By Richard Giles

The 2010 Chinese Year begins in mid February on the New Moon of the 14th and is the beginning of the traditional Chinese calendar. The size of the Chinese population probably makes this calendar the most followed in the world. The New Year begins a new Zodiac animal cycle, the Year of the Tiger. Chinese tradition employs both Solar and Lunar calendars. Using the Solar calendar, its the 5th February but the New Moon day of 14th February is the official Lunar New Year celebration day when dragons and fireworks come out into the streets of Chinatown.

2009 was Year of the Earth Ox and what a challenging year it was. Now in the cycle of the twelve comes the passionate king of the animals, the fierce Tiger. He is undisputed king and loves his role as a leader. The Tiger is loyal and generous and courageous. The Tiger is of the eastern direction and in Chinese astrology he represents protection and is the one who looks after small children protecting them from evil spirits. He is instinctively loyal and very honourable. He bristles with indignation when faced with treachery or falseness. Being born in the year of the Tiger signifies luck and protection and its said that you cannot die through the bad deeds of your enemies.

The Tiger year is going to be the time to attack the most difficult issues you face. You have one of your best chances of achieving a breakthrough. If you still run into stiff opposition, you would do well to consider postponing your attempt to a later time as the same force that propels you forward is also with those opposing your efforts.

TIGER QUALITIES and MYTHOLOGY

The Chinese story of the Tiger is a useful tool for finding insights into this year ahead. When the Buddha called the 12 animals together to rule the years, the Tiger was the second one to come forward. He came forward with the grace and full force of his primal energy. The quality of Tiger year is like this. The Tiger will draw energies to it and is alert to people’s moods, changes and emotions.

Tiger people always give the impression they are fully present and ready to move. They are like a coiled spring, but lying gracefully at ease. Their principle qualities are loyalty and enthusiasm. They can also be impulsive, tough, excessive and selfish. Their approach to their work is usually brilliant and to be at their best they need to be in charge. Their finest role is as a saviour for their country or as a monarch or president. They must be in charge. With money they can be spendthrifts but are always ready to take risks because they feel lucky with money. The Tiger is also predisposed to danger and so has a tendency to want to take risks, both moral and physical. The life of a Tiger person is often adventurous and sometimes dangerous and probably never really calm. Tigers are active and prowl through their lives. They are open minded, tolerant and generous. They can be hard on themselves and too demanding on their friends, and it can be tough as they always seem so admirable. To control their passions is the most important thing for a Tiger. If they can do this they are capable of giving wise and sensible advice.

A Tiger finds pleasure in the unpredictable, and while others prefer not to make a backward step, the Tiger is not afraid to explore the unusual. What Tigers really need is first hand experience. They are usually open and frank, but if they withdraw can be aggressive when trapped. As soon as the Tiger person has regained their sense of security the confidence also returns, enabling them to set out again. They trust their instincts, though there is also another side to their personality which assesses situations thoughtfully before launching into any action.

Tigers need space to express themselves and a Tiger locked up will mean all their best qualities are reduced down to little. They can then become aggressive, quarrelsome and suffer tension – becoming stubborn they then blame the rest of the world for their problems.

WHEN A TIGER’S IN LOVE

Impetuous and passionate they are likely to test out their powers of seduction from a very early age. Since they don’t enjoy the authoritarian roles in the family they are eager to escape as they grow up. This can mean they seek out marriage at an early age so as to escape the family routines and look for new adventure. Tigers can become easily bored and if their love is not returned passionately they tend to want to seek another passion elsewhere.

They are capable of great love, but they may also become too intense about it. Sometimes they become territorial and possessive. If your friend or partner is a Tiger and wants you to take their side you best do it. As lovers, Tiger people are romantic, but the real challenge for them is to grasp the true meaning of moderation.

Tigers are often attracted by people with an independent character, but its important to remember that even if you are stimulated by a Tiger’s company and admire their energy, you can still manage without them. The Tiger person needs a partner who remains steady and constant and quietly pursues their own plans. In the family, naturally the Tiger will consider it normal to be in charge. Male Tigers prefer a partner who can manger the household calmly and well. Female Tigers will either pursue a career for personal success and independence or play the role of exemplary spouse and perfect housekeeper. As parents Tigers will teach their children prudence, reflection and reason but seriously they don’t believe it and don’t do it themselves. A disciplined Tiger, however, can be a great influence on their children and lead them on an exciting life.

THE TIGER’S CAREER

What type of occupations suit the Tiger person? They’d be good at the following – entrepreneur, military officer, politician, musician, writer, poet, designer, theatre director, stockbroker, athlete, film star, trade union leader, company director, stunt person, explorer, or teacher.

