school or courses and will bring you a considerable amount of success. The Dragon will be able to develop their financial situation and a possible increase in income may be coming. Make sure to keep “teamwork” in all your goals as this concept will progress a career of the Dragon faster and further this year. Dragons need to remember that love and relationships require attention and if it taken for granted, problems will arise, especially in the busy time for the Dragon this year.
SNAKE
Those born in the year of the Snake are known to be intelligent, intuitive but can be a sore loser and most notoriously, very stubborn. Keep your stubbornness in check; learn to control it and you will find many successes coming towards you in the upcoming year. On the career front, the Snake will have quite a bit of competition and needs to stay ahead of the game in order to be in line for any promotions or career advancement opportunities. Keep a level-headed mind for the upcoming year and when you find yourself in favorable opportunities in your career, make sure you grab them! Snakes can be shy and loners, but the Year of the Tiger will ensure they have many happy social events to attend.
HORSE
Horses can be described as fun, charming, and attractive, but can also be egotistical, hotheaded and impatient. The Year 2010 spells one of the smoothest years for Horses, as you will find bonds between your friends being built fairly easily. In response to this particularly busy and challenging year, Horses may tend to overfeed themselves, so be sure to keep a healthy diet and exercise regularly. While socially the year will be fruitful and exciting for the Horse, you need to keep a careful eye on finances as overspending could happen very easily in response to your newfound social successes.
GOAT
Grace and optimistic, Goats can also be petulant and discontented as they tend to throw in the towel when things don’t go their way. But this year, it is crucial to see through the rough beginning of 2010 for more opportunities will be coming later in the year. For creative and artistic Goats, the Year of the Tiger will bring long periods of rejection and disappointment, but an interesting opportunity will present itself afterward. It is important for the Goat to maintain strong relationships with their loved ones. Financially, it is not wise for Goats to take any great financial risks and should consult a professional if they are in doubt or worried.
MONKEY
The Monkey is playful, lively and fun, but can also be vain and offhand. It is essential for the monkey to not be overly emotional in 2010, as the beginning of the new year provides much excitement, but also a risk of burning out. You will find that everything may not go your way initially, and while you may lose some close friends, it is important to maintain mental stability to save the broken pieces. It is the year for you to take risks. Take them and you will be rewarded accordingly. All those born under this sign will appreciate the support they receive this year from loved ones and friends, so be sure to listen carefully.
ROOSTER
The Rooster is popular, extravagant and creative, but can be brutally, sometimes overly honest, and can be prone to egocentrism. Forecast for 2010 The Year of the Tiger will have mixed fortunes for the Rooster, but by staying calm, observant and flexible, the Rooster will glide through 2010 coming out much wiser, stronger and with great success behind them. This year you will face plenty of competition to get up onto a higher rung of the ladder in your company. A word of caution: all Roosters must ensure that they don’t overdo things – exhaustion and a depleted immune system will result if proper rest isn’t taken.
DOG
The Dog is a wonderfully hard-worker and pays attention to details, but is bit anti-social, pessimistic and stubborn. With 2009 being challenging for the Dog, they must welcome The Year of the Tiger with optimism, determination, and leaving behind the past. Be careful in your career as a lack of respect towards authority might prove to be your downfall. Financially, the Dog can expect many bonuses and gifts this year, but be sure to check details and fine print when making large financial changes. It is ultimately crucial for you to tone down your brash attitude to find some good in the upcoming year or 2010 will prove to be a year of loneliness for you. Stay friendly!
PIG
The Pig is known to be innocent, sweet and loveable, but also makes them prone to being melancholy and over-sensitive. This year, you have to learn to put off your sentimental ways to find some unexpected successes in your line of work and your love life for 2010. The Pig must ensure that he follows up all correspondence or financial dealings – to delay or overlook details will prove costly. It is important for you to stay away from carbonated drinks in the upcoming year for you will be vulnerable and open to intestinal and digestive problems. It’s possible that gossip may prove too tempting or that Pigs may listen to false advice, causing upset and trouble. Physically and emotionally, be guarded and careful this year!
