Chinese New Year Eve
On this eve of Chinese New Year 2024, I am reminded of all the rituals taking place in my family home as I grew up. My mom was a fierce Chinese Dragon, not someone you’d want to cross. Our house had a certain false-nice tension because we all knew if we did anything wrong, such as accidently saying the word ‘death’ or ‘nothing’, we’d be walloped. All bowls had to be filled preferably with bright fresh oranges or nuts or money, anything but empty, which would signify the lack of means. The house had to be sparkling clean and all sweeping done days before the event. She wanted to be honoured and obeyed to the letter, it really was a pressure to adhere to all her demands on top of the usual requirements.
Starting on the new moon, 2024 is the year of the Dragon in the element of Wood, a year of assertive personalities. There will be a crescendo effect starting with colorful celebrations bringing in people and promise of a bright future. The only problem is that when you get more than one or two people standing to convince you that they are the one and who don’t necessarily agree with one another, ego clashes are likely! The element and quality of wood will help to dial it down, but all I can say is to keep your feet on the ground while reaching into the spirit of fire. Balance is best.
More to come after the new moon at 11:00pm UT on 9 February, the actual time of the turning of the clock. Set your intentions now!
Chinese Goddess Nuwa
There are lots of things that give me that sparkle and pop feeling, but two of my most favourite things are gemstones and astrology. There is a similar scintillating quality about both, a celestial reason why I am so passionate about both subjects and the creation of NuwaJewels.
In Chinese legend, Nuwa is a powerful mother goddess, who is said to have created humanity. Later when war broke out between the deities, the pillars of heaven were broken in the battle. Nuwa then set out to repair the destruction and saved life. She used 5 sacred stones to repair the firmament, and helped to bring back beauty and order, along with a sense of nurturing and safety.
NuwaJewels honours the Goddess Nuwa by telling her story, sharing cosmic insights and offering responsibly sourced gems and jewellery for sale, so we can all have a little more awe and respect for this beautiful planet we call earth.
Please have a look at our website for affordable engagement rings. There’s more to come in the following weeks – both beautiful gems and celestial insights!
#vintageengagement rings #affordableengagementrings #chinesenewyear2024
Gemstones for the Year of the Dragon 2024
Ascribing gemstones to zodiac signs is a well known practice for healing and hope dating back thousands of years, not just in China, but also in India and Greece. Ancient civilisations always knew about the therapeutic use of gemstones because, well, they just make you feel better. Take one look into the deep sparkle of a diamond and you’ll know what I mean!
Amethyst is said to be the stone for those born under the sign of Dragon because of its protective qualities. Dragons are charming and commanding, born leaders but they can be impatient.
Opal is the stone for those born under the sign of the snake. The amorphous and fluid quality of opal mirrors the snake’s and ability to blend in and transform when needed. The beautiful play of colour is like the mysterious beauty of snake and ever-changing.
Topaz is the gem for the playful Horse. It helps to boost confidence and exudes the playful, spiritual beauty that Horse displays while also infusing the soul with depth and wonder
Emerald is assigned to the Goat or Sheep, though I would say it is for anyone who seeks some vim and vision. In ancient Greece, emeralds were used to cure bad eyesight. Take one look at a gem quality emerald and you’ll understand why!
Peridot and turquoise are for the Monkey, who is dextrous, energetic and witty when they want to be. They can also be arrogant! But the soothing quality of both these gemstones goes a long way towards establishing peace for the Monkey.
Citrine is the gemstone for the lively Rooster who takes initiative. They start the day, start projects and can also start arguments though not for no reason. Citrine helps with positivity, and is the stone of wealth.
Diamond is for everyone, but especially the loyal Dog. It is the king of gemstones being top in brilliance, scintillation, hardness and all-round gorgeousness. It is a symbol of loyalty, like the dog and is always a sign of love, strength and wealth.
Ruby is the stone for those born under the sign of the Pig. It helps to focus the mind, encouraging energy and alertness. Ruby is also the stone of kings and Queens, a royal symbol of prominence and possibly even some pomp!
Garnet is the stone for the Rat. I agree, some of these animal names conjure up a negative image, but rats are intelligent, garnets are singly refractive which means they have a certain gravitas, steadiness and are a stone to ward off evil.
