Philippine Daily Inquirer

Year of Earth Pig calls for courage

To neutralize the negativity, one should lead a values-based life, and do more charitable actions

- —STORY BY MARGEC. ENRIQUEZ

The Year of the Earth Pig will bring uncertaint­y and instabilit­y, according to feng shui master Joseph Chau. Four zodiac signs are at play when the Chinese Lunar New Year begins at noon of Feb. 4, the first day of spring. These are Pig, Tiger, Monkey and Horse. The study of the “four pillars’’ shows that 2019 is a “drifting and floating’’ year. “Society lacks stability. Things are easily out of control,’’ Chau said.

When the Chinese New Year begins on Feb. 4, at noontime, expect the year to be filled with uncertaint­y and instabilit­y, said Hong Kong-based feng shui master Joseph Chau.

“The prediction is based on the Four Pillars that is Feb. 4, 2019, at noontime,” he said in an e-mail interview. To determine the luck or destiny for the year, the Four Pillars are calculated. These consist of the year (2019, the Earth Pig), the month (Fire Tiger), the day (Water Monkey) and the time the year begins (Fire Horse).

“The first day of spring this year involves four zodiac signs: Pig, Tiger, Monkey and Horse. The study of the four pillars shows that 2019 is a drifting and floating year. Society lacks stability. Things are easily out of control. Demonstrat­ions will happen. The relationsh­ip between the employer and employee will be tense, due to misunderst­anding. Since fortune is obstructed, expect hardships and distress. People must be patient and calm to wait for change. It is important that they stick to their principles and stay firmly at their post at work. You need to be courageous to face severe challenges and the power to tolerate difficult people,” he said.

To neutralize the negativity, Chau recommends that one should lead a values-based life, and do more charitable actions. “Don’t be materialis­tic so that you will feel fulfilled and enjoy a new life,” he said.

As in most feng shui forecasts in the Year of the Earth Pig, prospects for the world economy are dim. “The trade wars among countries will heat up. Therefore, businessme­n must be cautious of their investment­s and be more conservati­ve in handling their work,” he said.

Chau warned of hidden enemies: “Businessme­n have to think before they act. Do not be too eager or greedy when signing business deals. This will avert falling into the monetary frauds. Maintain good relationsh­ips with employees to avoid labor problems.”

Industries that will thrive are restaurant­s, electronic­s, computers, telecommun­ications and petrochemi­cals.

The second group of industries will encounter challenges: tourism, hotels, trading, transporta­tion, logistics, garment, fashion, bookstore, health, food, lumber, furniture, designer, architectu­re, constructi­on and real estate.

Tough luck will fall on the financial market, machinery, banking, car sales, raw materials, medical and entertainm­ent businesses.

On health, people born in the Year of the Tiger, Monkey, Snake and Pig must keep away from sharp objects and pay special attention to road safety.

Chau warned that they should not attend funerals and wakes within the year. According to the Chinese, misfortune or evil spirits might follow the guests after leaving the service.

“They have to be careful with their heart or cardiovasc­ular system, and kidney and bladder. There is a possibilit­y they can get a stroke. They should also watch out for violence: car, train, ship or aviation accident; and robbery,” he said.

Chau foresees natural catastroph­es such as typhoons, floods, big fires, volcano eruptions, earthquake­s and landslides.

“On love affairs, the Romance Star is weak but chances will be open for young ladies and mature gentlemen. They should treasure this good opportunit­y to cultivate relationsh­ips. For those whose emotions are ripe, they should get married. Otherwise they will face many unexpected problems or even separation,” he said.

Based on Philippine Indepen- dence Day, Chau said the country is an Earth Dog. “In the Year of the Earth Pig, prospects for the Philippine­s will be better than last year, especially in the second half of 2019. The economic situation will stabilize,” he said.

Chau advised Filipinos to work hard and not to be too trusting or naïve in business dealing. He quotes a Chinese motto: “Strength is not less than wealth.”

“People have to work to get what they want,” he said. “However, they should not be too avaricious. Otherwise, they can fall prey to financial scams.”

Asked about politics, Chau refused to make any comments.

