Animal Zodiac

How Zodiac animals will

By Doreena Naeg

THE Year of the Rat that begins on Feb 7 heralds the start of another 12-year cycle of the Chinese Zodiac. But for 2008, the significance of this new beginning is diminished by an imbalance of the elements.
According to Malaysia’s own iconic geomancer, Lillian Too, this imbalance is brought about by the missing metal and fire elements, as well as the absence of the “lap chun” on Feb 4 and an early spring.

UNLUCKY: The Year of the Rat is predicted to be inauspicious as it has the missing elements of fire and metal, not to mention lap chun!.
Too points out that from the feng shui perspective, these vagaries are harbingers of a bleak year ahead.
She predicts the Rat will bring a barren new year as it lacks the fruiting and harvesting luck. The seasons — spring, summer, autumn and winter — all come a tad too early, thus affecting harvests. Rain is plentiful but unfortunately falls in most inappropriate places. The agricultural sector will face an uphill battle.
This year will also see the clashing of elements of which the heavenly stem is earth while the earthly branch is water.
Too explains that in the cycle of elements, earth destroys water. Hence, she adds, the clashing of elements causes disharmony and poor yield.
Natural catastrophes and political conflicts — either on the national or international front — are predicted this year whereas for health, the major problems will be stomach-related ailments.
But not all is lost from the feng shui viewpoint in the new year as plenty of earth luck, indicating wealth, can be expected. The potential to create wealth abounds for those willing to tap into it.
On the upside, as the harginger a new Zodiac cycle, the Year of the Rat is expected to bring hope for a better start in the political arena. Visited by the White Star 1, it also promises victory over competition as well as career and education successes. Moreover, the Heaven Star 6, located in the North Sector, will bring a waft of good fortune (windfalls) from speculative investments.
The year 2008 bodes well for the Dragons and Boars — the former being blessed with the Earth Seal while the latter by a celestial visit from the Heaven Seal.
Generally, the new year will be good for all Rats. They will reap benefits from the heavenly stars amidst abundant opportunities. Luck for wealth is also plentiful and the presence of “Tai Sui” will help Rats make the best of their good fortune.
Rats will, however, do well to be prudent as their lucky streak will inevitably arouse jealousy and stiff competition. They are advised to keep a positive outlook and persevere in their endeavours to turn these adversities to their favour.
“Display a “PI Xie” in the north to thwart trouble-makers,” Too advises.

