Auspicious Wedding Dates: Choosing The Perfect Day For Your Nuptials

Auspicious wedding dates refer to lucky times to get married and are a common belief among many cultures. The number eight is considered lucky in some Asian cultures because it sounds like the word for wealth or fortune. In Jewish culture, the Hebrew word for life, chai, is composed of letters with numerical values that add up to 18, a major number in Judaism. In Hindu culture, couples often let the stars and planets decide when and where to get married, looking to their zodiac signs to settle on lucky times and dates to ensure a prosperous marriage. In Chinese culture, auspicious wedding dates are typically found by numerological analysis of the date in the Chinese calendar.

Lucky dates in the Zodiac

When it comes to weddings, many people consider lucky dates when choosing when to tie the knot. While some may refer to numerology, others may look to the stars and their Zodiac sign to determine an auspicious date.

Each Zodiac sign is associated with specific days that carry unique energies and fortunes. Here is a breakdown of lucky days for each Zodiac sign:

• Aries: Tuesdays and Saturdays, powered by Mars.
• Taurus: Mercury-ruled Wednesdays and Venus-ruled Fridays.
• Gemini: Emotional Mondays and Mercury-ruled Wednesdays.
• Cancer: Lunar Mondays and Jupiter-ruled Thursdays.
• Leo: Sundays and Venus-ruled Fridays.
• Virgo: Mercury-ruled Wednesdays and disciplined Saturdays.
• Libra: Venus-ruled Fridays and focused Saturdays.
• Scorpio: Tuesdays and Jupiter-ruled Thursdays.
• Sagittarius: Jupiter-ruled Thursdays and energised Sundays.
• Capricorn: Disciplined Saturdays and Mars-ruled Tuesdays.
• Aquarius: Sun-ruled Sundays and Mercury-ruled Wednesdays.
• Pisces: Jupiter-ruled Thursdays and peaceful Mondays.

In addition to lucky days, certain numbers are also considered auspicious for each Zodiac sign. For example, the lucky number for Aries is six, while for Taurus, it is five and six. These numbers are believed to bring good fortune and success in different areas of life, such as career, money, travel, love, or family.

According to the Chinese Zodiac, each sign also has specific lucky days. For instance, those born in the year of the Rat are said to be intelligent and fond of study, and their lucky days are the 4th, 13th, and 30th of any month in the Chinese Lunar Calendar.

So, whether you're planning a wedding or just curious about your lucky days, consulting astrological insights and numerology can provide guidance and a sense of anticipation for the future.

The role of numerology in choosing a wedding date

Numerology is the ancient practice, started by Greek philosopher Pythagoras, of studying the influence that numbers have on life events and purpose. It is the belief that numbers carry specific vibrations and meanings and can significantly influence the energy of your big day.

By choosing a wedding date with numerology, you are selecting a date based on the life path numbers of you and your partner, or numbers that hold positive meanings. Your life path number is calculated from your date of birth and represents your personality, inherent traits, and life journey's overarching themes.

To calculate your life path number, you add each unit of your birth date (month, day, and year) until you reach a single digit. For example, if you were born on September 1, 2001, you would add the reduced numbers of the month, day, and year: 9 + 1 + 3 (2+0+0+1=3) = 13, which reduces to 4 (because 1+3=4). This number is then used to interpret the date's vibrational meaning.

Each number is believed to carry specific attributes. For instance, the number 1 is about powerful new beginnings, the number 2 is about partnership and empathy, and the number 3 is about creativity and fun.

When choosing a wedding date, it is advised to select one that is compatible with both partners' life path numbers for the best energetic alignment. For example, if one partner has a life path number of 3 and the other a 5, choosing a date that reduces to 3, 5, or 8 (the sum of both) could be considered favourable.

In addition to life path numbers, there are other numerical considerations when choosing a wedding date. These include the universal day number, found by adding the numbers of the desired wedding date, and the marriage number, found by adding both partners' life path numbers together.

By aligning your wedding date with numerology, you can choose a day that resonates with harmony and love, setting the stage for a joyous and auspicious union.

Chinese culture and the Tung Shing calendar

In Chinese culture, the Tung Shing calendar (also called the Yellow Calendar or the Imperial Calendar) is a traditional divination guide and almanac. It is primarily a calendar based on Chinese solar terms, rather than the Chinese lunar-solar calendar. The Tung Shing calendar is used to determine auspicious wedding dates, which are considered to be lucky times to get married.

The calendar originated from the Wong Lik, or the "Yellow Calendar", which is attributed to the Yellow Emperor in legend. The name was changed from Tung Shu, meaning "All-knowing Book", to Tung Shing, meaning "Victorious in All Things", due to the pronunciation of the word for "book" being a homophone for "defeated" in Cantonese Chinese and Mandarin Chinese.

The Tung Shing calendar is used by many feng shui practitioners and destiny diviners to select dates and times for important events like marriages, official opening ceremonies, house moving-in, and big contract signings. It is also used to determine the auspicious timing for such activities.

When choosing an auspicious wedding date using the Tung Shing calendar, there are several things to consider. Firstly, it is important to avoid the birthday of the bride, groom, and relatives. It is also advisable to avoid the month or day that conflicts with the zodiac sign of the couple. For example, if the bride or groom is born in the Year of the Rat, they should avoid the Horse month or day.