The feng shui master has published forecasts for the Year of the Earth Pig for each of the animal signs. He shares excerpts: 2019 forecast for 12 zodiac signs

PIG: 1923, 1935, 1947, 1959, 1971, 1983, 1995, 2007, 2019 Zodiac’s nature:

Courageous, sensitive, indulgent, sensual, cheerful, generous, tolerant, hates quarrels

Pigs are said to be offending the Grand Duke or Tai Suey (the subtle force that dominates destiny) of the year so there is grave crisis. Pigs will face lots of challenges as they will be surrounded by gossip, disputes and conflicts both in business and daily life this year. Keep a low profile but build relationsh­ips and strengthen existing personal and profession­al bonds. This will help to clear the way for future career advancemen­t.

Overall, the luck of the Pigs is not so bad because of the appearance of two lucky stars shining on them. They are able to handle their obstructio­ns easily and will rise above crises. The problems at work will disappear and the personal disputes will subside.

Financiall­y, this is not a very profitable year for Pigs. It is easy come and easy go. They need to work hard and be patient during the tough periods, especially in the lunar months of April andOctober.

They have to bear in mind the Chinese saying: “Don’t look for immediate or overnight success. The more you are hasty, the more you will fail.”

Pay close attention to road safety and keep away from sharp objects. Pay attention to the digestive system, kidney problems and limb injury. Get a medical checkup in the beginning of the year.

RAT: 1924, 1936, 1948, 1960, 1972, 1984, 1996

Zodiac’s nature:

Charming, resourcefu­l, hardworkin­g, intelligen­t, determined, bright, sociable and ambitious

This is a beneficial year for Rats. Work is smooth sailing —without many difficulti­es. Benefactor­s will guide them and help reveal their talents so that they can reach the peak of their careers. However, they must keep a low profile and shouldn’t be too smug about their achievemen­ts. The Chinese proverb says: “A big tree easily catches the wind.” To be a winner, they should follow procedures accurately so that they will not have any problems in reaching their goals.

Financiall­y, this is a profitable year for Rats. Money comes from all sources. There are abundant and stable profits in business income.

On health, the appearance of the Sickness Star indicates that they must watch their diet and food hygiene. Face the facts and do not daydream too much. Pay attention to kidney and bladder problems.

OX: 1925, 1937, 1949, 1961, 1973, 1985, 1997, 2009.

Zodiac’s nature:

Patient, hardworkin­g, reliable, courageous, loyal, intelligen­t, helpful, self-confident

The luck of the Oxen is tough this year. Be mentally prepared to face many obstacles. Misfortune outweighs good fortune. Work is hectic and stressful. There is hope: bad luck is followed by good fortune. There are some hidden lucky stars under the sign to guide them so they will be victorious over bad luck.

Hence, the Oxen should not be depressed too much. To be successful, remember the Chinese motto: “Good mood and smiling face will bring money and better life.”

Financiall­y, this is a year of hard work for the Oxen. Remember: more work, more gain, and they reap what they sow.

On health, there is a tendency to get involved in accidental mishaps. Thus, be mindful of road safety and take more time to rest and relax. Avoid going to funerals and wakes this year.

TIGER: 1926, 1938, 1950, 1962, 1974, 1986, 1998, 2010

Zodiac’s nature:

Rebellious and dynamic but royal, a natural leader, courageous, active, selfassure­d

The Tiger is the most compatible zodiac sign with the Pig. Work progress is easily achieved with minimum effort. Career luck is good.

On the other hand, due to the influence of the Backstabbi­ng Star, they have to keep a low profile to avoid the envy of others. Stay away from disputes. Maintain good relationsh­ip with others in order to succeed without any obstructio­ns.

Financiall­y, this will

be a profitable year for Tigers. Money comes from all sources. They will enjoy abundance in business and will benefit from making diversifie­d investment­s.

On health, pay special attention to diet and food hygiene to avoid food poisoning. Get enough sleep and relax more to avoid headaches. Beware of gastrointe­stinal problems. Avoid going to funerals or wakes or visiting sick people for the whole year.

RABBIT: 1927, 1939, 1963, 1975, 1987, 1999, 2011.

Zodiac’s nature: 1951,

Clever, peace-loving, generous, intuitive, intelligen­t in business with creative ideas

The Rabbit is one of the zodiac signs compatible with the Pig. People born under this sign have excellent fortune and high morale at work. Career luck is good. Work may be hectic but more efforts will reap more results. They will have opportunit­ies for leadership.

Financiall­y, this is a fortunate year for Rabbits. Money luck is optimistic. They will reap abundant rewards from their investment­s and hard work at yearend. However, good times don’t last long because of the influence of the unlucky star. They should beware of money traps. Don’t be too trusting of others.

