A Preview of 2008 Year of the Rat

Another year has come and gone and we will be celebrating Chinese New Year on February 7, 2008. We will say Kung Hay Fat Choy to everyone we meet wishing them the best in the coming year.

I have made my annual predictions public since 2004. It has become part of my yearly research and advice to my students and clients from all over the world. People have emailed me and told me they are eagerly awaiting the release of my predictions each year.

The year of the Pig will be replaced by the year of the Rat based on the 12 Chinese Zodiac sign sequence. The Chinese custom will celebrate New Year on the first day of the year based on the lunar calendar; however for Feng Shui and Bazi we will start the New Year on February 4, 2008 based on the solar calendar.

Year 2008 is the year of the Rat, Wu Zi year. The yearly hexagram is Yu gua and the annual flying star in the central palace is #1. The annual Shen Sha which will cause trouble is San Sha in the South.

Yu gua is the 16th hexagram in I Ching. It is Chen trigram on top of Kun trigram. This represents growth on top of the ground. Yu gua is a hexagram which indicates happiness and stability. When we are successful and humble we certainly will be happy and stable. However the teachings of this hexagram do not describe the scenario where we are happy and stable; rather it is advising and reminding us that it can be addictive to be happy so we must look further forward. When there is stability we must prepare for the dangers that may be on the horizon.

Happiness is not for one’s self; it is for everyone. So do not be too naughty or indecisive. Also do not lose yourself while you are indulging in all this happiness. We must keep our belief in being balanced. We must pull together and unite to make changes based on the times ahead otherwise we will see the reverse effect of being happy and will get ourselves into dangerous situations.

From the Bazi point of view, Wu Zi year is earth over water. It is a San Shui Meng gua which indicates education as well as confusion and ignorance. This means that people need to be educated because of their ignorance and confusion. In addition, because Wu Zi is earth on top of water we may have more dam collapses or flooding this year.

Zi is Cheng Kuan to Wu and Wu is Cheng Tsai to Zi. With the hidden combination of Wu and Zi (Gui), there may be corruption between government officials and businesses.

Zi is one of the four peach blossoms associated with popularity and romance. It will be a pretty good year for those who are single and those who work in the entertainment industry.

For those born in Shen (Moneky) year, Zi (Rat) year, Chen (Dragon) year, Chou (Ox) year and Wu (Horse) year, there is a possibility of residence change.

For those born in Shen hour (3:00 PM – 5:00 PM), Zi hour (11:00 PM – 1:00 AM), Chen hour (7:00 AM – 9:00 AM), Chou hour (1:00 AM – 3:00 AM) you will see good results in your examinations or career advancement. If you are born under Wu hour (11:00 AM – 1:00 PM), Wei hour (1:00 PM - 3:00 PM) or Mao hour (5:00 AM - 7:00 AM) you may have problems.

From the Zi Wei Dou Shu point of view, the annual Wealth palace will be in Shen and the Career palace will be in Chen so you can place your picture and a piggy bank in these two sectors of your house to activate the wealth and career sectors.

With San Sha in the South this year, we need to pay attention to the heart, eyes and blood pressure, especially young women.

Extreme care should be used if you try to disturb the South, it can bring about tragedies as serious as death and bankruptcy. Be careful if the house door or bedroom is located in the South. Also beware if there are any disturbances or sha qi coming from the South.

To minimize the “San Sha” effect, you can place a real plant or tree in the Southern sector inside or outside the house, you can also put a little bucket of water and three metal Kiluns (facing South) together with the tree. (There is a high level Feng Shui technique “Fighting the San Sha” to bring in money, contact me if you need such a service to turn a difficult situation around).

Tai Sui will be in Zi North, simply placing a pair of Kilun facing North may help to guard against the bad energy from that direction.

This year’s annual Flying Star chart will have number 1 in the centre, 2 in the Northwest, 3 in the West, 4 in the Northeast, 5 in the South, 6 in the North, 7 in the Southwest, 8 in the East and 9 in the Southeast.

Every home can be a safer home if we know how to deal with the yearly stars and shen sha and avoid doing the wrong thing in the wrong place at the wrong time. It is better to be prepared now than sorry later.

• To minimize the annual 5 yellow in the South, the “salt water and coins” cure can be used.
• To minimize the annual 2 black to avoid sickness, simply place a metal calabash in the Northwest of the house.
• To minimize the annual 3 jade-green to avoid arguments and being emotional, put something red in the West.
• To minimize the annual 7 red to avoid lawsuits, put something blue in the Southwest.
• The East will be the best sector in 2008 with the annual 8 white, simply put a citron crystal there for a better year financially.
• Put 4 stalks of Chinese lucky bamboo or a plant in the center of the house to enhance the possibility of career advancement, improved academic studies or heightened romance.
• Put a glass of water in the Northeast for the possibility of career advancement, improved academic studies or heightened romance.
• Putting a plant in the Southeast can bring about events for celebration.

Wishing everyone a prosperous, successful and safe 2008,
Peter Leung

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