🐅 Weekly Witchy CHALLENGE - The Lunisolar Calendar and Chinese Zodiac

[BryWisteria]

Merry meet!

Another round of applause to all those who joined in for last week’s Weekly Witchy Challenge- Your Magickal Muse

After exploring our magickal muses last week, it’s time to connect with another force in our lives- not one of nine this time, but one of twelve.

This week’s challenge is in celebration of the Lunar New Year happening this week and is…

The Lunisolar Calendar and Chinese Zodiac

Happy Lunar Year!

Also called the “Chinese New Year” when referring to celebrations in China, the Lunar New Year is a special moment in the yearly cycle for all those who follow the Lunar Calendar.

Unlike the Gregorian Calendar (Jan - Dec) many of us are most familiar with or the Pagan Calendar (that follows the Wheel of the Year and begins at the Witch’s New Year/Samhain), the Lunar Calendar (sometimes also called the Lunisolar Calendar) does not have set days that stay the same each year, but rather vary based on the changing phases of the moon.

Most calendars referred to as “lunar” calendars are in fact lunisolar calendars. Their months are based on observations of the lunar cycle, with intercalation being used to bring them into general agreement with the solar year. The solar “civic calendar” that was used in ancient Egypt showed traces of its origin in the earlier lunar calendar, which continued to be used alongside it for religious and agricultural purposes. Present-day lunisolar calendars include the Chinese, Vietnamese, Hindu, and Thai calendars.

Synodic months are 29 or 30 days in length, making a lunar year of 12 months about 11 to 12 days shorter than a solar year.

From Wikipedia: Lunar Calendar

For 2022, The Lunar New Year officially begins on Tuesday, February 1st

Calendar from Jookyo: 2022 Lunar Calendar

The Chinese Zodiac

You may be familiar with your sun, moon, star, etc signs in the Western Constellation-Based Zodiac, but do you know your Chinese Zodiac Sign?

→ Learn more and compare two types of astrology in Astrology: East and West

The Chinese Zodiac is an animal and elemental-based zodiac consisting of 12 animals and 5 elements.

→ Learn more about the elements and animals in Francisco’s post about the Chinese New Year!

Each year, the cycle moves onwards and we enter a period that is tied to both an animal and an element.

This week, we are leaving behind the year of the Metal Ox and are entering the year of the Water Tiger

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For the challenge this week, we are welcoming in the Lunar New Year with some fun exploration of our Zodiac signs- how you do so is up to you!

So are you ready? Because it’s…

CHALLENGE TIME!

Picture from Horoscopes: Chinese New Year Zodiac Chart

STEP 1 : Lunar Calendars and Eastern Zodiacs

This challenge celebrates the Lunar New Year and opens the door into the world of a different type of astrology. There are many ways you might pursue this challenge, but here are a few suggestions to help you get started!

For this challenge you might:

Find your Chinese Zodiac animal and element

→ More info about the Zodiac animals and elements

Read your astrological forecast for 2022- either through a site, or through your own medium such as tarot cards

→ Lunar New Year 2022: Horoscopes for Each Zodiac
→ Chinese Zodiac Horscope for 2022 (scroll down to the bottom and choose your Zodiac animal)

Create or use a Chinese Horoscope Tarot or Oracle Spread

→ Such as this Horoscope Spread based on the Western Zodiac

Find Your Primal Zodiac Sign - combination of your Eastern and Western Zodiacs

→ Primal Zodiac Sign List

Cast some Moon Magick! - honor the Lunar New Year with some moon magick

→ Lunar Spell for Today
→ Waning Moon Magick
→ Moon Magick Rituals and Spells

Work some Art Magick - allow the celebrations to inspired you! Whether it is inspired by the moon, your Zodiac, or just the turning of a calendar page- feel free to let your talents shine!

Deep dive into your Zodiac- examine the traits or the foretold horoscope for your Zodiac sign. Do they relate to you- why or why not? What traits do you like, and what would you like to improve upon?

→ Tips for Magickal Journalling

…And more!

Like all challenges, this theme is meant to be open-ended. Feel free to pursue the topic of the week in a way that calls to you and your unique magickal practice!

