Winter this year, the year of Metal Rabbit, began at 2:52 AM in Beijing, or 6:52 PM GMT. As the different places in the world alter the readings of the signs to some degree, we will look at the US, UK and the EU, and compare them with China.
The year is Metal Rabbit, the month Earth Dog the day in China is Fire Monkey and in the West is Wood Sheep. The hour varies per time zone. In general, Water element is the element of winter, but this winter Water is nowhere predominant. In China the predominant element is Earth, in the EU it is Fire, in the UK it is Wood and in the US it is Earth. With Earth predominant the natural tendency is to be practical, provident and cautious. With Fire predominant the natural tendency is to rise up. With Wood predominant the natural tendency is to plan. The difference between the presence of Earth in the charts of China and the US is in what it means. For China, because of the signs of the day, it brings out creativity, and for the US it brings out financial interests. Conditions in China favor innovative developments and building up of businesses this winter. Conditions in the US direct our attention to financial matters.
Looking more closely at the UK, the predominance of Wood means that the planning going on is to insure that the UK will be more independant. The UK also has Heaven Medicine Star. This warns of illnesses this winter.
Looking at the EU, the fire shows innovation and a trend in power toward domination of one group over another. The EU at this time is becoming less egalitarian, and more hierarchic. The EU has Star of Prospects this winter. With proper organizing, major businesses, especially in Germany, should do well.
All of the charts have one common characteristic; they all are predominantly Yin. Yin far outbalances Yang everywhere. This means that the processes in force through this winter are essentially rounding out and bringing to completion what began earlier this year, nothing new. The tone is about completion.
The day sign in the EU, UK and the Americas, Wood Sheep, is what is called empty. Empty day sign means unreliable cooperation. We cannot expect international, let alone internal, accord to blossom this winter. The chart for the US also has the hour sign empty. That means that business is generally erratic. The empty sign, Sheep, is in Earth. This also means that money is mismanaged, squandered and lost.
Troubles notwithstanding, the EU, UK and the US all have the Star of Art this winter. This is a good season for creative, artistic endeavours. The EU, UK and the US also have the Star of Prospects this winter. It favors those who engage in independent business activities, and gives hope for gains. Star of Art combined with Star of Prospects is very favorable for artists and people in creative professions.
The star for the first month of winter this year is 9 Fire, a highly active and creative indicator. It puts the star for the year, 7 Metal, in the house of Thunder. The energy is bold. If you are in a good position to gain, you will if you make bold, but calculating moves. 7 Metal is shrewd.
Reduced to I Ching hexagrams, the signs for this winter for the EU give us hexagram 41, Decrease, line 4. It advises to decrease your faults; correct your internal conditions. It will encourage others to approach you.
Reduced to I Ching hexagrams, the signs for this winter for the UK give us hexagram 26, The Taming Power of the Great, line 3. It advises to be aware of danger while persevering toward your goals.
Reduced to the I Ching, the signs for this winter for the US give us hexagram 52, Keeping Still, line 1. It advises you to think before you act.
The charts for the EU, UK and the US focus greatly on finances. They favor those whose careers are in finances, commerce, entrepreneurship, investment, trade, and financial management. In fengshui this points to the money point of your house and place of business. Your Money Points are the far left hand corner of your space, the first place you see upon entering, and the Southeast area of the space. The most accurate money point can also be found from reading your Chinese astrological chart. Make sure that your money points are free of clutter and are attractive to the eye. A traditional symbol of wealth that you can place in one of your money points is a vase of flowers. The traditional Chinese flower for winter is the plum blossom. Other symbols of wealth you may consider are a pot of coins, a conch shell, a picture of a deer, a picture of a dog, a picture or bowl of goldfish, a picture of flowers, a picture of a phoenix, a picture of swallows, and a money toad. If you use a money toad it should be placed high up and facing the door.
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