Sunday February 10, 2013
Wheel of fortune
By MAJORIE CHIEW
What does the Snake Year have in store for you? Read on to find out your animal sign prediction for the new year according to the Chinese zodiac.
THIS is the year of the Yin Water Snake. And according to Kuala Lumpur-based geomancer Jane Hor, it’s a fine year to have baby girls!
“Babies born in the first, fourth, seventh and 10th lunar months this year will be ‘super active’ personalities,” she tells Star2. “However, they will also tend to be quarrelsome.”
Hor goes on to explain that babies born in the second, fifth, eighth and 11th lunar months will have very good interpersonal skills.
“Babies born in the third, sixth, ninth and 12th lunar months will be lucky, but baby girls will be even luckier still,” says Hor, who is also a feng shui columnist for local Chinese dailies and a bestselling author of feng shui books.
A rising talent in the feng shui industry, Hor is a protégé of her father, Hor Yen Shang. She started practising Chinese geomancy at a very young age, reading for friends and also several businesses, and has studied at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln in the United States and the University of Nottingham in Britain.
After her studies abroad, Hor returned to Malaysia and worked in a multinational financial institution before deciding to follow in her father’s footsteps. She has since left the corporate world to pursue her interest in Chinese geomancy and has studied with prominent masters in Hong Kong, China and Taiwan. She is also a popular personality on local television and radio stations, as well as a sought-after guest speaker at various public and private forums on feng shui, palmistry and wedding date selection.
Hor says the Snake is an alert creature that is always hunting for opportunities. As such, she feels that someone born in the Snake year is very opportunistic.
“People born under this animal sign can adjust to different environments, just as the Snake can survive both on the ground and in the water.”
Hor also notes that because the Snake is capable of “changing its skin”, symbolising a kind of rebirth, people will be prone to thinking that a person born in the Snake year may be able to “start all over again”.
“But whether good or bad, these new starts are dependent upon other factors such as birth date and time,” she says.
The person born in the Snake year is cunning, agile and quick to take action. He or she is also sensitive to danger as well as to opportunities. The Snake is suspicious and does not trust people easily.
“The Snake gets jealous and is very vengeful,” says Hor.
Hor has classified the 12 animal signs of the Chinese zodiac into three groups this year. She says there is good news for the Snake, Pig, Monkey and Tiger, who will all have more travel opportunities. The Rat, Rabbit, Rooster and Horse will enjoy a year of romance and relationships but the Ox, Goat, Dragon and Dog won’t have it so easy and may face health issues, such as gastrointestinal problems.
Here, Hor gives her forecast for the year ahead:
Snake (1941, 1953, 1965, 1977, 1989, 2001)
Those born in the Snake Year are said to be “opposing the Grand Duke (or fan Tai Sui in Cantonese)”. (In Chinese mythology, the Grand Duke is in charge of the world’s affairs and determines the annual fortunes of all mortal beings.)
To avoid bad luck or misfortune, the Snake should engage in celebratory events like birthdays or weddings. If there are no celebrations, there are likely to be calamities.
This year, you will be moody and seem lost when it comes to making decisions. Do not be too pessimistic. Those affected include 12-year-olds who will be switching from primary to secondary education as the year ends, fresh graduates looking for a career (24-year-olds) and older adults who are unmarried or indecisive about marriage (36-year-olds).
The Snake will get hurt easily and is susceptible to food poisoning. Donate blood or go for scaling of the teeth during the fourth and 10th lunar months.
Travelling will also do you some good. Take short breaks and ponder your next move.
Those born in the winter months (10th lunar month to the second lunar month) are advised to go South (for example, to Singapore or Australia). Those born in summer (fourth to sixth lunar months) should go North (like Penang) for good luck or to sharpen their thinking skills.
Pig (1935, 1947, 1959, 1971, 1983, 1995)
The Pig is in a “direct clash” (choong Tai Sui in Cantonese) with the Grand Duke. There will be changes for better or worse (depending on your date and time of birth). Positive changes could mean moving house, getting married or giving birth. Negative changes could mean divorce, miscarriage, demotion or moving from a bigger to a smaller house.
The Pig may not want a Snake baby as it is thought the child would clash or go against them. Do not jump to conclusions. Some of you may not escape changes and are likely to give birth to Snake babies.
Pigs, especially those in sales or working as regional executives, are likely to travel more this year. You will meet your Noble Man (a benefactor, helper or Good Samaritan) during your travels.
You have a “major depletion” star that will encourage you to spend what you have earned. Therefore, try to spend wisely.
Tiger (1938. 1950, 1962, 1974, 1986, 1998)
The Tiger is in “indirect clash” with the Grand Duke. This means the Tiger has to yield and give way to others to avoid mishaps.