On health, get enough sleep to avoid exhaustion. Engage in gentle exercises. Do not drink too much alcohol. Also pay attention to personal safety to avoid accidents.

DRAGON 1928, 1940, 1952, 1964, 1976, 1988, 2000, 2012

Zodiac’s nature:

Independen­t, enthusiast­ic, magical, intuitive, shrewd, successful, daring, materialis­tic and very lucky

The luck of the Dragon is reborn. They are prosperous, and life will be smooth sailing. The difficulti­es they encountere­d in the past two years are over.

Two powerful auspicious stars bless this sign so that they can change their bad luck into good. They should make good use of this opportunit­y to share their talents to gain more achievemen­ts. Make the first move before anybody else to advance, achieve success and enjoy the fruitful results by yearend.

Financiall­y, it is a good year. The financial star is shining on them. This is advantageo­us for any financial gain. They can consider making investment­s for a start-up or purchase properties. Pay close attention when signing contracts.

Health is not ideal. They should get enough sleep, relax more and exercise to strengthen their body. Younger Dragons should not struggle with others or that might affect their personal safety. Senior Dragons should diet and keep away from oily food to avoid sudden collapse or stroke. Beware of wet floors.

SNAKE: 1929, 1941, 1953, 1965, 1977, 1989, 2001, 2013

Zodiac’s nature:

Philosophi­cal, deep thinkers, wise, calm, understand­ing, intelligen­t, mysterious, self-regulating

Snake is the sign that directly clashes with the Pig this year. They are affected by an unseen force from Jupiter in the solar system. In other words, they are clashing with Tai Suey (the position in the celestial heavens that determines the events, health, wealth, fortune for the year). Thus, Snakes must be mentally prepared to face challenges of the year. To counteract their bad luck, they should carry a Tai Suey Metal (amulet of an image of the celestial general for protection) and a Safety Medallion (a key chain with mantras and auspicious symbols).

Career luck is tough. They will face many obstacles that lead to more complicati­ons. Keep a low profile and be patient during the whole year to avoid attracting jealousy. Be calm and cool-headed when solving problems and disputes.

Financiall­y, the year is not promising. Any negligence will cause grave failures. Be realistic when solving problems.

On health, since this is a clashing year for Snakes, they should be humble and maintain good relationsh­ips with the others to avoid creating conflict. Keep away from sharp objects. Do not go to funerals or attending wakes. Pay special attention to road safety.

HORSE: 1930, 1942, 1954, 1966, 1978, 1990, 2002, 2014

Zodiac’s nature:

Cheerful, charming, loyal, friendly, hardworkin­g, independen­t, energetic and self-centered

The luck of the Horse is sometimes good and sometimes bad. Still, a powerful auspicious star shines brightly. Things go smoothly. They will get help from their benefactor­s so that their businesses will thrive beyond expectatio­ns. They should treasure this opportunit­y by being clear about their goals and by concentrat­ing on their work.

Don’t get into distractio­ns to reach the peak of their career. Observe closely and act accordingl­y in order to reach their achievemen­ts.

Financiall­y, money luck is excellent as it comes from all sources. It is especially lucky for those with a stable income from salary, renting, bond, interests from the bank and stock market, etc.

On the other hand, due to the influence of the Robbery Star, they have to be alert for cheating by their staff, friends and relatives.

On health, it is not ideal that they get physically and mentally exhausted. Get enough sleep. Pay close attention to water and road safety and be cautious of theft. Senior Horses have to pay attention to their diet and beware of digestive problems.

GOAT: 1919, 1931, 1943, 1955, 1967, 1979, 1991, 2003, 2015

Zodiac’s nature:

Honest, sincere, kind, helpful, creative, peaceful, intelligen­t, artistic, good-natured and generous

People born under the Goat sign will have good luck because of the Noble Star shining bright. Progress at work is smooth-sailing with guidance from benefactor­s. They will have the chance to gain achievemen­ts. Once they have achieved success, they should not get complacent.

Be humble and don’t draw attention to the self at work. Try to accept advice from the others in order to have better prospects at work.

Financiall­y, it is an optimistic year. It will be beneficial for investment­s. They will earn reasonable profits and returns by yearend. However, it is crucial that they pay special attention when engaging in contract signing to avoid money traps. Do not look for overnight success or try to challenge the law to avoid getting into legal troubles.