Picture from Her World: 2022 Chinese Zodiac Predictions

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STEP 2 : Share Your Experience

Click here for notes about challenge inclusivity

Everyone is welcome to join the challenge by practicing magick in line with the current theme. For those who don’t feel comfortable sharing, it is absolutely okay to follow along with the challenge but keep your entry personal. Feel free to join in spirit and do what feels most comfortable for you!

That being said, please know that if you would like to receive a prize and a public shout-out, it is required that you share your experience

To participate in the challenge, please share:

1. How you explored or were inspired by the Lunar New Year/Chinese Zodiac in your magickal practice this week

For your entry to be counted, please write about your experience in the comments below and/or create a new thread in the forums.

Note : If you choose to create a new thread, please tag the challenge by adding a hyperlink back to this post so that I can easily find it- thank you!

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This challenge will close in 6 DAYS

To join in, please share your experience by:

Tuesday, February 1st at 7:00 AM EST (Eastern Standard Time)
( 2022-02-01T12:00:00Z )

For their efforts, all participants will receive a special shout-out and a small prize!

Acknowledgments will be given in a Props and Presents Post that will appear in the forums on Tuesday.

After the challenge closes, you are still very welcome to post but please be aware that no additional prizes will be given. This discussion will remain open for about a week after the challenge finishes.

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Picture from Elite Traveler: Lunar New Year Traditions Around the World

A warm reminder that all challenges are designed to be very open- everyone is encouraged to participate in a way that honors and reflects their unique practice

If you have any doubts about if something is acceptable to post or say, please double-check with the Forum FAQ and/or reach out to your friendly Moderator Team .

And for those new to challenges- welcome! Know that the goal of these activities is to help you further diversify and strengthen your abilities and to bring together the Spells8 forum family to inspire and support one another in creative ways

Picture from Pixabay

No matter your Zodiac sign, may the blessings of the Water Tiger ensure a healthy, safe, and magickal 2022 for you and those you hold dear!

Blessed be!

[Kasandra]

I’m an Earth Snake! Since it’s almost Imbolc, I’m thinking of working with Brigid (and since snakes are one of her symbols).

[janis]

Metal Ox is in the house! Thank you @BryWisteria for yet another juicey challenge.

[jessica72]

@Kasandra I’m an Earth Snake too! or for my primal zodiac self… a… jellyfish. This wil be fun seeing how these fit my personality. I hope I don’t come across as venomous though!

EDIT:

The little cogs in this funny little brain of mine have been spinning non-stop since I dipped my pinkie toe into this challenge. I already knew that my Chinese zodiac was Year of the Snake. So that would make me an Earth Snake. Which I was cool with as I have loved snakes all my life. But I’m not going to lie that at first I was a little disappointed when I found out that my Primal Zodiac Animal with a mix of my eastern and western zodiacs of Virgo and Snake was a… jellyfish. I felt like it was a little bit of an anti-climax. Huh. A jellyfish… really?

But the aspects of the four of these together:

A Virgo: patient, kind, hard-working, reliable, creative, picky, stubborn, uptight, overthinking and critical.

Earth: practical, loyal, materialistic and inflexible.

A snake: intelligent, wise, charming, alluring, deep-thinking, determined, possessive, distrustful and jealous.

A jellyfish: intellectual but cautious.

To be associated with two venomous creatures in my zodiac. Does that make me a toxic and nasty person? Am I filled with poisonous venom? Is that a bad thing?

Then my mind started thinking hmmm snakes and jellyfish… some species can be highly venomous and extremely dangerous, especially if provoked; basically don’t mess with me kind of vibe.

So this got me thinking why is it that some snakes and jellyfish use venom? According to our most beloved knower of all things Google the simple answer is: 1. for foraging - overpowering their prey and 2. for self-defence against potential predators, in a nutshell getting what they want and as a form of potent protection.

Maybe we all need to harness our inner venom. 2022 is supposed to be all about me and my onesies. All about healing myself after escaping that 15 year emotionally abusive relationship to a using, lying cheating, narcissistic skeez-bag.