Try not to be a guarantor this year or you will incur debts. Do not meddle in other people’s affairs. Do not be overzealous as gossip-mongers and saboteurs may pounce on you.
With three auspicious stars, you do not have to waste too much time and effort in planning as your Noble Man will lend a hand.
Take care of your family members’ health and take them to seek treatment if the need arises.
Monkey (1932, 1944, 1956, 1968, 1980, 1992, 2004)
The Grand Duke is your good friend. It is, however, a year of moderate luck for the Monkey as he is in a destructive clash with the Snake.
Several inauspicious stars could hinder the development of your career, so watch your every step and do not make any mistakes that your rivals can use to hurt your prospects.
Don’t lend money or you will have a slim chance of getting it back. You may also lose things such as your wallet, handphone or identity card. Don’t carry so much cash.
Your love luck and health is not good this year. You will have a Noble Woman who may be a colleague or a client.
Rat (1936, 1948, 1960, 1972, 1984, 1996)
It’s a terrific year whether it concerns your career, business or love life. Your career seems bright and your position should be enhanced with the arrival of two powerful, auspicious stars.
Opportunities will come your way and you are likely to get help from a friend. Execute your plans as they are likely to succeed.
Make the right investment, work hard and avoid gambling. Money will be “delivered” to your doorstep!
Next year, your luck will be in a turbulent state so save money and make preparations for the bad times.
Rabbit (1939, 1951, 1963, 1975, 1987, 1999)
Your luck is mixed and there is no auspicious star this year; whatever you’re doing, you will have to accomplish it on your own. Take care with whatever you’re doing, especially when signing contracts or documents, to avoid becoming embroiled in a legal suit.
Your career and business may show some deterioration compared to last year, so hold back major plans.
You may further your education or pursue subjects related to your career.
This is not a good year, financially, so save money and not spend beyond your budget.
Watch what you eat and get more rest.
Rooster (1933, 1945, 1957, 1969, 1981, 1993, 2005)
You have many auspicious stars this year; career-wise, your performance will be excellent and you may even move up the hierarchy.
Opportunities will be plentiful in both career and romance, and you have a strong chance of getting to know a good person.
You may earn more money but be wise in financial matters as you have a tendency to be a spendthrift.
Take care of your health. Don’t work late or you may fall ill. Get enough rest.
Horse (1942, 1954, 1966, 1978, 1990, 2002)
If you are in a relationship, it will be short-lived. Also, preserve your reputation and avoid being flirtatious.
An auspicious star for the Horse this year means help will come from a Noble Man.
If you are a woman, do not be too hasty to get into a relationship with the opposite sex (it could even be your Noble Man) as it will not last.
An inauspicious star will cause you to spend lavishly and lose money; try and control your spending so as not to let your wealth drain away.
Ox (1937, 1949, 1961, 1973, 1985, 1997)
You have only one good star, so your luck will not be significantly good. This is a good year for people in the creative line – creative thinking, songwriting or advertising.
You are very moody. You feel lonely and think that no one understands you, so join a group and learn new things or sharpen your thinking skills.
As you have many inauspicious stars, be on high alert for rumour-mongers and backstabbers. Do not try to expand your business but take things slowly and wait a year.
Be particular about food hygiene to avoid food poisoning. Love is in the air and you may get into a relationship and even get married.
Goat (1943, 1955, 1967, 1979, 1991, 2003)
Like the Rabbit, you have no auspicious star and hard work is the only way ahead for you – do not expect short-term gains from gambling and investments.
There is likely to be no significant development in your love life, although single lady Rabbits have a slim chance of meeting Mr Right this year.
Eat properly and focus when you are driving. It’s easy to get hurt this year particularly in water sports and activities.
Don’t count on others – sort out your own problems.
Dragon (1940, 1952, 1964, 1976, 1988)
Last year, you had a clash with the Grand Duke and there were many inauspicious stars. This year, you have an auspicious star, so your luck will change for the better and you will have good reason to be happy.
Don’t greet every small success with great exuberance; be appreciative and react modestly.
Some inauspicious stars are present that may hinder your career development, so be cautious at work.
Take good care of your health, exercise more and get more rest because you may easily fall sick this year.
Dog (1934, 1946, 1958, 1970, 1982, 1994, 2006)
A clash with the Grand Duke last year left you facing a run of bad luck, and the effects of that clash will carry over into the first half of this year. Be patient, and your problems will soon be behind you.
An inauspicious star will hamper progress at work; be wary of a woman colleague.
The presence of a minor depletion star indicates that you should refrain from having too many credit cards or carrying around too much cash.
The Dog who proposes marriage should receive a positive answer; singles, this is the year when you will meet the right partner.