For Shimogamo Jinja 2015 looks like the year of the goat...
... though 12 years it ago it was more like the year of the ram
New Year greetings to all Green Shinto readers at this auspicious time of new beginnings…
Hatsumode (New Year shrine visit) is the busiest time of year for shrines, and also the most profitable in terms of income. Millions upon millions of Japanese will be making a visit to at least one shrine to pay their respects. For some it’s a spiritual act, for most it’s simply a custom that enforces their Japaneseness.
This year it’s the year of the sheep (alternatively goat or ram; there’s no distinction). It is part of a 12-year-cycle of animals that make up the Chinese zodiac (12 because of the number of moons). These interact with the five elements: wood, metal, fire, water, earth. There is therefore a 60 year cycle in all (12 x 5), and 2015 is the 32nd year out of the current cycle. It means that each year an animal takes on the attributes of one of the elements, and this year it’s that of the wood sheep. (For those unable to sleep, counting wooden sheep might be key to a good night’s rest!)
In previous years Green Shinto has looked at New Year customs in Kyoto, and in Japan in general. This year we’d like to look at the astrological significance of the year, which is Chinese in origin and begins officially on 4 Feb 2015 according to the traditional lunar calendar. The timing of Japan’s celebration changed when it switched to the Gregorian calendar following the historic events of 1868, marking a symbolic shift to a modern Western model. It’s just one of many examples of the flexibility and adaptability of the ‘ancient faith’.
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The following is taken from the Astrology Club website. (The Chinese lunar New Year takes place in February.)
THE YEAR OF THE GOAT (SHEEP) 2015
Worshipper at the small shrine for the Sheep zodiac at Shimogamo Shrine in Kyoto
The Sheep (Goat) is a Yin energy, a symbol of Peace, Harmonious co-existence and Tranquility. That is the primary and fundamental mood for this year. Though there are cries for War and a countdown is soon to begin, if any almanac serves me well – War will be averted and a period of mending and compromise will be undertaken to ensure Peace is maintained.
The Sheep is the symbol of the Arts. It relates to passive and nurturing times. It will help the healing process with regard to past events caused by individuals who have little respect for the human race or life itself. It will be a year of banding together in faith and in belief that good will prevail and win out over the forces that refuse to comply to a peaceful way of life. For those who trust in goodness, happiness and success will follow.
The emphasis will be on joining forces in order to fight the evil and destruction that has been brewing. With the planet Saturn into the sign Scorpio and the planet Pluto in its long stay in the sign Capricorn, there will be greater concern with structure, getting back to basics and using greater intuition to find solutions to problems that have been plaguing
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