Copyright (c) 2012 ETC Publishing

Transcription

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2 Copyright (c) 2012 ETC Publishing All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical including photocopying or recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system without written permission from the author and publisher, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical reviews and articles. Published by ETC Publishing Carlsbad, California Created and designed for Digital Publication in the United States of America First Edition, First Online Publication 2012 ISBN: Cover design by Gary Dunham and Donna Stellhorn Concepts presented in this book derive from traditional Chinese, European, and American metaphysical and folk lore. They are not to be understood as directions, recommendations or prescriptions of any kind. Nor does the author or publisher make any claim to do more than provide information and report this lore.

3 Contents Introduction... 4 Who is this Snake and what does he plan for 2013?... 6 The Five Elements... 9 Each of these elements can be either Yin or Yang What This Means for You Good Business Energy Love and Sex Abound The Challenge in the Year of the Snake Celebrating Chinese New Year The River Snake Mercury Retrograde Eclipses Flying Star for Predictions for Each Sign Year of the Rat for Year of the Ox for Year of the Tiger for Year of the Rabbit for Year of the Dragon for Year of the Snake for Year of the Horse for Year of the Ram for Year of the Monkey for Year of the Rooster for Year of the Dog for Year of the Pig (Boar) for Compatibility in Friendship and Love Chinese Zodiac Signs and Compatibility Rat in Relationship Ox in Relationship Tiger in Relationship Rabbit in Relationship Dragon in Relationship Snake in Relationship Horse in Relationship Ram in Relationship Monkey in Relationship Rooster in Relationship Dog in Relationship Pig in Relationship Bibliography and Recommended Reading About Donna

4 Introduction Once a year, one of the magical animal representations of the Chinese Zodiac ascends the throne of heaven, and begins their reign. This year, ascencion day is February 10, 2013, and Snake rises to the power position in the Zodiac. Snake begins by reminding us of the power of his force field, immediately starting to supply the energy we all will experience during the course of the year. Now is the time for us to discover what the coming year holds for each of us. Each of the creatures represented in the Chinese Zodiac have their own very special vibration. Snake energy is the most unusual among them, because it contains both positive and negative forces within the vibration it sends out. One thing we can know for sure in the Year of the Snake is that we will see both sides of this powerful creature s power as we experience this energetic effect on our lives. While the qualities of the Snake are highlighted this year, some part of snakeenergy connects with each of us via our own Chinese Zodiac sign. We will each be able to access opportunities and benefit during the coming year, according to our personal Chinese Zodiac sign. Find your Chinese Zodiac Sign now at: or at You ll be able to access the energy surrounding us all as you strive for satisfaction and fulfilment in your life. You ll find the energy to get what you want: love, money, security, jobs, homes, investments, etc. In some instances where Snake energy is not harmonious with your own sign, it will be more challenging to bring in the opportunities and benefits you want. So, in this book I have included tips and cures from the ancient art of Feng Shui to help you tap into the positive energy of the year. Feng Shui shows how your environment (your home, office, dorm, and/or motorhome basically wherever you live) affects your vitality, productivity, mood, and choices. And you can work with your Feng Shui by making a few changes to your environment in order to access different energies and opportunities. This book is different than most books on Chinese Astrology. This book goes beyond telling you where you will be lucky in 2013, and where you will be unlucky. This book will let you know how to change the bad luck into positive opportunities for success. We will discuss, sign by sign, the energies you can easily tap into for yourself and your family.

5 And where we find the more elusive energies, we ll talk about simple Feng Shui changes you can make in your environment and your daily life to bring in the positive force of Snake energy. The Feng Shui changes will be outlined, you ll find some tips about easy steps to take, and you ll be on your way to making any necessary changes to help you achieve positive results. 5

6 Who is this Snake and what does he plan for 2013? In 2012 we experienced the year of the Water Dragon, a time of making big plans and having a vision for the future. We wanted to soar through the clouds right alongside the mighty Dragon, leaving the mundane behind. Queen Elizabeth II had her Diamond Jubilee, and England hosted the 2012 Summer Olympics. Gigantic Wikipedia secured top ranking as the world s encyclopedia, as Encyclopedia Britannica decided to cease printing editions. Venus crossed in front of the Sun in its second transit of this kind for this century. (An astronomical event like this won t happen again until 2117!) The Sun s sunspot cycle reached it s peak in And the Mayan Calendar came to an end in December, Snake energy is very different than Dragon energy. Snake energy is cool on the outside and intense on the inside. This is one year when it s a good idea to keep our feelings private when we re out in the world, at work, or with friends, on social media, or at social gatherings. Keep your thoughts to yourself until you know it s a beneficial time to show your hand (yes, I understand Snakes don t have hands). This is a year to find your inner strength and determination, and not allow others with their negative thinking or conniving attitudes take what rightfully belongs to you. Snakes don t generally go in for a stand up fight (no hands or feet) but they use their wisdom and cunning to keep what is theirs. Snake energy is about not accepting rejection, or allowing the appearance of failure to cause you to waiver in your goals. 6

7 This year you can access the Snake energy in order to calculate your best moves whether these be in the arena of business (changing jobs or career), in relation to your education (going to back to school, or leaving school), or on the home front (moving back home, or leaving home). Snakes are good at business and you will have access to this ability during the course of the year. Snakes don t like to spend a lot of money well, actually, to spend any money at all, for that matter. This year you can access the clever snake-energy to put your finances in order, pay down debt, and free yourself from the shackles of high interest rates on loans and credit cards. This is the year to learn to be miserly, to think carefully before you spend your hardearned money. We can understand more about the types of experiences this year will bring by exploring the many ways snakes are perceived in cultures around the world, both historically, and in the present. Images of the snake are found in many cultures and date back to antiquity. One of the earliest is the Ouroboros, the snake who swallows his own tail. Images of this snake can be found in Egypt dating back to 1400 BCE. Plato talked about this symbol of the snake as the perfect self-sufficient being: nothing came into him and nothing came from him. In Norse mythology there was a serpent so large that he encircled the earth and grabbed his own tail, and it is said the world will end if he lets go. The Ouroboros in many cultures is the symbol of wholeness or infinity, representing a kind of immortality: when one thing ends, another thing begins. This concept can serve us as a good reminder this year. Everything is a cycle. There will be times of prosperity, followed by times of want, and then a new time of prosperity begins. In the past few years, many of you have been through some trials. Some have experienced the loss of family members, friends, and relationships. Or, you have lost jobs, financial security, homes, or investments. However, the symbol of the snake eating it s own tail represents a time when something ends and disappears, and a whole, new beginning emerges. This is a year when we can find the strength to acknowledge the pain of the past, the sadness or lack. We can accept the fact many of us have experienced a great loss. What I mean is that this year, this year we have a real opportunity to make a new start, a new beginning. We have a chance to experience our own incredible potential, to find success and real happiness. The Egg and the Serpent is another symbol used for centuries to represent the energy of Snake: a snake is wrapped around an egg, representing the Cosmic Egg, the potential for all life. The snake, embracing the egg, seems to control the potential of the egg hatching. In Ohio there is the Great Serpent Mound, 7

8 dating back to almost 1550 BCE. This quarter mile long snake effigy ends with the snake swallowing what appears to be a large egg. Snakes figure prominately in Native American folklore and in many traditional stories. There is a story of the first Snake, he was very large and was painted with every single color. This Snake was in love with the Moon, and he would climb the highest hills he could find to talk to her. But the Moon was married to the Sun, who was jealous and had a quick temper. The Moon and Snake would talk for hours and hours, and the Moon would return home later and later. The Sun grew suspicious and rose up and caught the two of them talking. The Sun grabbed the Snake and smashed him into a thousand pieces. Each piece turned into a small snake too small for the Moon to see. These small snakes, as small as the ones we commonly find today, each were given a few of the colors of the first Snake. And on warm, moonlit nights in our time, they come out to see if the Moon will speak to them. Snakes like falling in love. So, the energy this year suggests that most of us will have an opportunity to find, enjoy, and experience the feeling of love (or at least sex). Opportunities for passion and love will show up in the course of our lives, and we will easily be able to access the energy and incorporate it into our lives. When it comes to love, there are two sides to Snake energy: possessive, yet also willing to wander. So, we will both want to stay in our current relationships, and yet be tempted away. Snake energy is changable, so many singles out there may want to find love, give up their single status and enter into a long term relationship. And for those of you in relationships which no longer fulfill your needs, you may feel compelled to end a relationship in order to be free. Snake energy is fertile energy; there will certainly be many opportunities for people to grow their families, or to learn they are going to welcome a new addition to the household. As we go through the Chinese Zodiac, sign by sign, you will see where the energies are strongest for you. Of all the creatures of the Chinese Zodiac, the Snake is the one considered to be both helpful and harmful. Its venom is poison, yet its venom can heal. This double facet is mirrored in the Zodiac energy of the Snake. The dark side is one of secrets, the ability to hypnotise and manipulate it s prey. Yet there is a light side as well, one of transformation as it sheds its skin, and of wisdom beyond just books and school. And from a very mundane perspective, parts of snakes have been used in China for thousands of years to cure many ailments, including simple hunger! ( Snake it s not just for breakfast anymore... ) 8

9 Snakes have been found on every continent in the world except for Antarctica. The largerst snakes ever found measured nearly 50 feet long! And even today pythons and anacondas measuring 25 to 30 feet can be found in nature. Snakes have a super keen sense of smell. As the snake sticks out his forked tongue, he is both smelling and tasting the air. Think of snake, sticking out his forked tongue in order to sense, smell, even taste the air as a symbol to remind yourself to take the kind of caution you ll want to use this year. We ll all need to first get a whiff of a situation before we jump in! This year, 2013, is the Year of the Water Snake. We haven t had a Water Snake Year in 60 years! There are five different types of Snakes, based on the five elements of the Chinese Astrology system. Each Snake: Wood Snake, Fire Snake, Metal Snake, Earth Snake and Water Snake, is different from the other, because the energy of the element is different. The Five Elements Because of the intensity of the Snake energy, this year will bring a conflict between forces battling for victory. Snake s natural element is Fire, but this is a Water year. When we combine Fire and Water, the result is either a very soggy campfire (water mixing with the ash from the fire it has doused, creating a mix which will one day become part of earth which grows our food), or we get billows of steam, enough to power an engine up a hill. If there s too much water, we drown the vitality and energy available to us; and if there s too much fire, the water evaporates, seeming to disappear. But at no time can both energies co-exist. There s always going to be a struggle, and the winning element will be whichever is more abundant at that moment in time. The ancient Chinese philosophers looked at the world and divided it into five elements, five building blocks that create all things. The five elements and their representations are: Wood represents growth and things that grow. Fire represents energy and things that produce energy. Earth represents stability and things in a state of rest. Metal represents resources and things that make up the material of tools. Water symbolizes connectivity, things that help connect one thing to another. 9

10 Each of these elements can be either Yin or Yang. Yin represents the more subtle and flowing energy, and Yang represents the more in-your-face and direct energy. The Yin/Yang symbol is probably familiar to you. The black part represents the Yin and the white part is the Yang. The dot in the opposing color represents the concept: one cannot exist without the other. For us to understand the concept of larger, we must be familiar with smaller. For us to understand the essence of weaker, we must know stronger. Each of the five elements can exist in a state of Yin or Yang. Yang Wood is like a forest of the tallest trees, growing in the wild. Or, energetically, it is expressed in the life of the the student who studies all the time. It is like the feeling of being on a new job, where you have to learn everything as quickly as possible (and you re loving every moment of it.) Yin Wood is like a seedling, just popping out of the dirt to see the sun for the first time. It s the realization that you ve grown as a person and don t need as much help as you did when you were younger. It s the act of tweaking a favorite recipe with just one new ingredient, to see what it will taste like. 10

11 Yang Fire is a forest fire burning out of control. It s like celebrating a college spring break at a beachside resort, daddy s credit card in hand. Or, it s like driving in a NASCAR race, exhilarating, demanding your entire focus and all your attention, simply to keep from crashing. Yin Fire is a match, or a single candle. It s the energy of taking a stroll down a beautiful path and having the time to enjoy nature. Or, it s like the energy our body uses to digest food: it happens automatically, without effort or thought. Yang Earth is a tall mountain, majestic and still. It s like a lazy retirement, one where you enjoy your time sitting on the porch, day after day, in a comfortable chair. There are no worries about finances. There are no obligations to create stress in your life. Yin Earth is a like sand, flat and smooth. it s like a Sunday afternoon in Summer, nothing pulling at you, your list of chores is done. You take a restful, peaceful nap. 11

12 Yang Metal is like gold bars, stacked and representing greater abundance than you will ever need. It s a world filled with unlimited resources. A Black Visa card. It s like becoming CEO and having all the perks. Yin Metal is more a stack of coins. It s like receiving a regular paycheck: it arrives as expected, week after week. It s like having just the right amount of cash in your pocket to buy what you want at the store. Yang Water is a waterfall, pouring down and churning up the water. It s water bursting from a dam and rushing towards the town. Or, it s like melted snow pouring down the mountainside to flood the fields below. 12

13 Yin Water is like a still pond on a summer s day, no movement on the surface, it appears to be as still as a sheet of glass in the sunlight. Or, its like a peaceful lake in the still of a moonlit night, the reflection of the moon glimmering on the surface. It s a glass of water, the perfect amount to quench your thirst. The Chinese Zodiac sign of the Snake has a natural affinity with the element of Yin Fire. It represents the gentle, quiet energy of a single flame is Yin Water the drop of water. Yin Fire and Yin Water are a match, as neither is more abundant than the other. Both energies, Yin Fire and Yin Water, are battling for dominance in their quiet Yin way. This will make for a more quiet year. Lots of things will go on behind the scenes. There will be lots of secrets. Battles will be fought without anyone hearing about them. Schemes and plans will be set into motion involving countries and corporations, and no one will hear about what s going on. Personal plans will be made but not discussed. The energy will be soft and quiet. What This Means for You It s important to realize this year, while it may seem like nothing is going on, you can know for sure a lot is actually taking place beneath the surface! People will put on appearances to hide their real intentions. In business there will be lots of secrets. Businesses will seek other businesses to make secret deals to give themselves an advantage. Statistics and numbers will be broadcast to give people the semblance things are stable, but you can know the underlying facts indicate otherwise. Politicians will assure people things are alright while concealing the true situations. There will be a lot of distrust. You ll think others are hiding things, and they probably are, but they are not hiding the things you might imagine. It will be difficult to discern all of the layers of plans people are quietly working on. And you will have plans, too. Implications need to be considered as you decide to make a change, whether you are thinking about changing jobs, or changing partners. Change is happening all around, but there won t be obvious shifts this year; indeed, you may simply become aware of everyone busy watching everyone else. In the Western cultures, we often feel uncomfortable with the thought of snakes, due, most likely, to the negative image we received of the snake in 13

14 biblical stories we heard in Sunday School. But the bible has other references to snakes, other than snake as the tempter of Eve in the Garden of Eden. In Exodus 4:3, as Moses was sent to free the Hebrews from their captivity in Egypt, Moses threw his staff to the ground and it became a snake. Aaron does the same, and his staff also becomes a snake, impressing Pharaoh and the powerful men of Egypt with their magic. In the Book of Matthew (10:16), we read the advice, Be ye therefore wise as serpents and harmless as doves. And then again in John (3:14), And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up. Our instinct might be to back away from the Snake, but this year we need consider the many positive images and traditions associated with the snake, including its ability to heal and transform. Good Business Energy The Snake as a symbol of power has been with us for thousands of years. One example is the Caduceus carried by Hermes in Greek mythology (though some date it farther back than the Greeks, as far back as 4000 BCE). This symbol is one we still see today. Having seen this symbol at the pharmacy, we may think of the Caduceus as the symbol of medicine. However, that s not quite the entire story (more about that in a minute). The Caduceus is a staff around which two snakes are entwined; the staff is topped with a pair of wings (Hermes wings). This symbol actually represents occupations in general: careers, trade, and business all things the Snake is particularly good at. In the United States we often associate the Caduceus with medicine. However, the actual symbol for medicine is the rod of Asclepius, the ancient healer-god of the Greeks, and this depiction shows only one snake wrapped around the rod, and no wings. However, in 1902 the U.S. Army Medical Corps adopted the Caduceus as its insignia, and it then became an increasingly popular symbol for medical personnel. To me, it reminds me of a medical symbol, because the image of the two snakes looks like the double helix, our own strands of DNA. The rod of Asclepius is a symbol of medicine and healing going back to ancient Greece. Some say the snake symbols were used because of the snake s ability to shed his skin, thus renewing himself. Many medicinal products have been derived from snake venom. There is also a reference in the Bible of a snake wrapped around a staff, and the very sight of it healed people. From Numbers, chapter 21, after God sent snake to bite the people and they were getting sick and dying, God told Moses to Make a fiery serpent and set it on a pole, and everyone who is bitten, when he sees it, shall live. 14

15 There is a third ancient symbol that depicts the snake in the context of healing, the Bowl of Hygieia (hygieia is the root of our modern word, hygiene). This symbol is a bowl or cup with a snake twined around it, and the image has been used in connection with the pharmaceutical profession since the late 1700 s. Snake energy is powerful, always moving, and yet staying low to the ground in order to really get a feel for what s going on. On a bright note, this Year of the Water Snake will offer us the opportunity to recover our focus a bit, following the non-stop energy of the Dragon year! This year you will be able to secure your position whether you choose to establish yourself at your current place of employment as a valuable employee, or to find your niche with your small business, and build your customer base. With regard to your living situation, you can decide whether you re staying in your current home, and move forward with plans to renovate and repair in order to make it more comfortable. Or, there will be buyers for homes as people relocate for better jobs, or to move back to family and friends. Snakes are known for their wisdom and love of learning. This is a good year for education and self-study. You can pick up new skills to help you in business and in your personal life. Snake skills would include communication, conflict resolution, reading people through body language, negotiation and arbitration. This is also a good year to look at how you market yourself (for jobs), or how you market your products to your customers. And you will benefit greatly in both instances by incorporating some psychological marketing strategies like NLP and subliminal advertising in your sales pitch. Love and Sex Abound This year love and sex are highlighted. Among celebrities, the sex scandals will be even more salacious than usual; people cheating on spouses, caught in secret rendezvous, exposed in compromising situations, etc. There will be lots of books on the inner workings of companies and governments, revealing scandals of a romantic nature. You ll find out about people you know carrying on affairs, and asking you to keep their secret. But there will also be lots of love and romance out in the open. The Snake is a sensual creature who enjoys the pursuit and conquest of love. Dating sites will swell with new participants, and dating services will spring up all over. Snakes are able to hypnotize their prey through pretty words and cunning actions. Even if you are not born in the Year of the Snake, you can tap into this energy this year and use this to your advantage. (Or, you can guard yourself against becoming an unwilling snack.) 15

16 - The Challenge in the Year of the Snake Think of a snake moving through water: it can move, slither so easily, and silently strike its prey. However, unfortunately (well, perhaps fortunately for snake...) snake also has a natural habitat on land. So, its prey can be found on land, too. The snake is not hindered by its environment in finding its dinner. And the snake can t breath underwater, so even if he s hiding in the pond, he has to surface for air. This makes him vulnerable, at least just for a moment. So, even though this is a quiet year, the person who exerts themselves and takes small risks will receive the rewards! You ll have to leave the safety and comfort of your home (i.e., the pond) to go and take what you want. Snakes are patient and work hard towards their goals, but they don t like to reveal too much until their plans are in place. You will find yourself working towards your ambitions, but perhaps not achieving much in the way of noticeable progress or recognition for your efforts. Then again, snakes are also known to strike quickly. This year, have all your ducks lined up in a row before you begin, and you can expect the biggest pay-off in years. Snake years are good years for business. Big businesses will rule, but the individual can sidle up to these giants, and catch what falls from the giant s table. Consider affiliate marketing, commission-based sales, or network marketing, as these types of opportunities will flourish this year. Look to be the adviser to the leader, making yourself indispensable to the powers that be, and you will be rewarded. For some, this will be a much better year than The energy will be easy to access and take advantage of. For others, there will be challenges like the ones outlined in the individual sign predictions in later chapters. However, 16

17 where there are challenges, remedies can be found. Look for tips and Feng Shui cures you can choose to implement, to make your life easier this year. And with just a little additional effort, you ll have your best year yet!. Celebrating Chinese New Year The biggest holiday of the year in China is New Year s. Based on the lunar calendar, Chinese New Year falls on a different day each year, most often on the second New Moon after the Winter Solstice. The Winter Solstice is on December 21, so Chinese New Year is about two months later. Very occasionally, the Chinese New Year will fall on the third New Moon after the Winter Solstice. This won t happen until In historic China, emperors were in charge of keeping time and telling the people when important dates would happen. Emperors marked these important dates with festivals. There s a legend in China, the tale of a Nian, a fearsome creature with the head of a lion and the body of a bull. Every winter the Nian would get very hungry, and finding nothing to eat, he would come down to the villages to snack on the villagers. But the villagers had learned that the Nian was afraid of loud noises, fire, and the color red. One night, the Nian was spotted coming down from the mountains, so the villagers lit fires, waved red flags, and made lots of noise by banging gongs and setting off firecrackers. The village was spared, and to this day, New Year s is celebrated with lots of firecrackers and red banners. Before New Year there is much to do. The house must be thoroughly cleaned to sweep away any of the remaining bad luck from last year. Lots of special foods are prepared. And the night before New Year s, it s considered lucky to stay up past midnight, to symbolize enjoying a long life. At midnight the firecrackers start popping. 17

