written by Foon Chik, FSSA Consultant
[source: Feng Shui Society UK]
The New Chinese Year starts on 31 January 2014
The second new moon after the Winter solstice falls on the January 31st 2014. This is the start of the Lunar New Year. As the Snake slithers away at the end of its reign of the old year, the Horse gallops in to start ruling the New Year. Chinese people all over the world will start celebrations on Lunar New Year’s Eve, on January 30th. The New Year festivities can last until the full moon. Before the moon waxes to full roundness, it will be Li Chun, the arrival of spring, on February 4th. Li Chun is the start of the Solar New Year and it is when astrologers using the full natal Four Pillars of Destiny consider the year of the Horse to start, according to the sun rather than the moon. In the minds of the astrologers, the energies of the New Year come in at the moment of Li Chun, not at midnight of the Lunar New Year’s eve, or at Winter solstice, or in the first few moments of January 1st when people raise their glasses to say “Cheers” to the New Year. When it comes to celebrations, how about a birthday celebration as well? The seventh day of the Lunar New Year, which falls on February 5th, is Ren Ri, when it is everybody’s birthday.
12 Animals in the Chinese astrology
There are twelve animals in the Chinese Zodiac. Each animal takes a turn to rule for a year in the cycle. 2014 is a Wood Horse year. There are five different types of Horse year: Wood Horse, Fire Horse, Earth Horse, Metal Horse and Water Horse. Wood, fire, earth, metal and water are the five elements in Chinese astrology. The previous Horse year was a Water Horse in 2002. The previous Wood Horse year was in 1954, sixty years ago. A sixtieth birthday celebration is considered rather special for Chinese people because they have walked a full cycle of the sixty combinations of elements with animal signs.
Characteristics of the Horse
The Horse is a fast moving creature and can even sleep whilst standing up. It should not be a surprise that the Horse is deemed the most yang of the animal signs. The Horse is a fire creature and it also carries a little bit of earth, which can probably help the Horse stay grounded as it snoozes whilst vertical on all fours. What sort of influences will the Horse exert in 2014? Since the Horse is a fiery creature, watch out for passions running high. The Horse is a portent for romance luck for those born under the signs of the Snake, Rooster and Ox. Will it be a flirtatious fling, or an engagement ring? That would depend on what sort of luck you are experiencing, if you were to have a reading, based on your full natal chart, rather than just the portents for your animal sign.
2014 – The Wood Horse
Since 2014 is the Wood Horse, the Wood element is about reaching onwards and upwards, planning ahead. Will your grand plans come to fruition? Be somewhat circumspect when it comes to formulating your blueprints for the year ahead. Whilst the Wood element may influence you to move forwards, the Fire in the Horse, which sits beneath the Wood, can burn up some of your designs, if you are not careful. You can set the world alight with your ideas, but put in place a Plan B as you might not have all the support you were hoping for at exactly the moment you want it. A burning desire goes a long way to bringing blue sky visions into the here and now, yet it would serve you well to keep your feet on the ground at the same time.
The Wood Horse can bring an ambience of excitement, yet it can also be quick to get angry when things go awry. Watch out for extremes of emotion. You can choose how to act on your feelings, be the rider who is in control of the Horse. In ancient times a Horse was an important mode of transport. Nowadays, we get into a car. Would it be a better choice to let excitement or anger sit in the passenger seat, rather than the driver’s seat? Things can happen quickly when the Horse is ruling the year, and matters can turn into non-events equally fast if those engaged in the endeavour lose enthusiasm. Look out for those moments when the leaders on the world stage think twice and change their minds in a flash. Will they be doing so to win over hearts and minds? Or will it be simply to look good? The energies of the Wood Horse are associated with both the heart and the eyes.
Planning 2014
Talking of how things look, will you be more concerned with your appearance? Horses are beautiful and popular creatures, and if you borrow some of the pizazz of the Horse you will update your wardrobe with a touch of glamour. As well as thinking of style, think of substance. Go beyond the superficial when you think about what you want to achieve for 2014. Not everything in life is a race, yet you still need to think about how you start, how you jump over a few hurdles and how quickly you want to get past the finishing post.
The Horse comes galloping in from the south to rule the year. It would be a shrewd move not to upset the ruling sign of the Chinese zodiac. Disturbing the south sector of your home with major building works can make the Horse buck and throw you off his back just when you thought you were riding along nicely. No banging nails into the wall in the south area. Outside, avoid digging and disturbing the earth in the south location. Similarly, avoid disturbing the energies in the north with renovations or major digging outside. If you sit facing the south, the Horse ruling the year might wonder why you are being confrontational. Since it is an astute measure not to annoy the year ruler, consider sitting with your back to the south so that you have all that Horse power behind you.
