THE start of a new year always makes me curious. What lies ahead for me, for us, for the country? After a year rife with disaster and violence, can we look forward to a kinder, gentler year ahead? Will elections make life complicated for the citizenry, or will it make systems run more smoothly?
The possibilities are endless.
Those who subscribe to feng shui know enough to pay attention to the annual predictions. For example, if the experts say your sign will have health issues, better strap on a Wu Lou on your person real quick. In cases like these, it is better to be safe than sorry (you never know, you might fall from the bed and suffer from back injuries—believe me, I speak from experience).
As things go, the coming Year of the Fire Monkey is ripe with possibilities.
According to feng shui expert Marites Allen, the year, which starts on February 8, will be fraught with obstructions and challenges, with people (not necessarily politicians) looking for opportunities and advantages—much like the monkey, who is known for his “scheming tactics.”
“Everybody will be looking out for themselves, especially financially,” Allen says. The feng shui master hosted her 11th Feng Shui Convention at the Marco Polo Hotel in Ortigas at the start of the year.
The elections will be largely peaceful but marred by conflict, and the next president, whoever that may be, will naturally have to deal with a lot of politicking and challenges. She refuses to predict who will win the polls without a thorough look at the candidates’ charts. She did say most of the candidates were born in the Year of the Rooster (so expect a cockfight, figuratively, when elections come.) Allen also warns against air, shipping or land disasters during the year. Traffic will become a major issue.
Also, since there is no lap chun or spring this year, she recommends filling the house with flowers on February 4 (which is the start of spring) to start the year on the right foot.
OH TO BE A MONKEY OR A SHEEP
ON a positive note, those born in the years of the Sheep and Monkey will be financially blessed this year.
“The number 8 [Wealth Star] flies to the Southwest this year. This is the corner of the Sheep and the Monkey, so they will enjoy the benefits of the Wealth Star throughout the year,” Allen says.
“What’s more there will be two months during the year that the number 8 doubles up. So tumaya na kayo sa lotto,” she advises, not totally in jest. Other lucky signs of the year include the Rabbit (prosperity), the Dragon and Snake (victory luck), Horse (windfall) and Rooster (romance luck).
Not so lucky are those born in the years of the Dog and Boar, who will have to deal with a lot of arguments because of the Conflict Star. Likewise, those born in the Year of the Rat will have to contend with the Robbery Star. Most unlucky are those born in the Year of the Tiger and the Ox, who will have to deal with the Misfortune Star. Those born in the Year of the Horse will also contend with the three Killings Star in the south. “The Tiger will have to be especially careful because in addition to being the enemy of the Monkey, it has to contend with the Misfortune Star,” the feng shui master says. All of us have to look after our health, though, as the Illness Star flies to the center of the chart.
Additionally, she says loud noises must be toned down in the southwest corner because of the Tai Sui, the god of the year, which sits in that corner this year.
“Do not sit facing this corner to avoid angering the Tai Sui. Do not make any noise, if you have any TVs or radios move them to another area. Above all, do not make any renovations,” she warns.
No radios and TVs as well should be placed in the northwest to avoid activating the Argument Star.
Lucky colors are blue, black or grey—water colors—to fill in for the missing element of the year.
“The year is hot, with three fire elements. There are also three metal elements, one wood and one earth. What is missing is water,” Allen says.
WOMEN POWER
THE absence of water does not bode well for those in positions of authority like CEOs, heads of state and heads of the family.
“Water symbolizes authority. This means, because there is an absence of water in the charts, the authority of the patriarch is weakened. What’s more, since the Conflict or Argument Star flies to the northwest [the corner of the patriarchs] this year, they will be disgruntled [masungit] and may have to deal with challenges to their authority. On the other hand, things look great for the matriarch because of the auspicious stars that are this year in the southwest corner, which is the corner of the matriarch. Ladies will rule this year, so the men will have to be careful,” she said.
GOOD YEAR FOR BEAUTY INDUSTRIES
She says it will be a bullish year for the stock market, especially in the second half, while those in the beauty or personal development businesses will experience “great success.” Those in the metal industry, like pawnshops, will experience “fantastic” growth. Those in the wood industries—retail, publishing, agriculture—not so much.
CURES AND ENHANCEMENTS
Although the outlook may look bleak for some of the signs, she says all is not lost, as there are cures that may be put in place to mitigate the harmful effects of these stars.
Put a Wu Lou in the middle of your home to offset the effects of the Illness Star (the elderly should place a crystal Wu Lou by the bed), put a blue rhino or antiburglary totem in the north to tone down the Burglary Star, and a five-element pagoda with seed symbol to counter the effects of the dreaded five Yellow Star. This is advisable not only for the afflicted signs but for everybody.
She also suggests putting or wearing enhancers to activate the lucky stars, like a double eight home display in the southwest to activate the Wealth Star, a Quan Yin on a Phoenix for the Prosperity Star in the east, etc.
Those looking for romance would do well to activate the western corner of their house (put a pair of mandarin ducks, or place a double happiness symbol).
Allen has created several sets of cures and enhancers under her Frigga brand, which she sells in her shops in various malls across the country.
The event, which was cohosted by Boy Abunda, was not just about the year’s predictions however. Afternoon highlights included a performance from Gerphil Flores, one of the runners-up in Asia’s Got Talent and a fashion show showcasing Frederick Peralta’s collection under the Frigga label. Using feng shui-patterned fabric, the collection featured casual dresses and lounge wear appropriate for the country’s climate and fast-paced lifestyle.