18 On the first day of the New Year, everyone wears their best clothes, and everyone speaks only positive things to one another to secure good luck for everyone. Red envelopes are filled with money and given to children. On the second day of the New Year, there is a vegetarian feast, after which people go and visit relatives, bringing them oranges to wish them a prosperious new year. People eat long noodles, the longer the better, as they symbolize a long life. And they indulge in Nian Gao which is a cake made of rice flour, brown sugar, and oil to bring prosperity. This begins a multi-day holiday. At Chinese New Year there is the dance of the Golden Dragon (sometimes called the Lion Dance). This dragon will be decorated with representations of the five elements, lights, silver, and fur. It can take as many as a hundred people to carry the Golden Dragon through the streets. At the end of the route the dragon is met with firecrackers and cheers from the crowds. The River Snake There are some interesting and amusing stories about snakes, here s one of them: Once there was a pregnant woman who was traveling home from visiting a neighboring village. She came to a river that was very deep, and she became distressed because there was no way to cross the river. A great river snake came to her and she asked for a ride across the river. The snake agreed on one condition: the woman must give him something in exchange for the trip. The pregnant woman had nothing to give the snake. so she promised should she have a daughter, the daughter would marry the snake. The snake agreed, and ferried the woman across the river. The woman went home, gave birth to a daughter, and forgot all about the snake and the promise she made. One day when traveling, the woman came to the river and the snake was there. Where is the wife you promised me, asked the snake. The woman, too afraid to defy the snake, brought the daughter to him. He snatched up the daughter and took her to the bottom of the river where they married and she gave birth to four snake-sons. After many years, the daughter remembered her mother and her home, and went for a visit. Her family was very surprised, they thought she had drowned. They asked to meet her snake-husband. And the daughter brought him home for a visit. And while he slept the family killed the snake by cutting off his head. The moral of the story? If you re a big snake and you get married, don t visit your in-laws. 18

19 Mercury Retrograde Each element of the five Chinese elements is ruled by a planet. The Chinese names for the planets translate into the Western tradition as follows: Wood is ruled by Jupiter, the largest planet in the solar system (named for the Roman king of the gods). Fire is ruled by Mars, the red planet (named for the Roman god of war). Earth is ruled by Saturn (named after the Roman god of agriculture). Metal is ruled by Venus (named for the Roman goddess of prosperity). And Water is ruled by Mercury (named after the Roman winged messenger god). This is a Water year, and so Mercury will figure prominently. And every astrologer: Chinese, Western, Vedic, etc., will be able to tell you that among the many attributes associated with the planet Mercury, is one known as: Mercury Retrograde. Mercury Retrograde is an astronomical phenomenon that happens three or four times a year, and has a very disruptive effect on those of us living on planet Earth. Things that we rely on in our daily lives and work, such as our computers, cell phones, vehicles, , snail mail, all seem to go a little haywire during Mercury Retrograde. Specifically, Mercury Retrograde can cause you to need to repeat something. During 2013, Mercury Retrograde periods will be: February 23, 2013 to March 17, 2013 June 26, 2013 to July 20, 2013 October 21, 2013 to November 10, 2013 A few weeks before Mercury goes retrograde each time, it s a good idea to back up your computer, and while you re at it, back up your cell phone contacts. If you re planning to have some work done on the car, try to get it finished before Mercury goes retrograde. In fact, anything you don t want to repeat soon, such as: moving, lawsuits, root canals, elective surgery, expensive repairs, custody battles, break-ups well, let s just say you will be better off if you can avoid doing them during the Mercury retrograde period. Avoid purchasing electronics during the retrograde (if you have a choice in the matter), especially ones you can t return. Make copies of important documents before you send them, as they may not reach their destination. If you are issued one traffic ticket, you re likely to get a second ticket during this period, so drive safely. And if you have to return your cable box, renew your driver s license, or make a doctor s appointment, take a book with you (something long, like by Tolstoy). You re going to be there awhile. 19

20 During the retrograde, do things you don t mind repeating. Take a vacation. But be aware that Mercury Retrograde can send your luggage to Baltimore (even if you re going somewhere else). However, if you do carry-on, you ll probably be fine. Visit a spa, have a massage, enjoy a romantic dinner with someone you love, or have a party with good friends. These are all things you might enjoy doing multiple times. Start exercising. If you drop the program, you are very likely to be inspired to pick it up again at the next retrograde. Or, buy yourself some jewelry or a new pair of shoes, that s something none of us girls mind repeating! For more information on Mercury Retrograde, check out the booklet with the same name by Diane Ronngren. Eclipses Eclipses, both Solar and Lunar, happen five times in Eclipses signal times of change. If you re unaware of an eclipse, it can throw a wrench into your plans. Usually a couple weeks before the eclipses you can determine what really does need to change in your life. This gives you a chance to take action. It makes a difference, believe me! It s as if you have a choice between being hit by a wave, versus being on your surfboard, ready to catch your wave and ride it all the way to the beach. Eclipses are noted in most of the daily newspapers, so you can see when one is about to happen. But it takes an Astrologer to tell you exactly where the eclipses hit in your chart, so you can be aware of the approaching energy, and keep an eye out for potential surf boards to grab and ride. A partial Lunar Eclipse is happening on April 25, It will be visible in Europe, Africa and Asia. If you re living in one of these areas, the effect of the eclipse will be stronger and a bigger change is to be expected. This eclipse will be at 5 degrees of Scorpio. If you re born between October 24 to November 10, this eclipse will have a strong effect on you. Tip: It s a good idea to consider challenging areas of your life, and make some changes. There will be a Solar Eclipse on May 10, It will be visible in Australia, New Zealand, and in the Central Pacific. This eclipse is at 19 degrees of Taurus, hitting the people born between May 5 to May 14 the hardest. A Lunar Eclipse (this one, penumbral) will happen on May 25, 2013, and be seen in North America and Africa. This eclipse is at 4 degrees of Sagittarius and it s bringing change, especially to those born between November 22 to December 2. 20

21 Another penumbral Lunar Eclipse will occur on October 18, It will be visible in North America and Europe. This eclipse is at 25 degrees of Aries, and it s strongest effect will be on those born between April 11 to April 21. There s a Solar Eclipse on November 3, 2013, visible at the eastern tip of Brazil, in Southern Europe, and Western Africa. This eclipse is at 11 degrees of Scorpio. It brings change to people born between October 30 to November 9. While eclipses might sound scary, you ve actually been through many in your life. The best course of action is to challenge yourself in whatever area of life you may feel stuck. For more information on Eclipses, check out Diane Ronngren s book by the same name Flying Star 6 Northwest Moderately Lucky To increase success in career, military, science or technology add large crystals like citrine, amethyst and smoky quartz. To balance energy of health and wealth add brass vases or bowls. 1 North Very Lucky To increase wealth and fame and improve career add earth by adding granite, marble or citrine. To balance spirituality and thinking add metal in the form of a music box or Ipod dock. 8 Northeast Lucky To increase happiness, wealth, and family unity add fire by burning white or gold candles. To balance career energy and have good relations with kids add earth by placed a clear quartz crystal. 7 West Unlucky To decrease bad luck add water To protect from robbery, legal problems, injury and health issues then burn off excess negative energy by burning black or dark blue candles. Add exterior lighting or keep porch light on. 5 Center Very Unlucky To protect from accidents, illness, lawsuits remove stone and heavy objects. To balance mental energy and have happier children place coins. 3 East Unlucky If problems with career, lawsuits or arguments then burn off the excess energy by burning a blue or yellow candle If needing job or need lots of change add a string or pile of coins. 2 Southwest Unlucky To protect from illness and loneliness reduce the negative energy by adding plants, dried medicinal herbs or pictures of flowers. To balance health, pregnancy and communications add a sixrod metal wind chime. 9 South Lucky but changeable to bad luck at times. To increase achievement and growth add wood like a green, healthy plants. To have good luck add fire by burning purple or gold candles. The Grand Duke lives in South by Southeast area this year and he doesn t like being disturbed. No construction or renovation in this area this year. 4 Southeast More Lucky than Unlucky To have romance and better education and career choices add the color red and pairs of ducks. To protect against bad investments, divorce or family pressure add silver or Chinese coins. 21

22 Flying Star for 2013 Each year the energy changes and stars fly into new locations. Some directions which may have indicated positive, lucky energy last year, become weaker and unlucky this year. And some that had vibrated with weak, unlucky energy in the past, have found strength and become more positive for us now. In other forms of Feng Shui, we may be concerned with the directions of our home, based on the position of the front door, but not with Flying Star. With Flying Star we are concerned with compass directions. The general principle of Flying Star is to increase energy in the directions of good stars, and reduce energy in the direction of bad stars. If you live in a giant mansion and your bedroom is now on a negative star, you can choose a new bedroom to sleep in. But for the rest of us, we use cures to mitigate the negative energy, and to increase the positive energy. Here s the forecast for 2013: Trouble comes as the 5-Star flies to the Center this year. This star represents illness, potential disaster, and lack of knowledge. To protect from accidents, illness, and lawsuits, remove stone and heavy objects from the Center area of the house. If heavy objects are attached to the house (such as a stone fireplace), channel some of that energy away from the Center of the house by adding objects made of wood, like a wood bowl, wood furniture, or a picture of trees. To balance stressful energy and to have happier children, place pictures of them in metal frames in this area. Luck finds it s way to the North of the house with the 1-Star. This is a star whose energy has changed over the last few thousand years. It has become more lucky, although it s a good idea to keep its history in mind as you increase the energy of this star. If you find, after placing the cures, that things are not going as well as you hoped, switch from increasing the energy (by adding water or metal cures) to reducing the energy (by adding wood cures). That being said, to increase wealth and fame and improve career, increase the earthy energy by adding granite, marble, or citrine (a gemstone) to your space. To balance spirituality and clear thinking, add metal in the form of a music box, or an Ipod/radio. South brings us more lucky energy. The very lucky 9-Star flies to the South this year. This is your success area for the year. Try to do things like goal setting, meditating, beginning new projects. or making important contacts by phone from this area of your home or office. To increase achievement and growth, add wood energy to the space with things like green, healthy plants, pictures of forests and greenery, or add a new wood floor. To increase good luck and good fortune, add fire cures by burning purple or gold candles once a month. 22

23 The somewhat unlucky 3-Star flies to the East this year. This is the star of quarreling and disputes, but its energy can be directed in a positive way to help you keep a job and pay your bills. It s important to balance the energy of the 3-Star. If you are having problems with career, lawsuits, or arguments, burn off the excess negative energy by burning a blue or yellow candle in this area once a month on the full moon. If you are in search of a job, need more work, or wish to preserve a source of income, set a small pile of coins (choose an odd number of coins) on a windowsill facing East. The unlucky 7-Star flies to the West this year, and brings the very unlucky energy of robbery, legal troubles, fire, injury, and arguments. To decrease bad luck, add the Water element. Good Water element representations are fountains, fish tanks, pictures of moving water, or decorative objects made of glass. To protect from robbery, legal problems, injury, and health issues, it is best to burn off excess negative energy by burning black or dark blue candles once a month. And because this is the Robbery Star, adding exterior lighting or installing a motion-detector porch light wouldn t hurt. The 6-Star flies to the Northwest this year, and luck comes with it. To increase success in career, military service, science, or technology add large crystals (over 2 inches) like citrine, amethyst, and smoky quartz to the Northwest part of the home. To balance energy of health and wealth, add brass vases or bowls. You can place messages and wishes for your family s health and prosperity in the bowls each New Moon. A somewhat unlucky star, the 2-Star, flies to the Southwest. I say this star is somewhat unlucky, because years ago in China this was a lucky star for those people working in government. Therefore, if you have a government job, you can receive some benefit from this star. But, for the rest of us, this Star can cause health problems, especially digestive and intestinal problems. To protect from illness and loneliness, reduce the effects of the negative energy by adding live plants, bundles of dried medicinal herbs, or pictures of flowers to the Southwest part of your home. If you are or become pregnant, you can support and protect the pregnancy by adding a six-rod metal wind chime outside of the Southwest part of the house. The 4-Star lands in the Southeast this year, and brings with it mixed luck. This star is both associated with positive romance and career opportunities, but it is also known as The Six Curses. Like the 1-Star in the North, as you enhance the energy in the Southeast, notice how your luck changes. If you find that your experiences in the area of romance are not as positive as you would like, add fire (by burning candles or wood in a fireplace) to reduce 23

24 the 4-Star energy. Also, be cautious about participating in games of speculation, or signing off on risky investments. To enjoy more romance, add the color red, and pairs of Mandarin duck as cures. To protect against bad investments, add silver or Chinese coins. And for better education and career choices, add green plants with round-shaped leaves. Luck moves to the Northeast as the 8-Star finds it s home there for the year. This is the area of your home or space to enhance in order to experience increased happiness, wealth, and family unity. Do so by adding representations of fire: for instance, you can place red pillows, or art that depicts a distinct triangular shape; or burn white or gold candles in this part of the home. To balance career energy and enhance good relations with children and young people, add earth to the 8-Star area by placing clear quartz crystals in the windowsill of a Northeast facing window. For more information on the cures mentioned in this book, refer to the Feng Shui cure guide at the back of my book, Feng Shui Form. In it you will find an 80-page guide to how to use Feng Shui cures. The Grand Duke (or Tai Sui) lives in the South by Southeast area this year; he doesn t like being disturbed. The Grand Duke is like the king of all the kings. It s said that you cannot confront him, only show him deference and respect. This year you can plant a tree in the South by Southeast part of your property to show your respect. If you re uncertain about how to find South by Southeast, refer to the diagram in the Compatibility Section of this book. But beware, you cannot cut down a tree in this direction, or there will be misfortune. Also, be cautious about doing construction or renovation in this area of your home or your property this year, as the process can be plagued with problems, and bring trouble to the household. 24

25 Predictions for Each Sign Here are the predictions for those born in the Year of the Rat for 2013 You would think that a cute, delicate little mouse would be nervous around a potentially hungry snake, but the Snake year is actually quite harmonious energetically for those born in the year of the Rat. Rats lean toward intellectual pursuits, preferring to exercise brains over brawn. Snakes admire this perspective on what s important in life, and so a partnership can be formed. Rats are ambitious and love Snake s cunning discernment in business matters. And Rats can be very decreet, they listen and wait before jumping in (you would too if you only weighed 3 ounces). This is in harmony with how Snake operates in the world. Snake values discretion, and sees Rat as a resourceful ally. This is how Rat will best use the Snake energy this year. In 2013, the energy is Yin and you are Yang. Yin is about patience, flexibility, and waiting until the right moment to take action. You want to agressively push forward. You are impatient. You want to see progress, NOW. But it s like standing over a seed you ve planted in the ground, willing it to grow. Your will is useless here. Yin is about yielding to the flow. For you to get into the flow this year you have to allow things to happen at the speed they happen rather than trying to force results. Yin is about hidden things. Yang likes to see everything spread out on the table. You will need to remember that much will be hidden this year, so you if you think you see everything, believe me, you don t. Tip: To balance this incompatible energy, hang a Yin/Yang symbol in your bedroom, near the entrance to the bedroom. The symbol can be made of glass, metal, fabric, or painted wood, but not plastic. It can be as small as 1 inch across, or as large as 2 feet in diameter. The natural element of Rat is Water, and this is a Water year. Water is about communication and connections. Because your natural element is the same as that of the year, you will find it easy to get things done. You will acieve results from efforts that involve speaking, writing, teaching, publishing, traveling, networking, art, design, advertising, marketing, brewing/distilling, electrical work, glass works, computer programming, music, and oil drilling. Efforts in these areas will lead to money. 25

26 You will also have luck connecting personally for relationships. Check the relationship section at the end of this book for compatible matches. Since your sign is compatible with the energy this year, you do not need a cure here. Jacob is a sandy-haired man with a short, stylish beard. He speaks quickly, gesturing as he talks. He s been running his own business now for nearly six years. He bootstrapped the whole thing on credit cards and a loan from his family. And he s done well. He not only survived the financial crash of 2008, but also his business did well enough to pay off the debts (2008 was a Rat year and he was born in the Year of the Rat). Now he s ready to expand his business and take on employees, but he wants to know if this year, the Snake year, is a good year to expand. Jacob will have to move carefully, for while Snake years are harmonious years for those born in the year of the Rat, Snake years are years to proceed cautiously. This is a year to avoid racking up a lot of debt if at all possible even if the debt is to help his business expand. Snake years can mean a financial loss for Rats, so it s important for him to protect his money and his business. We hang a Coin Sword in his office to protect his finances. (For more about coin swords and coin strings, see my book Feng Shui Form. It s hung with the tip of the sword pointing at the door.) It will be easy for Jacob to find prospective employees, but some will be hedging their employment bets by putting in applications at several companies. They may walk the moment they get a better offer. I suggest that Jacob consider adding just one or two people at first, especially in the area of online marketing, which will help Jacob s business the most. I suggest that Jacob light a candle made of beeswax as he goes through the applications from prospective employees. (Beeswax symbolizes community and cooperation.) 26

27 In general, this year holds a lot of promise for those born in the Year of the Rat. There may be some financial challenges at the beginning of the year, but the second half of the year will make up for the shortfall. The important thing to remember this year is to not rush into anything. Don t hurry to make decisions, push contracts through. And don t jump at investment opportunities without taking the time to study the implications for yourself and your family. One of your best qualities is your persistance. When you review your goals for 2013, keep in mind that slow and steady wins the race. Rat needs to take care of their health this year. Sometimes Rat spends all his/ her time working, and not enough time taking care of self. Exercise will be important, and yes, fidgeting and pacing do count as exercise. But taking care of self also means taking some time off. You re not going to get very far if you burn yourself out. While Snake years are not usually travel years for Rat, consider at least a weekend getaway to a local spa or resort. You may feel it s not worth the time or money, but by the time you get back you will know how beneficial it truly was. This is a very good year to expand your collection of social and business connections. Find people who have mutual interests, and build friendships on the basis of these contacts. You ll gain great benefit from these people during the year. You ll be invited to multiple parties, and may even have a few in your home. But keep your parties small, and be on familiar, friendly terms with the guests you include, or you may find someone walks off with something you value. Overall, you will gain good friends who can become advocates and supporters in the future. Love: The only thing disrupting your love life this year is your own impatience. For Rat s looking for love, opportunities abound. But you have to slow down long enough to let someone catch you. Consider speed dating and online dating sites to hasten the process. You re looking for someone who thinks like you do, who appreciates you, and will be a supportive life partner. Tip: Hang a picture of the Chinese Character for Double Happiness in your bedroom to help you find someone truly compatible. If you re currently dating, you may be thinking you want to move the relationship to the next level: marriage (or at least an engagement). You may be moving much faster 27

28 than your partner is willing to go. The key here will be open discussions about the future, so you re both on the same page. Tip: To help your relationship progress in the direction you want, write your list of what you want, and put it in a red envelope (if you can t find a traditional Feng Shui red envelope, you can use a plain red envelope). Then place the envelope in your nightstand, or dresser drawer. If you re already in a relationship, you will want to maintain and possibly increase the harmony and connection between the two of you. To ensure the two of you don t grow apart, clear your bedroom of clutter (and if you re sleeping in separate bedrooms, like 25% of American married couples are, make sure both rooms are clear of clutter). Clutter can cause the energy to be uneven, creating irritations and increasing unsettled energy. Money: If you re looking for a job, you will find opportunities are there, but hiring managers are taking their time deciding on candidates. Keep in touch with them so your application doesn t become lost in the stack of applications they re considering. Call them once a week or so, to move your application back to the top of the pile. And put a Money Tree in your home office or kitchen to attract the new position. 28

29 Tip: You can make your own money tree by folding dollar bills into little fans and attaching them with wire twist ties to a silk or live plant. You can choose any tree, from a little bonsai, to a large ficus, depending on how many dollar bills you have. For this cure, you have to use real money; play money won t work. To attract more money in general, either through raises, passive income, or gambling wins this year (and what Rat doesn t like to occasionally roll the dice?), you re going to find that asking for money directly is the best way to get it. If there is a person to ask (perhaps someone who owes you money, or is in charge of salary raises), approach them with your request. If there s no specific person to ask, then ask through prayer or meditation. Tip: Find the courage to demand what you re worth by placing a Dragon- Headed Tortoise on your desk. Here are the predictions for those born in the Year of the Ox for 2013 You might wonder how the great and mighty Ox would even notice a little snake under his feet. Ox is often so busy (working hard, making money, dragging heavy carts across the prairie, etc.), but he does see the Snake, and they share an energy of mutual admiration and respect. Both are smart. The Ox, who may be perceived as slow and awkward, is actually highly sensitive to the people around them, while Snake is always assessing the interests and motivations of others. Both Snake and Ox have a strong desire to succeed, and neither reveals all their plans to anyone. They both take a long term view of things, not rushing, but biding their time. This is how Ox will use the Snake energy this year. This year, 2013, the energy is Yin, and you are Yin. This brings harmony. So whatever problems and issues arise this year, you will have the time and energy you need to handle whatever comes. You understand the flow of the energy 29