So this all gave me inspiration for something along very similar lines to my Emotional Healing Spell Jar. Stay tuned. I’ll be busy this weekend!

Here’s what I came up with…

Unleash your Inner Venom - Harness the Power of the Humble Jellyfish - Challenge Entry: The Lunisolar Calendar and Chinese Zodiac

[jessica72]

I would like to share this one for anyone who would like it; I was having a flip through one of my newest spell books…. ‘Spells for a Magical Year: 100 Rituals and Enchantments for Prosperity, Power and Fortune’ by Sarah Bartlett.

Chinese New Year - A Feng Shui Charm for Prosperity: January 31st

The Chinese New Year falls on a day within two weeks of this date, depending on the lunar calendar. If you perform this ancient Chinese feng shui enchantment, you can be sure that whether it’s the Year of the Rat or Year of the Dragon, the energy is aligned in your home for a prosperous year ahead. Feng shui (“feng” meaning ”wind” and “shui” meaning “water”) is the Chinese art of placement for harmonious living. It is aligned to Taoist magic which dates back to 2000 BC E. This use of energy alignment has also been used in acupuncture and Chinese healing arts.

In feng shui the placement of crystals in your home corresponds to certain energies that will benefit your wealth and success. The northwest and west areas of your home correspond to success and prosperous living, while diamonds, selenite, white quartz, and silver all are symbolic of financial success.

What you will need:

• 1 white candle
• A silver gilt or silver framed mirror
• A silver chalice, cup or bowl (pewter of stainless steel)
• A silver or silver-coloured necklace
• 1 diamond, piece of selenite or white quartz crystal
• A red envelope, packet or sheet of red paper folded up, containing 3 silver-colured coins

First create a sacred corner in the west or northwest corner of your home. This can be on a raised table, shelf or window ledge. To make this area sacred, simply light a white candle and stand it in the corner. Now say,

“Welcome to the deities of heaven and earth, and to the Jade Emperor, ruler of heaven.”

To empower you with self-belief and added motivation for the rest of the year, place the silver framed mirror against the wall and the silver vessel in front of the mirror. Drape a silver necklace around the mirror. Place a diamond, piece of selenite, or white quartz crystal in front of the mirror too, and in front of those, the red envelope (red is symbolic of success in Chinese tradition). These metal totems will improve your business and career dealings and bring you the success you deserve.

Remove all the items at the end of the following month and store safely away.

[Jeannie1]

Hello Witches
For this challenge I am letting you in on one of my findings it is the
A Cheap Astrological Personal Almanac
I hope you will have fun because this personal Almanac will give you a calendar for the whole year and evry day you can try to see what is happening in the stars! You can even personalize it!
Today, I felt sad and so I wrote that down in my calendar, When I feel sad I want to know why am I sad? So I looked at my personal almanac to see what is happening in the stars and today is Wednessday 1/26/2022
In my natal chart @ 18.48 the moon is inn Scorpio in conjunction Uranus and it is inn Scorpio 27*10 degrees so then I just try to split it up it says that I will have this energy I believe that Scorpio is a water sign and I could be on the emotional side which explains why my emotions are so intense. Today I friend over and in the book, that I am citing “The complete book of astrology” the glyph for Uranus rules which rules my friends, clubs, inventions, resolutions, circulatory systems, ankles, shins, nervous systems, radiology, aerospace, divorce, and sudden events. Well I had a friend that came over and we have not seen each other and a while but it was good seeing her. She was like a big sister to me back and the day we shared many good times and we have many friends in our group and they want know what is happening in Jeannies world! LOL I am happy to see her and meet up with the Golden Girls. We had a lot of good times together. So I will make sure I write this all down so I will have it recorded in my almanac. So if you want to know what is going on in the stars and record whats happening in your life and tie it into what the stars to see what you can find get the calander it is only 10 bucks . Finding some explanation for the events are good. For me my friend is trying to help me fill out a application for a job and she says I should apply through this program called leap so I can get a better job. Its for people with disabilities and she wants to help me attain some of my goals that I been having and she is determined to help direct me since I went to school for criminal justice and did nothing with my degree. She thinks it would makes sense for me to try. Its funny when I looked up Uranus in Scorpio it talks about willpower is strong and well she gave me some hope and maybe I will have a breakthrough during this period.
Llewellyns Complete Book Of Astrology
I found out that my Chinese Zodiac is a Rooster and this is how I found out
What Zodiac are you?
I am a: Rooster Any Roosters???