RAT — for those born under this sign, success is expected to come as early as February with excellent luck in relationships. To enhance this, place in the north sector of the house eight Immortal Coins to maximise the heavenly luck. Activate good networking luck by displaying your allies and secret friends (Dragon, Monkey and Ox) in the north sector. To combat stress and benefit from good health, carry a good health amulet.
OX — the Year of the Rat is smoother and better for Oxen than last year. Love luck is on the rise with abundant opportunities for singles to find partners while married couples will rekindle love and passion in their marriage.
Placing a pair of mandarin ducks in the southwest sector of the home will actualise marriage luck. Wearing a two-eyed Dzi bead will do the trick just as well.
Relationships with peers will be further enhanced by wearing the four Heavenly Kings amulet while potential corporate climbers may find the Mantra Ring with lapis lazuli helpful. The new year promises Oxen a smooth sail in their careers with opportunities for promotions and increased incomes.
Ox students can wear the Education Amulet to enhance their academic luck. Given that 2008 will be a hectic and rewarding year, Oxen will experience bouts of stress and may get burnt out, thus it is wise for them to carry the Herbal Wu Lou or the medicine Buddha bracelet for good health.
TIGER — those born under this sign can expect 2008 to be better than the previous year. The stars of romance and scholastic excellence hover over them.
However, the Tiger’s intrinsic element of wood will cause aggression in the pursuit of success which will, in turn, produce friction with people. Such emotions will run high with Tigers this year. Thus, they are advised to keep their feelings in check!
To control their temper, they should display the Ksiddigarbha Fireball in the northwest sector of their homes. This year will also see Tigers enjoying auspicious luck from the 24 Mountains as there will be small packets of good fortune for them. Tigers are recommended to wear metal such as the Om Mani Padme Hum or Kalachakra to maximise good luck.
Tigers will be able to enjoy much of the borrowing luck and, are thus, encouraged to carry the Ally Coin or display figurines of their allies and secret friends (Horse, Dog and Boar).
Tigers are also advised to wear the Education Amulet to maximise their academic luck while a four-eyed Dzi will give the wearer wisdom and clarity of thought.
RABBIT — a great year for those born under this sign with plenty of money-making and success-oriented opportunities. However, Rabbits are prone to fatigue and lethargy due to the declining energy star present in their Zodiac.
Displaying a horoscope water feature in the east sector of their homes will help strengthen the intrinsic energy while displaying figurines of the Boar, Sheep and Dog will help tap the energy of “Tien-Ti-Ren.”
Alternatively, tap most of the luck the year offers by placing a monkey figurine sitting on an elephant on your desk for the promise of a promotion.
To tap the wealth luck, placing the yellow Jambhala holding a mongoose in the “sheng chi” direction of the house may help. For self-protection, wear a Guardian Amulet while the Kalachakara Plaque above the front door of the house will keep it from being burglarised
Good news for single Rabbits as their peach blossom luck will be in full bloom and to enhance it, they should place a Rat figurine in the north sector of their bedroom, A seven-eyed Dzi will help Rabbits do well this year!
DRAGON — a hectic year for those born under this sign as their creativity will be at its peak! They are advised to exercise self-restraint to avoid being impulsive. The new year sees the Completion Star combining forces with the Earth Seal which, when joined with the Dragon’s natural drive to succeed, will provide Dragons with a formidable force.
Wear a three-eyed Dzi or a ‘Hum” Pendant in gold to attract supporters and good health while the Earth Seal, a potent symbol for the year, will ensure excellent luck.
Recognition and promotion luck can be enhanced by placing a monkey on a horse on the office desk while to pep up the Dragon’s intrinsic energy, place a Nine Dragon Incense Bruner in front of the house or hang a Nine Dragon Screen in the southeast sector.
SNAKE — a better year for those born under this sign as 2008 will see renewed energy and health. From March onwards, Snakes can expect an overall positive change from career to health as they gain luck and strength.
Careerwise, recognition luck abounds and Snakes can expect higher incomes, and to enhance their promotion luck, are advised to place a monkey on an elephant or a Golden Ru Yi on the work desk.
A Bodyguard Amulet is necessary to thwart muggers and snatch thieves as Snakes this year are prone to these adversaries. Placing figurines of the Door Guardian near the main door will protect the house. Using a Nine Dragon Wallet also helps keep money safe.
Those in business or sales may find the Pak Choy helpful. It should be placed in the southeast of the living room to increase business or sales. Wearing the 10-eyed Dzi will ensure smooth sailing in all endeavors while lonely hearts can enhance their romance luck by carrying the Infinity or Mystic Knot Symbol.
HORSE — those born under this sign can expect a tough year ahead — one filled with obstacles, mishaps and misfortunes as Horses are in conflict with the “Tai Sui.”
To make matters worse, the chart of Horses is are afflicted with the 5-Misfortune Star, Three Killings and the Star of Natural Disasters. It’s almost paramount for Horses to arm themselves with protective amulets and remedies to get through the year.
The Flying Dragon Horse with a Pi Yao placed in the south sector of the home and wearing the Tai Sui Amulet will help appease the Grand Duke, thus mitigating its adverse influence.
Horses are strongly advised to keep a low profile and avoid any display of impulsiveness, temper or any kind of emotion when things get out of hand.
Wearing the Kalachakra Pendant or carrying the Five Element Pagoda as well as placing the Trinity Pagoda in the south sector of the house will ease the negative vibes of the 5-Misfortune Star.
