Today ushers in the Year of the Wood Snake, Happy Lunar New Year.

When I grew up, Lunar New Year wasn’t relevant to my culture.I knew about it, but I didn’t know enough about it to be of much significance for myself. The area I grew up in had a couple of Asian Restaurants and shops. Not many, but I do remember them decorating for Lunar New Year. The big red lantern would hang in front of the door wars and in windows. 

I vividly remember one January, snow piled high along the walls of houses that was moved from the walk ways to make a wide enough path for at least two people. A gray January in the skies, white icy piles of snow everywhere. It felt already like a long winter, subzero temperatures, red noses and woolen hats. 

Everything seems gray and dreary past Christmas until the red lanterns started appearing in front of shops, swinging in the winter air. A plop of vivid color and shimmering gold. 

This very wintery day was my first actually conscious encounter with Lunar New Year. The beauty of the colors and shape, a red lantern softly bobbing to its own rhythm from a hook in front of a shop. A white, dreary world and there was this huge plop of color. Nothing much changed that day, I still didn’t celebrate Lunar New Years, but it made me aware of the beauty of cultures other than my own. 

Fast forward to today. We are ringing in the Year of the Wood Snake. The snake known for it’s intelligence, mystic, and ability to transform. This year symbolizes adaptability, growth, renewal and encourages to reflect on ones own path, embrace change with patience and acceptance, and seek personal growth, according to the Internet. 

Wether you celebrate Lunar New Year, or not. May your year be filled with abundance and success of all the you are setting out on to do. May prosperity and joy find you each and every day of the year. 

Happy Lunar New Year. Make it a great one.