• Personality : observant, hardworking, courageous
• Lucky numbers : 5, 7, 8
• Lucky colors : gold, brown, and yellow
• Lucky flowers : gladiola, cockscomb
  I am also a Libra
  I am a very hardworking person and tomarrow is our meditation and we are using a brown candle lol
  Jessica thank you for the spell and I see you are a snake

@jessica72

A snake: intelligent, wise, charming, alluring, deep-thinking, determined, possessive, distrustful and jealous.

Blockquote
I see you have some awesome traits

@Kasandra

I’m an Earth Snake! Since it’s almost Imbolc, I’m thinking of working with Brigid (

Blockquote
Jessica is a snake too! That is neat!
Janis is an ox wow thats interesting I need to find out more about the ox Janis you should use the link I gave you so we can see your traits.
Jeannie

[BryWisteria]

@Kasandra

I’m an Earth Snake!

Woohoo! Oh, that is very well-timed, Kasandra- enjoy your work with Brigid and Imbolc!

@janis

Metal Ox is in the house!

Nice! The pleasure is all mine, Janis- I’m looking forward to seeing how you will explore the theme this week!

@jessica72

I’m an Earth Snake too! or for my primal zodiac self… a… jellyfish.

How fun to share a Zodiac sign and element! And I think your Primal Sign is actually really exciting! While what you originally thought is one way to interpret it, I love how you spun it around: animals don’t have venom to be “nasty” or “toxic”, they developed those traits in order to defend themselves. And they are really good at doing so!

Perhaps this year is about spitting out the venom and building up a strong protection (and perhaps powerful reputation) for yourself- you are one strong and mighty person, Jessica! Good luck with your Emotional Healing Spell Jar- you’ve got this!

@jessica72

A Feng Shui Charm for Prosperity: January 31st

I love this!!! A perfect spell to share for the challenge- thank you so much, Jessica!

@Jeannie1

I am a: Rooster Any Roosters???

Here!!! I’m a rooster too, Jeannie! Cheers to us roosters, and it looks like you found some very interesting qualities for our sign- thank you for sharing them!

I hope the breakthrough you are waiting for comes for you soon- until then, keep on working hard and being courageous! Remember that you have the heart of a determined and brave rooster!

[marsha]

This challenge sounds like fun, and I’ve already learned something new!

I am a Water Snake and a ‘Ladybug’

I love it!

[Satu_TheGreenWitch]

Watch out folks…I’m a wood snake and my primal zodiac is the Anglerfish! This will be an interesting challenge! Have fun everyone!

[Jeje]

Wow @BryWisteria How did you know? My love I am sure that you are psychic! (More offerings for the good lady )

Yesterday afternoon I was actually reading up on this stuff.

As you know I have been on a “feather mission” and have been practicing a lot.

Just doodling a few yesterday with my new pens, I noticed that a few of my doodles looked like creatures. (The flower was purposeful)

But the first one that I looked up was that of a rat and it came about as a Feng Shui symbol.

How nuts is that!

I don’t type specifics always I just allow the symbolic to show itself.

I am in awe at this! Just wow!

[Jeje]

The rat is the friend of the Ox, which we are currently leaving! An extra reading list for moi I guess

[BryWisteria]

@marsha

I am a Water Snake and a ‘Ladybug’

It sounds like we are blessed with many Snakes here- cheers to you, @marsha! And oh, I love the sound of a Primal Zodiac ‘Ladybug’, every time I see one in the gardens it makes me smile

@Satu_TheGreenWitch

I’m a wood snake and my primal zodiac is the Anglerfish!

Another Snake has joined the party! I’m actually getting a bit jealous- can I be a Snake in disguise?

And WOW what a powerful Primal Zodiac to have- Anglerfish are really cool!