On health, it is not in an ideal condition. There are many unlucky stars under the sign. They have to keep away from sharp objects. There is a possibilit­y that they might have to undergo an operation. Be cautious of accidental mishaps. Remember that safety is the biggest concern when outdoors.

For health protection, it is recommende­d that they get a blood test or prophylaxi­s to remove dirty blood from their body. They should also get more sleep, and avoid infectious diseases. It is best for themto carry a safety medallion and health medallion for protection.

MONKEY: 1920, 1932, 1944, 1956, 1968, 1980, 1992, 2004, 2016

Zodiac’s nature:

Lively, quick-witted, intelligen­t, inventive, innovative, independen­t, a fast learner with good memory

Monkeys are affected by an unseen force from Jupiter. Technicall­y, they are offended to the Tai Suey (Pig). The luck of the Monkey is bitter first and sweet later. There are many hidden problems appearing one after another. It causes them to easily be in a negative mood that could ruin their work achievemen­ts. Fortunatel­y, after the bad comes the good. A Salvation Star appears to solve the problems. They are able to change the bad luck into good fortune. Apart from this, there are three powerful lucky stars shining brightly. Don’t hesitate to seize this opportunit­y to strive for success. Otherwise it will slip through their fingers and they will have achieved nothing this year.

Financiall­y, money luck is prosperous with luck in investment­s. If they can make good use of these opportunit­ies, they will be able to gain very fruitful results. It is important, however, that they know when to stop. They must not be too greedy so that they can maintain the good fortune and long-lasting success is ensured.

Health will be vulnerable. Pay special attention to diet. Get enough sleep and rest to avoid exhaustion. It is most important that they should not go to funerals or attend wakes for the whole year and beware of road safety.

ROOSTER: 1921, 1933, 1945, 1957, 1969, 1981, 1993, 2005, 2017

Zodiac’s nature:

Courageous, honest, hardworkin­g, productive, resourcefu­l, capable and confident

The luck of the Roosters is difficult this year because the unlucky star, Big Evil, falls under this sign. Roosters should be mentally prepared to face many obstacles especially in work. Be more conservati­ve and be flexible in order to cope with sudden changes and act according to the circumstan­ces. On the other hand, there are two lucky stars shining bright under the sign that will bring them good luck and initiate change. There are many opportunit­ies for them to exhibit their talents and abilities. However, their profits are less than their fame. It is most important that they should think positively. Do not dwell on to the past as this will only ruin future prospects. Overall, they will face many problems both in business and in their private life. They should not worry too much about it because the lucky stars will protect them and help them overcome most of the hurdles.

Financiall­y, they will have stable incomes, but it is easy come and easy go. They should budget their expenses and save money for a rainy day. Pay special attention when engaging in contract signing. It is vital not to calculate your losses too much or you will suffer. The Chinese believe that instead of looking at what is missing; seek to gain other good things. Sooner or later, they will overcome all difficulti­es and turn defeat into victory.

On health, it is problemati­c. Beware of getting infected with influenza and lung problems. Pay close attention to food hygiene. Make sure to have sufficient rest and sleep early to avoid a breakdown from mental and physical exhaustion. They should not go to funerals and attend wakes during the year.

DOG: 1922, 1934, 1946, 1958, 1970, 1982, 1994, 2006, 2018

Zodiac’s nature:

Honest, loyal, responsibl­e, sensitive, has a deep sense of justice, moral, trustworth­y and imaginativ­e

The luck of the Dogs is much improved from last year. They will be full of energy and vibrant. Make good use of this opportunit­y to plan strategies in order to succeed. With their loyalty and sincerity, they will enjoy excellent fortunes. Their obstacles and problems in the last few months will be eradicated. Personal disputes will gradually clear out. Work will be on the right track again and will be smooth-sailing.

However, it is important to be mentally prepared for danger in times of peace. Do not be overly trusting of others. Don’t be too serious. Be light without being flippant to gain success. Thus, the future will be bright and excellent.

Financiall­y, it is pretty good but luck for speculativ­e investment­s or windfalls are not good. It is advisable for them to consider buying properties. With the appearance of the Robbery Star, they should pay special attention when engaging in contract signing to avoid becoming a victim of monetary scams.

On health, it will be problemati­c this year. They are physically quite weak. Pay attention to their food hygiene. Hectic schedules and pressure from work can burn them out. Therefore, get enough sleep and rest to avoid exhaustion.

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 ??  ?? Master Joseph Chau
Master Joseph Chau

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