By Gianna Maniego
THE Year of the Fire Monkey ushers in a year of opportunities and challenges. Not surprisingly, energies and trends that would dominate during the year are reflective of the Monkey, who is cunning and scheming.
This year’s focus will be on physical and financial security, says feng shui expert Marites Allen, and there are overwhelming rewards for those who will take advantage of opportunities that open up.
And there will be lots of opportunities, she says, as the business outlook seems bright and full of potential. The stock market will be bullish and certain industries, especially those related to water and metal, will be fruitful and productive.
It will be a year fraught with arguments and misunderstandings, though there is also a willingness to compromise and meet halfway.
The world is changing rapidly, and this year energies point to an increasing breakdown in law and order, not to mention natural and manmade disasters, Allen says. There will be challenges to authority, as people look after their own welfare. A good rule to follow is to watch your back, but keep an eye out for opportunities and be ready to work them to your advantage.
There are those who will experience overwhelming luck, Allen says, if they know how to take advantage of their winds of fortune. There are also those who will not be so lucky.
The good news is, no one’s luck is all bad throughout the year, and with a little help from cures and enhancers, you can take what you’re dealt with and temper the results so that you don’t experience calamitous consequences.
Rat
The Rat-born will finish what he started to accomplish last year. Take time to rest so as not to jeopardize your health. The potential to earn is high. A new partnership or collaboration project may be offered. But be wary of theft or betrayal, as the Burglary Star flies to the North this year. When it comes to money, be careful who you trust. To guard against robbery, wear a rhino keychain and put a blue rhino figurine in the north sector of your house or your desk.
Ox
Ox-born people, unfortunately, suffer this year from the presence of the dreaded Five-Yellow or Misfortune Star, which brings bad news in health, relationships, business, career and finance. It is important to remain committed and resolute, and not give in to the obstacles that may be thrown at you. Monitor expenses and attend to your health. Cut down on traveling. Wear protective charms like the heart sutra keychain and place the Five-Elements Pagoda in the Northeast to counteract the effects of the Misfortune Star. The Northeast is also facing the direction of Tai Sui, or Grand Duke Jupiter.
Tiger
The Tiger-born are probably the unluckiest of all this year because they are triply afflicted. Aside from being the conflict animal of the Monkey, the Tiger, along with the Ox, also resides in the Northeast, which suffers from the presence of the Misfortune Star and directly faces the direction of the Tai Sui, which sits in the Southwest this year. Do not incur the wrath of the Tai Sui. The best way to avoid angering this god is to put a Pi Yao in the Northeast corner. Under no circumstances should you make any repairs or construction in this corner. Remove any TV or radio and keep the corner as quiet as possible. If you are a Tiger, your best bet is to put a Five-Elements Pagoda in the Northeast and carry a heart sutra keychain. Tigers and Oxes should also consider donating blood to offset the bad luck.
Rabbit
Exciting times and fantastic wealth luck are in store for the Rabbit-born. The Rabbit benefits from the presence of the Magnifying Star, which flies to the East this year. Career and/or business opportunities will come your way in abundance. Do not shy away from them. Be proactive. This is also the year to unleash your creativity. Just be mindful of your health and do not overdo things to avoid serious issues. Wear a mystic knot charm, a wealth bag keychain or Tree of Life pendant. Rabbit is a wood sign, and the absence of water this year will tend to weaken it. Therefore, Rabbit people should always carry an element of water on them, by wearing blue or black clothes, or by carrying water globe charms. Also, put water elements, like a vase or small fountain, in the East to keep the wood element of the sector nourished. Those worried about their health should carry a garuda bird keychain.
Dragon
There is so much good fortune coming to the Dragon this year. The presence of the Victory Star in the Southeast indicates success in all competitive endeavors. Its energies bring career, travel and academic luck, as well as opportunities for financial gain. The Dragon is also an ally of the Monkey and can call on its support whenever he needs it. Avoid games of chance as the percentage of winning is low. Be careful where you invest your money as well. Pay attention to your relationship to avoid serious misunderstandings. Carry a ruyi or an allies keychain.
Snake
Snake-born people enjoy the support of their allies—the Monkey, the Rooster and the Dragon—all of whom enjoy good fortune this year. There is also the possibility of career advancement. On the relationship side, those who have been dating for some time may hear wedding bells soon. Make sure that you keep your home and your surroundings secure. Avoid issues that may cause your blood pressure to rise. If you are a Snake, you can enhance your luck by carrying a mystic knot bag charm or an allies keychain.
Horse
The presence of Heaven’s Luck in the South indicates help from influential people and potential windfall. But be cautious about managing your resources. It is not a good time to make major investments. Keep business deals on the down low. Pay attention to your health. Lessen the workload and take the time to rest.