30 this year. You ll know when to wait, when to watch, when to act and when to rest. Your timing will be impeccable. If you arrive late to the party, it was meant to be. If you forgot something, you will find it wasn t needed. Yin is about what s hidden beneath the surface, and you will perceive the plans within plans. You will hear the unspoken words and the double meanings. Yin is about stillness, and you will find it easy to wait until just the right moment; and then, only then, will you make your move. Since your sign is compatible with the energy this year, you do not need a cure here. The natural element of Ox is Water, and this is a Water year. Water is about communication and connections. Because your natural element is the same as that of the year, you will find it easy to get things done. You will achieve your best results from efforts that involve speaking, writing, teaching, traveling, networking, art, design, advertising, marketing, brewing/distilling, electrical work, glass works, computer programming, music, and oil drilling. Efforts in these areas will lead to money. You will also have luck connecting personally for relationships. Check the compatibility section at the end of this book for compatible matches. Since your sign is compatible with the energy this year, you do not need a cure here. Overall, this is a fortunate year for the persons born in the Year of the Ox. You have opportunities to be recognized for your talents; you even have opportunities to expand where and how your talents are expressed. This is a bright year for you, when plans and projects you ve been working on for awhile become viable, profitable, and popular. (You may even feel tempted to pull out some old projects to see if they are viable now.) In Snake years, you want to use your business smarts to get ahead. Look at your projects from a new perspective. Is it possible to sell it to a different market? Or, can you somehow use your invention in a new way? If you can t see an easy way to make money on a project this year, discard it altogether and allow new ideas to find you. While you might want to stay focused on work, there will be lots of reasons to socialize this year. People you meet could become allies, or even assist you in promoting your ideas. You will receive support from many who want to be called your friend. Sometimes you think yourself too busy for social occasions (or too tired after your long day of work). But this year, try and make the effort, because it will be worth your time. Think of attending some event, even for just a few minutes. You ll be pleased with the connections you make at these social gatherings. 30

31 Your health is good this year, however your health is not to be taken for granted. You can overdo and suffer for it. Take the time to nap when needed, and take mental breaks, too. A couple of short vacations this year could help a lot. It s also important to try to fit some sort of exercise into your schedule. Focus on activities that blend with your interests and reap the good health benefits. Tip: Place a wu-lou gourd in your kitchen to protect your health. The gourd can be a natural gourd, a jade, or metal one. Love: Ynez has shiny, wavy, black hair which falls to the middle of her back. She has an easy smile and bright eyes. But her eyes aren t so bright today. She s feeling sad about having been single for so long. She really wants to find the love of her life. She ushers me past her living room, past her kitchen and dining rooms, straight into her bedroom. You ll have to forgive the mess, she says, kicking aside an overflowing laundry basket. Generally, I m fine with a mess...as long as the mess is supporting the person s goals. If Ynez goal was to keep people out of her bedroom, then her mess is very effective. But now Ynez is entering a romance year, and she can t continue to allow her fear of relationships to keep her from the love she s always dreamed about. We start with a quick decluttering. Most of the clothing had an empty hanger waiting in the closet. Books and magazines were stacked on shelves. Everything that wasn t bedroom-related (a pink stability ball, a red tool box, six half-done photo albums, and four empty water bottles) was removed. The whole process took less than 30 minutes. I had her finish by smudging the room to clear the space (for more information about smudging, see my booklet, Sage & Smudge.) Once the room is decluttered we can add things to help attract love energy. We started with a red bedspread which went beautifully with her off-white walls. Then we hung a picture over the dresser across from the bed, of a couple sitting at a cafe, holding hands. I made sure she had a even number of pillows on the bed, and I instructed Ynez to place a bowl of rose petal potpourri on the nightstand (on the empty side of the bed). Just sleeping in this room put Ynez in a more receptive mood. Soon she noticed her 31

32 neighbor, just three doors down, was being consistently attentive to her. A coffee date followed. And now they bike ride together three days a week. If you re tired of being single, this could be a great year for you. You can meet prospects for love via social gatherings and through friends. While you may feel a little hesistant at first, others will go out of their way to put you at ease, in hopes of getting to know you better. Tip: Place a pair of Mandarin Ducks on your nightstand to attract a harmonious partnership, one with the potential to lead to marriage. By the way, Oxen who marry in Snake years are known to be very happy. If you re in a relationship currently, remember to take time from your busy schedule to enjoy a bit of fun! Your partner will be more supportive and willing to help you if you give him or her an idea of what you need. Then sit back and be surprised at how much your partner will comfort and inspire you. Money: If you re between jobs this year, you will not only find a new position, but it will be a job that pays well and utilizes your talents. Place your resume with several prospects, be prepared when you start receiving the offers to make counteroffers in order to arrive at the best possible salary. Tip: Hang a picture of the ocean in your entryway. Hang it so the water, washing up on shore, looks as if it is flowing into the house. Choose an ocean picture on a bright, sunny day (not a day of storms or darkness). This year, it s quite possible you will have multiple sources of income. You may start making money through a small business, hobby, or investment. You re always practical with money, and this is a good year to reduce debt as much as you can. You may feel tempted to renovate your home, but hold off if possible. You may need a new vehicle, or to take a trip due to a family situation (possibly a marriage?) later in the year, so you ll need those funds. Consider the old adage: Pay yourself first! You are the most important factor in your financial equation. So, set asside money for you first, and let money flow into your life to fill up your bank account after that. If you have your own business, you will see quite a bit of growth and success this year. You will be expanding into larger markets, or drilling more deeply into your niche. Either way, more customers are coming. 32

33 Tip: Place an elephant statue on your desk. The elephant s trunk should be raised, and the elephant should face the entrance to the office. Here are the predictions for those born in the Year of the Tiger for 2013 The powerful Tiger leaps into the room, all eyes are on him, whereas the Snake slithers around the shadows and no one notices. Tiger s modus operandi is completely different from Snake s - hence the trouble this year. Tigers like to conduct their affairs openly, trusting all parties; but in this year of secrets and planning, Tigers could reveal too much, too soon. Tigers can be prone to gossip when standing around the watering hole. Snakes, on the other hand, have tight lips and good memories. And Tiger likes a stand-up fight. You talking to me? And opponents just vanish into the shadows. Not so much this year, in fact it ll be challenging to find someone to stand up to! Tiger will have challenges this year, including keeping instincts in check, and not chasing after the first attractive antelope who lopes by. In 2013, the energy is Yin and you are Yang. Yin is about patience, flexibility and waiting until the right moment to take action. Your natural instinct is to agressively push forward. You are impatient, wanting to see progress. But the energy this year feels as if you are standing over a seed you ve planted in the ground, willing it to grow. Your will is useless here. Yin is about yielding to the flow. For you to get into the flow this year, you need to allow things to happen at the speed they happen, rather than trying to force results. Yin is about hidden things. Yang likes to lay everything out on 33

34 the table. You will need to remember that much will be hidden this year, so if you think you see everything, believe me, you don t. Tip: To balance this incompatible energy, hang a Yin/Yang symbol inside your bedroom, near the entrance to the bedroom. This symbol might be made of glass, metal, fabric, or painted wood but not plastic. It can be as small as 1 inch across, or as large as 2 feet in diameter. Tiger s natural element is Wood, and the element of the year is Water. Wood is very compatible with Water, because Water feeds Wood. Wood is about growth and expansion. This year you will feel very supported by those around you. Opportunities will come out of nowhere. You will gain results from efforts that involve building, construction, wood working, restaurant management, catering, child care, furniture sales, medical services, nutritional counseling, publishing, printing and landscaping. Working in these and related professions will bring success and money. You will also experience good fortune and positive energy surrounding relationships this year. Check the compatibility section at the end of this book for compatible matches. Since your sign is compatible with the energy this year, you do not need a cure here. Michelle is ready to jump out of her skin. She s been counting the days, waiting to move for the last year, and finally her house is sold. She wants to drop every last nickel she has into the house of her dreams. And here I am, standing in her way. She flashes me a look through the fringe of her dark bangs, You don t understand! I need this house, this is my dream house. I agree with her, it is a very nice house. What I m cautioning her about is she s a Tiger, and it s a Snake year. So, while buying a house is fine, it s her additional list of needs consisting of new wood flooring, a renovated kitchen, and an inground pool all of the upgrades she wants done before she unpacks her first box. It s going to be so much easier if these things are done before I move in. she tells me... Snake years are not easy years for Tigers. So while Michelle can get the house and the mortgage with the really good rate, she won t be able to have all of the things on her entire wish-list not without draining her savings and putting herself in a vulnerable position. I talk her down off the cloud and she agrees to wait. Once she s in the house we set up a few things to bring money into the house as quickly as possible. I advise her with a few tips from my book, Feng Shui Form, suggesting she place a new welcome mat at the front door, and hang a wind chime with gold-colored rods on the front porch to attract money. It didn t take Michelle long to change her mind about all the changes she wanted to do in her new kitchen. She was relieved she didn t jump the gun and start ripping 34

35 out walls before she had lived there a while. In the end she saved herself thousands of dollars, not having to re-do her own renovations. You may find yourself drumming your fingers on the table in impatience and boredom this year. It will make you want to force something to happen. This year can be a profitable, peaceful year only if you can keep from leaping across the table at the first option that pokes it s head out. You ve been asking for a peaceful year for the last couple of years, and now that it s here, you don t know what to do with yourself. Review your long term plans. This year you ll make progress and see results even if you don t get to cross that many things off the bucket list. Dust off the suitcases, this is a travel year. Expect to make several trips some to new places, some to favorite haunts. These breaks in routine are good for you. Allow yourself a little recreation and you will find yourself a lot more productive when it counts. Tip: Since you ll be leaving home a few times this year, set a pair of Fu Dogs on either side of the front door to guard the house. They can be placed either inside or outside the house. Set the dogs facing the same direction (like a pair of doormen) and so the raised foot on each is closest to the other dog. Because of the quiet nature of this year for you, caution should be exercised when...well, exercising. In sports and recreational activities, guard your head because it s vulnerable this year. (Your head is exposed because of your tendancy to leap into the fray while you should be hanging back and assessing the situation.) Tip: Hang a Mystic Knot in the Family area of the house (see Bagua map). It can be hung from a picture of the family to help everyone keep their balance. Note: the Mystic Knot you use doesn t have to look exactly like the one pictured here. Love: The weakest area of your life this year is love. Perhaps you ve been thinking some aspects of your relationship need to change. Or, perhaps you re saying to yourself you d 35

36 rather be living alone. Jealousy, envy, and conflict can arise if you don t watch your actions and guard your tongue. Tip: To preserve your current relationship, find a heart-shaped bowl and place it on the kitchen or dining room table. Each week, place little slips of paper in the bowl with compliments you ve written to each other. When you feel the temptation to fight, pull out a slip of paper or two and read about how much you care about each other. You may find someone wonderful this year and hope to start a new relationship. However, this could end just as quickly as it starts if you don t exercise care. For you, Snake years are not about baring your soul, listing your personal faults, or bringing up past indescretions in your history. If you want this new love to grow into a true partnership, you re going to have to show you can be trusted. Tip: Give your special someone a Lotus Flower to place in their home; it represents the energy of a pure heart. Money: The year will start out very busy for Tiger. You will need to plan ahead and be organized. Focus on what you want to achieve, and don t let yourself become sidetracked by projects that really won t pay off in the way you hope they might. Many will try to give you advice this year about your finances. Make a personal rule to only listen to those who ve had more success in investing than you have. We often want to show respect to our family members by listening to their advice, but this year only listen to your rich uncle or your aunt who s great at investing they re the ones who know. 36

37 There is a possibility of going into debt this year if you re not careful. There will be temptations to buy (or invest in) things you ve wanted for a long time. But boats and motocycles and land are rarely liquid investments, and these can eat up savings and emergency funds. Tip: Hang a picture of koi fish. In Feng Shui, fish indicate money flowing in. And having more than one fish in your picture represents having so much money, there s money left over. Hang this picture in your home office or entryway. Whether currently employed or not, this is a year to expand your skillset. Take computer classes or find a tutor, no matter what your field. Also, take every opportunity to expand your knowledge in your chosen profession. But note, this is not a year to give up working in order to take on full time studies, not unless you have a lot of money in the bank or a secret trust fund. It s a year have income while learning more. There s a job opportunity coming mid-year; it would be quite a change from what you re doing now. It will be up to you to decide whether it s in line with your goals. Here are the predictions for those born in the Year of the Rabbit for 2013 Rabbits and Snakes often see eye to eye on many matters. It s hard to swallow a whole bunny, so Rabbits don t feel threatened by the tactics of Snake. It s true, Rabbits are much warmer, friendlier and well, cuter than the average reptile, and their ability to be accepted into many circles makes them useful in a Snake year. Rabbit s sensitivity to emotions gives them an edge when sussing out the secrets of others. But this year you ve got to learn to be a little grabby. Your detachment and desire for harmony could have you doing most of the work while others leave the scene with your carrots. Overall, however, Rabbit will fare well this year as the Snake admires this bunny s analytical and manipulative abilities. This year, 2013, the energy is Yin and you are Yin. This brings harmony. So when any problems or issues come up for you to grapple with this year, you ll find that you have both the time and energy you need to handle whatever comes your way. You understand the flow of the energy this year. You ll know when to wait, when to watch, when to act and when to rest. Your timing will 37

38 be impeccable! If you arrive late to the party, it was meant to be. If you forgot something, you ll find it wasn t really needed. Yin is about recognizing hidden factors, knowing what s underneath or behind what seems to be revealed. You are able to see the plans within plans. You will hear the unspoken words and the double meanings. Yin is about stillness, and you will find it easy to wait until just the right moment, and then, only then, will you make your move. Since your sign is compatible with the energy this year, you do not need a cure here. Rabbit s natural element is Wood, and the element of the year is Water. Wood is very compatible with Water, becaue Water feeds Wood. Wood-energy is about growth and expansion. This year, you ll feel the suport of others close to you, around you. Opportunities will appear out of nowhere. You will gain results from efforts that involve building, construction, wood working, restaurant management, catering, child care, furniture sales, medical services, nutritional counseling, publishing, printing and landscaping. Working in these areas will bring success and money. You also have very fortunate energy surrounding relationships this year. Check the compatibility section at the end of this book for compatible matches. Since your sign is compatible with the energy this year, you do not need a cure here. While there will be numerous great opportunities for Rabbits this year, there will be some challenges, too. Obstacles and difficulties may come from several directions at once, but they won t be anything you can t handle. In fact, if you meet challenges head-on, you ll find that you make out rather well this year both financially and personally. While you may start the year off feeling like you re wading through mud, towards the middle and end of the year you will find you ve made more progress than you thought possible. The trick this year will be to keep at it. Rabbit usually wants to speed ahead, but this year you need to think like your opponent, the tortoise: slow and steady will win the race. This is a good travel year for you. All trips can bring benefit. Even trips that you have taken before will prove useful, but the best trips will be to new places. If long distance travel isn t in your plans, at least consider day trips around your area. Take in a museum or national park. The results could bring new interests, new contacts, and new ideas. Tip: For luck when traveling, hang a Horseshoe in the Benefactors area of your home. (see Bagua Map for placement). Hang it so the ends face upwards like the letter, U to bring the most luck. There is a lot of activity around your dwelling this year. You may be remodeling or putting your house up for sale. If you decide to renovate, keep to your 38

39 budget; sometimes your exquisite taste can run into some bucks. Also keep in mind having too much of any one material will throw the balance of the home off. So tiling the floor and walls of a bathroom, or doing wood floors and a wood ceiling adds too much of one element. Look for harmony and balance in the materials you choose. Tip: Adding wood will stimulate grown, adding tile will bring stability, carpet brings comfort, and color brings energy. You can add some of each to bring a mix of the energies. Love: Your circle of friends is expanding quite a bit this year as you pull people related to your varied interests into your sphere. If you re looking for love, it s there but not obvious. You may not be so attracted to the ones who approach. Try the wallflowers, they ll be more to your liking. Tip: To call love to you, hang a sweet sounding bell on your front porch or from a tree in your front yard. Hang it so the breeze will gently ring the bell, and hang it high enough so no one bumps their head on it. Allow the sound of the bell to bring you some options. If you re already in a secure partnership, you may find yourself so busy you don t have time for each other. This could start rumours in the family, perhaps one or both of you is unhappy or looking elsewhere? This isn t the case. But to know what really is going on, you ll need to maintain a certain level of open communication with your partner. Tip: Consider getting a lamb s wool blanket or bedspread (it can be imiatation wool), to bring comforting, warm energy to your bedroom and your relationship. Money: Frank s bank account is still struggling to recover from the tumultuous Dragon year. Not only was it hard to keep up with rising costs on his government job salary, but there were cost-cutting measures in his department which required him to take furlough days and further reduced his paycheck. So even though Frank s stands more than 6 2 in his stocking feet, he looks like he s been beaten down. Even though there was stress, Frank was born in the year of the Rabbit, so he s no fool! He s been using those extra days off to create a side business for himself. His handyman website is completed, and he s ready to launch his company. Frank is a handsome man with a deep speaking voice, but deep down he s shy and hesitant with people. Even though his website looks great, he s nervous about promoting it and his services as a handyman. I suggest he trim back the bushes on either side of his walkway, all the way up to his front door. His customers won t actually be walking up to his door, but 39

40 clearing and tidying up the pathway to the entrance to his home will allow the money energy to flow more easily. I suggest that Frank hand out at least one business card a day. To help with the process of finding the right people to give the card, I choose an affirmation for Frank from my booklet, Money and Prosperity Workbook, which reads, I am always in the right place at the right time. Frank says this affirmation out loud to himself three times each morning, priming himself for success. Using this affirmation will help him to easily find someone to give his business card to each day. This is a beneficial money year for you. Rabbits will be able to spend a little more (and even squirrel some away). Remember to set aside a bit for travel and vacations. Otherwise, you probably already have a list of what you want to buy. Tip: To attract more money, burn metallic gold candles in your Wealth area (see Bagua Map) about once a month. As the candle burns remind yourself of what you ll use the money for. You can use votives, pillars, or even tea lights, if you can find them in metallic gold. If you choose a pillar candle (they are usually easy to find in gold) burn it for an hour or two a day for a few days each month. For those who are currently employed, your prospects look quite good. Your options are expanding, and there is a possibility of a promotion this year. The same goes for those of you who own your own business: you will see your customer list grow. You may decide to shift your career choices in an entirely new direction now, but take small steps in the new direction as you start exploring the possibilities, rather than tossing away the security you have created in your current situation. You can make a great deal of progress by simply working on your new venture a few hours each week. Tip: To stimulate prosperity energy, put Frankincense & Myrrh oil on a cotton ball and place in your home office. For more about using oils, see my booklet, How to Use Magical Oils. If you re job hunting, you may encounter a few challenges. Open up to the possibility that a new job may involve a move out of state, or even out of the country. Tip: To speed up the process of locating a new position, find a replica of a boat (could be toy or model) and and place a copy of your resume in the boat. Place the boat in your home office or family room until you ve landed the new job. To speed up the process, spend a few minutes picturing yourself moving easily towards your destination of a job offer. 40

41 Here are the predictions for those born in the Year of the Dragon for 2013 Brothers from a different mother, Snake and Dragon have some similarities. This will help Dragon get on well this year. Dragon is a little too out there for the average Snake energy; his enthusiasm and big ideas can cause some friction with people this year. But Dragon has the powerful ability to hold sway over others as a leader and a trail blazer, and will favor gathering Snake-like opportunities. Dragons are intense on the outside and Snakes are intense on the inside, and therefore Dragons can/will appear to mirror what everyone is feeling. But what really saves Dragons this year is their ability to make quick adjustments, mid-flight. Their vantage point while flying in the sky above gives them the ability to see what s really going on, on the ground. In 2013, the energy is Yin and you are Yang. Yin is about patience, flexibility and waiting until the right moment to take action. You want to agressively push forward. You are impatient, and want to see progress. This is about as effective as standing over a seed you ve planted in the ground, willing it to grow. Your will is useless here. Yin is about yielding to the flow. For you to get into the flow this year, you have to allow things to happen at the speed they happen rather than trying to force results. Yin is about hidden things. Yang likes to lay everything out on the table. You will need to remember much will be hidden this year, so if you think you re seeing everything, believe me, you re not! Tip: To balance this incompatible energy hang a Yin/Yang symbol in your bedroom near the entrance to the bedroom. The symbol can be made of glass, metal, fabric or painted wood just not plastic. It can be as small as 1 inch across, or as large as 2 feet in diameter. Dragon s natural element is Wood, and the element of this year is Water. Wood is very compatible with Water, becaue Water feeds Wood. Wood is about growth and expansion. This year you will feel very supported by those around you. Opportunities will come out of nowhere. You will gain results from efforts which involve building, construction, wood working, restaurant management, catering, child care, furniture sales, medical services, nutritional counseling, publishing, printing and landscaping. Working in these areas will bring success and money. 41

