A DEVELOPER has marked the beginning of the Lunar New Year in Wokingham with a ceremony at one of its sites.
David Wilson Homes held a traditional Feng Shui ground blessing at its Ashridge Grange development on Warren House Road to start celebrations ahead of Chinese New Year, and welcomed the Year of the Rabbit in 2023.
The event, held on Friday, January 20, was hosted by Master Charlotte Frejya-Richwoods from Rising Dragon Feng Shui.
It was attended by a number of representatives from Wokingham Borough Council, the town mayor, Cllr Maria Gee, senior staff from David Wilson Southern Counties and residents at Ashridge Grange.
Master Frejya-Richwoods delivered a traditional Chinese ground blessing at the development to wish success, harmony and balance for new homeowners.
Kimberley Benson, sales and marketing director for David Wilson Southern Counties, said:: “Chinese New Year is a time reserved for coming together as a community, to celebrate the passing of another year and wish good luck to one another for the months ahead.
“In the spirit of the new year, we were proud to welcome a Feng Shui master to hold the first Ground Blessing at Ashridge Grange, to invoke luck and success as we deliver much-needed new homes to Wokingham.”
The event included a number of blessings and offerings to the Ground Deity, including cleansing Buddhist mantra chanting to promote a prosperous and auspicious year ahead, and a ground blessing of consecrated Talisman water.
The space was then cleared and blessed by the ringing of the sacred Vajra bell and Dorje, accompanied by hand mudras; while offerings of smelling incense, fruit, flowers and tea were made to the Ground Deity following the traditional Chinese methods observed in South East Asia.
Master Angela Ang, spokesperson for Rising Dragon Feng Shui, added: “The Year of the Rabbit is best known for peace, longevity and hope, and the ground blessing allows us to infuse these traits into the very homes at Ashridge Grange.
“Using traditional Buddhist methods, we blessed the land earmarked for development at Ashridge Grange to welcome a happy and prosperous year ahead.”