Take things slowly to lessen the risk of injury. There is also the possibility of work-related travel. For Horse-born people, carrying pagoda and coin symbols will enhance their luck. Because the three killings store resides in the south this year, it is best not to disturb this sector. Keep the area quiet and do not sit with your back to this direction.
Sheep
Those born in the year of the Sheep enjoy the presence of the Wealth Star, which flies to the Southwest this year. As such, there will be an abundance of opportunities, and it is only for the Sheep to grab them to enjoy prosperity. Go for the brass ring. Aim high. Now is the time to be ambitious. Success will be yours for the picking. In the romance department, this is the perfect time to get married or have a baby. Sheep-born people should carry a wealth bag charm, or wear an Allies bracelet to enhance their luck. They can also activate their wealth luck in Southwest sector by placing a water feature or Wish Fulfilling Cow in that area.
Monkey
The luckiest of all signs this year is the Monkey, because fabulous wealth opportunities are coming his way. Not only because it is his year, but also because of the Wealth Star that flies to the Southwest. The female Monkey, in particular, will have the strength of the Matriarch, which rules the Southwest sector. In addition, it enjoys the support of the Tai Sui. Be on the lookout for a big deal that will soon be coming your way. Healthwise, there is risk of minor injury on the road. Stay calm to avoid accidents. Wear a frog bracelet, or carry a Tai Sui coin to harness the support of the god of the year. Also, activate your wealth by putting a water feature or three different-shaped blue vases in the Southwest.
Rooster
Love is in the air for Rooster-born people as the Romance Star flies to their corner this year. If you’re a Rooster, and you have romantic feelings for someone, don’t be afraid to express yourself to him or her. Who knows what that confession may lead to? Activate your romance sector (West) by placing a pair of Mandarina ducks or love birds in this area.
Meanwhile, couples who are thinking of settling down should make serious plans to do so this year. It’s now or never. On a financial note, seek the advice of seniors when it comes to your resources. Invest wisely and save your money for a rainy day. Career-wise, work promotion and salary increase are possible this year. Wear a pair of mystic knot earrings or an allies bracelet to enhance your luck.
Dog
Those born in the year of the Dog will have to exercise a lot of patience as the Argument Star flies to the Northwest this year. Try to control your temper and avoid being provoked into a fight. The Quarrelsome Star affects the patriarchs—heads of the household, heads of corporations and heads of state—and could result in serious consequences if not kept in check. Imagine World War III being triggered by, say, a disagreement over bananas.
Be more tolerant and forgiving of your partner as well; try to avoid conflicts that would blow things out of proportion. When it comes to your finances, do not place all your eggs in one basket.
Assess your business deals and if they are too good to be true, they probably are. Seek a more objective opinion. Wear a rhino bangle with yinyang and hum or a ksitigarbha (fireball) keychain to subdue the Argument Star.
Boar
Despite the presence of the Argument Star, the Boar is one of the luckiest animal signs this year. This is because it enjoys the luck of Heaven Seal. Whoever has this seal may receive the favor of the cosmic divinity. Those who possess this can avert misfortune brought by inauspicious planetary alignments by calling on the heavens to help. Windfall luck will bring you a stable income but try to control the need to show off as this may invite robbers to look in your direction. Take care of your health as there are indications of serious life-threatening illness or a mental breakdown due to legal problems or family disharmony. Wear the Allies bracelet for additional support. Carry the ksitigarbha keychain to subdue the Argument Star. Place symbols of the Earth and Heavens Seal in the Northwest to activate Heavens Seal.
ADDITIONAL NOTES
With the Illness Star flying to the center of the chart, health will be a major concern for everyone. Those who do not have strong life forces this year could benefit from a little boost from specific cures that must be placed at proper corners of the house. Placing a medicine Buddha or wu lou in the middle of the house or room can counteract the effects of this inauspicious star. The elderly or sickly should also put a crystal wu lou by their bedside or carry keychains with the image of the garuda bird.
The Paht Chee chart indicates the presence of three fire elements, three metal elements, one earth, one wood and no water elements. The presence of three fire elements indicate destructive energies which translate to fierce competition in business and, unfortunately, disgruntlement among employees or subordinates. The presence of three metals indicate opportunities for wealth. Because the year and month pillars are clashing (Monkey and Tiger are conflict animals), it is advisable to place the figure of a Boar in the Southwest corner of your home or office.
Because of the absence of the water element this year, wearing blue, black or grey, which represent water, would be auspicious, as well as wearing lots of jewelry (metal).
Wearing or carrying the images or symbols of your allies will help correct the imbalance of the elements in the Paht Chee chart.
****
Marites Allen offers a selection of cures and enhancers at her Frigga boutique stores at SM The Block, SM Mall of Asia, SM Megamall, Serendra Piazza, SRP Cebu, F1 Hotel and Glorietta 4. You can order online at www.wealthluck.com. Charms and remedies are also available in Chinatown.
Image credits: Gianna Maniego