42 You also have very fortunate energy surrounding relationships this year. Check the compatibility section at the end of this book for compatible matches. Since your sign is compatible with the energy this year, you do not need a cure here. Ever since she was a little girl, Claire has had a wonderful imagination. She knows what she wants for her future. Her clear blue eyes can see it as clearly as if it were already here. What she has trouble with is the everyday, mundane tasks it seems to take to get there. She just can t seem to get orgainized. And she fears her inability to get (and stay) organized is going to hold her back. I have good news for Claire. When I see her, she s sittig at her desk. Well, I think it s her desk; it s either that, or a very large, well formed stack of paper. I can t even tell what color the desk is underneath. This is hopeless, she says, sighing deeply. Nonesense! I say, holding up two large banker s boxes. I set these boxes in front of her and pull up the trash can. In 15 minutes we d divided up all the paper on her desk into the three containers, one for stuff she needed to deal with: bills, invitations, checks, etc; one for stuff she wanted to keep, but didnt need right this minute: magazines, catalogs, coupons; and the rest went into the trash (which went directly into the shredder for security purposes). Now with a clean desk, we added an important feature: a small fishbowl with a live gold fish. Gold is the color of wealth and fish represent prosperity, so this is a powerful Feng Shui cure. (And if you are careful with your little fish friend, he can live up to 25 years.) I tell Claire, who is a Dragon through and through, to meditate each day on the movement of this fish. See how he effortlessly glides from one side of the bowl to the other. Picture yourself in your day, see the easy flow of your life, and see yourself moving effortlessly through your tasks each day. See everything you need to do getting done. And see yourself at peace.. Claire and the gold fish, aptly named Fishy, spend a few happy, peaceful minutes each day together, and Claire has found this simple exercise has reduced her stress levels, allowing her to take care of paperwork and bills as they come in. She finds herself taking on the challenges of the day gracefully, rarely getting bogged down with paper. 42

43 This is a lucky year for those born under the sign of Dragon. There are business opportunities and financial possibilities. There will be obstacles here and there, but nothing that can stop a determined Dragon. However, Dragons need to keep an eye on what s happening at home. There could be little seedlings of trouble sprouting, things that could be easily weeded out if spotted early. There is a lot of energy around you for exploring new skills this year. You might take a class or drop everything and go back to school. While Snake years are good years for pursuing wisdom, make sure when you make the decision to give up a job to follow an education path, you have financial backing. Tip: This is not a year to play too loose with your savings. If you re looking to reinvent yourself, hang a picture of a Phoenix in your living room or family room. It s been said that the Phoenix would live for a hundred years, then one day burst into flames to ultimately be reborn out of its own ashes. This kind of dramatic comeback is right up Dragon s alley. As there will be so many different paths to choose from this year, you may feel your life is a little out of control. Tip: Find a Ru Yi, also called the sceptre of power, and place it on your entry table, or near your front door. Whenever you feel like life is turning you upside down, hold this powerful cure in your hand, and feel its grounding energy. If you can t find one of these, find a replica of a king s scepter, or a magician s wand at a costume shop, and place this near the front door. (It doesn t have to be visible to guests, it can be in a vase with flowers, or in a box on the entryway table.) Love: As you have often experienced in the past, many people are interested in having a relationship with you, yet, just as often is the case, you re not sure if you want to have a relationship with them. This is a year to be a little cautious in the relationship area both with prospective partners, and with friends. If you pay too little attention, the one you want may leave; pay too much attention and you may be stuck with a groupee for a long time. Tip: Plant a rose bush or have a pot of roses near your front porch. Beautiful roses attract energy, and the thorns remind us not to be grabbie. If you re already in a love relationship, you may need a little reminder this year to go home once in a while, to spend time with your partner. There will be so many business and social activities on your docket you might forget your own address. While making new contacts is important, you need to be aware of the benefits you receive from having a happy partner at home. 43

44 Tip: In her booklet, Simple Feng Shui Secrets, Diane Ronngren suggests removing dried floral arrangements from the house to keep the relationship from seeming stale and dry. Money Tip: To activate the money potential this year, light beeswax candles each month. Bees represent community, the practice of coming together to build something important as a group. The beeswax candles will call in opportunities for you from many directions, many of which will lead directly to money. Even the options that don t bring cash, will bring outlets for expressing your creativity in satisfying ways. You re more likely to stay in your current job this year, as you will be tempted by promises of raises and promotions. These are serious offers and should not be taken lightly. However, if you do wish to job hunt, be aware you will have to call in lots of favors from past contacts to really get the energy moving. Tip: If you find yourself without a job, don t hesitate to talk to both business and personal aquaintances as you pursue possible job leads. Use a bottle of real gold flakes to stimulate the money energy. Place it on your desk at home or at work. If you want to accumulate more money this year, you will have the opportunity, if you re willing to do your share. Tip: Find or buy something either made from crocodile skin or simulated crocodile. You might find a pair of shoes, a handbag, or belt. The crocodile is one of your companion animals, and he can help you take hold of what you want. No one s going to argue about you taking your share when your croc-buddy is backing you up. Here are the predictions for those born in the Year of the Snake for 2013 This is your year. But how much fun can it be to find a corner or a spot up against the wall in a room in order to observe the others in the room, if everyone is observing everyone else? Everyone is going to be trying their hand at cunning, caution, and skepticism but at least you re the expert. Where you will really thrive this year, is in the exploration of new avenues leading to money and success. Business opportunities will be available for you to squeeze the juice out of. 44

45 Also, this year all the world is looking for love, and if you focus your attention and charm on them, they easily come under your practiced spell. You will gain a lot more ground exercising a little tolerance for the less subtle, more clumsy attempts by those around you. They ll be looking for a teacher and a leader to show the way. The question is, do you want to show them your tricks? This year, 2013, the energy is Yin and you are Yin. This brings harmony. So, no matter which problems and issues happen this year, you will have the time and energy you need to handle whatever comes. You understand the flow of the energy this year. You ll know when to wait, when to watch, when to act, and when to rest. Your timing will be impeccable. If you arrive late to the party, it was meant to be. If you forgot something, you will find you didn t actually need it. Yin is about what s hidden beneath the surface, and you will clearly see the plans within plans. You will hear the unspoken words and the double meanings. Yin is about stillness and you will find it easy to wait until just the right moment, and then, only then, will you make your move. Since your sign is compatible with the energy this year you do not need a cure here. Snake s natural element is Fire, and the element of the year is Water. This is challenging because Water destroys Fire. Fire is about energy and vitality. This year you may feel tired, have to stop and restart plans; you may find obstacles blocking your path. It will be important to take time to take care of yourself this year. You will have the most success with endeavors involving animal care, chemistry, pharmaceuticals, religious establishments, leather goods, heating services, chimney sweeps, doing sports, fitness trainer, law enforcement, and the millitary. Relationships will sometimes be stressful; there could be arguments and misunderstandings. This can be tempered by choosing your partner wisely. Check the compatibility section at the end of this book for compatible matches. Tip: To protect yourself this year because of the incompatibility between your sign s element and this year s element place a houseplant (such as a peace lily, bamboo, or jade plant) just inside your front door. The plant can be small or large, but must be living. If the plant dies, replace it with a new plant as soon as you can. 45

46 This is the Snake year, your year, so there will be a lot of roses...and a few thorns. You have considerable powers of intellect and observation, honed through the experiences of your life. But most of these gifts have gone unrecognized. This is the year you can make your move, but don t be surprised if your talents are, once again, not noticed. That s okay though, it doesn t stop you from using your special abilities to get what you want. Don t spend very much time this year dwelling on the past. This is the beginning of a new 12-year cycle for you. It s time to plant new seeds, have big plans for future growth. This year, try some new hobbies, explore parts of your area you haven t been to before, try a new sport. Tip: If you ve been stuck in a rut for a while and really want to break free, hang a plaque of the Sun and Moon together. You can usually find this type of ornament at garden shops. The two luminaries close together, form the image of an eclipse, a symbol of great change. Hang it near your front entrance to change your career path, or hang it in your Relationship area to create something new in your love life. You can find the Relationship area of your home by checking the Bagua Map. After the change has begun to take place, remove the plaque and put it away until you need it again. Benjamin is an example of the classic entrepreneur, head to toe. He s constantly on the phone checking on his team, supplies, and setting up meetings for new buiness opportunities. While everything is still in the beginning stages, his prospects are good. He s optimistic, he s ambitious, he just purchased a new house last year. When I meet with him in his kitchen he s in his usual rugby shirt and tennis shoes. As I wait for him to get off the phone, I look around his new place. Like anyone who s busy (which would be all of us), unpacking after a move usually starts out strong and then fizzles by the last couple of boxes. Benjamin s artwork is still on the floor waiting to be hung. He has an abstract piece with a lot of reds and triangular shapes perfect since he s born in the Year of the Snake. However the painting is leaning against the wall near the entryway. (Entryways are associated with the Water element and that would be in conflict with a picture denoting fire. This painting belongs in the bedroom to help steam up the romance area.) After riffling through his artwork, I find the perfect picture for the entryway. It s a bright Mediterranean scene with white buildings overlooking the turquoise ocean, lapping up onto the shore. We position the picture so the ocean water in the picture looks as if it were flowing in through Benjamin s front door. This will bring more wealth opportunities. 46

47 In addition, since Benjamin wants to at some point purchase a second home in that part of the world, this is a positive affirmation he will see daily. Each time the picture makes an impression as he looks at it or walks past, it will prime his subsconsciou to attract opportunities to make his goal a reality. This year will bring you many exciting opportunities and options, including love, money and travel. Tip: If things feel like they re happening too fast, or you start to feel rushed in your life, place a potted cactus on your front or back porch (or balcony). Cactus is a very protective plant. This will slow the energy down long enough for you to catch your breath. Love: You have more prospects for a good relationship this year than you have had in a long time, so it s important that you not hide at home. Try to be social and accept at least some of the invitations you are going to be receiving. Tip: If you d like to find someone new to share your life (or at least to share the weekend), hang a picture of a Stag in your living room or family room. The stag is one of your companion animals and brings the energy of passion. Tip: If you are already in a relationship, you can strengthen this love by clearing out any clutter in the bedroom. Make the bedroom a special place for the two of you by getting rid of outdated clothes, broken furniture, extra magazines, and anything you store in there which is not meant to be found in a bedroom. Try to avoid having lots of electronics in the bedroom especially if you have a history of difficulty sleeping. And if you want to enjoy more imtimate evenings, remove the TV altogether. Money: Your career is surrounded by positive energy. This year, you are poised to accept a position of more responsibility and receive an increase in pay. Don t sell yourself short! You may have to speak up and ask for the full increase you are entitled to receive in the new position, but you re worth it. 47

48 Tip: To call in money from career, hang a wind chime made of Chinese coins (sometimes called the Shower of Coins Wind Chime ) from a tree in your front yard, or hang the chime on your balcony. You may be inspired to strike out on your own this year. This is a good year to test market your idea, product, or service to see what level of response it receives in the marketplace. You can start small, but there may also be backers for a bigger idea if you take a good look around. Tip: Meditate or visualize on your business plans while playing some soft music in the background. This will help you attract the opportunities you want. More money is coming your way from several sources this year. Generally, you re very prudent with money, but sometimes you feel like, What the heck!, and you want to indulge yourself in a gift or two. Treating yourself is fine, but save the majority of the excess coming in this year. Sarah Bartholomew, in her booklet, Feng Shui: It s Good for Business suggests adding a lamp or light source to the Knowledge area of your home (to find your Knowledge area, check the Bagua Map) when you want to focus on writing or studying about financial matters. Good investments are coming your way and you will want to have the cash available so you can take advantage of them. Here are the predictions for those born in the Year of the Horse for 2013 Impressive, ambitious and impatient, high-stepping Horse couldn t be more irritated by the arrival of a Snake year. What s the use of subtlely if you re the equine equivalent of the Lion-King! You always try for mutual respect, but all this sneaking around makes you want to crush something. Your natural generousity keeps your hooves off the Snakes for now, but you can t be expected to be lenient forever. This Snake year energy will make it hard for you to saunter around the way you prefer. In fact, you will have to step cautiously as you move through the year not the preference for proud Horse. After all, Mr. or Ms. Horse, you wouldn t even consider getting down on the bare ground to sleep, let alone crawl. 48

49 You ll find some positive energy from a romantic distraction, and that s fine for a romp. But all this excess planning and lack of parties is more than you can stand. So, this year, try to be patient and wait things out; your year is coming soon. In 2013 the energy is Yin, and you are Yang. Yin is about patience, flexibility and waiting until the right moment to take action. You want to agressively push forward, right NOW. You are impatient, wanting to see progress. Your efforts are about as useful as standing over a seed in the ground and willing it to grow. Your will is useless here. Yin is about yielding to the flow. For you to get into the flow this year, you will need to allow things to happen at the speed they happen, rather than trying to force results. Yin is about hidden things. Yang likes to spread all of their cards out on the on the table in plain view. You ll need to remember that much will be hidden this year, so you if you think you see everything there is, believe me, you don t. Tip: To balance this incompatible energy, hang a Yin/Yang symbol in your bedroom, near the entrance to the bedroom. This symbol can be made of glass, metal, fabric or painted wood but not plastic. It can be as small, as little as 1 inch across, or as large as 2 feet in diameter. Horse s natural element is Fire, and the element of the year is Water. This is challenging because Water destroys Fire. Fire is about energy and vitality. So, this year you feel tired, have to stop and restart plans. You may find obstacles blocking your path. It will be important to take time this year to take care of yourself. You will experience the greatest success in endeavors involving animal care, chemistry, pharmaceuticals, religious establishments, leather goods, heating services, chimney sweeps, doing sports, fitness trainer, law enforcement, and in the military. Relationships will sometimes be stressful, arguments and misunderstandings just seem to happen. This can be tempered by choosing your partner wisely. Check the compatibility section at the end of this book for compatible matches. Tip: Because of the incompatibility between your sign s element and this year s element, you may want to protect yourself this year by placing a houseplant such as a peace lily, bamboo, or jade plant just inside your front door. The plant can be small or large, but it must be a living one. If the plant dies, replace it with a new plant as soon as you can. 49

50 A busy year doesn t always mean that you ll reap benefit from your efforts, so it will be important for you to focus your energies on projects that have potential. Make a list of your long-term goals, and save your energy for working on those. Tip: Get some Cherry Blossoms, either real ones, a photo, or a painting of them, and place it in the living room. This will support your health, protect your relationships, and help you navigate the year smoothly. This is a year to watch out for your health. You sometimes push yourself too hard, and tend to forget to check in with how your body is feeling. Tip: Give yourself enough time to eat right, walk and do other exercise, especially walking or working out. You can enjoy a very healthy year by taking just a few precautions. Consider what any Horse would want: a beautiful pasture, fresh air, and room to run. When Skyping with my friend and client, Olivia, I notice two travel posters behind her, one of Japan, and the other for New Zealand. They represent the destinations for her next trip. She s used the Benefactor s area of her home to manifest her most recent two trips. (To find the Benefactors area of your home check the Bagua Map). Now I see she s set her sights on a couple of new destinations. This is a good year for travel, and you can find yourself in more than one place you ve never been before. You will meet new and interesting people, and stay in contact with them in future years. But even though you travel, you feel that you are not really free, more trapped in your same old routine. Tip: To stimulate travel energy, place a globe or map of the world in your family room. You can sit with the family and visualize exotic destinations. You ll be surprised about the opportunities this activity brings. Back to Olivia, I find that her real reason for Skyping me today is a love question. She s been with the same boyfriend for more than five years, and he s really dragging his feet on the question of marriage. Olivia was being patient enough until about a month ago when she met a man who seems head over heels for her. She d never thought about leaving her boyfriend before, but now the temptation is really overwhelming. But, she asks, how can she know if her dream of getting married will be fulfilled with the new man. 50

51 In my book, Feng Shui Form, there s a section on gemstones and the different energies they attract. For Olivia, I suggest she start wearing garnets especially garnet earrings so that she will start to hear clues that lead her to know which man will be best for her future. It s said that garnets attract the energy of a love worth having. She quickly found a pair of garnet studs at a discount department store, and very soon noticed that the current and long-term boyfriend more and more often mentioned he needed more space, more time on his own. In contrast, the new man often mused about being Olivia s husband in the future. This helped make her choice clear; everyone involved was the happier for it. Love: You are naturally great with people, so doing things which bring you into contact with lots of new people offers the most opportunities for romance. Of course, this is a Snake year, so discretion is very important. Be careful not to do anything that would sully your reputation or worse, put your current relationship at risk. Tip: If you feel your partner is starting to look elsewhere, bring him or her back to the fold by displaying a picture of the two of you placed in a heavy stone frame (granite or marble is your best choice). This will bring stability back to your relationship. Tip: If you are looking for love this year, you will find it most easily online or in new social circles. Find something that depicts a deer. This could be a small keychain figurine, a photo on your phone, deer horn jewelry, or even musk scented cologne. Deer represents an awareness of people s motivations and intentions. This will keep you and your heart safe while you tread through the romantic possibilities. Money: 2012 may have been a varied year with regard to income; this year the Snake helps stabilize your career. You can settle into your job knowing it will be more stable. You will have time to develop useful skills, ones which will make you more salable in the marketplace in future years; however, if you are currently looking for a job, the energy needs to be shifted. Try this useful tip. Tip: Add a Lucky Cat to the kitchen window, facing out towards the world outside your home. You can choose a Lucky Cat that has either his right or his left hand raised, both bring money. One painted in metallic gold would be the strongest for stimulating prosperity. (And make sure you feed your cat...pennies are fine but quarters are his favorite.) You should be cautious when making monetary decisions this year. This Snake year is not a good one for 51

52 you to be trying new investments, or moving your money around a lot. Find a place where it feels safe enough to allow you sleep at night, and then leave it be. You may even want to keep a minimal stash at home, just to help you feel a little more secure. And even though banks aren t paying much in interest these days, the thought of having your cash so liquid can help you sleep better at night. There will be time next year to take chances for greater gain. On the other hand, this is a good year to add to your financial education. Find people to socialize with who are doing well in business and/or investing and start learning from them. Or, consider taking classes at your local brokerage firm or community college. As money comes into your hands, consider paying down debt rather than spending on a more current want. Tip: You can carry a piece of Tiger s Eye with you for luck. This brown, striated gemstone is said to bring good fortune with finances. Here are the predictions for those born in the Year of the Ram for Does Ram ever have an easy time? You are one of the most patient, cautious, and intelligent signs, but this year you have Snake whispering all kinds of discouraging thoughts in your ear. All you want is a nice, safe pasture to graze, but Snake wants the whole county for himself. If you don t speak up you re going to get left out. This year, it s easy to get caught up in the notion everyone is talking about you behind your back, that people are taking advantage, and you re getting the short end of the deal. Communication seems off somehow, and there are mixed signals everywhere. Your remarkable analytical abilities will be very useful this year. And you can help many people if you can muster enough curiosity to care about these gossips. Give yourself a break. Skip the secrecy altogether and just tell everyone what you want. This year, 2013, the energy is Yin and you are Yin. This brings harmony. So in spite of whatever problems and issues showing up this year, you will have the time and energy you need to handle what comes. You understand the flow of the energy this year. You ll know when to wait, when to watch, when to act and when to rest. Your timing will be impeccable. If you arrive late to the party, well, you were meant to arrive late. If you forgot something you will find you didn t really need it after all. 52

53 Yin is about what s going on beneath the surface, and you are perfectly capable of seeing the plans within plans. You will hear the unspoken words and understand the double meanings. Yin is about stillness; you will find it easy to wait until just the right moment, and then, only then, will you make your move. Since your sign is compatible with the energy this year you do not need a cure here. Ram s natural element is Fire and the element of the year is Water. This can prove challenging because Water destroys Fire. Fire is about energy and vitality. This year you may feel tired, have to stop and restart plans. And you may find obstacles blocking your path. It will be important to take the time to take care of your physical health and general well-being this year. You will have the greatest success with endeavors involving animal care, chemistry, pharmaceuticals, religious establishments, leather goods, heating services, chimney sweeps, doing sports, fitness trainer, law enforcement, and military. Relationships will sometimes be stressful, you are tired of the arguments and misunderstandings. This can be tempered by choosing your partner wisely. Check the compatibility section at the end of this book for compatible matches. Tip: Because of the incompatibility between your sign s element and this year s element, protect yourself this year by placing a houseplant such as a peace lily, bamboo, or jade plant just inside your front door. The plant may be small or large, but it must be a living plant. If the plant dies, replace it with a new plant as soon as you can. While not completely smooth sailing, when you do your accounting as Snake year draws to a close, 2013 may well be counted as one of your better years. This is your chance to gain moneyr and control over some important aspects of your life. Feel the excitment of opportunity around you, and if you make the effort to grasp it, you could be counting you good fortune all the way to the bank! 53

54 Tip: Place a piggy bank near your front door and drop coins in it every week. As piggy fills, more and more opportunities of all kinds fill the house. You will get to see more of your family and friends this year. (There will be a special family occasion that brings people together.) This is a good year for travel either with family or to see family members. Consider the benefits of making several trips this year, both to places you ve been before, and to new ones as well. One of the most beneficial things Ram can do for themselves this year is to explore new interests. You ve felt the need for something new percolating inside of you for some time now. It s time to take a step out to explore what the possibilities are. Seek out an expert in your area of interest, set up a meeting, attend a conference, or visit a showroom. Hang a picture of sunflowers in your bedroom to remind yourself of the bright beauty of life, and when you allow yourself to enjoy the beauty all around, everything tends to work out just fine. Love: This is a romance year for Ram. Potential partners and perhaps even a proposal can bring happiness (this would be an especially lucky year for you to marry). It s important for you to slow down enough to let one of these possible mates find you. Tip: If you ve thought about redecorating your bedroom, now would be a good time. Add a pair of red candles to call in the perfect partner. Light them about once a week until you have set on a particular person. If you re already in a relationship, you will find yourselves growing closer this year. Some new activity captivates both of you, and you both enjoy sharing it with one another. The joy of sharing will be coupled with some friendly competition, and this brings the spark of romance back into your relationship. Money: You will be receiving quite a bit of support this year, especially at work. There s talk of a promotion or transfer, either of which could prove to be very constructive for your career. While you may feel too busy to find time to deal with a major change of routine, explore the option carefully before you decide if it s favorable, or whether it will just be too much work. 54