@Jeje You know what they say about great minds thinking alike- looks like we are on the same wavelength, Jeje! I am in awe of your doodles- they are so creative and fanciful, dancing across the pages of your book It sounds like the Rat made itself present for you- a very exciting sign! Thanks for sharing, Jeje (and especially for the delightful offerings- always appreciated! ) may you continue to flourish with your beautiful artwork!

[Jeje]

Definately! Im si in awe, I love it! - awe thank you, it was just a pice of scrap paper that I made notes on whilst listening to something or other - a fruitful attention span - that rat definitely made itself known- come to think of it the three legged bird is what I looked up firstbthats what brought the symobic out- but wow , here we are- your mind is wonderful

[rachel21]

@Jeannie1 I am also a rooster.

[Garnet]

Weekly Witchy Challenge: The Lunisolar Calendar and Chinese Zodiac

Plus the Lunisolar calendar

Western vs. Eastern: a comparison

Astrology has more or less been divided into three regions; western, eastern and oriental.

Western astrology refers to the tropical zodiac systems very prevalent in Europe and the Americas, and western astrology is very good at character analysis, but gets flak for being more wrong than right

Eastern astrology pretty much just refers to Indian or Vedic astrology. Vedic astrology gives excellent predictions and karmic insight. Vedic astrology has a documented reputation for being accurate.

Oriental astrology is that system practiced in China, Tibet and Mongolia. It utilizes a 60-year cycle of time instead of astronomical calculations. The oriental systems help us understand the cycles of the Earth and how energy transforms during the years and seasons. Chinese astrology does not only year, but month, day and hour. In fact, it is entirely possible to have a different animal for each part. “EEK!”

Excerpts from - a 1 photography homework – Science of the Stars

Lunisolar calendar is a calendar in many cultures, combining lunar calendars and solar calendars. The date of Lunisolar calendars therefore indicates both the Moon phase and the time of the solar year, that is the position of the Sun in the Earth’s sky. Lunisolar calendar - Wikipedia

Unfortunately, my experience with astrology is:

1. Western, I read in the papers
2. Eastern, I read on Chinese restaurant menu’s.
3. Lunisolar calendar - can I just say I’m Chinese Challenged?

After reading the comparison, I’d rather pull out my hair and run scream from the room than continue this…um treasure hunt?

And so, my understanding of astrology will end. Wants to end…HAS to end. (Jeez, I started drooling!) This subject is so convoluted, deep and confusing, as to make me crazy! I’d end up in a straight jacket! (DRAMA QUEEN AT HER BEST!)
So I sighed and said; “I’m going to take a nap.” And went back to bed.

Garnet, confused but sane (borderline)

[Ostara]

I’m a Fire Goat? Okay, it is what it is. So the “Goat” is Coy, timid, peaceful. My daughter raised goats when she was in high school and that’s not how I would describe them or me. Lol! They are very noisy, but sometimes, so am I! Fire is Courageous, Passionate, Good at research. I like that better then the goat part! I’m going to “research” this some more.

[flowing]

Welp, as a Sagittarius and Rat, I am a skunk​:rofl:. What is interesting is that it fits me to a T.

[christina4]

Ok. So I found out that I’m a Wood Ox
And my primal zodiac is the Yak. That seemed too easy, so I’ll be doing the ritual that @jessica72 added to her post. Thanks @jessica72

[Amethyst]

I’m a Water Ox and together with Aquarius that makes my Primal sign a Walrus. I can see it, but man I wish I was something more sightly than a walrus. LOL.

It says in the horoscope for this year that in the years of the Tiger, Oxen can find themselves bewildered, and instead of making plans, I should be more impulsive. I’ll make a note to do just that.

[Torista]

I decide to look into the old Chinese lunar calendar, the no longer use it but it worked in a very different way.

A sixty year cycle, that combined yin and yang, the 12 heavenly stems (the zodiac) and the 5 earthly branch’s: wind, water, wood, fire, earth, and metal.

I made myself a little booklet that looks like a lucky money envelope. The red envelopes that people exchange with money and wrote my name, and birthday in chinese as well as what my birth year and and what this year is. And the lucky colors and numbers for this year.