Additionally, it is considered auspicious to give priority to the bride's birthday when choosing the wedding date. It is believed that ignoring this rule can lead to problems in the marriage, such as divorce.

Other factors to consider include the work and study schedules of both parties, as well as the physical condition of the bride and groom. It is recommended to delay the wedding if one of them is sick or in physical discomfort, as it is believed that this can affect the harmony of the new life together.

By following the Tung Shing calendar and considering these various factors, couples can choose an auspicious wedding date that aligns with positive cosmic influences, bringing good fortune, prosperity, and happiness to their married life.

Jewish traditions and restrictions

Jewish weddings are steeped in rich traditions and rituals that connect modern couples to the Jewish religion and culture's vast history. While wedding ceremonies can vary, there are several common features and restrictions to be aware of when planning a Jewish wedding. Here are some of the most important Jewish traditions and restrictions to consider:

The Aufruf

The Aufruf is a Yiddish term meaning "to call up." During the Aufruf, which usually takes place the Saturday before the wedding, the bride and groom are called to the Torah for a blessing called an aliyah. The rabbi then offers a misheberach blessing, and it is customary for the congregation to throw candies at the couple to wish them a sweet life together.

Fasting on the Wedding Day

In Jewish tradition, the wedding day is considered a day of forgiveness. Some couples choose to fast on their wedding day, similar to Yom Kippur, and break their fast with their first meal as a married couple.

The Ketubah

The Ketubah is a symbolic Jewish marriage contract that outlines the groom's responsibilities to his bride. It details the conditions he will provide in the marriage, the bride's protections and rights, and the framework should the couple divorce. The Ketubah is signed by the couple and two witnesses before the ceremony and is then read to the guests during the wedding ceremony.

The Bedeken or Veiling

During the Ketubah signing, the groom veils the bride, signifying his love for her inner beauty and that they are distinct individuals even after marriage. This tradition also stems from the biblical story of Jacob, who was tricked into marrying the wrong sister because she was veiled.

The Chuppah

The Chuppah is a canopy under which the wedding ceremony takes place, symbolizing the new home being built by the couple. In Ashkenazi ceremonies, the Chuppah includes a cloth canopy held up by four beams, while Sephardic weddings may use the groom's tallit (prayer shawl) as the Chuppah.

Circling the Groom

In Ashkenazi tradition, the bride traditionally circles the groom three or seven times under the Chuppah. This ritual may be derived from Jeremiah 31:22, "A woman shall surround a man," and is believed to create a magical wall of protection and symbolize the bride creating a new family circle. In egalitarian weddings, the groom may also circle the bride, and then they circle each other.

The Wedding Rings

In traditional Jewish weddings, the groom gives the bride a plain wedding band made of solid metal (gold, silver, or platinum) with no stones. The ring is placed on the bride's right index finger, which is believed to be directly connected to the heart. In egalitarian weddings, the bride may also present a ring to the groom.

The Sheva B'rachot

The Sheva B'rachot are seven blessings that come from ancient teachings. They are often read in Hebrew and English by family members or friends and include blessings for joy, celebration, and the power of love.

Breaking of the Glass

At the end of the ceremony, the groom (or sometimes the couple together) breaks a glass inside a cloth bag, symbolizing the destruction of the Temple in Jerusalem and reminding us that marriage holds both sorrow and joy. Guests then shout "Mazel Tov!", wishing the couple good luck and congratulations.

Yichud (Seclusion)

After the ceremony, the couple spends at least eight minutes in yichud, or seclusion, allowing them private time to reflect on their new relationship and bond as a married couple. They also share their first meal together during this time.

The Hora

The Hora is a celebratory dance at the wedding reception where guests dance in a circle. The bride and groom are seated on chairs and lifted into the air while holding onto a handkerchief or cloth napkin.

Restrictions on Wedding Dates

Jewish weddings should not be held on Shabbat or Jewish holidays, including Chol HaMoed. Additionally, certain months and days are considered more or less auspicious.

Hindu culture and the Panchangam calendar

The Hindu calendar, also called the Panchangam (or Panchangam calendar) in Sanskrit, is a lunisolar calendar traditionally used in the Indian subcontinent and Southeast Asia. It is one of many variations of lunisolar calendars, with differences in emphasis on the moon cycle or sun cycle, as well as when the New Year starts. The Panchangam is based on a geocentric model of the Solar System, with a large part of the calendar defined by the movement of the Sun and Moon around the Earth.

The Panchangam consists of five parts of the day: the name of the day, the tithi (or lunar day) of the day, the star of the day, the yogam of the day, and the karam of the day. The yogam of the day is the latitudinal and longitudinal information of the Sun and the Moon, with their combined longitude divided into 27 parts. The karam of the day is half of a tithi, or the time required for the angular distance between the Sun and the Moon to increase by 6°.

The Panchangam is used to determine auspicious dates for various purposes, including weddings. In Hindu Vedic astrology, a couple's zodiac signs are first determined, which aids in the search for an auspicious wedding date. An astrologer will determine the groom's astrological position in relation to the moon and the bride's in relation to the sun, and then suggest lucky times and dates for the wedding.

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