As a way of wishing you a happy Chinese new year, I thought I'd take a crack at Chinese fortune telling. Below you will find my prediction for the year, based on my rudimentary understanding of feng shui.

Wishing you prosperity, joy, health and love!

Moses

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Predictions for Ji Cho’u, Year of the Ox

According to feng shui theory, the Year 2009 will see a dry and hot year. Fire is the ruling star in 2009 [note: this is why I took a firewalking workshop] and the combination of the Earth element from the Ox means it is a year of productivity. Meaning that Fire energy in the Stars will power a strong productive Earthly Ox. Overall, the Ox is the sign of prosperity through fortitude and hard work, and success in an Ox year needs discipline. It is not the time for unruly behavior, partying and having fun. Well, unless you're a workaholic and work is fun.

The ox year will see a slow moving pace during the beginning of the year – and in general, anything you do will not bear results until autumn. However, every sector will pick up and should improve slowly. This is a spill over from the energy of the Rat year – i.e., the worst economic meltdown of our times! That's the feng shui energy of the world right now... the hardworking Ox is taking over from the mischievous Rat, and he must pull us out of the hole bored by the Rat, during its reign.

I'd like to add that any similarities to presidential administrations is entirely coincidental... however, it should be pointed out that Barack Obama was born in the year of the Ox, and George Bush was born in the year of the Dog. And you might have guessed this, but Dick Cheney was born in the year of the Snake!

Anyway, for us normal working folk, this means that hard work and patience will lead us to a better third quarter year period after some adversity at the onset of the year.

Remember the Ox is an Earth sign animal, and the element that is produced by Earth is Metal. Since autumn belongs to the metal element, the markets should be restored and and positive energy be sensed by the harvest of 2009. But now is the time to sow seeds and roll up our sleeves and work hard!

BUSINESS PREDICTIONS

Fire element businesses – like cosmetics, electrical, computers, restaurants, and airlines – should experience a decent return. However, in the stock market, do not attempt to speculate early in the year. You can possibly catch positive upswings from end of July till the end of the year 2009. Business "energy" should enjoy its most positive time between August and September. Invest cautiously and within your means!

Don't forget that this is a year of fire, so water element businesses will be in conflict with this year's ruling element. These include industries like insurance, shipping, etc. Lee Sing-tong, a third-generation feng shui master in Hong Kong, said China may suffer a water shortage in the next 12 months.

LOVE PREDICTIONS

This is not a good year for love. In the year of the Ox, in general, women will want to bask in luxury, while the men are stressed out about money, working around the clock, and generally in a foul mood. However, the Ox has a lot of base sexual energy (fire inside), so a very hot love affair is quite possible. Just don't expect or demand everlasting love... in fact, relationships have a tendency to turn cold, due to the stubbornness of the Ox.

Also, it is an excellent year for those who were born in the year of monkey – this is your time to shine. For those who were born in the year of pig, this is your ‘run-about’ year – so expect to travel a lot.

Finally, to remain in a state of grace and luck, you should follow these suggestions:

1. Be kind-hearted. Willingness to help others is most crucial to enhance one's personal luck. Get involved in a charity and you will feel that your luck improve.
2. Always say something nice to others and your luck will be better than before.
3. Put water features at the right locations i.e. the southwest and east of your house or office. The water should flow to the direction of your house as water symbolizes wealth.
4. Circulate the auspicious qi at South-East by putting an aquarium, water feature, fan or clock there. South-East is the best location for 2009. If the main door of your house is located at the South-East, open the door wide enough to welcome the auspicious qi. Nevertheless, do not put any rubbish bin at the South-East. Always keep the South-East sector clean.
5. Cleanliness is a must. Do an entire clear-up in your house and you will enjoy better luck right away. [Note: This is why I did a 3 day New Year's cleanup for my house.]
6. The worst sector is the North. Place a metal wind chime there.
7. Avoid any renovation at the North and East sectors of your house.
8. Always keep some money in your pocket or for you shamans... in your medicine bag.