The Rat is the first of all zodiac animals. According to one myth, Rat is also a bit of a trickster: when the Jade Emperor announced that the order of the zodiac would be decided by the order each animal arrived at his party, Rat persuaded Ox to give him a ride to the soirée on his back; as they arrived at the door, Rat jumped off and ran into the party first!
Rat energy is yang (active) and represents the beginning of a new day.
“In Chinese culture, rats were seen as a sign of wealth and surplus. Because of their reproduction rate, married couples also prayed to them for children.” (From https://chinesenewyear.net/zodiac/rat/)
If you were born under the sign of The Rat (click here for a complete listing of all Chinese zodiac signs), you are clever, quick-witted and successful, with a delight for living peacefully.
And, speaking of clever, here are some important tips to remember when joining in this rich, cultural celebration:
- Do not speak negatively! Forbidden are all words with negative connotation, including: death, sick, empty, pain, ghost, poor, break, kill. Focus on great health, happiness, joy and fortunate events in your conversations.
- Do not wish someone, “Happy New Year!” if they are still in bed … as this can render them bed-ridden for the year. Wait until they’re fully awake, bright-eyed and bushy-tailed. (This is the perfect time to take advantage of sleeping in!)
- Do not sweep or clean. Get your deep cleaning done BEFORE the Spring Festival begins so you don’t sweep away all the good fortune that is flowing into your life!
- Bringing gifts to a friend during Chinese New Year? Do not bring anything with a clock on it, as this denotes “paying one’s last respects.”
Wish to enhance your New Year festivities with teas to inspire joy, attract good luck and dispel negativity? Sip and savor these Magic Hour Limited Edition Teas for 2020 ... especially at dawn:
2020 Limited Edition Harvest Honey Black
Toasted chestnuts & honey, chocolate & brown sugar, candied cherry & orange peel--this beautiful black tea is as flavorful as it is energizing. This gorgeous tea is grown on the slopes of a sacred Taoist mountain facing the open sea. Grown & watered by a mountain spring, the pure water informs the sweet flavor of this ocean-infused creamy black tea. This is Zhena's favorite morning tea sipped in the early morning light with no sweetener or milk.
Click HERE to order this meditative, exquisite tea that will have you feeling optimistic, clear and vibrant.
2020 Limited Edition Dragonfly Oolong
Grown at the peak of a pristine mountain & fed by fresh mountain spring water in the secret lands of Fujian, China by the kind hearted steward of biodiversity and pioneer of organic tea production known as Master Zhang. This limited edition Oolong is a marvel to behold, sending you to the sacred side of life with your first sip. Grown with love & harvested with care, this family-grown tea will delight you with hints of cashew, cedar, nutmeg & brioche.
2020 Limited Edition White Jasmine
From a small family farm in Yunnan, these rare tea buds emanate the scent of honey jasmine, candied strawberry & sweet cream. Grown in pristine conditions by a small family co-op whose dedication to preserve nature is noble and a daily focus ties this ephemeral beauty tea to the sacred intention of both being nurtured by and nurturing Mother Earth. Jasmine is known as the "scent of God" and this precious and rare tea will remind you of the divinity in each breath. Enjoy this tea to bring infinite divine blessings into your life!
Silver Moon: Tea of New Beginnings
Our Silver Moon White Tea is made from the finest Organic Silver Needles which are the rarest & most prized white tea buds in the world. Delicately harvested by hand, each tender tea shoot is carefully dried and tastes of spring rain. From the highest peaks of a sacred valley, each young tea bud is covered in silver down, creating an effervescent flavor profile which is ephemeral & transcendent of earthly concerns. Imagine fresh rain on a sparkling spring morning and you will have a sense of this lustrous gem of a tea.
The Silver Moon Tea of New Beginnings is featured in our White Magic Sampler Box.
Click here to learn more about becoming a Club Magic Hour member.