CELEBRITY TIGERS

Famous people born in the Year of the Tiger:- Musicians and composers: Beethoven, Paganini;
Politicians and leaders: Charles De Gaulle, Pres. Eisenhower, Queen Elizabeth II, Ho Chi Minh, Louis XIV, Mary Stuart, Sun Yat-sen, Molotov;
Writers: Emily Bronte,

Dylan Thomas, Karl Marx, Harold Steinbeck, H.G.Wells, Oscar Wilde, Agatha Christie, Emily Dickinson, Frederick Forsyth, Beatrix Potter;
Actors and singers: Tom Cruise, Penelope Cruz, Leonardo DiCaprio, Jon Bon Jovi, Stevie Wonder, Jodie Foster, Sir Alec Guiness, William Hurt, Marilyn Monroe, Demi Moore, Diana Rigg, Lionel Ritchie, Kenny Rogers, Roberta Flack, Natalie Wood, Tom Berenger;
Dancers: Isadora Duncan;
Entrepreneurs and personalities: Sir David Attenborough, Hugh Hefner (Playboy magazine), Richard Branson (Virgin Airlines), Paul Watson (Capt. of the Ady Gil, the Sea Shepherd anti-whaling boat).

WHAT IS THIS TIGER YEAR ABOUT?

The year is always made up of two parts, the Chinese animal sign and the year element. The Year of the Tiger is made up of two elements with Yang Metal element sitting on top of Yang Wood (Yang is more active and outgoing). Each year has an animal sign which is ruled by one of the Five Elements – Water, Wood, Fire, Earth and Metal. According to the Chinese cycle of birth and destruction which governs that relationship between the five elements, Metal is the destroyer of Wood and so they act out a destructive pattern and will be in conflict together – a bit like the chainsaw (metal) cuts down the soft tree (wood). This means the year 2010 won’t be a peaceful one with more international conflicts likely in the next 12 months. The Yang Metal element on top is cutting Metal which is symbolised by a sword or knife. This element is associated with masculine power. And the Tiger sign underneath is actually matching it with fierce strength, the passionate tiger. The conflict will also mean the environment is a huge issue with destruction of forests a big focus, as well as new schemes to save the planet.

Tiger belongs to the Wood element representing early spring when trees and plants are growing and sprouting. The Tiger contains the inner Fire and in February its considered the birth month of the Fire element. So, inside the Tiger is a powerful hidden Fire energy. History shows the Tiger year is associated with atomic/ nuclear energy. The last Metal Tiger year of 1950 saw a race between the USA and USSR to develop more atomic bombs. It was also a year of accidents related to nuclear weapons. In February 1950, a Tiger month in a Tiger year, Albert Einstein warned that nuclear war could lead to our mutual destruction. And in February the US Air force lost a bomber with an atomic bomb off the Canadian coast. In November 1950, another US air force bomber jettisoned a nuclear weapon over Quebec. And in March, the USSR proclaimed her first atomic bomb. Also the Chernobyl nuclear disaster occurred in the Tiger year of 1986. A Metal Tiger year shows a strong focus on nuclear safety and may even trigger nuclear accidents. The danger of nuclear weapons in North Korea, Iran, Israel and other countries such as Pakistan and India will be a major issue in 2010. Natural disasters with fire such as forest fires and volcanic eruptions are also very possible this year.

Other events from 1950 – The Chinese Communist forces invaded and occupied Tibet. Senator Joseph McCarthy told the US President publicly that the State Dept. was riddled with communist sympathisers and the McCarthy era began. President Truman instructed the US Atomic Energy Commission to develop a hydrogen bomb. North Korea invaded Sth Korea and UN forces landed in South Korea to recapture Seoul, then China invaded Korea to push out UN Forces. Albert Einstein developed his General Field Theory in an attempt to expand the Theory of Relativity. And the number of TV sets in the USA went from 1.5 million to 15 million in that year. All these show clear lessons from the past on the power of Yang Metal. Previous Tiger years were 1926, 1938, 1950, 1962, 1974, 1986, and 1998.

Both Tiger and Monkey are called travelling Stars in Chinese astrology, so their clash can bring serious traffic accidents especially with cars. People born in Monkey year have to be very careful in 2010. As Metal and Wood clash the danger could be with buses, vans, cars, and machinery. People with this element clash need to take extra care when driving and travelling.