55 Tip: Place some quartz crystals in the Wealth area of your home (to find the Wealth area check the Bagua Map). Quartz is known to draw energy. Dust off the crystals once a week to reenergize them. If you re in a creative profession there will be some interesting job opportunities this year. And there will be work for all Rams, if they are looking. Tip: Put out a new welcome mat at your front door to welcome potential job opportunities and offers. Or, if you are looking for promotion within your current job, place the new welcome mat at your back door to attract something at your current company. Padma is one of the most talented and intelligent people I know, typical of people born during the year of the Ram. But she can get so caught up in the projects for clients, she forgets to take care of the more mundane things like paying bills and invoicing. She works hard and has a lot of satisfied clients, but because she doesn t remind them about the money they owe her, they have become lax and unresponsive when it comes to paying for her services. I listen to her tell me all the ways she s going to use to attract new customers but I stop her in midsentence, Before you start working with anyone new, you need to shift the old energy and get the customers you have to start paying on time! She closes her eyes for a moment and even over our Skype connection I can see her long, beautiful lashes. She shakes her head, I just don t know what to do. I have her carry her laptop to the Weath area of her home (to find your own Wealth area, check the Bagua Map). As she pans her computer camera around I see a dead plant, a stack of newspapers and magazines, a teddybear (she has a thing for bears), and a trash can in her Wealth area. Sometimes in Feng Shui we can shift the energy a great deal just by removing things. The dead plant is the first to go. If it s dead, it s not growing, so symbolically it is therefore not helpful in colllecting funds. The stacks of newspapers and magazines aren t helpful in this area either. Padma needs this area to be clear, so she can stay focused. Teddybears represent a desire to be comforted. Padma s a little scared about picking up the phone and letting her clients know their bills are overdue, so instead of paying, the clients are just putting her invoices in their trash. 55

56 I suggest Padma clear out this area entirely and keep it clean for 48 hours as a kind of Feng Shui reboot. Then I suggest she light a purple candle in this area while she makes a few phone calls. (In Diane Ronngren s booklet on Color, she recommends the color purple to help a person express power.) Padma was amazed at how many clients thanked her for the reminder to pay, and she started receving checks the very next week. Rams should watch their spending this year. While you do show an increase in income, you are finding lots of things to spend on. Tip: Increase what s coming in by making a mental list of all the ways you could receive money (be creative here). You can list things like your job, but don t forget options like: selling things, winning money, receiving gifts, income from investments, etc. By keeping your mind open to potentialities, you will be able to jump into action on them, when an opportunity makes it s appearance. Here are the predictions for those born in the Year of the Monkey for 2013 You have to ask a monkey, Have you even seen a snake from way up there in the trees? Guess what the answer will be. Your constant energy makes Snake look like he s playing dead. All this quiet, patient waiting is making you a little bananas. The only thing you find interesting about the energy this year is that people seem so interested in what you have to say. You re brilliant at outwitting your enemies, and that skill, along with your strong persuasive expression, will make you a sought after teacher. But where you re clever, you re also straight-forward, and these snake tacticts seem sneaky. And where you re ambitious, Snake seems opportunitistic. What you d really like is to skip all the steps and just tell everyone to get out of your way! In 2013, the energy is Yin and you are Yang. Yin is about patience, flexibility and waiting until the right moment to take action. You want to agressively push forward. You are impatient, you want to see progress, NOW. But that effort is much like standing over a seed in the ground, using your mind to will it to grow. In this instance, your will is useless. Yin is about yielding to the flow. For you to get into the flow this year, you ll have to allow things to happen at the speed they happen rather than trying to force results. Yin is about that which is hidden. Yang likes to have every- 56

57 thing out on the table. You will need to remember much will be hidden this year, so you if you think you see everything, believe me, you don t. Tip: To balance this incompatible energy, hang a Yin/Yang symbol in your bedroom, yet near the entrance to the bedroom. This item can be made of glass, metal, fabric or painted wood but not plastic. It can be as small as 1 inch across, or as large as 2 feet in diameter. Monkey s natural element is Metal, and this year the element is Water. Metal creates Water, so it s like you re taking it upon yourself to do just about everything. There will be a number of challenges this year. You ll be tempted to try to do everything on your own because there seems to be no one around to help. You will want to start many projects over, or begin anew from scratch, just to get them right. You will be quick to offer your help to others, but don t expect them to reciprocate, unless you ask. Be cautious, so you don t deplete your resources (including your own energy). You will experience greater success, however, if you focus your energy on the areas of banking, investments, coin collecting, metal work, tool and die manufacturing, hardware sales, jewerly manufacting and sales, railroad services, auto services, shipping, trucking. There will be lots of relationship opportunities for Monkey this year, however, you ll need to choose carefully, since most of the people you meet will want you to support them. Check the compatibility section at the end of this book for compatible matches. Tip: Because of the incompatibility of your sign s element and the element of the year, hang several coin strings on door knobs, or place coins on windowsills to add metal energy. This will attract more support to you. Ethan really needs a break this year. In the year of the Dragon this handsome thirty-something had a few contract positions, but now he really needs something permanent. He had a solid resume up until about 18 months ago, and he still has contacts in the industry, but he wants to break through the blocks and find something stable. What I need is a break, some good luck!, he says. Feng Shui is about our response to our environment. We can be supported by the things around us or depleted by them. The clutter in Ethan s apartment was a mirror of his frustration with his work situation. He had a collection of mail, magazines, newspapers, 57

58 books, bills, and miscellaneous receipts seemingly covering every horizonal surface in the house. The clutter was draining Ethan s energy and zapping his will to job hunt. When we need to be at our best out in the world, we need a home where we can recouperate and reenergize., I told him. It took a whole month, but Ethan worked dilligently scanning receipts, converting bills to online payments, recyclying newspapers, and donating magazines. He even put together some bookshelves that had been in the box for more than a year. Now his home looks neat and inviting. He has started to feel more hopeful and optimistic. Soon after, he connected with several companies that are hiring. I suggested that Ethan sprinkle a little cinnamon on his doorstep. (Cinnamon attracts prosperity energy.) He is confident that his interviews will go very well. Overall this is a positive year for those born in the year of the Monkey. You can expect to receive a great deal of help from those around you, both personal help, and professional. Bosses and managers will give you a hand up this year; so there could be the possibility of a promotion. However, this is a year to curb your quick tongue especially around family members. A small mis-spoken comment can lead to a huge fight with big consequences for the relationship and the family as a whole. You will be much busier this year than last. And because of this you ll be tempted to rush and try to push people into making decisions and taking action. But this is a Snake year; things need to be done in a slow and methodical way. If you can t get work done because you re waiting on others, take some time off. On the other hand, if you can t get friends together to socialize or to spend some time having fun, take it as a sign you need to focus on work. Tip: Place a small table-top fountain on your entry table or in your living room to help balance the flow. Add a quartz crystal or two to help shorten the amount of time you have to wait when you want some action to happen. You want a lot of things, and you feel you ve been patient long enough. Tip: Find a pretty, wooden box and place a list of what you want inside the box. Add a few leaves or pine neeles from a tree near your home to the box. Now place a few coins inside the box, and set the box on the nightstand in your bedroom. (You can add new wishes to this box all year long. But each time you do, replace the leaves with fresh leaves.) Love: You biggest challenge this year is to keep your cool. Whether you re in a new relationship or celebrating your 50th Anniversary, losing your temper and snapping at your partner will cause trouble! Usually you re an expert communicator, and have the patience of a saint. So you should do fine this year. 58

59 Tip: However and just in case it could be wise to carry an Angel charm with you. This could be a pendant, hanging from your purse, or something you carry in your pocket. The Angel could be made from stone, crystal, or metal. If you are a Monkey looking for love this year, it s the right time to be sociable and outgoing. You can meet potential mates at community events, business and social gatherings. Use the scent of Vanilla to attract romance into your life. Vanilla has been used for centuries to attract love quickly. Tip: You could wear a perfume with vanilla undertones, take a vanilla cake to the party, or vanilla creamer to the office social. You can even burn vanilla candles at home to attract love energy before you go out on the town. Money: The last year or even two years have been challenging. You ve worked hard, but it has felt like you were losing ground. Because of this slump you must be determined this year to take money where you find it. If there are no jobs in your current profession, look to branch out. Consider a couple of part-time jobs, or start a small business on the side. If you re good with people, consider becoming involved in an MLM, and build a team to bring you income. Even as you focus on job hunting and job retention this year, your income will rise. Money will be finding you, even if it doesn t come from a paycheck. As money flows in, try to tackle debt while building a little savings. Take your time deciding what to do with extra money, and most importantly don t blow the whole amount just on fun. You need to be prudent this year. Tip: Place a Lucky Money Frog in the Wealth area of the home or of your home office. (To find the Wealth area use the Bagua Map.) If you are in a happy and secure job right now, remember to stay focused. It s risky to try to juggle too many things at once. Pick your tasks and do them well. Avoid office gossip at all costs. What 59

60 you say may be overheard by someone of power and importance and turned to your disadvantage. If your job becomes stressful you may want to clear the energy around you when you get home from work. In her book, Sage & Smudge: The Ultimate Guide, Diane Ronngren describes how to clear yourself with sage....focus on yourself and your body for a moment, then bend and allow the wand or the feather (or fan) to move the smoke down as far as possible, to your ankles and feet. Move the smoke from that position near the floor slowly up the length of your body to the top of your head. This will help clear the stresses of the day and balance the energies for tomorrow. Here are the predictions for those born in the Year of the Rooster for 2013 There s a lot to celebrate this year. All of the energies invite you to step in as the leader in your own life, promising you will receive the respect and success you deserve. Your energy and Snake energy are harmonious; you esteem Snake s patience and their calculating nature. Your hard work, education, and natural talent will be admired and your efforts rewarded this year. In fact, it s not out of line to start your calculations now so you make sure the bill for your services is paid in full. Snake might shrug (but how would you know, with his lack of shoulders) at your attention to detail, but he can he not be impressed by how you quickly determine who owes whom. This productive use of your energy will bring you both business and personal success. This is a year you can build something that will last. 60

61 This year, 2013, the energy is Yin and you are Yin. This brings harmony. So whenever (or whatever) problems and issues happen this year, you ll have the time and energy you need to handle what comes. You understand the flow of the energy this year. You ll know when to wait, when to watch, when to act, and when to rest. Your timing will be impeccable. If you arrive late to the party, it was meant to be. If you forgot something, you ll find it wasn t really needed. Yin is about what s under the surface everyone else is focused on; you will see the plans within plans. You will hear the unspoken words and pick up on double entendre.yin is about stillness you will find it easy to wait until just the right moment, and then, only then, will you make your move. Since your sign is compatible with the energy this year you do not need a cure here. Rooster s natural element is Metal, and this year s element is Water. Metal creates Water, so it s as if you were ready to take on just about anything and everything! There will be some challenges this year, and you will be tempted to try to do everything on your own, because there seems to be no one else around to rely on. You will want to re-launch many projects, or do them over from scratch, just to get them right. You will be quick to offer your help to others. However, don t expect them to reciprocate. Be cautious you don t deplete your resources (including your own energy). You will have some success, however, if you focus your energy on the areas of banking, investments, coin collecting, metal work, tool and die manufacturing, hardware sales, jewerly manufacting and sales, railroad services, auto services, shipping, and trucking. There will be lots of opportunities for relationships this year, however, you ll need to choose carefully, since most people will be looking for you to support them. Check the compatibility section at the end of this book for compatible matches. Tip: Because of the incompatibility of your sign s element and the element of the year, hang several coin strings on door knobs, or place coins on windowsills to add metal. This will attract more support to you. This is a year when you want to focus on the positive. Even setbacks and challenges will bring you benefit, if you see them through. Don t look for the easy way, try to duck the confrontation; you re up to the test! You have a talent for coming up with, even inventing new solutions to problems, so see any obstacles you encounter as a contest of skill. 61

62 Tip: If you come across a crow feather, bring it home (you can keep it in a baggie if you re concerned about germs) to represent intuitive understanding and foresight. The Crow is one of your animal companions and he can help you out this year. While home improvements continue this year, you may actually consider moving. If you do, make a list of what you loved about this home and every home you ve lived in. Focus on the positive, not what you re trying to avoid. List things like private garden, spa tub in the master bath, granite counter tops in kitchen, within walking distance to a local coffee place and so on. Tip: Place the list in the Benefactors section of the house (see Bagua Map to find your Benefactors area in your home). The list can be placed on a shelf, behind a picture or in a decorative box. The last few years have been stressful for you, so you might have put on a few pounds. This year there is energy for letting that extra weight go. Gather a few friends to support your process, either through accountabilty (perhaps a quick check-in every week to see if you ve kept on target with your diet), or by pooling together your resources for a personal trainer who can whip you all into shape. Consider yoga and other exercises that focus on fluidity and flexibility. This is a Snake year, so you don t need to be an exercise warrior just gently get back into taking care of you. Love: There are new relationship possibilitiess for the single Cockeral, but you need to tread carefully. Sometimes you want to take charge of the progress and pace of a potential union, but this year you need to go with the flow. Tip: Burn Love Incense to help faciliate that flow. Love incense could be incense with a rose, floral, or vanila scent. As you watch the smoke rise from the incense stick, see how it moves and curves to the slightest movement of the air. This is how you should proceed this year in new relationships: flexible and easy going. Tip: If marriage is on your mind, you can stimulate the energy by hanging a replica wedding ring from a yellow ribbon in your bedroom. If that s too bold, place it under mattress on their side of the bed where their head would rest. You ll be surprised how quickly they bring up a martrimonial idea that just popped into their head. 62

63 Money: While you re generally tactful, your desire to be honest and upfront can cause you to speak your feelings about a job or boss a little too loudly. Hold your tongue this year unless you already have another job lined up. And be cautious about getting caught up in other employees intrigue. Loyalty to coworkers is nice, but your family and paycheck are more important than a coworker who s stretching the rules. Abigail actually decorated her kitchen in a Rooster motif so appropriate. And her kitchen is grand central for her large family of four kids, a busy husband, two dogs, three cats, and a bird (there was a hampster but apparently he recently went to hampster heaven). While we stand in her kitchen and talk, a parade of animals and children passes through. I need Feng Shui to help me get out of this house, she says as the last child passes by, and to get my artwork into a gallery or two.. Most houses have more than one entrance. There is the main entrance, the one you would use if Oprah was coming to dinner. And then there s a back door or perhaps a door through the garage. When we place Feng Shui cures by the main door, we are attracting new opportunities. If you place them by the back or side entrance, you are welcoming in opportunities you already know about, or are expecting. Since Abigail has a friend who owns a gallery, I suggest we place the Feng Shui cure by her back door to attract an opportunity from that source. I have Abigail hang nine crystals in the window next to her back door. These are cut-glass crystals, and they catch the sunlight from the window, and create a shimmer, a rainbow of light on her walls when the sun hits them. When you place a single cure correctly you will get results in three or four days. When you place multiple cures the way we did with Abigail, you will notice a series of results. She ran into the gallery owner a few days later and she didn t have to say a word. The gallery owner asked Abigail when she wanted to have her art showing. But in addition, the owner mentioned two other galleries in other parts of the city, and said she would be happy to introduce Abigal to the owners also. Overall this is positive year for money, full of prospects, customers, and good investment opportunities. You have the talent and the good judgement to know when to hold, and when to fold. 63

64 Tip: If you experience a period of uncertainty, find yourself a crown at a toy store or costume shop,and place it in your home office or in the part of the house where you pay the bills. The crown represents your natural skill when it comes to taking care of your home and family. You may also want to try the double your money cure mentioned in Sarah Bartholomew s booklet, Feng Shui: It s Good for Business. Take a metal bowl and place a small mirror in the bottom. Then add all your checks, tips and found money into it for the week. The mirror helps double what s placed in the bowl. At week s end, take it all to the bank and deposit it. There is a lot of room for creative projects this year. You can make or design things which will sell and/ or bring you honors at work. But if you are disorganized this year it could cost you some luck. Find some replica Chinese gold ingots. These little gold boats represent money coming easily. Place them near your creative projects, or put one your work desk. And here are the predictions for those born in the Year of the Dog for While you sometimes shudder at the lack of scrupules you see around you, your way of doing things does harmonize with the Snake year energy. You re quick, but cautious, and you rarely attack, just defend. The more quiet energy this year may cause you to sometimes become restless; how long can you stand around just making plans? This year there will be a good balance between the opportunities to do business and work hard, and personal time to spend with your loved ones, or on yourself and your own interests. If you are single this year, there are opportunities for you to feel a lot of mutual attraction as your natural curiosity leads you into new social circles. However, just a little heads-up, take care in some instances if you get too playful, you will get bit. For the most part, many of the things you want to have or have happen will finally start to manifest. This will be an exciting year! In 2013, the energy is Yin and you are Yang. Yin is about patience, flexibility and waiting until the right moment to take action. You want to push forward agressively. You are impatient, determined to see progress. But your efforts are 64

65 about as useful as if you were to stand over a seed in the ground and try to will it to grow. Your will is useless here. Yin is about yielding to the flow. For you to get into the flow this year, you ll need to allow things to happen at the speed they happen, rather than trying to force results. Yin is about the secret, hidden things. Yang likes to put things out on display for all to see. You will need to remind yourself much will be hidden this year; so you if you think you see everything, believe me, you don t. Tip: To balance this incompatible energy hang a Yin/Yang symbol in your bedroom near the entrance to the bedroom. This can be made of glass, metal, fabric, or painted wood but not plastic. It can be as small as 1 inch across, or as large as 2 feet in diameter. Dog s natural element is Metal, and this year the element is Water. Metal creates Water, so you feel a responsibility to takeas much responsibility as you possibly can, to try and do/be everything needed in every circumstance. You will encounter some challenges this year. You are likely to be tempted to try to do everything on your own, because there seems to be no one around to help. You will want to start many projects over, or begin them completely from scratch just to get them right. You will be quick to offer to assist others, but don t be surprised they don t reciprocate. Be cautious, don t deplete your resources including your own energy. You will enjoy some success, however, if you focus your energy on the areas of banking, investments, coin collecting, metal work, tool and die manufacturing, hardware sales, jewerly manufacting and sales, railroad services, auto services, shipping, and trucking. You will have many opportunities to find a new relationship, however you will need to choose carefully among the possible candidates, since most will want you to support them. Check the compatibility section at the end of this book for compatible matches. Tip: Because of the incompatibility of your sign s element and the element of the year, hang several coin strings on door knobs or place coins on windowsills to add metal. This will attract more support to you. In general this can be a very good year, filled with both financial opportunities and romantic possiblities. Forget the setbacks in the past, don t think about how long it s taken for things to start going 65

66 your way. Focus on today, and think about the future so you can grab each and every fortuitous event coming your way.. Tip: Take some time to make a list of your goals and reread them every week until they are committed to memory. If you wish, hang a picture of a wolf in your living room or family room. The wolf is one of the companion animals for Dog, and will help keep you focused. Several new creative projects stir your interest. You ll find yourself learning a variety of new and useful things. It may see you are moving in many directions this year, but in some ways enjoying the best time you ve had in years! Tip: This year Dogs have more time and more energy to pursue what they want. And, in general, they are wasting no time doing just that. But if you find you re low on energy, follow the suggestions I make in my book, Feng Shui Form, and hang cut glass crystals in your hallways. This will help move the energy through the house, and get you moving as well. Dog s are always known for their sound advice and the support they give friends. But this year, they may find themselves called upon to an even greater extent by a friend in need, who asks them to give more than they had planned. If you aren t able to help the friend, the friendship might be over; on the other hand, it will be obvious to you that the help they are asking you to give them does them no favors whatsoever. This is your biggest challenge this year. Tip: Hang or place a mirror in the window nearest the front door to protect yourself from being taken advantage of. You can use a special Feng Shui mirror called a Bagua Mirror, or use a plain, round mirror like the kind you might find in a drug store. Love: While you will collect many new friends this year, a special friend is seeking a closer relationship with you. This is great news for unattached Dogs 66