Aquamarine and tourmaline are the stones for the Ox. They both help to boost immunity and aids growth and prosperity. The Ox is a hard-worker, steadfast and loyal. Aquamarines have an ethereal beauty, like the Ox, not instantly appreciated, but with time, is forever.
Sapphire and Jade are the stones for the Tiger. Lively Tigers need the calm and tranquility that both sapphire and jade can imbue. Jade is adored by Chinese people and has protective qualities, which I have witnessed first hand! Everyone needs jade and sapphire, both, but especially Tigers.
Pearls and moonstones are for the graceful Rabbit, both have an otherworldly quality about them when you look into them. Rabbits are gentle and charming, really, sometimes a little delicate, like the beautiful pearl. Treat it kindly and it’ll last forever.
Chinese Zodiac years:
Please note, the years are approximate because the lunar year used in Chinese astrology is different to the solar year, which is what we use in the west. If you are not sure as you were born on the cusp, please feel free to message me!
Dragon: 1928, 1940, 1952, 1964, 1976, 1988, 2000, 2012, 2024.
Snake: 1929, 1941, 1953, 1965, 1977, 1989, 2001, 2013
Horse: 1930, 1942, 1954, 1966, 1978, 1990, 2002, 2014
Goat or Sheep: 1931, 1943, 1955, 1967, 1979, 1991, 2003, 2015
Monkey: 1932, 1944, 1956, 1968, 1980, 1992, 2004, 2016
Rooster: 1933, 1945, 1957, 1969, 1981, 1993, 2005, 2017
Dog: 1934, 1946, 1958, 1970, 1982, 1994, 2006, 2018
Pig: 1935, 1947, 1959, 1971, 1983, 1995, 2007, 2019
Rat: 1936, 1948, 1960, 1972, 1984, 1996, 2008, 2020
Ox: 1937, 1949, 1961, 1973, 1985, 1997, 2009, 2021
Tiger: 1938, 1950, 1962, 1974, 1986, 1998, 2010
Rabbit: 1939, 1951, 1963, 1975, 1987, 1999, 2011, 2023
Chinese New Year - Year of the Wood Dragon
We at NuwaJewels are astro-enthusiasts, so it comes naturally to look at the year ahead particularly now with the upcoming Chinese New Year on 10 February 2024. This is a Dragon year, generally about success and power, how to stand out in a crowd and making your voice heard. As Chinese astrology turns in 60 year cycles, every one of the 12 signs are ruled by a different element. 2024 is a Wood Dragon year, so this year in particular is associated with material manifestations of success and power. But before you imagine this has to do with finally getting into the fantasy castle on the hill, bear in mind that your own birth chart will hold the key to your own personal destiny.
For a Rat, Monkey and Rooster, this is an especially prosperous year including promotion and positivity. For a Dragon, Snake and Pig, this year will see success and abundance, personal transformation and good fortune. All the other signs will experience a lucky break, too! Remember that what you see it what you get.
I’ll write more about each sign in the coming days, including a personal symbol and gemstone that can help you to focus on attracting what you need. In my years as an astrologer and gemologist, I have prescribed jewellery and gemstones for people to wear as personal talismans and charms. All of our jewellery here at NuwaJewels is cleansed both in practical and spiritual ways. Feel free to ask me more about this!
Welcome to NuwaJewels
There is so much to talk about with NuwaJewels, it’s hard to know where to begin. So, who are we …I am a mother, a Graduate Gemologist, a published writer, an astrologer, psychotherapist, and daughter of a fierce Chinese mother who was born in Sichuan, China. My mother’s story is incredible, and I am in the process of writing a memoir that includes her journey from a war-torn country with only a few gems sewn into her clothes to the United States. Over many years developed a significant trade in gems and jewellery growing the business to admirable proportions.
The name Nuwa belongs to a legendary goddess of marriage and fertility, a story that inspires us because part of her story includes the myth of world destruction, after which she repaired the sky with selected jewels, like so many of us who have experienced adversity, rupture and repair. One of our specialities here at NuwaJewels is the essential engagement ring. The engagement ring is a symbol of connection, eternity and love, and there are many ways to express it, not just as a ring.
I’ll be back with more on how to choose an engagement ring. It’s not always a diamond, you know!