Welcome to the Year of the Wood Goat/Sheep! Chinese New Year, also known as Lunar New Year, falls on the second new moon after the Winter Solstice. This year’s Lunar New Year was Thursday, February 19.

If you are born in a year of the Goat (1919, 1931, 1943, 1955, 1967, 1979, 1991, 2003, 2015), you are generally believed to be gentle, calm, mild-mannered, shy, stable, sympathetic, amicable, and brimming with a strong sense of kindheartedness and justice. Goat people have a special sensitivity to art and beauty and a special fondness for quiet living. They are wise and compassionate and can cope with business matters cautiously and circumspectly. In their daily life, they can be economical. They are willing to take good care of others, but they may tend toward pessimism and hesitation, and would do well to avoid these traits.

Although they look gentle on the surface, they are tough on the inside, always insisting on their own opinions. They have a strong inner resilience and excellent defensive instincts. Though they prefer to be in groups, they do not want to be the center of attention. They are reserved and quiet, most likely because they like spending much time in their thoughts. Goat people like to spend money on fashionable things that give them a first class appearance. Although Goats enjoy the finer things in life, they are not snobbish.

If Goat people are in mental and emotional good spirits, this should have a positive effect on their physical health. They should get out among nature and commune with the great outdoors. Fresh air, trees, sunshine and high-quality food will all do wonders for their health. Goat people should have a regular schedule for meals and keep their sleep and waking times consistent.

Generally speaking, Goats are private. Therefore it may take time and effort to get to know those who are born in a year of the Goat. Goat people seldom share their personal lives. This is the reason why many Goats may have few intimate friends. Once they become friends, their friendship is peaceful and fulfilling. They work hard for those they love.

There seems to be some ambiguity about whether this is the Year of the Goat or Sheep. The Chinese character can refer to either of the animals. However, in terms of traditional Asian culture, the zodiac symbol is said to be more likely a Goat. The Sheep is honored because of its docile nature, and because it is so adored – very “cute”, and producing wool for warmth and milk for food.

May this year 2015, the year of the Goat/Sheep, be the best year ever for you and your loved ones! May you enjoy peace, joy, prosperity, and most of all, love.