Listen to or download this article:

Happy LUNAR New Year!

Friday, February 12, 2021, starts the 

Lunar New Year that Celebrates the Year of the OX! 

Celebrations last up to 16 days and culminates with the Lantern Festival on February 26, 2021.

The Lunar New Year aka Chinese New Year is also known as the Spring Festival and corresponds with the Gaelic IMOLC festival in Northern Europe that celebrates the first breaths of springtime (February 1st – the halfway point between the Winter Solstice and the Spring Equinox).

Lanterns floating on water to celebrate the New Lunar New Year – a particularly historically significant evening for women.

Some Fun Facts about the Lunar New Year aka Spring Festival

  • The most firecrackers in the world are set off on the first day of the Lunar New Year. They are set off the night before and the first morning to welcome the New Year. Fireworks will continue on until the end of the 16th day of celebration.
  • It is the longest Chinese holiday. The first five days are considered a national holiday with the majority of stores and services closed.
  • Until Covid, it was was the largest migration of people on an annual basis with many people returning to the rural villages of their elders.
  • The Lunar New Year is the holiday celebrated by the most amount of people on the planet. Celebrations take place across China, Korea, Japan, Taiwan, Southeast Asia, and also in most major population centers such as London, New York City, San Francisco, Sydney, Australia; Vancouver, British Columbia; and wherever there is a “Chinatown.”
  • There are wines made specifically for Lunar New Year and there are rules about toasting and drinking order depending on the wine and spirits being offered.
  • Most hair salons and barber shops are closed during the Spring Festival because cutting hair during this time is taboo.
  • The first full moon of the Lunar Year is cause for the Lantern Festival—a night of partying and festivities especially with friends. The first five days of the Lunar Festival are supposed to be spent with family and elders.
  • Lanterns’ Day is also known as Valentine’s Day in China.

The Year of the Metal OX is predicted to be the Year of Hard Work and Determination to achieve your writing goals and publishing goals. Supporting and helping colleagues in the writing and publishing community will bring energy and favor to your publishing career. 

In the the Year of the OX, success will come for authors and writers, no matter what your Chinese Zodiac sign is, who really hard and consistently to promote their books and for those continually try to improve their books—even the ones that have been published. The new digital publishing world rewards those who take advantage of its fluidity.

This year is all about discipline, hard work, and continuous improvement. If you do, then you will reap the benefits.

The OX is the second sign in the 12 animal cycles of Chinese Astrology and that is why 2021 is considered a year to ground and complete many of the of new beginnings from the uncertainties and unprecedented events of 2020.

2021 predictions reveal that those who work hard and with determination in their businesses and projects will receive great rewards. Be appreciative of your writing talent and you will be rewarded.

Japanese OX Symbol

Set yourself goals and objectives. Spend time planning and scheduling  your writing projects, marketing strategies, and making new connections. Then do not relent or give up until you have met your goals and objectives.

The Year of the OX is going to bring determination and resolve to your writing!  You will need to follow your publishing goals with confidence and determination. Be relentless and do not get discouraged by obstacles.

This is a great year to improve your health. Practice good posture, balance, and focused breathing. Move your body as best as you can for your health whether it is walking, dancing, playing sports, or prescribed physical therapy.

Most of all, breathe fresh air as much as possible. Go for walks in nature. Make sure to drink plenty of pure water.

How to Celebrate the Year of the OX as Writers – No Matter What Your Chinese Zodiac Sign Is

This is the year to focus on your relationships with book sellers whether they are independent bookstores, on-line selling platforms like Bookchain or Amazon, audiobook sites, or specialty venues.

Relationships with editors—you may feel that it will take double your efforts to move forward with your work-in-progress, but if you are diligent and persevere your efforts will be rewarded.

This is the year to focus on author collaborations and joint marketing promotions. Be open to explore new tactics and strategies.

Be prepared to spend more time on organizing and scheduling your time. If you are disciplined, you will find that this is the year when you can solve many problems and improve your writing craft.

Are You Wondering How to Determine Your Chinese Zodiac Sign?

Use the handy table below to find your birth year and Chinese Zodiac Sign

Below are the 2021 Chinese Horoscope Forecasts for Those Who Live the Writing Life – Enjoy!

Note from Kiffer Brown:  Chanticleer believes that we each make our own destiny by being optimistic and positive, by being kind and loving, by dreaming and inspiring, by being bold and doing, by helping and enriching others, by appreciating and being grateful, and by expanding our awareness of the Universe. Enjoy and have fun! Happy 2021! 

If your sign is an Ox (Oxen are known to be leaders and loyal friends. They gain recognition through their hard work. They are also known for their  reliability, thoroughness, strength, reason-ability, steadiness, and determination.) Bright, inspiring, patient, and hardworking are the OX’s attributes.

People born under the sign of the Year of the OX have traits of strength, reliability, fairness, and inspire confidence in others. While some may consider them strong-willed and stubborn, they are often thought to be calm, patient, and trustworthy.

2021 is the year to hone your writing craft and reinvigorate your book promotion strategy. Establish a budget for time and money for editing and marketing. Keep in mind nothing replaces your own elbow grease and hard work on your part.

Try to exercise more and move your body more while seated at your writing desk. Take care of yourself as well as you take care of others.

This will be the year when the chances for meeting a writing mentor improve. The mentor will help you to learn how to focus and make things happen. The mentor will point out opportunities that you may would not be able to see on your own. Exceptional opportunities will be coming your way, be prepared to employ them!

Click Here  for PART-TWO where we post the Chinese Zodiac Horoscopes for the other eleven signs plus rituals for good luck.

Each year has a different sign, meaning each person is represented by one of the 12 animals.

We hope that you enjoyed this fun blog post that is meant as a way of thinking about new perspectives. 

Chanticleer believes that we each make our own destiny by being optimistic and positive, being kind and loving, by dreaming and inspiring, being bold and doing, by appreciating and being grateful, and by expanding our awareness of the Universe.