The combination of Metal and Wood (Tiger), however, is not always a completely negative one. Together they represent the kind of forces necessary to succeed with very difficult tasks. The impossible just might be possible during this challenging year. Things that have needed to be done will be done or at least, you’ll see significant progress being made. On the other hand, some that probably should never ever be attempted will also go to completion. This is because the Metal Tiger is also associated with the Lemming mentality; once a group of lemmings begins moving across the fields, they charge on and unthinkingly run straight over a cliff to their deaths.

This is then, a time to attack the most difficult issues you face as it gives you one of your best chances of achieving your breakthroughs. On the other hand, if you run into stiff opposition, you would do well to consider putting it off to a later time. The same Tiger force that propels you forward is also with those opposing your efforts. Brave planners could prosper, but Lemmings might just lose it all.

HEALTH ISSUES IN 2010

The basic Chinese Five Elements represent different parts of the body – Metal relates to the skin, nose, body hair, mucus and the lungs. Health problems in a Metal year can be breathing problems through influenza. Yang Metal is associated with the large intestine so there are increasing possibilities of colon cancer, food poisoning or diarrhoea. The Wood of Tiger involves both elements of Wood and Fire. Wood rules the liver and gall bladder and the Tiger, Monkey and Snake generating Fire can cause burning, heart and blood diseases or inflammations. Any disorder in your Fire elements can bring heart or blood problems and in turn inflammation and possibly cancer. These health issues come into focus in 2010. Its important then, to look at your antioxidant intakes this year. In 2010, Metal sitting over Wood indicates a weakness so the year is not favourable for people with weak or challenged immune systems. Metal rules lungs, breathing and skin so problems with poor air quality, allergies and influenza will be serious in 2010.

Metal also rules the archetype of the alchemist and of rituals, so this is a year to transmute through the use of a ritualistic, ceremonial approach to your life. You could just transmute all the illnesses possible in 2010 or you could join a group that uses natural, religious or earth based ritual to transform your environment and life. Its the year to attend Mother Earth rituals!

THE ECONOMY

The Metal element of 2010 brings prosperity to Fire industries and productivity to Earth industries. The Fire industry includes finance, entertainment and energy. A Metal year will bring activities to the Earth industry which includes property, hotel, mining, and insurance. Metal industries are banking, machinery, high tech, and cars and they’ll do okay. The industry which is not that favoured is Wood. This includes seedlings, forestry, furniture, avant guarde fashion, textile, paper, media, newspaper and magazines.

Since this year’s governing force is Earth, so real estate becomes the key factor for economic
recovery. There will also be breakthroughs in the energy sector. The key areas will be wind, solar, earth and micro-electronics. Energy is an important business this year. Wind turbines will become more and more popular. We might see them not just on mountains, but also on coasts. Solar energy would become very useful in places with more sunlight such as deserts. New houses will be built to store or extract heat from the ground. Lighting will advance with powerful energy savers like the new generation LED’s.

More breakthroughs in stem cell research are on the way shedding light on curing chronic and terminal illnesses. More problems may surface concerning pharmaceutical drugs. Food businesses will do well too, but beware of new food poisoning problems.

HOME & BUSINESS FENG SHUI MOVES IN 2010

In traditional Feng Shui assessments there are flying numbers called Flying Stars that arrive in different sectors of the house each year to influence a building’s good and bad fortune. In the year of the Tiger the Flying Star numbers that create challenges in your home will move on to new locations (see my 2009 Chinese Forecast). There are prosperous energies and the illness and breakdown energies. The good fortune numbers are 8 and 9 and the sickness numbers are 5 and 2. The two most consequential are the number 5 (called the Yellow Five), and the number 8 (called the White Star). These new numbers move into place on the 4th February each year, the beginning of the solar year, and its always good to have your remedies in place in the last weeks of January as their influence begins to grow from then on.

These yearly prosperous numbers bring a fortunate effect on your house if they fall into the front door, the office or your bedroom and the illness numbers can bring health problems for you. Its advantageous to consult a Feng Shui practitioner to find out exactly where these energies are going to be this year and what impact they’ll have on the resident Flying Stars in your own home. What I’ve written here is a good beginning guide.

