PETALING JAYA: Going on a break for Chinese New Year is a must, but the day you come back to office, whether for work or business, is crucial too.

       According to Chinese metaphysics experts, it is more important to recommence work or business on an auspicious day to usher in positive vibes and optimism for career advancement and business success.Feng shui and geomancy consultant Prof Joe Choo Sook Lin said restarting work or business on an auspicious date after the Chinese New Year celebration symbolises starting the new year with positive energy and intentions.

       To kick-start work after the spring break, Choo said we simply need to enter the office or workplace at the selected date and time.

       “Then we switch on the lights, our desktop or laptop and office machines such as the photocopier symbolising that you have begun work on the auspicious day. We can then make a wish according to our faith, facing the auspicious directions.

       “An auspicious start is thought to create a harmonious and positive atmosphere in the workplace, fostering good relationships among colleagues and setting the tone for a successful year ahead.

       “There are auspicious dates for resuming work after the Chinese New Year. However, it does not involve any elaborate ritual if you observe the auspicious dates,” she said in an interview yesterday.Choo noted that resuming work after celebrating the Chinese New Year holds even greater significance for business owners.

       “In the feng shui perspective, business owners are regarded as the heads of their business families. So the prosperity and well-being of the business owner, akin to the head of a family, have a direct impact on the overall success and harmony of the entire business family.

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       “Therefore, aligning business activities with auspicious dates and ensuring a positive start after CNY is not merely about individual fortunes but extends to the collective prosperity of the business and its stakeholders,” she said.

       Choo also played down some people’s concerns that certain auspicious dates could conflict with some animal zodiac signs, as dividing the entire world population into only 12 groups based on animal zodiac signs is “not a justifiable approach”.

       “The selection of these auspicious dates is grounded in the ‘Qi Men Dun Jia’ method, a system that transcends the influence of negative events, irrespective of individual animal zodiac signs,” she said.

       Qi Men Dun Jia is an ancient divination method to accurately select the exact time and direction to take action and produce desired results. It is a study of Chinese metaphysics that makes a lot of references to celestial objects, as timing plays a large part in a person’s successes and failures, and is the divine that dictates the right time it happens.

       Meanwhile, feng shui master Kenny Hoo said that when resuming work during Chinese New Year, business owners or bosses should start off with the right mind.

       “Open the company door happily and full of good energy. Then they can start their computer and, from their workstation, send out greeting messages on social media platforms, share happy pictures and even business proposals.

       “However, they should never send any invoice to their clients after resuming work,” he said, adding that invoices should only be sent after the 15th day of the Chinese New Year.

       Following careful calculation, Hoo said among the auspicious dates and times to resume work during the Chinese New Year celebration are: Feb 13 (9am to 1pm, except for those who are born in the Year of the Ox), Feb 15 (7am to 9am, 1pm to 3pm, except Rabbit), Feb 18 (7am to 11am, except Horse), Feb 21 (11am to 3pm, except Rooster) and Feb 22 (9am to 11am, except Dog).

       Hoo also encouraged business owners to give ang pows to their staff as a good sign of blessings for everyone and the business.

       “They can also have a small feast at the office, such as lou sang and gathering over meals, to boost the festive cheer. Since it is still going to be a challenging year economically, it is important to heighten the positive qi (energy or aura) at the workplace,” he said.

       He also encouraged business owners and workers to deposit money into their account on the day they resume work as a good omen.