Celebrate the Lunar New Year with us!

Honor your journey with introspection, receive energy work and the healing vibrations of layered sound.

Facilitators: Darrin Ford and Teresa Devpreet

You will be joyously welcomed and receive assistance if needed to settle into a spot. A simple breath awareness exercise and a short period of guided gentle movement coordinated by breath follows. We allow for a better experience if we first take a few moments to check in with our breath and body. A longer period of receiving healing energy and sound therapy follows. Darrin and Devpreet have long-time practices of using Reiki and other types of energy work. Gong(s), chimes, a Celtic crystal harp, brass, and crystal singing bowls are some reverently used instruments. Before we part, we informally integrate the experience and ground with the sharing of simple snacks and healthful drinks. This is a hands-off event, meaning you will not experience physical contact. There are props, but feel free to bring an extra blanket or whatever you may need to make your nest extra cozy!

The Chinese New Year or Spring Festival began as a celebration of when crops ripened on the banks of China’s Yellow River. The date for the Chinese New Year shifts around in our Gregorian calendar because the traditional Chinese calendar is based on a lunar cycle that lasts 30 days each month. Easter also falls on a different date each year for this same reason.

The story, myth, and legend of the 12 animals of the Chinese New Year calendar originate from an ancient Chinese poem telling the story of 12 mythical animals that descended from the heavens to help people celebrate the coming of spring.

The Chinese New Year animals change annually on a twelve-year cycle, but there are also five different types of each animal represented by the five elements from Chinese culture - earth, wood, fire, water, and metal.

2025 celebrates the year of the wood snake. The snake's strategic and introspective nature is complemented by the element of wood, representing growth, balance, and connection with nature. Combining these two powerful energies implies a year that encourages inner reflection and outward progress.