67 out there. You are usually very cautious when it comes to forming attachments, but you re also impatient. So, with the many new people coming into your life now, you may experience a feast where there was once a famine. Tip: Find the gemstone, Garnet, to wear or carry with you. You might wear a bracelet, ring, or carry a small garnet stone in your wallet. This will help you be less hermit-like, and more open to finding a love worth having. If you re already in a relationship, you ll find several reasons to celebrate this year. This will bring the two of you closer together. There will be a reason to toast, and to share a meal with family. In general, your relationship can flourish if you exercise patience with your partner. Tip: For a little more fun after dark, add red to the bedroom. This will stimulate the passion and bring a little excitement. Money: Your financial life took a few hits last year, and your balance sheet may not be as strong as it used to be. You are generally prudent with your funds and resources, but this year there will be many tempting investments. (Are Jimmy Choo slingbacks really an investment?) It s a shrewd Dog who sniffs before he proceeds. Tip: Place a brass bowl by your back door. This is to catch money that comes into the house so it doesn t fly out the back door on impulse purchases and sudden whims. Kaeleigh bursts into my office with boundless energy. Last year she finally quit her office job, and now she s trying to get her own consulting firm off the ground. She s talking so rapidly I can barely keep up. As she talks, she paces around the room, her stillettos clicking on the floor. She running through the bullet points of what s she done and what she will do to generate more clients. Then suddenly she slumps in a chair and says, I m exhausted. This year it s important to go with the flow of energy to really maximize opportunities. You re not going to get anywhere if you are always working or always playing, there needs to be some of both. Kaeleigh has good plans, it s just that even once implimented, things take a while to take hold. 67

68 Kaeleigh has found a few core clients, now she needs to step back and re-energize while she evaluates what s working and what s not. I suggest she place a large sea shell on her desk to bring the energy of the ocean to her career. The ocean flows in and out and this is the way with business, too. Sometimes she will be very busy and other times it will be quiet. During the quiet times Kaeleigh needs to rest. Because Kaeleigh needs to rest this year, too, I suggest she find a place in her home for a comfortable chair, one where she can sit beside a window with a nice view. On a little table next to the window, she places her book (actually her electronic reading device) and a nice table lamp. I suggest she, even on busy days, just sit there for five minutes at a time, allowing her mind to rest before she starts juggling work responsbilities. A few weeks later Kaeleigh reported back she put comfortable pillows on a window seat in her bedroom. And while she wasn t able to sit there every day, she did get to read a few times a week in her new favorite place. This alone is helping her feel more balanced and rested. For the job hunting Dog, take heart, excellent opportunities are on their way. Look outside your field for hidden possibilities, and talk to people who are outside your industry to unearth employment gems. For those Dog s who are employed, there is a good chance of promotion and/or a raise this year. Tip: Get a figurine of a monkey riding a horse (yep, they do exist). This is the symbol to help bring immediate promotion. If you can t find the actual figurine, try to find a picture on the internet you can use. Keep the picture (or figurine) in your Luck area (see the Bagua Map to find your Luck area). Here are the predictions for those born in the Year of the Pig (Boar) for Jennifer brushes aside a mass of dark curly with her hand. She s worried about the year to come, and I can see in her eyes all the questions she has. Her relationship, which looks so solid to her friends, really hides a series of angry disputes which never seem to lead to any resolution. If she leaves she ll have to find a new place to live, and she, like most people born in the year of the Pig, doesn t like to live alone. 68

69 The energy of the Snake year is very different from Jennifer s usual way of doing things. Snakes are solitary creatures and would rather stand on the sidelines, watching the rest of the world interact. But Pigs are able to find and make friends easily. They are loved by many. And the good news this year is there will be love and companionship awaiting the brave Pig who steps out the door. Jennifer s beloved grandmother had a wonderful marriage that lasted 64 years. I tell Jennifer to find a picture of her grandmother, reduce it on a photo copier, then carry the picture in her wallet. This is to remind her that good relationships run in the family. With so much uncertainy this year, Jennifer needs to have a clear direction. I tell her to picture where she wants to be in six months, and in a year. She pictures what kind of home she has, how her friends are around her, and there is a loving partner. Every month she takes a few moments and reviews her vision of the future, adding in the new things she wants, and checking off the list of the things that have already happened. You re easygoing, Snake is suspicious. You re trusting, Snake wouldn t trust if it was stamped and sealed by the Supreme Court. You re generous, Snakes are... well let s just say you d better get your piece of pie before it s all gone. Fortunately, a person can only be understanding for so long. When Pigs fur gets sufficiently ruffled, you will see the wild boar come out. This year you ll have to fight for what you want. It s time to be stubborn, combative, and unwilling to accept being squeezed out. On the plus side, there will be many parties and many opportunities to use your strong diplomatic skills. And when it just get s too unpleasant out there, you can retreat back home where it s safe and warm. This year, 2013, the energy is Yin and you are Yin. This brings harmony. So no matter the problems and issues you encounter this year, you will have the time and energy you need to handle what comes. You understand the flow of the energy this year. You ll know when to wait, when to watch, when to act and when to rest. Your timing will be impeccable. If you arrive late to the party, it was meant to be. If you forget something you will find it isn t necessary anyway. Yin is about what is under the surface, you will see the plans within plans. You will hear the unspoken words and pick up on the double meanings. Yin is about stillness, and you will find it easy to wait until just the right moment, and then, only then, will you make your move. Since your sign is compatible with the energy this year, you do not need a cure here. 69

70 The natural element of Pig is Water, and this is a Water year. Water is about communication and connections. Because your natural element is the same as that of the year, you will find it easy to get things accomplished. You will gain good results from efforts which involve speaking, writing, teaching, publishing, traveling, networking, art, design, advertising, marketing, brewing/ distilling, electrical work, glass works, computer programming, music, and oil drilling. Efforts in these areas will lead to money. You will also have luck connecting personally for relationships. Check the compatibility section at the end of this book for compatible matches. Since your sign is compatible with the energy this year, you do not need a cure here. With the compatibilty of being Yin Water in a Yin Water year, you d think Pig would have an easy time. But Snake sits opposite on the Chinese Zodiac wheel from Pig, and so the sneaky Snake steals your energy this year. It s not his fault, and just think, in six years you ll be stealing his energy. In the meantime, this drain on your energy field could manifest as unexpected upsets in your well laid plans. You may find yourself disagreeing with people who are important in your life. There are, however, protections you can impliment to make your way more smooth. You have two companion animals who will help you out. The Swallow will help you avoid arguements and increase the speed at which positive things manifest. And the Porcupine will protect you from unpleasant surprises. Tip: You can add the energy of your companion animals into your life by hanging a picture of swallows, a swallow s nest, or a little stuffed swallow. And porcupine quills are readily available on Ebay for not much money. These animals will guard you as you proceed through this year. Your health looks to be good this year, although this doesn t give you a license to skip healthy eating and exercise. Pigs are known to experience sensitivities of the stomach and intestines. You need to protect yourself from excess stress. Tip: You want to find a Three Turtle figurine. This will consist of three turtles, stacked one on top of the other, like a little pyramid. Turtles represent protection, and the three represents family unity. Pigs love their home, so, if you find you need to move, turtles symbolize that wherever you go, your home is always with you. Place this figurine in your family room or living room. Dust it off about once a month to re-energize. 70

71 This is a year you ll find yourself taking some calcuated risks. You may need to use some unconventional means to gain attention and to get ahead. You will likely do some unexpected traveling, so set a little money aside this is a trip you won t want to miss! To have more travel this year, Diane Ronngren in her booklet, Simple Feng Shui Secrets recommends hanging an attractive map in the Benefactors area of the house. (You can find the Benefactors area of your house by checking the Bagua Map). Either use a world map (for world travel), or use a map of the specific area you want to visit. Love: You re natually talented in all aspects of social interaction. You know what to wear to the event, and what to say when you get there. So you re rarely short of admirers. But if you re looking for love this year, remember to be vigilent. Even if someone looks good at first glance, they could still have secrets which can prevent this from being a true match. Tip: Hang a picture of Peony flowers in your bedroom to attract a pure heart and a gentle spirit. You can choose a soft pink peony to bring in a peaceful, contented type of relationship, or choose a bright pink or red one for a passionate love affair which develops into a strong relationship. If you re in a relationship currently, you may find this is the year when you consider whether or not it s the best relationship for you. Your partner may seem to be more jealous this year, curtailing your usual freedoms. If you can get out of the house, you will have opportunities to meet others. Tip: If you d prefer to stay home with your partner, you can work out your differences by hanging a Chinese fan on the wall in the family room. Fans represent harmony, and will help you pilot your way around relationship pitfalls. Money: Your social life is your key if you are thinking of a career change this year. Attend networking meetings and do some online socializing. But watch out for candid photos of you that could land on someone else s Facebook page. Go to the party, but don t have such a good time you make the online headlines in the morning. Financial opportunities will come from a couple of directions this year. If you have some time in your busy schedule, consider increasing your skillset to increase the benefit coming your way. Tip: Place a fountain near the entrance to your home to attract a flow of money. The fountain can be a small, indoor one you place on a table; or, arrange a larger one outdoors near the front door. Find a fountain that has a peaceful sound, not one that is loud or irritating. And to have the best financial flow, run the fountain, weather permitting, at least an hour a day. (You can set it on a timer, just make sure to check the water level occasionally.) 71

72 Your biggest expense could be home related. Pigs love a beautiful, well appointed home, and they don t mind spending to get it. But its a good idea to keep a watchful eye on the wallet this year. There are money opportunities, but there may be dry periods in between. Place 9, $1-dollar coins on the windowsill of your kitchen so the house always has money. Compatibility in Friendship and Love Below is a list of the compatiability between the Chinese Zodiac signs for love and friendship. Sometimes a pairing of two signs isn t the most auspicious. We can improve the energy by placing a Feng Shui Crystal to support the relationship. Feng Shui Crystals are round, cut glass crystals which have a prismatic effect. When the light hits the crystal, a rainbow of light shines on the ceiling, walls, or floor. Shiny things attract energy, so the sparkling crystal attracts energy to balance the relationship. Cut glass crystals come in many shapes, but round is the most balanced and harmonious shape, so it s used to balance relationship energy. Whenever a Feng Shui Crystal is called for, you can use clear one (clear crystals are the easist to find), or you can use colored crystals to bring in the energy of one of the five elements. Use green to represent the Wood element if you want to increase growth, and prosperity. Use blue to represent the Water element, to activate good communication, flow, and harmony. Use amber or yellow to represent the Earth element, to bring stability and longevity. Use red to represent the Fire element, to stimulate energy and passion. And use clear to represent the Metal element, to attract resources and business success. Along with the compatibility listings below, you will find suggestions about where to place the crystal if your relationship needs some help. Choose a green crystal if troubles in the relationship are because of finances. Choose a blue crystal if the problems in the relationship center around communication. Choose a amber or yellow crystal if there has been infidelity and you want to try to heal the relationship. Choose a red crystal if there s been a lack of passion, romance, and sex. And choose a clear crystal to come closer together, and to receive help and support from your partner. To find the correct direction for placing the crystal, think of your home and the rising sun. The sun always rises in the east. The sun sets in the west. If you 72

73 know where the sun rises and sets in relation to your home, you will be able to identify the other cardinal directions, north and south very easily. (Hint: Google Maps arial view can make this task very easy, as it always shows north as up, south is down, to the left is west and to the right is east.). To find the inner directions such as north by north west, find north and find west. Half way between these two is northwest. North by north west is half way between north and northwest. Here s a diagram Place this diagram on the floor, east pointing towards the rising sun. And the diagram will help you find the right direction. If you can place the crystal in a window, it will catch the most light. If there is no window in that direction, hang the crystal on a lamp, on a plant, on a drawer pull, or simply from a hook on the wall. To see all the different ways to use Feng Shui Crystals and how to hang them, go to We can divide the 12 animals of the Chinese Zodiac into four groups. Each group has some key personality traits: Rat, Dragon, Monkey are the action-oriented ones. The Rat takes care of the details, the Dragon has the big ideas, and the Monkey is able to improve on the skills of others. 73

74 Ox, Snake, and Rooster are the deep thinkers. The Ox is methodical, thinking things through thoroughly. The Snake is wise, and sees things from a various perspectives. And the Rooster is alert and aware of everything going on around him. Tiger, Horse, and Dog are the freedom lovers. The Tiger is impulsive: he sees what he wants and pounces. The Horse runs across the prairies and lands with power and grace. And the Dog can work alone or within a group, and still retain his indepenence. Rabbit, Ram, and Pig are the peace lovers. The Rabbit is diplomatic, and can bring opposing forces together. The Ram is the humanitarian, wanting to bring peace to the world. And the Pig is the homebody, wanting to create comfort and peace for the family. Chinese Zodiac Signs and Compatibility Rat in Relationship Rat with Rat: Well suited and lots of fun. Always busy, doing things, making deels, and making money. You ll need to respect each other s time and secrets. Occasionally you ll need time apart as much as you need to be together. If you find one of you is too bossy or you both need to focus a little more on the big picture and the future, hang a Feng Shui Crystal in the North side of the house. Rat with Ox: A happy and long-lasting relationship. You will benefit from Ox s stability and strength. You are both optimistic, and enjoy the little things in life. You can start the job and know that Ox will be there to help you finish it. If you find your partner is stubborn and not open to your ideas, hang a Feng Shui Crystal in the North by Northeast part of the house. Rat with Tiger: Hot and cold, with lots of energy and excitment in this relationship. Sometimes the Tiger will ignore the little Rat, and sometimes the 74

75 Tiger will be surprised at how loud a Rat can squeek. If Tiger s unpredictable ways get on your nerves, you can steady this relationship by hanging a Feng Shui Crystal in th East by Northeast part of the house. Rat with Rabbit: Arguements after the fling is what we have here. You are both clever, but a little too clever. One wants commitment and the other wants freedom, and neither wants the same thing at the same time. If you find Rabbit too passive and you re looking for more dedication to this relationship, hang a Feng Shui Crystal in the East side of the house. Rat with Dragon: Happiness abounds when the Rat joins with the powerful Dragon. The relationship can be very intense. But use caution (and flattery) because if you break the spell there is no putting the broken relationship back together again. If you find Dragon s head in the clouds and need a more grounded partner to help you with the day to day parts of the relationship, hang a Feng Shui Crystal in the East by Southeast side of the house. Rat with Snake: Volitile pair that sometimes can be a good relationship...at least until the Snake gets hungry. Avoid being on the menu. This is more of a learning experience than a love match. If you find Snake too secretive and a little on the manipulative side, hang a Feng Shui Crystal in the South by Southeast part of the house. Rat with Horse: Unhappy pair that can t really see eye to eye. You find Horse s needs exhausting. If you get into this relationship, keep a life raft handy. You ll be paddling to shore in no time. If you insist that this is the relationship of your dreams and you want Horse to settle down and be not so restless, hang a Feng Shui Crystal in the South part of the house. Rat with Ram (or Goat): Poor match because the sensitivity of the Ram is no match for your quick tongue. Communication starts out well, but there will be problems with words, and that will be the end of the relationship. You would think with horns, he wouldn t have such a thin skin. If you find you only see eye to eye when you re pampering your Ram partner and you want to have things be a little more equal, hang a Feng Shui Crystal in the South by Southwest part of the house. Rat with Monkey: Very lively meeting of people from different worlds. Monkey can take Rat on the trip of a lifetime and open new worlds. It s the unlikely pair in love. You will give each other new perspectives on life and living. But if all the excitment and Monkey s high energy starts to wear on you, hang a Feng Shui Crystal in the West by Southwest part of the house. Rat with Rooster (or Cock): Need to work hard at this to make it work at all. You are natual barnyard enemies, both hunting for the same big prize and not just chicken feed. So you re better off avoiding this cage-match. If you 75

76 find yourself with an overly critical Rooster on your hands, hang a Feng Shui Crystal in the West part of the house. Rat with Dog: Lots of energy and togetherness; this is good for you, you both enjoy being out and about, enjoying others and each other. However, you may find you have trouble finding personal space. Dog will tag along wherever you go, and keep trying to pull you back home. If you feel your life being restricted by Dog s constant bark, hang a Feng Shui Crystal in the West by Northwest part of the house. Rat with Pig (or Boar): Picture this charming pair of homebodies, both taking care of the other. There is optimum togetherness when you want it, and alone time when you need it. And Pig keeps the house cosy and warm. If you find all this happinesses and optimism is maxing out your credit cards, hang a Feng Shui Crystal in the North by Northwest part of the house. Ox in Relationship Ox with Rat: You are a happy, practical pair that compliment each other. You have the potential here for a very stable relationship with benefits for both partners. Rat sees the details, and your tireless energy can envision what will become of them. If you find Rat is too picky about the small things and can t get the big picture, hang a Feng Shui Crystal in the North part of the house. Ox with Ox: A caring pair where each is interested in the comfort and security of the other. Not exciting to others, perhaps, but you can be quite content. You can enjoy decades of holding hands and feeling safe, as the cold winters blow outside. While you can remain content for long periods, should you want to add some fun (or at least a break from the constant work), hang a Feng Shui Crystal in the North by Northeast part of the house. Ox with Tiger: Your goals in life are entirely different, as are your methods of pursuing outcome. This cat doesn t come when he s called (what cat does). 76

77 There are quarrels that lead to nowhere. Build a stable home, and Tiger looks for the door. If you want this tempermental kitty with claws to be your lifelong partner you have some work ahead. Hang a Feng Shui Crystal in the East by Northeast part of the house. Ox with Rabbit: A so-so match. You want stablity and clear rules, and Rabbit wants some pampering and kindness. It takes a while to get this one to work, but when it does, it lasts. He can be your lucky Rabbit in the end. But if you honey-bunny spends his or her time sulking in the corner and being overly sensitive, hang a Feng Shui Crystal in the East part of the house. Ox with Dragon: Tricky pair; expect battles to start from day one. These are two powerful forces with two different ideas of what a relationship is and should be. Ding goes the bell, and the fight begins. If you can see the strong qualities in each of you there s hope. Hang a Feng Shui Crystal in the East by Southeast part of the house. Ox with Snake: Supportive, though there can be some conflicts. This is the strong Yin and Yang: together, opposite sides of the same coin. You need each other, and over time with Snake s clever thinking and your perservence, you both can prosper. While Snake can make an attractive partner, if they are draining your bank account on clothes and toys, hang a Feng Shui Crystal in the South by Southeast part of the house. Ox with Horse: Difficult match for you. The Horse is fast and careless, compared to your slow and thoughtful ways. There is little Horse can give you that you really want, and so you re more likely to send him on his way. If you want to stable this pony and try to make this restless soul settle down, hang a Feng Shui Crystal in the South part of the house. Ox with Ram (or Goat): Steer clear, this one is trouble from beginning to end. You will have to be exceptionally patient to ride this one out. After butting heads for a while, heart break is the most likely ending. You can make this work if you have deep pockets, but it s more likely she will spend the money when she s feeling hurt or insecure. To balance the energy, hang a Feng Shui Crystal in the South by Southwest part of the house. Ox with Monkey: Love and joy can abound with this combo. Monkey will bring you good times and surprises every day. That will make your steady life more interesting. And once the Monkey settles down, the match can be good for both. If you find Monkey is only interested in him- or herself, and too independent for your peaceful dream of a relationship, hang a Feng Shui Crystal in the West by Southwest part of the house. Ox with Rooster (or Cock): Good match for these barnyard pals. You both understand the need for hard work, and Rooster appreciates your patience and understanding. You like having someone around who can mind the details. 77

78 Together you re the soul of productivity, if you would like to have a bit more romance or at least the occasional cuddle, hang a Feng Shui Crystal in the West part of the house. Ox with Dog: Possibly good, but too many compromises will be required. This is too much Yin energy together; communication will suffer. Both of you are hesistant to lead. Let the Dog go and see if he comes back of his own accord. And if you are tired of coming home and always finding a house full of people, or your partner is always on the phone, you can hang a Feng Shui Crystal in the West by Northwest part of the house. Ox with Pig (or Boar): This needs effort and adjustments on both sides. If there is chemistry (and good cooking) the relationship may last. But most likely the Pig won t respect your goals and effort. And you get frustrated with his playall-the-time attitude. There can be harmony if there is an understanding of the work and sacrifice it takes to create a financially stable home. If overspending is a problem, hang a Feng Shui Crystal in the North by Northwest part of the house. Tiger in Relationship Tiger with Rat: Hot during the chase, and cold when caught, Rat is not a great match for you. Rat is too cynical to see your splendid qualities, and it will need to be taught how to behave. This is more work than you want to do. If you re thinking this is a mouse you want to keep, but the pettiness and demands are hurting the relationship, hang a Feng Shui Crystal in the North part of the house. Tiger with Ox: Needs effort to keep from being a boring relationship. You might think that Ox will help you settle down and get serious, but in the end you are just bitter from having all the fun taken out of your life. But if you long for an established relationship that will withstand a bitter winter, or a really 78