In February 2004 the centre cycle number found in the middle of every new building moved to the Age of Eight energy. Number 8 is now a key to your success in the thirteen years remaining to the end of 2023. Number 9 rules the following 20 year cycle from 2024 so its influence is also important. During 2010 the numbers 8 and 9 are found respectively in the Centre and the NorthWest of your house. With the number 8 in the Centre of your home, depending on the design of the building its abundance may not always be able to be taken advantage of. If your office or main room is towards the Centre then you can be blessed with an abundant flow of supportive energy this year. The Centre is ruled by the element Earth which is about the practical and durable, stone, earth, bricks, storage and the land. To make it work for you avoid any blocking energies in those two sectors. Give them a good sweep out and clean all windows and doors. Get rid of clutter. If its appropriate, add flowing water to the NorthWest but not the centre of the house. The NorthWest corner brings benefit and its about teachers, mentors, neighbours, creativity, leadership, management, administration and perseverance. And the father of the family this year will be fortunate in businesses to do with these areas.

The numbers 5 and 2 fall respectively in the SouthWest and NorthEast of your house this year. If this area has front door, bedroom or office, then take these precautions for 2010. The remedy for the number 5 is to hang a six piece metal wind chime somewhere in the SouthWest sector of the house (outside). If you can’t get hold of metal wind chimes then find a metal bell or gong to hang. Best metals are copper, bronze or brass. Don’t use bamboo, wood or glass chimes. Clear out any clutter and let the area breathe. Most difficult months for the 5 Star will be in May and August. If you have a S.West facing front door, then each month may have different issues. In February it supports wealth. In March its food poisoning, in April its headaches, in May its double 5 & sickness, in June its breast health, in July its liver issues, in August its sickness and struggle, in September its ear disorders, in October its depression, November its supportive, December its food problems and January its headaches. Sounds awful doesn’t it, but these are the weaker areas with the Yellow 5. Its an indication of weak organs. With strong Metal in place in the S.West you can avoid all these. Ring your bells and strike your metal gong at the beginning of each month.

In the NorthEast of your house hang a set of six coins tied together with red ribbon or use the bell method. Colours to avoid in these sectors are reds and pinks, yellows and purples. Get rid of them for this year. If you have any moving objects in these sectors, especially flowing water, then move them away for this year.

The unfortunate Flying Star 3 (called the Phantom of Misfortune) is a Star of conflict and robbery. This is in the South sector of the house. Put up a piece of strong red paper in the South to minimise it. Also the Flying Star 7 (called the Spirit of Solemnity) bringing scandals is in the SouthEast. The traditional way is to place a glass vase with a 3 piece bamboo plant in water in the S.East.

The other precaution to take relates to the direction of the year’s incoming energies from the zodiac animal of the year the Tiger, from the NorthEast. Its called the ‘Grand Duke’ and is like a military man on a horse riding towards you. Don’t challenge him by facing his direction, but face towards a better direction. If your office desk faces to the NorthEast turn it to another suitable position until the year is over. Its advisable not to do any renovations in the north eastern part of your home for this year. They may bring problems, bad luck or never be finished on time.

For more detailed information on house influences in 2010 find a qualified Feng Shui practitioner or contact me on the address at the end of this article. Look up the lists in your local directory of the state you live in.

YOUR YEARLY ZODIAC FORECAST

What’s in store for each of the twelve animal signs in 2010?

As we now have a Yang Metal year, the element Metal works well with Earth and Water but it breaks down or destroys Wood and Fire melts Metal. If you are a Metal person then this year can be strong overall. Look at the elements that make up each zodiac sign below. Remember though, that this is only a simple guide as a proper forecasts for 2010 looks at your Four Pillars Chart which is your full Chinese zodiac chart. It uses Year, Month, Day and the Hour of birth to get a true picture of your character. Try – http://www.fourpillars.net/calculator.php for a full calculation of your chart.

In the ‘San He’ school of Chinese Feng Shui (Triple Combination) the TIger is compatible with the Dog and the Horse and its also in harmony with the Pig. So generally, if you’re born in any of these years you have a better opportunity to thrive through the year. The sign opposing the Tiger in the zodiac is the Monkey and Monkey people are likely to have a tougher year in 2010, as well as those born in the Snake year. The Tiger forms what’s called a Three Penalty relationship with the Snake and Monkey. This penalty causes disharmony, worry and hidden illness. If you’re born in the year of the Monkey or Snake then carry a pendant of the Pig to minimise this influence in the Tiger year.

As a good example of this is Ban Ki-Moon, the United Nations general secretary as he’s born in a Monkey year and on Monkey day. In 2010 he’ll be under much pressure bringing him a turbulent year. This can mean he’ll be busy fighting fires around the world in an effort to resolve a year of many more international conflicts.

The animals in harmonious combination with the Tiger are the Pig, the Horse and the Dog. They will do much better this year than in previous years.

