"CATCH UP ON YOUR WISHES"

The New Year is the main event of the year that always give people a chance to "catch up on their wishes". Didn't manage to set your thoughts in order during the "Gregorian transition"? Don't worry, the Old New Year is still ahead. That didn't work out? It's no problem - the Chinese New Year is coming up. The Chinese New Year actually is the real New Year, if you connect it with the reign of the animal that rules it. And then, you see, Norvuz Festival is not far behind. As we see, the New Year is the best possible reason to give your life an emotional boost, one that would be nice to keep going through all life's ups and downs.

On a positive note

Easier said than done, many of you might say. But look at it this way. If we work out, training our bodies and muscles, really pushing ourselves at first, persistence will allow us to reach our goals. Then further work outs aren't so exhausting. Pretty much the same thing happens with our thoughts. Haven't you ever realized that pessimism is its own sort of personal comfort zone, because it means that you don't need to do anything to improve yourself? It's easier to think about failure and give up than to do everything you can to be successful. That's why our thoughts need training just like our muscles do. Yes, it's always hard at first. But later it becomes easier. A person becomes stronger psychologically: learns to thank the Almighty for everything and forgive, empathize with those suffering, help one's neighbor, stop blaming bad luck, begin to bear life's little problems and again be thankful… It's so important to learn to thank God for all life's lessons, taking from them something useful for yourself. This is a true holiday feeling that you can have at any time, and not only when the calendar changes. A person can be on a positive note for his entire life, and leave this energetic charge to coming generations. It's just as important to teach one's children to not give up and once again be thankful. To always be thankful to God. 

What will the goat bring?

Because the coming new year is the Year of the Goat according to the eastern calendar, let's not forget that we should be happy and "blue" not only at its beginning, since the goat in 2015 will be blue, but in all the days that follow as well. Let's also not forget that we should familiarize ourselves with the many positive predictions that come with the goat. It's not for nothing that we try to adjust our fate so that predictions, whatever they may be, come true. That's why it's so important that they be positive. If we take into account the majority of astrological predictions and factors, then unlike its predecessor, the horse, the Year of the Goat will be more peaceful and calm. The year will be auspicious for practically all the signs of the Zodiac and will bring many positive changes. 

No, this is not getting crazy about positive thinking - which, by the way, is something the entire planet is in desperate need of. That's a fact. And, interestingly, the entire Universe will give its blessing to positive thinking. As it turns out, together with the New Year the planet Jupiter enters its reign. Astrologists say that Jupiter is the perfect patron. The influence of this planet will be extremely positive, so during this time we can expect a lot of good and positive things. As a result of several planets changing their signs in the coming year, many people will change their consciousness - their priorities will be completely different, and opinions and views will change. It is completely possible that these changes will affect such areas as fashion, economics, and politics. 

And truly, it's high time that those in haute couture change their views on fashion, which has in a way lost its gender. Maybe men's fashion will finally become manly, and women's fashion womanly? It's high time that economists stop artificially hiking and lowering global prices, and it's high time that politicians stop getting involved in the intrigues of world geopolitics. Perhaps the Goat can finally bring peace to our troubled souls?

And moving on to what's truly important, financially the Year of the Goat will be good for all signs of the Zodiac, although the biggest successes will be reached by those who keep working hard and continue pursuing their goals. Which in no way conflicts with the concepts of positive thinking. Besides this astrologists recommend being bolder in solving the problems and unexpected situations that arise, but not making rash conclusions or making decisions that could radically alter your life. 

But there is one "but". Despite the overall optimism of these predictions, there will be problems in the coming year. They will be health-related. The goat stubbornly recommends taking care of how you feel, meaning that preventative steps and timely diagnoses are a good idea. You should move more, be optimistic and positive about everything, and then fun and good spirits are guaranteed. Which we were planning to anyway. 

Wise Azerbaijani philosophy

The New Year is the best possible reason to get ready for spring. It is the perfect conception of time, which not only lets you think positively, but save money, too. One example will suffice. If you start buying yourself spring or summer clothes in winter, then you will pay what they are really worth, and you won't overpay for them during the summer. By the way, those haute couture people we talked about earlier follow this same conception, which is "dig the well before you are thirsty." In spring and summer they prepare for the shows for their winter collection, in fall and winter - for the summer shows. Trying to do something ahead of time is just as important as thinking positive. There's nothing wrong with taking a rational approach in everything you do. That is what Azerbaijani mythology tells us: in it the Goat acts very rationally. It's simply that few people know that. 

According to Azerbaijani philosophy, the Goat symbolizes the middle world, i.e. the world of people, which is also embodied by horses, oxen, rams, deer, etc. Symbolic depictions of goats and rams are used in nearly all spheres of Azerbaijani folk art. Umid Aysel, a researcher at the Institute of Archeology and Ethnography, tells us that they figure in many Azerbaijani monuments. These are representations of two goats on either side of the world tree, symbolizing the sun and replacing the swastika (the sign of the sun), and the representations of goats symbolizing the middle world, and the place of the image of the goat in rituals for the Norvuz holiday - the holiday of spring, the rebirth of nature, plenty, etc.

Therefore, while preparing to celebrate the New Year, whether it's the winter or the spring one, and saying goodbye to the old, we don't even suspect how close we are to the victory of good over evil, according to the worldview of Azerbaijani philosophy, by learning to think positive and at the same time rationally. And the Goat, if the symbols are to be believed, will always wish us, Azerbaijanis, well in this, and not only in 2015. Which means that we can already be ready for springtime in our hearts.

But seriously

Symbols, symbols, symbols… They are everywhere a person's inquisitive glance might fall, waiting to reveal the world around us. Doubtless, if they could talk, they would tell us: "Don't ignore us! We can reveal secrets to you that no one else will. We carry within us deep meaning, placed in us by your distant ancestors so that they could pass on to you ancient knowledge!" So let's welcome the goat! The old year is still with us, and so we still have time to get a toy of 2015's symbol. It can be placed on the New Year's tree or placed on the holiday table. With this gesture you can gain the patronage and gratitude of the Goat, and in doing this homeowners can invite it into their home. Another important symbol of the coming year are bells, which attract into your home success, health, and happiness. Don't ignore the holiday spirit and positive feeling. Give as a gift to yourself, your children, and those you love. Ultimately nothing is keeping us from being in a holiday spirit all the time. And if you don't manage to make a wish on New Year's, you can always make it in February. You can save it until Norvuz Holiday. And then summer's right around the corner. Be happy, and have a happy New Year!