79 wild party, hang a Feng Shui Crystal in the North by Northeast part of the house. Tiger with Tiger: Happiness...with claws. As long as you both retain your thick skins, this will be a happy, fun relationship. But arguments can get nasty, so be ready to forgive each other later and keep bandages on hand. Of course making up can be the most fun, and what s life about but having fun? So hang a Feng Shui Crystal in the East by Northeast part of the house. Tiger with Rabbit: Can be good, but Rabbits are not known for their decisive action. You ll have to be patient with this one, and prepared to leap into the fray of this relationship without waiting for the careful Rabbit to make the first move. If this Rabbit keeps sprinting away and you want to lure him/her back, hang a Feng Shui Crystal in the East part of the house. Tiger with Dragon: Explosive power of you and the Dragon are legendary, and may make for either the most exciting relationship ever, or you ll both knock the world off it s axis. If you want to be looked up to, this is not your match. But if you can work things out and share the leadership roles, giving credit where credit s due this can work. Hang a Feng Shui Crystal in the East by Southeast part of the house. Tiger with Snake: Steer clear no matter how attracted you are! You are not going to easily get the Snake s attention, and as soon as your back is turned, he s moved on. You can chase again but after awhile it just gets tiresome. When you leave, Snake chases you; and when you are available, Snake is off without a care. To get this match together, hang a Feng Shui Crystal in the South by Southeast part of the house. Tiger with Horse: Good ally out in the world, but there may be a conflict about who has to stay home and do the dishes. If you can accept and be happy with a unstable relationship, then grab an apron and give this one a try. Or, better still, pool your creative minds and social nature and make enough money to hire a maid. Stimulate this energy by hanging a Feng Shui Crystal in the South part of the house. Tiger with Ram (or Goat): Can work it out over time, but the Ram will be cautious. You will have to follow rules given to you by the Ram, and this can bring conflicts into the relationship. Your impetuous nature will not be appreciated by Mr. Planner. If you find Ram too clingy (which surprises you, you thought you were the one with claws) and you wish he or she had more confidence, hang a Feng Shui Crystal in the South by Southwest part of the house. Tiger with Monkey: It s very difficult to catch a Monkey that s swinging from tree to tree. You might be attracted to one playing hard to get, but after a while it s no fun always being the one who has to chase...even for a Tiger. If you want 79

80 to make this work but Monkey s loud, know-it-all behavior is grating on your nerves, hang a Feng Shui Crystal in the West by Southwest part of the house. Tiger with Rooster (or Cock): You come from different worlds, so once at home there s not much to talk about. You feel bossed around by the nagging Rooster who s frustrated that you don t seem to fall in line like the other chickens. If you find he or she is always on you about your spending and your inabilty to do the laundry right, smooth things over by hanging a Feng Shui Crystal in the West part of the house. Tiger with Dog: Strong ally and a good match for you. The Dog can keep the home fires burning while you prowl the world for wealth to bring home. There are a few differences of opinion, but the good definately outweighs the bad. Sometimes it s hard to get Dog to agree to quick vacation or a last minute party but you can bring some energy to this partnership by hanging a Feng Shui Crystal in the West by Northwest part of the house. Tiger with Pig (or Boar): Good match if you take it slow. Pigs can be a little nervous facing Tiger s mandibles of death (actually that s just your smile). But if you approach Pig with gentle understanding, Pig will comfort and take care of you. You both have a tendency to help others before yourselves, so if you find you re giving away too many resources to hapless friends, hang a Feng Shui Crystal in the North by Northwest part of the house. Rabbit in Relationship Rabbit with Rat: You may argue and fight, and this doesn t make your peaceloving nature very happy. Rat will have too many demands for you, so a long term relationship will be very challenging. You may seem similar, but your differences are huge. If your Rat partner is running you ragged with work and social plan, temper the energy by hanging a Feng Shui Crystal in the North part of the house. 80

81 Rabbit with Ox: If you want a long term relationship, this one can work after you get past the bordom of the stable Ox. However, if you are looking for a fling, look elsewhere. Be in this one for the long haul, or not at all. If you find your Ox partner is not the one to sit down and have a good discussion about feelings and the relationship, hang a Feng Shui Crystal in the North by Northeast part of the house. Rabbit with Tiger: Can be good if you like being pursued, and what Rabbit doesn t. If you re caught by the Tiger you can have a happy relationship...after you teach him to behave. Tip: Play hard to get even after you ve been got. If you find this energetic Tiger keeps you up all hours discussing life and relationships and you just want a peaceful time holding hands, hang a Feng Shui Crystal in the East by Northeast part of the house. Rabbit with Rabbit: The pair of you are truly loving and having endless fun. You will play and laugh and bring each other tokens of your affection. You can cuddle in front of a fire or talk until you fall asleep in each others arms. If you find, however, your bunny-buddy is not doing his or her share of the home duties, hang a Feng Shui Crystal in the East part of the house. Rabbit with Dragon: Hard going at first, but things get easier over time. The Dragon is a bit of a show- off and hogs your stage. He may think you re small, but you re packed with power and easily a match for any Dragon. Your Dragon has big ideas for both home and business, and if you want to bring him or her back down to earth, hang a Feng Shui Crystal in the East by Southeast part of the house. Rabbit with Snake: It ll take hard work to get this to be a happy match. The Snake may want you for a relationship, or just for dinner. Once you re in this relationship, you will be looking for a way out of it. You both have good taste and a desire for a good life but if you re keeping secrets from each other, trouble is ahead. Hang a Feng Shui Crystal in the South by Southeast part of the house. Rabbit with Horse: Can work it out as friends, even if it doesn t work out as lovers. There are a few conflicts here and there, but in the long run there are many possibilities with this match. Just don t try to possess this one. Horse may want to run free, but he ll keep coming back. Trouble can come when your Horse partner does everything by intuition rather than as a result of discussion between the two of you. If more sharing is needed, hang a Feng Shui Crystal in the South part of the house. Rabbit with Ram (or Goat): Great fun at times, because you ll always win against a Ram. And the Ram will love you and keep trying. If you give a little to this relationship, the Ram will give a lot. This could be the peace and hap- 81

82 piness you ve been waiting for. Your Ram partner will be quick to depend on you and this can make you feel great, but if the dependence becomes a burden, hang a Feng Shui Crystal in the South by Southwest part of the house. Rabbit with Monkey: You ll need effort to understand the changeable and tricky Monkey. This is not a match that happens easily. You could be in danger of getting your heart broken by bad Monkey if you re not careful. If he or she is not understanding your feelings, and is glossing over your anxieties, you may feel this Monkey s mocking you. Balance this relationship by hanging a Feng Shui Crystal in the West by Southwest part of the house. Rabbit with Rooster (or Cock): Many conflicts with this noisy bird who s constantly pecking and prodding you. Rabbits are the silent ones, and these Roosters are constantly making noises at you too much so to make you happy. If your Rooster partner is telling all the friends and neighbors the intimate details of what works and doesn t work in your relationship, you can create a tigher bond between you by hanging a Feng Shui Crystal in the West part of the house. Rabbit with Dog: More chasing than actually having fun. The Dog will make lots of demands on you, and you may find this relationship quite tiring in the beginning. If it lasts, it can grow into a real loving relationship, but it will take quite a bit of work. The loyalty of this partner can make this match worth it, but if you find the communication just not flowing, hang a Feng Shui Crystal in the West by Northwest part of the house. Rabbit with Pig (or Boar): Superb match; both of you can have a lot of fun. But if you get bored, you may try to create a little drama in the relationship just to stir things up. And that could backfire big time! Once Pig s feelings are hurt, it will hard to tempt him back. Count your blessings, as your Pig partner can be devoted to you; and if you find his or her attention on you is not strong enough, hang a Feng Shui Crystal in the North by Northwest part of the house. 82

83 Dragon in Relationship Dragon with Rat: Suitable match where both feel compatibility and interested in one another. You can explore the world together. You will have secrets and so will Rat, but the secrets won t hurt the relationship. Learn to trust, and Rat will take your grand ideas and turn them into reality. There is much the two of you can accomplish, although sometimes Rat will hold very tight to the purse strings. If you need to balance this energy, hang a Feng Shui Crystal in the North part of the house. Dragon with Ox: Tricky times with the stubborn Ox will make the relationship rather exhausting. If you hold on, you can smooth things out and have a good long term relationship. And this can happen, because Dragons are said to live a thousand years. You love to dream up new ideas but your Ox partner could be unsympathetic if he or she doesn t seem immediate results. To temper this energy, hang a Feng Shui Crystal in the North by Northeast part of the house. Dragon wtih Tiger: Requires patience and understanding, as together you represent two powerful Yang forces. Those around you might not believe the relationship will work out, but if you don t make too many demands on each other, you have a chance at a happy time with the Tiger. With two leaders and no followers there can be some fights, even out the eventful energy by hanging a Feng Shui Crystal in the East by Northeast part of the house. Dragon with Rabbit: Hard going at first, but you will soon find the Rabbit really admires your good qualities. Rabbit also helps you strengthen some areas where you are weak: like being calm and quiet. And you can help Rabbit be more detached and able to deal with the world. If you can let Rabbit have a soft place to land you two will get along just fine, in the meantime hang a Feng Shui Crystal in the East part of the house. 83

84 Dragon with Dragon: The best or the worst relationship for you. You love to be the center of attention and so will your partner. This will work if the two of you can share the stage. It can be glorious, or it can be a battle. You could make an enviable couple and rule the social scene. Agree now that you, together, will hang a Feng Shui in the East by Southeast part of the house to make this happen. Dragon with Snake: Can be good as friends, but as lovers things tend to break down. Snake wants you to try harder in the relationship, but your attitude is, It will work if it s meant to be. This causes the Snake to eventually slither away. If you feel that holding on to this relationship is going to benefit you both, you can hang a Feng Shui Crystal in the South by Southeast part of the house. Dragon with Horse: Lively pair; this combination can bring both fun and fights. You may become irritated that the Horse always thinks you re up to something. There will be more physical compatibility than intellectual or emotional. You both have a lot of energy but no patience for mundane tasks; create enough income to hire help by hanging a Feng Shui Crystal in the South part of the house. Dragon with Ram (or Goat): Ram thought he was on top the world until he saw you flying overhead. You may want this relationship to work, but Ram may get frightented by your power and energy. Coax him in slowly before you reveal all your greatness to him. If you feel strongly about this relationship you can put in the effort and to help temper your Ram partner s moods by hanging a Feng Shui Crystal in the South by Southwest part of the house. Dragon with Monkey: Good pair because you admire Monkey s cleverness. And you have the inner strength to get Monkey to behave; so this can be a good match. And Monkey will amuse you every day! Take this act on the road and you can be stars, or keep it close to home and be the toast of the neighborhood. Adding a Feng Shui Crystal to the West by Southwest part of the house will bring you some exciting opportunities. Dragon with Rooster (or Cock): The legendary Dragon and Rooster (okay Phoenix). This pair feels a lot of attraction to one another. You can have a long term happy relationship as long as the Rooster doesn t look for reasons to be suspicious of all the happiness. If your Rooster partner starts snapping at you, hang a Feng Shui Crystal in the West part of the house. Dragon with Dog: Not suitable, unless you like putting oil and fire together. This is a battle waiting to happen! Dog doesn t care how powerful you are, he s willing to take you down a notch. If your Dog partner wants to curtail your freedom and put you on a leash, hang a Feng Shui Crystal in the West by Northwest part of the house. 84

85 Dragon wtih Pig (or Boar): It s hard not to like being at home with your Pig partner, nothing but comfort and good food abounds. But to keep Pig happy you ll have to pitch in and do your share of the chores. Ever the peacemaker your Pig partner will support you on your goals. Attract what you both want by hanging a Feng Shui Crystal in the North by Northwest area of the home. Snake in Relationship Snake with Rat: Is it love you re feeling? Or, is it just casual amusement? You may feel common interests at first, but unless you want to really commit, Rat will flee the first chance he gets. You can have a very profitable relationship if you set the right tone from the beginning. Keep things moving upward by hanging a Feng Shui Crystal in the North part of the house. Snake with Ox: Can be so supportive of each other, but someone has to make the first move. If you two get together you are likely to enjoy a long and happy relationship. Set your boundaries and then take a chance. You both have the drive and interest in making this work. To keep the lines of commuincation open, hang a Feng Shui Crystal in the North by Northeast part of the house. Snake with Tiger: Steer clear, this is a battle waiting to happen. The Tiger is seductive and you might be tempted, but it s you who should be doing the tempting. This is a match destined for a breakup. If you re determined to stay together, and yet you re both suspicious of the other s actions and intentions, hang a Feng Shui Crystal in the East by Northeast part of the house. Snake with Rabbit: It s hard work to find the balance here. Rabbit will bring out your deeper qualities, but his thin skin won t stand up to your assessments. There could be pain on both sides. On the other hand, if you can see the best in the other you will both benefit from your refined sense and mental acuity. Hang a Feng Shui Crystal in the East part of the house to stimulate this positive energy. 85

86 Snake with Dragon: Can make a good couple from dating to a long term relationship. There is fun to be had by both. Keep your demands light, and you and the Dragon will fare very well. Keep in mind how much you admire the qualities of the other and communicate this often. To bring more harmony, hang a Feng Shui Crystal in the East by Southeast part of the house. Snake with Snake: Wonderful pair that can balance each other. If you share leadership with your partner, you can expect a long and happy relationship. You can work together to bring yourselves power and success. Hang a Feng Shui Crystal in the South by Southeast part of the house to increase success energy. Snake with Horse: This combo is difficult. You might be afraid of being stepped on, but you should be more worried about being forgotten or left behind by the popular Horse. Keep your eyes open because Horse may not be all that faithful. If Horse s impulsive nature starts to drive you around the bend, hang a Feng Shui Crystal in the South part of the house to calm that energy. Snake with Ram (or Goat): Needs concentrated effort, but by taking a thoughtful approach, you can find happiness together. Ram s feelings need to be considered, and you will have to tread lightly at times, but you can work this out. This relationship may start out with you both in a constant embrace, but after a while Ram s clingy behavoior may put you off. To ease this energy, hang a Feng Shui Crystal in the South by Southwest part of the house. Snake with Monkey: Long lasting match, once you get past the game-playing. You are both very clever, and you can learn much from each other. There is fun and romance for both here. But if this relationship is punctuated with fights and competition, temper that energy by hanging a Feng Shui Crystal in the West by Southwest part of the house. Snake with Rooster (or Cock): What seems impossible at first turns into a wonderful pair. Rooster may be lots of talk and fussy behavior, but deep down he truly cares for you. Try not to get irritated, don t take things too seriously, and things will work out. Turn your attention to business and you two will be the dynamic duo. For wealth energy, hang a Feng Shui Crystal in the West part of the house. Snake with Dog: Quite charming match with you being both friends and lovers. But try not to be too possessive, Dogs need to run and play sometimes. (Know that Dog always comes home afterwards.) On the other hand, when Dog is out of sight, you can do some of the things you may not be able to do under Dog s keen nose. Hang a Feng Shui Crystal in the West by Northwest part of the house for harmony in this relationship. Snake with Pig (or Boar): Not a good match, as your temperments are entirely different. You are a deep thinker and the Pig is looking for a comfortable, 86

87 non-drama home. You might appreciate all that Pig can do for you, but the conflicts will be challenging. If you find your Pig partner being loving and supportive not to just you but the whole neighborhood and every charity he or she can find, you can bring Pig s attention back to you by hanging a Feng Shui Crystal in the North by Northwest part of the house. Horse in Relationship Horse with Rat: Poor match, because neither wants to compromise. Things may start out fun, but they will for the most part end badly as you exert your desire for freedom, and Rat extends his desire for control. Your Rat partner may be a big help to you at home, but often you will find you re not on the same level. Balance the energy by hanging a Feng Shui Crystal in the North part of the house. Horse with Ox: Difficult to balance this relationship. You are impressed with Ox s stablity, yet also bored by it. You wish Ox would not be so demanding, and pretty soon you break out of the paddock to run free. If you re trying to get your Ox partner to drop the workload and live a little, you can try hanging a Feng Shui Crystal in the North by Northwest part of the house. Horse with Tiger: Good times are enjoyed by both! You and Tiger are the life of the party; you are always where the action is. And as long as neither of you thinks the other should sit at home, you will have a great time. Instead of fighting about who does the housework, attract more money to pay for the help by hanging a Feng Shui Crystal in the East by Northeast part of the house. Horse with Rabbit: Given time, this can be a good relationship. At first you will enjoy a lot of passionate fun with Rabbit; this can easily grow into trust and companionship. But keeping up the romance will take some planning. If Rabbit feels lonely at your wanderings and starts to kick up a fuss, you can balance the energy by hanging a Feng Shui Crystal in the East part of the house. 87

88 Horse with Dragon: Lively discussions and dates for these two. You are likely to be involved in the best fun together, or the biggest fights. Both of you are powerful and energetic beings, and together you are unstoppable. Try to base your relationship on what you have in common. Look for the partnership to extend to business as well as personal and you can attract much success. Hang a Feng Shui Crystal in the East by Southeast part of the house to attract opportunities. Horse with Snake: This is a tough match. There s a lot of finger pointing (at each other) yet both are guilty of something. Too much complaining leads to more fights. You might win, but that just results in a squished Snake. If you re Snake partner just seems like a stick in the mud, you can loosen up the energy by hanging a Feng Shui Crystal in the South by Southeast part of the house. Horse with Horse: Caring and sharing and having a great time, frolicking through the pastures without a care in the world. You are beautiful together, and the world is your happy playground. Sometimes you re so alike it s uncanny... and a little boring. Spice things up by hanging a Feng Shui Crystal in the South part of the house. Horse with Ram (or Goat): If you get past the first couple of months, this can work out just fine, but Ram s senstive nature may take offense when you try to be honest and straightforward. Give him time to cool off, then try again. If you find your Ram partner glum and lifeless at times, you can stimulate the positive energy by hanging a Feng Shui Crystal in the South by Southwest part of the house. Horse with Monkey: Quite a painful duel can result from your mixing with the tricky Monkey. But if the Monkey really cares about you, he will make an effort and things may work out over the long run. You re both smart enough to really understand each other. Sometimes that makes things better, but sometimes it breeds contempt. Bring in the positive energy by hanging a Feng Shui Crystal in the West by Southwest part of the house. Horse with Rooster (or Cock): There are some pluses and minuses to this pair. You may feel that Rooster is leading you around by the nose, then dropping you without a moment s notice. Guard your heart if you re interested in this chicken. And if you re feeling a little hen-pecked, hang a Feng Shui Crystal in the West part of the house. Horse with Dog: Running and playing, two hearts beating fast, this is a great match. Dog is faithful and forgiving and looks up to your power and grace. You feel gratitude and dedication in this positive puppy. But if you feel your Dog partner snapping critically at your heels, you can hang a Feng Shui Crystal in the West by Northwest part of the house. 88

89 Horse with Pig (or Boar): You can t help kicking up a fuss with the fussy Pig. Pig doesn t want to do battle, but an argument usually ensues. This can be a long term relationship if you don t mind a knock-down-drag-out every few months. If your Pig partner s clingyness is starting to bore you, spice things up by hanging a Feng Shui Crystal in the North by Northwest part of the house. Ram in Relationship Ram (or Goat) with Rat: Always starts well and ends badly, as both are under the impression they have a lot in common. But it doesn t take long to figure out that Rat is not a Ram, and you just don t see eye to eye. If Rat seems nicer over time, you might take a chance but don t put too much money on the bet. If you are determined to make a go at this, hang a Feng Shui Crystal in the North part of the house. Ram (or Goat) with Ox: Steer clear of this steer. You re both too stubborn to compromise, and butting heads with this giant will only give you a headache. Ox is too clingy and you want balance; this just won t work. On the other hand Ox will get a lot of the work done before you have even stirred, so if you want to smooth out the bumps in this relationship, hang a Feng Shui Crystal in the North by Northeast part of the house. Ram (or Goat) with Tiger: Can work it out if you can house-train this kitty. Tiger wants worship and you usually have more sense than that. But if you can stomach giving out all that flattery, this relationship will work just fine. If you need a little something to balance out the Tiger temper, hang a Feng Shui Crystal in the East by Northeast part of the house. Ram (or Goat) with Rabbit: Hot romance is possible with this pair. Rabbit wants to go have fun and you are more than willing. It may be a hot date night after night. If you re a Ram who likes to stay home, you may have a little trouble convincing this bunny, but everything will work out if you exercise 89

90 some patience. And to insure this positive energy, hang a Feng Shui Crystal in the East part of the house. Ram (or Goat) with Dragon: Be prepared to be completely overwhemed by Dragon s power and enthusiasium. Later, you may feel claustrophobic in this relationshiop. You will have to reach compromise in order to make this work, and it will have to start with you. If you want to have Dragon share in some of the relationship responsibilities, hang a Feng Shui Crystal in the East by Southeast part of the house. Ram (or Goat) with Snake: Requires a good grip to hold onto slippery Snake. You might be a little shocked at the verbal matches you are drawn into with this forked-tongued lover. If Snake really cares about you, he will tone it down, and you ll work it out in the end. The solution here will be a joint effort and real understanding of the other s position. To facilitate compromise, hang a Feng Shui Crysal in the South by Southeast part of the house. Ram (or Goat) with Horse: A fabulous time filled with banter and playful kicks at each other. This can be a wild ride if you don t take things said too personally. You both want to run; try not to run in different directions. To have the thrill of running off into the sunset together, hang a Feng Shui Crystal in the South part of the house. Ram (or Goat) with Ram (or Goat): Your friends might think this is the dullest match ever, but you feel delight as both of you do kind and thoughtful things for the other. You re happy, dancing on cloud nine. Combine your strengths and learn you can rely on each other by hanging a Feng Shui Crystal in the South by Southwest part of the house. Ram (or Goat) with Monkey: You can work anything out if you can forgive some of Monkey s antics in the beginnning. Let the past be the past, and you will find that you have a lot in common. Love will bloom after a time. To encourage the love and romance, hang a Feng Shui Crystal in the West by Southwest part of the house. Ram (or Goat) with Rooster (or Cock): No one is as confusing as a Rooster. You seem to have similar beliefs, and yet you go about doing things so differently. You can become a depresssed little lamb if you think that Rooster will ever see your point of view. If you find the energy of your Rooster mate a bit too dizzying, hang a Feng Shui Crystal in the West part of the house. Ram (or Goat) with Dog: It s a tough life with a Dog nipping at your heels. And you re not sure you want to be herded. Dog is trying to show you loyalty and love, but sometimes it feels like you are penned in at the farm just when you want to climb mountains and be free. Soon you ll be looking to unlatch the gate. If you want to stay in this energetic match, hang a Feng shui Crystal in the West by Southwest part of the house. 90