Tap into the Divine Luck by displaying the 3 Generations of Sheep in the southern sector of the house, and make full use of the power of the secret allies with the Ally Coin. To counter the effects of the Three Killings, display either 3 Chi Lins or 3 Divine Guardians facing south.
SHEEP — the new year does not deal kindly with those born under this sign as it is predicted to be a taxing one for them. It is luckless in almost all aspects — career, business, love and health. The dismal outlook is even bleaker with the Sheep’s susceptibility to being cheated and theft.
Obstacles and disruptions can be expected on all fronts, hence anger, frustrations and disillusions are the general feelings that pervade the year for Sheep. As if these are is not enough, more misfortunes can be expected as the Sheep’s chart is indirectly in conflict with the Grand Duke.
For a generally smoother year, wear the “Tai Sui” amulet and display the Flying Dragon Horse with Pi Yao in the south sector of the house. Place an Herbal Wu Lou on the bedside table and wear the Medicine Buddha Bracelet for general well-being.
Given that Sheep are theft-prone, a blue rhino amulet either in the bag or car will be of great help while the Bodyguard Amulet in the wallet will keep it safe. Placing a red packet with money and a Lock Coin under one’s pillow will ensure protection of wealth while enhancing luck. Sheep should also activate their ally, the Rabbit, by displaying a Jambhala Water Feature in the east corner of the living room.
The Black Precious Elephant in the southeast sector of the house will strengthen Sheep’s luck while a Tiger Tooth Dzi will ensure much-needed protection.
MONKEY — those born under this sign have to brace for a less favourable year. With the financial loss star hovering over their chart, Monkeys are advised to be prudent on the financial front. Also this year will see a more agitated Monkey … which can lead to problems with relationships.
Not all is lost though because Monkeys have some sort of protection from the Golden Deities Star. Though 2008 maybe a year when monkeys tend to fall, there are also someone or people who will rescue them.
The Bodyguard Amulet and Dragon Eye Dzi can be carried for protection while a Golden Kuan Yin displayed at the northeast sector of the house will activate the Golden Deities luck. In the southwest, place a Black Precious Elephant for protection from burglary.
The Golden Hum, when worn, will give Monkeys personal luck while a Dzambhala Water Feature in the southwest sector of the living room, promises better income. To enhance relationship luck and good networking, place the glitter lamps at southwest 3, southwest 1 and north 2 corners of the home as these complete the auspicious “Tien Ti Ren” formation.
ROOSTER — those born under this sign will be exceptionally noisy and argumentative this year as indicated by the presence of the Troublesome Star. Roosters’ emotional temperament hits new heights in the new year, thus they can be easily agitated.
However, Roosters enjoy career and money luck in the year of the Rat.
To keep their temper under control, Roosters should carry Ksitigarbha, and at the same time, place a Ksitigarbha Fireball in the west of their homes. Roosters may have some legal tussles and face a lawsuit. Displaying the 4 Heavenly Kings in the study or living area may help mitigate this downside.
To further enhance wealth luck, a 9-Dragons can be placed next to a Dzambhala Water Feature in the east. Relationships can be further forged with the wearing of the 12-eyed Dzi on the left wrist while for better health, the Medicine Buddha Bracelet may also help.
Roosters are encouraged to display a Snake in the southeast, a Rooster in the west and an Ox in the northeast to activate the Tian Ti Ren formation. The placing of General Kuan Kung in the west sector will reinforce the power and authority of Roosters.
DOG — those born under this sign are not expected to fare very well this year. Dogs are plagued by poor health and mishaps as the Illness Star afflicts their sector. They will feel less upbeat and lethargic.
Elderly Dogs should display the Medicine Buddha Mandala in the northwest of their home and wear the Medicine Buddha Bracelet to stay healthy while the Herbal Wu Luo is best placed on both sides of the bed to thwart the ill effects of the Illness Star.
On the other hand, Dogs have a streak of good luck from the Small Auspicious Star which is responsible for the small packets of joyful occasions. Celebrating birthdays, weddings or the birth of a new baby will improve overall luck.
Dogs also benefit from hanging the Kalachakra Mantra plaque above the main door while the Education Amulet will bring about better scholastic luck.
On the career front, recognition luck is almost nil, therefore the feelings of disillusion and frustration will be common throughout the year. Throwing in the towel seems imminent but hang in there — this is not the time to change jobs.
Perseverance should be practised on all accounts and this will be duly rewarded in the third quarter of the year. A Golden Ling Zhi Ru Yi or the monkey on the elephant will improve career prospects.
BOAR — a year of mix fortunes for those born under this sign. The Star of the Heaven Seal will bring meaningful and unexpected good fortune. Working Boars will find this year smooth as they have the luck of friends and allies on their side. Maximise this by carrying the Ally Coin.
Herbal Wu Lu placed beside the bed and Medicine Buddha Mandala hung in the northwest sector of the house will help keep illnesses at bay. Display the Heaven Seal on the work desk or in the northwest of the living room for luck. To activate the wealth luck, place a water feature with figurines of the Rabbit, Boar and Sheep in the east.
There is a possibility of loss in the stock market or of being cheated, therefore Boars should protect themselves by hanging the Kalachakra Mantra plaque above the main door.
Generally, Boars will perform excellently in academic pursuits this year and carrying the Educational Amulet will further enhance their luck. Finally, for all Boars, wearing a 3-eyed Dzi on the left wrist will bring forth prosperity, health and wealth.