THE RAT (Water): (1900, ’12, ’24, ’36, ’48, ’60, ’72, ’84, ’96, ’08)

This is going to be a year of changes for you but they may not always be for the best. Your strategy for the year ought to be around building confidence in yourself and waiting till the moment is right rather than acting on impulse. Travel opportunities are there as well as career changes. A busy year.

THE OX (Earth): (1901, ’13, ’25, ’37, ’49, ’61, ’73, ’85, ’97, ’09) Since 2009 was your year there been some new beginnings for you. However in 2010, there’ll be more and they may not always be towards your stability. A new lifestyle may be ahead for you. Career is challenging and your health can be very up and down. Love is also a challenge. As the Oxen needs some quiet and stability, focus on your key needs this year.

THE TIGER (Wood): (1902, ’14, ’26, ’38, ’50, ’62, ’74, ’86, ’98) The start of a new 12 year cycle for you. The choices you make and the directions you embrace will be so important this year. Social relationships and the people you are close to will be important this year. You can step into new leadership roles and show the way for others. You like some excitement and this year will do it. Try to stay focussed on what’s important and exercise your self-control. The ups and downs this year can be stupendous.

THE RABBIT (Wood): (1903, ’15, ’27, ’39, 51, ’63, ’75, ’87, ’99) This year is before your coming year (2011 – a Rabbit Year) and it may give you ups and downs but never serious ones. You can gain benefits from the Tiger year energy but don’t except big things yet. Its going to be more neutral for you.

THE DRAGON (Earth): (1904, ’16, ’28, ’40, ’52, ’64, ’76, ’88, ’00) The Tiger year will be a fast mover and generally most Dragons prefer that. You can take advantage of the opportunities that are offered you this year. Relationships will be testing as will the close friendships you have with others. Make sure you pay plenty of attention to what others are saying, especially close family. Career is running along easily but no big breaks yet.

THE SNAKE (Fire): (1905, ’17, ’29, ’41, ’53, ’65, ’77, ’89, ’01) Snakes are used to the easier times and so a Tiger year is something that you may find too upsetting, however, you have the ability to be in charge of your reactions as the Snake knows well. Practice that and don’t resist changes.

THE HORSE (Fire): (1906, ’18, ’30, ’42, ’54, ’66, ’78, ’90, ’02) This is the year that benefits you because of your good relationship with the Tiger. New friendships and even career moves are likely for you. Your health may be tested so take care of diet and excercise. Since Horses are ruled by Fire you’ll like the new situations coming this year, but keep your haste under control. Be practical.

THE SHEEP (Earth): (1907, ’19, ’31, ’43, ’55, ’67, ’79, ’91, ’03) Last year was a tough one for you as the Ox which is your opposite, ruled the year. This time around you can take it better as money looks like it flows more easily for you again. It can be a neutral year but it will help you to stabilise for the duration of the year. Make sure you pay attention to health matters.

THE MONKEY (Metal): (1908, ’20, ’32, ’44, ’56, ’68, ’80, ’92, ’04) You have the problem of being opposite the Tiger in the zodiac. Its a year when things go very up and down for you. Because the Monkey is ruled by Metal you have the ability to handle it but nevertheless, its important to not push your luck and stay on the straight road and inside the double lines. Be honest and stay upfront with everyone.

THE ROOSTER (Metal): (1909, ’21, ’33, ’45, ’57, ’69, ’81, ’93, ’05) The Roster is an enthusiastic sign and a talkative one at that. As you are also ruled by Metal you can handle it, but you will feel that not a lot that’s special comes along to benefit you. Generally, you can ride along on the tumultuous Tiger year as you can handle it. Feel confident in yourself this year and push on.

THE DOG (Earth): (1910, ’22, ’34, ’46, ’58, ’70, ’82, ’94, ’06) Another of the zodiac animals that benefit from 2010. Its a good year for Dogs as you are compatible with the Tiger energy. Opportunities will come your way this year and you need to use your intuition to pick the right ones. Do it at just the right moment and you gain from it. The family is important to you this year; keep note of where they are all at. Its a year of adventure and travel and a year to be rewarded. Make the most of it.

THE PIG (Water): (1911, ’23, ’35, ’47, ’59, ’71, ’83, ’95, ’07) The Pig is ruled by Water which is assisted by the Tiger year. Money matters will improve and stay steady. The year itself will still test you though. Be ready to shoulder some responsibilities but make sure you have it clear what they are and what they entail. The pace of the year is fast and sometimes you feel its too much. Help others through the rough bits and you’ll do your best. Restlessness may be an issue.

Thank you. Best of success, abundance and good luck for the energetic Metal Tiger year of 2010.

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