Horoscope for 2014
RAT 1924, 1936, 1948, 1960, 1972, 1984, 1996, 2008
Just because somebody picks a fight, it does not mean you have to automatically engage in combat and conflict. Taking the high road is easier said than done. Nevertheless, if you steer clear of trouble when you see it galloping towards you, you can remain unperturbed in the face of other people’s dramas. Be prepared for change, whether it is welcomed or not, and you can be resilient when the Horse energies race towards you.
OX 1925, 1937, 1949, 1961, 1973, 1985, 1997, 2009
Is there a knight riding a white Horse bearing flowers and champagne? Whether you see yourself as the damsel in distress or the knight in shining armour, the Horse can bring some excitement when it comes to romance. As an unattached Ox, you still need to get out and about to meet those admirers. If you already feel you are luck in love, then there is no need to covet anybody else’s relationship.
TIGER 1926, 1938, 1950, 1962, 1974, 1986, 1998, 2010
There are times when acting on the spur of the moment brings you joy and satisfaction. There are other times, when exercising some restraint is what pays dividends in the long run, and this year there will be moments when you will be tested on your self-discipline. If you want to pass the test with flying colours, you know you need to not pay attention to those who draw you into madcap schemes.
RABBIT 1927, 1939, 1951, 1963, 1975, 1987, 1999, 2011
Chasing your dreams can seem like hard work when what you are seeking is far, far away. Worthy goals are rarely achieved overnight, yet you can gain a sense of achievement by setting some milestones which you can race past at regular intervals. When an obstruction appears on your path, there is no need to feel defeated, you know you can often find a way to go around it.
DRAGON 1928, 1940, 1952, 1964, 1976, 1988, 2000, 2012
What sorts of strings are attached to attractive offers that are dangled before you? Be wary of getting tied up in a knotty situation, because you were not fully aware of all the details. Going on a fact-finding mission before you agree to anything will mean you can weigh up the pros and cons. There is no need to follow the crowd if you feel something is not right for you.
SNAKE 1929, 1941, 1953, 1965, 1977, 1989, 2001, 2013
Do not be surprised if you experience more rivalry this year. Is it you or is it your contemporaries? What truly belongs to you will find its way to you, yet there are those who will attempt to grab what is yours. With your competitive spirit you are not going to sit back and watch, you are going to play against your opponents. Some subtle tactics will remind all contenders that you know how to play to win.
HORSE 1930, 1942, 1954, 1966, 1978, 1990, 2002, 2014
As you trot into your own year, you might have already heard some remarks that it is unlucky when you meet your own sign. Life is not that black and white. Bad luck has not booked extra meetings into your diary for the year ahead. Meeting your own sign can mean it is a time for self-reflection. When you plan ahead, be generous in allowing enough time for you to make your mark in your own year.
GOAT 1931, 1943, 1955, 1967, 1979, 1991, 2003, 2015
What if what you wished for appeared right before your eyes? Would you be overjoyed? Or would you wonder if something that came so easily would be worthy? There is no need to chase after what you want. Trust that the universe can help you draw to you what you truly need. Count all the blessings in your life. When you appreciate what is truly valuable, you will be glad you have had it all along.
MONKEY 1932, 1944, 1956, 1968, 1980, 1992, 2004, 2016
Challenging circumstances are not going to prevent you from forging ahead with your plans because you are going to remain determined. If somebody says something is too difficult you will take that to mean you are going to do everything you can to prove that you can do it. Before you prove that you can do something, make sure that you actually want to do that something, rather than going all out to merely prove a point.
ROOSTER 1933, 1945, 1957, 1969, 1981, 1993, 2005, 2017
What makes a couple-relationship just right is a tolerance for all those little things which are not quite right. If you are a solo Rooster, the energies of Horse year can bring you romantic opportunities. Do you know what you are looking for when it comes to love? If you do then you will know when you are suited to someone. If you are still figuring out what would be a good match, remember not to be too fussy.
DOG 1934, 1946, 1958, 1970, 1982, 1994, 2006, 2018
If events do not unfold in your favour, remember you do not have to struggle on all by yourself. The Horse ruling the year can bring those to lend you a helping hand, yet you need to be strong enough to reach out. Let it be known you would like some support. It gives others the pleasure of making a difference if they can do something to make your world a better place.
PIG 1935, 1947, 1959, 1971, 1983, 1995, 2007, 2019
You can feel more in control of certain tricky situations if you do not try too hard to be in command of every awkward individual or every minute detail. Having a plan does not mean you have to stick with it rigidly. Having a plan means that everyone involved is aware of what is supposed to happen, when it is scheduled and who is doing what. Last minute changes can make your plan work better.
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