91 Ram (or Goat) with Pig (or Boar): What a pretty couple you make; and you re both so nice. Sometimes Pig is too casual and you have to do all the heavy lifting in the relationship. But if you can let that slide, this could be a very nice romance. But if you re finding that Pig has overbooked your social calendar and you just want a break, then hang a Feng Shui Crystal in the North by Northwest part of the house. Monkey in Relationship Monkey with Rat: If you ve got your eye on a Rat it s because you re intrigued by his clever, money-making skills. Rat is easily flattered and impressed by your ability to take chances and fly through the trees. You can find yourself in a happy relationship with no effort at all. Boost your financial prospects by hanging a Feng Shui Crystal in the North part of the house. Monkey with Ox: This can be a great match as long as you understand that an Ox can t climb trees. Come down to share Ox s domain every once in a while, and things will be just fine between you. Ox will give you the stability you crave while not curtailing any of the fun. But if this ends up being a contest of wills, you can balance the energy by hanging a Feng Shui Crystal in the North by Northeast part of the house. Monkey with Tiger: Very rocky, so stay out of Tiger s reach. Tiger s impulsive nature and desire to be respected above all else rubs your fur the wrong way. Consider swinging past this potential disaster. If you ve been already snared by this fellow jungle creature, you can bring more love to the relationship by hanging a Feng Shui Crystal in the East by Northeast part of the house. Monkey with Rabbit: You can have a good time if you hold back on the tricks and teasing until Rabbit is in a happy mood. An unhappy bunny will take out their pain on you, so don t push. This can be a good combination, so save your clever remarks for someone else. If you re trying to coax this Rabbit out of the 91

92 house for social occasions, you can hang a Feng Shui Crystal in the East part of the house to increase the energy of fun. Monkey with Dragon: The perfect balance between power and intellegence, even your fights are fun. Dragon will show you the big ideas, and you will show him how it can all be done. There is so much potential for this relationship. There is also potential to extend this partnership into money-making activities. Attract wealth energy by hanging a Feng Shui Crystal in the East by Southeast part of the house. Monkey with Snake: A long-lasting match filled with imtimacy and strong feelings. Emotionally, as time goes on, you bond more and more with the wise Snake. Anytime you want, he will wrap himself around you and gently squeeze. But although there are rocky times due to jealously on either side, you can temper this energy by hanging a Feng Shui Crystal in the South by Southeast part of the house. Monkey with Horse: Is this a relationship or a competition? Sometimes you re supportive of each other, but the inflexibility of Horse means that you have to do all the compromising and understanding. After a while, this rodeo is less and less fun. If you feel like you re always coming in second place, you can hang a Feng Shui Crystal in the South part of the house to brighten up the energy. Monkey with Ram (or Goat): This may be fun in the beginning, but Ram has a whole bunch of rules and regulations for you to follow in order to stay in this relationship rules that are sure to drain the fun right out of it. But if you can stay, it could become a happy, loving, long-lasting relationship. Balance this uncertain energy by hanging a Feng Shui Crystal in the South by Southwest part of the house. Monkey with Monkey: Full of fun and play, this is an easy, happy relationship. There may be times when you don t see eye to eye, but keep those times brief, or one of you may find someone else to chase. Work out some boundaries, and you will be laughing together for a long time. To bond you two into a really strong partnership, hang a Feng Shui Crystal in the West by Southwest part of the house. Monkey with Rooster (or Cock): Like magnets, you feel pulled magically together, but at any moment the poles can shift and you will find yourself repelled by each other. This is a pair born to fight, and yet should the the two of you have a long relationship, it will at least be interesting. More prosperity would help you both be happy in this match, so hang a Feng Shui Crystal in the West part of the house to attract more money. Monkey with Dog: At first it just doesn t seem to work. You swinging in the trees, and the Dog barking and dancing around on the ground but if 92

93 you both persist, suddenly, one day everything falls into place. If you get to that point, this can be a very good match. Remember it s a partnership not a competition. To blend the skills of you both, hang a Feng Shui Crystal in the West by Northwest part of the house. Monkey with Pig (or Boar): This may be the easiest relationship you ll ever find: no hassles, no commitments, just comfort and joy. Pig would love a commitment, but he s too much in love to ask, afraid you ll run for the hills. Consider settling down with this one; this could be one you cherish. To balance and harmonize this energy, hang a Feng Shui Crystal in the North by Northwest part of the house. Rooster in Relationship Rooster (or Cock) with Rat: You might work well together with Rat, but avoid getting into a relationship with this little mouse. He discovers all your weak spots, and he ll take you down a peg or three. If you re serious about your future happiness, kiss the Rat goodbye. But if you re committed to stay, temper the little mouse s petty complaints by hanging a Feng Shui Crystal in the North part of the house. Rooster (or Cock) with Ox: Potentially a very good match, because even though you re both stubborn by nature, you are stubborn about different things. There s strength in unity, and as a united front you can have a very happy relationship. Even your fights turn out okay. Strengthen this relationship further by hanging a Feng Shui Crystal in the North by Northeast part of the house. Rooster (or Cock) with Tiger: This relationship will take a lot of effort, because you both have different values. You have strength, but so does Tiger and there will be communication issues. Your friends will try to help you stay together until they get tired of trying, and then they ll suggest you part. If you 93

94 want to stay together and have fun instead of fights, hang a Feng Shui Crystal in the East by Northeast part of the house. Rooster (or Cock) with Rabbit: A relationship between you and Rabbit just makes for one angry bunny. You try to use logic and reason, but you just make him madder. Even though initially you felt a kinship, you re just too different to really have any harmony. To get your Rabbit partner to pitch in and pull half the weight of this relationship, hang a Feng Shui Crystal in the East part of the house. Rooster (or Cock) with Dragon: The perfect pair representing the Dragon and the Phoenix, this relationship is liberating and strengthening for both. With this winged creature you revel in feeling on top of the world. And Dragon feels like he s finally got his feet on the ground. Great times ahead. Hang a Feng Shui Crystal in the East by Southeast part of the house to capitalize on this successful union. Rooster (or Cock) with Snake: You may have some differences in your daily routines, but that can be to your benefit as you will enjoy the times you are together all the more. Snake may like to argue with you, but you can hold your own. In the long run this could really work. Balance the extremes in this relationship and you can make some serious money. Hang a Feng Shui Crystal in the South by Southeast part of the house to help. Rooster (or Cock) with Horse: You are probably more interested in making this work than Horse is. And when you fight, it will be you who has to say, Sorry, first. This may be fine in the beginning, but after a while of eating crow, you may just give this one up. If you insist that this is the one for you, hang a Feng Shui Crystal in the South part of the house to sooth your differences and create harmony. Rooster (or Cock) with Ram (or Goat): You are probably the more impatient one, so Ram can outlast you anytime. This will cause conflicts at home and with raising children. Sometimes you re both playing a game to see if you can get what you want; but neither of you share your rules with the other. If you find that Ram has a hard head and way too soft feelings you can hang a Feng Shui Crystal in the South by Southwest part of the house to balance the energies. Rooster (or Cock) with Monkey: Hard going at first, but things can be smoothed over. You may be fascinated with Monkey s clever antics and so you keep working on it. Over time there can be progress; it depends on how much you want to sacrafice to get this to work. If you start to think that Monkey is just in it for what he or she can get, you can hang a Feng Shui Crystal in the West by Southwest part of the house to bring the scales into balance. 94

95 Rooster (or Cock) with Rooster(or Cock): Intense passion and intense fights will typify this relationship. Feathers will fly, and lots of words will be exchanged but what you dish out you can receive. In the end you will stick it out because you have put so much effort into it. If you both are too focused on being right rather than being happy, hang a Feng Shui Crystal in the West area of the house to remedy this. Rooster (or Cock) with Dog: A Dog around the barnyard chases the chickens rather than being guided by one so you may find this relationship is about who gets to be in charge. This power struggle will continue and getting out may be your best bet. This is not an easy time for either of you. If all this relationship has become is two people snapping at each other, hang a Feng Shui Crystal in the West by Northwest part of the house to bring in loving, harmonious energy. Rooster (or Cock) with Pig (or Boar): You have a true admirer in this relationship, yet you doubt, thinking this is too easy. Pig wants to make you feel comfortable and happy, and yet your eye is ever wandering. Learn to respect the Pig and this could be a dream match. Or, toss it all away and get chickenscratch in return. Things can be good here if you can welcome in the positive energy. Hang a Feng Shui Crystal in the North by Northwest part of the house and be prepared to be happy. Dog in Relationship Dog with Rat: It will take cool nerves to make this match work. There s a lot of nervous energy between the two of you, and you may find Rat running for the door. Keep the lines of communication open to make progress long term. You may find you only fight over little things. Ease the disruptive energy by hanging a Feng Shui Crystal in the North part of the house. Dog with Ox: You two can be great together because you re both stable and want to protect your partner. But power struggles can ensue. Your best bet is 95

96 to lean back and allow Ox to drag the relationship forward. Ox can hold on to hurts from past fights for a long time. Heal the energy by hanging a Feng Shui Crystal in the North by Northeast part of the house. Dog with Tiger: After a rough beginning, a relationship of mutual respect and admiration blossoms. The attraction to each other runs deep, and both can feel great happiness here. There are good times ahead for this cat and Dog. Together you can do a lot a good out in the world. Hang a Feng Shui Crystal in the East by Northeast part of the house and bring in the opportunities you desire. Dog with Rabbit: After an exhilarating chase you could end up with a perfect match between you and the happy Rabbit. You both bring something to the relationship that the other lacks, and together you make a good team. It s the tiny things, like how he or she squeezes the toothpaste, that irritate you about your partner. Hang a Feng Shui Crystal in the East part of the house and find some peace. Dog with Dragon: This is a star-crossed pair, intense love followed by severe pain. You may be tempted by Dragon s power, but he ll just fly away at some point. At some level you know this, and so you may try to leave first. Save yourself the pain and avoid this match. If you insist on staying together, you must alternate with each other on who will lead. Hang a Feng Shui Crystal in the East by Southeast part of the house to find a truce. Dog with Snake: If you do get together which is not easy you will need to work on your communication with each other. You are both smart, but in different ways. You are much more loyal than Snake; don t give all your loyalty until you know it will be returned. If you stay realistic this can work, so hang a Feng Shui Crystal in the South by Southeast to improve communication. Dog with Horse: Dating will be an exciting chase, and if you do rope this Horse you may end up with a very happy relationship. But Horse won t be caught easily, so be prepared for some work. Once you break this Horse of running, the romance will blossom. Hang a Feng Shui Crystal in the South part of the house to encourage cooperation. Dog with Ram (or Goat): There is such strong attraction at first, but Ram doesn t like being herded, and you are having trouble putting up with his not agreeing with anything you say. After quarreling constantly, you may not find anything to save in this relationship. If you find you re more irritated than in love, hang a Feng Shui Crystal in the South by Southwest part of the house and smooth over the differences. Dog with Monkey: At first sight you didn t think this was going to be a match... and you were right! Monkey s antics and different ideas can hurt your feelings deeply. Even when it seems to be working, the timing will be off, and 96

97 the gestures you offer each other are misunderstood. But if you want to make a go of it, hang a Feng Shui Crystal in the West by Southwest part of the house to attract money which will in turn attract a Monkey. Dog with Rooster (or Cock): Lots of chasing can make the beginning of this relationship a little rocky. Be patient, because there is more to this than meets the eye. There is a geniue compatibilty here, if you can get past some of the surface irritants.if you want to do more than just coexist, hang a Feng Shui Crystal in the West part of the house to bring out the best qualities in both of you. Dog with Dog: You can run and play together, and you ll always be competing with each other. You may even compete to show how much you ll sacrifice for the other. If you don t mind the constant quarreling, bickering, and barking this will work out just fine. Hang a Feng Shui Crystal in the West by Northwest part of the house to promote mutual respect and material success. Dog with Pig (or Boar): You find that Pig is a blissful partner, and have never felt so happy. This makes you nervous, which in turn makes Pig nervous and that could bring a breaking point. But in general this is a great match, just lie down and enjoy it. Celebrate this good match and hang a Feng Shui Crystal in the North by Northwest part of the house to attract the resouces for a comfortable and happy home. Pig in Relationship Pig (or Boar) with Rat: This is an interesting match, you share many interests. You see the world in a similar way and value similar things. The little mouse may need some puffing up sometimes, but flatter him and together you will build a comfortable house, with lots of money in the cookie jar. Hang a Feng Shui Crystal in the North part of the house to bring abundance and happiness to the relationship. 97

98 Pig (or Boar) with Ox: This works at first, but if you think you will get your way, you re wrong here. You may be obstinate, but nothing beats an Ox for sheer stubborness. The more you push, the more he will not budge. Save yourself the effort and pass on this match. If you plan to stay in this relationship, hang a Feng Shui Crystal in the North by Northeast part of the house to relieve some of the friction. Pig (or Boar) with Tiger: You may think the hungry Tiger will have you for dinner on your first date, but after the initial nerves of a new relationship, you two can settle down and make a really good match. Tiger s possessiveness will feel comforting and protective. Hang a Feng Shui Crystal in the East by Northeast part of the house to bring joy, laughter, and good times. Pig (or Boar) with Rabbit: Once you get past the well-meaning criticism by this little bunny, you have a thoughtful, interested partner with whom you can share much. Rabbit may be slower to realize how good a match this is, so be patient. Rabbit will happily receive the outpouring of your affection, so to get some in return, hang a Feng Shui Crystal in the East part of the house. Pig (or Boar) with Dragon: You are dazzled by the power and vision of your Dragon partner. And he loves coming down to earth to be with you. While your friends may not understand this match, you are in heaven. You are sailing on the back of a Dragon. At times one or both of you will get carried away; balance out the energy by hanging a Feng Shui Crystal in the East by Southeast part of the house. Pig (or Boar) with Snake: You have so many differences that you can t even begin to communicate. You are natually nervous around the clever Snake, and so you become rigid and critical. It s not you, it s just a bad match. If you re staying in the partnership but can t stand all the secrets, hang a Feng Shui Crystal in the South by Southeast part of the house and let what s been hidden come out. Pig (or Boar) with Horse: Horse feels this is a great relationship and that nothing needs to change. You, on the other hand, have a list of what needs to happen to start making this a happy relationship. But none of your subtle signals or overt signs will be a clue to over-confident Horse. To get your pony partner to pay attention, hang a Feng Shui Crystal in the South part of the house. Pig (or Boar) with Ram (or Goat): Can work, but certainly not the most exciting relationship you ll ever have. This feels like the back-up date for New Year s maybe someone who might be a friend, but the passion s not really there. If you want commitment, demand it; otherwise let this one go. Stir up the romance here by hanging a Feng Shui Crystal in the South by Southwest part of the house and watch the magic happen. 98

99 Pig (or Boar) with Monkey: You and Monkey are so different, but some how it works. This relationship is like a fine wine, it needs to age and you both will occasionally need some time to breathe. Some irritations on both sides can make this relationship feel sour. Hang a Feng Shui Crystal in the West by Southwest part of the house to sweeten up your love life. Pig (or Boar) with Rooster (or Cock): As barnyard buddies this is tough in the beginning as Rooster wants to be in charge. You will find it hard to get respect from this bossy boss as he is sure he rules the roost. But deep down, there is more love here than you may think. Give this a try before saying goodbye. Between the two of you there is a solution to every problem. Hang a Feng Shui Crystal in the West part of the house to attract the solutions easily. Pig (or Boar) with Dog: You feel secure and safe with Dog (and nipped at, and barked at, too). There are some strong positives in this relationship, and big helping of irritants. Give nervous Dog some time to settle into the relationship, and you will feel safe and loved in no time. If you find your lively pup too quick with the criticizm hang a Feng Shui Crystal in the West by Northwest part of the house to soften his or her words. Pig (or Boar) with Pig (or Boar) : Hand in hand, here s a perfect match. You both share great depth of feeling and compassion for the other. Communication is fun and easy, and you spend many nights just staying up and talking. This may get to be a little routine after a while, but the deep feeling of happiness will last. Together you both give too much and may find others taking advantage of your kindness. Hang a Feng Shui Crystal in the North by Northwest part of the house to protect your finances. 99

100 Ba-Gua Map Wealth Wood Purple/Gold Luck Fire Red Relationships Earth Red/Pink/Peach/Orange Family Wood Green Health Earth Yellow Children Metal White Knowledge Earth Blue/Green/Aqua Career Water Blue/Black Friends Metal Black/White/Gray Place Career at the main front door. Your Wealth area is in the far left corner of the house, your Relationship area is the far right. 100

101 Bibliography and Recommended Reading Bartholomew, Sarah, Feng Shui: It s Good for Business, ETC Publishing, Carlsbad, CA, 2005 Carus, Paul, Chinese Astrology, Open Court, LaSalle, IL, 1974 Chuen, Master Lam Kam, Personal Feng Shui Manual: How to Develop a Healthy and Harmonious Lifestyle, Henry Holt & Co, New York, 1998 Craze, Richard, Teach Yourself Chinese Astrology, Arbingdon, England, Bookpoint, 1997 Eberhard, Wolfram, A Dictionary of Chinese Symbols, Routledge, London, 1983 Gong, Rosemary, Good Luck Life, New York, Harper Collins, 2005 Kwok, Man-Ho, The Elements of Feng Shui, Elements Books Limited, Dorset, England, 1991 Lau, Kwan, Secrets of Chinese Astrology: Handbook for Self-Discovery, Tengu Books, Trumbull, CT, 1994 Lau, Theodora, The Handbook of Chinese Horoscopes, New York, Harper & Row, 1979 Lip, Evelyn, Chinese Practices and Beliefs, Torrance, Heian International, 2000 Ronngren, Diane, Color: A Secret Language Revealed, ETC Publishing, Carlsbad, CA, 1997 Ronngren, Diane, Eclipses, ETC Publishing, Carlsbad, CA, 2001 Ronngren, Diane, Mercury Retrograde, ETC Publishing, Carlsbad, CA, 2000 Ronngren, Diane, Sage & Smudge: The Ultimate Guide, ETC Publishing, Carlsbad, CA, 2003 Ronngren, Diane, Simple Feng Shui Secrets, ETC Publishing, Carlsbad, CA, 2005 Ronngren, Diane and Stellhorn, Donna, Money and Prosperity Workbook, ETC Publishing, Carlsbad, CA, 1999 Rossbach, Sarah, Interior Design with Feng Shui, Arkana, London, 1987 Skinner, Stephen, Flying Star Feng Shui, Tuttle, Boston, MA, 2003 Stellhorn, Donna, Feng Shui Form, ETC Publishing, Carlsbad, CA, 2006 Stellhorn, Donna, How to Use Magical Oils, ETC Publishing, Carlsbad, CA,

102 Stellhorn, Donna, Sage & Smudge: Secrets to Clearing Your Personal Space, ETC Publishing, Carlsbad, CA, 1999 Sun, Ruth Q, The Asian Animal Zodiac, Castle Books, Boston, MA, 1974 Tai, Sherman, Principles of Feng Shui: An Illustrated Guide to Chinese Geomancy, Asiapac Books, Singapore, 1998 Too, Lillian, Easy-To-Use Feng Shui: 168 Ways to Success, Collins & Brown, London, 1999 Too, Lillian, Unlocking the Secrets of Chinese Fortune Telling, Metro Books, New York, 2006 Twicken, David, Classical Five Element Chinese Astrology Made Easy, Writers Club Press, New York, 2000 Twicken, David, Flying Star Feng Shui Made Easy, Writers Club Press, New York, 2002 Walters, Derek, Chinese Astrology, Watkins Publishing London, 2002 Walters, Derek, The Feng Shui Handbook, Aquarian Press, San Francisco, CA 1991 Williams, C.A.S., Outlines of Chinese Symbolism & Art Motifs, Dover Publications, New York,

103 About Donna Author and entrepreneur Donna Stellhorn has successfully combined a variety of spiritual tools and practical skills in the course of building her successful career helping people in their lives. She is a speaker, a supportive personal coach, and a practical business consultant, with more than 20 years of experience. In addition to building three successful businesses of her own and logging more than 12,000 hours of consultations with clients so far, she lectures, teaches a variety of classes, offers apprenticeship programs, leads workshops, and continues to write on a variety of topics. She believes in encouraging others to achieve success in their careers and in their personal lives. Donna has written eight books. One of them, Feng Shui Form, is a collection of many of her best and most popular concepts to help her readers create a supportive and comfortable living and working environment. Her best-selling booklet of more than 10 years, Sage and Smudge: Clearing Your Personal Space shares the concept of how to cleanse and clear space, objects, or environments. Her first Feng Shui book was published in Europe in 1996, where she introduced the concepts of Form Feng Shui and how your environment affects your energy, productivity, prosperity and your relationships. 103