Feng Shui Forecast 2011. =P

This year houses with a north south orientation are luckier than those with an east west orientation (face east or west). Occupants of houses that face East (E2) are more likely to face more obstacles this year. Those born in the year of the Rabbit (offend Tai Sui), the Rooster (clash with Tai Sui) and the Rat and Horse (afflicted by Tai Sui) are likely to feel more of the effect.

Occupants of house that face East (E2) and sit West (W2) should not carry out any serious renovation works on their house this year. By serious I mean works that involve ground breaking e.g. piling, digging and knocking down walls or structures. In addition occupants of houses that face other directions should not carry out serious renovations in the East (due to Tai Sui and Five Yellow) and West (due to Sui Poh and Three Killings) sector of their houses.

Like Tai Sui and Sui Poh, the energies of Three Killings (West) and Five Yellow (East) can be activated by ground breaking and knocking. The negative effects of Three Killings are obstacles (during the year), losses (monetary and otherwise) and disaster. The negative effects of Five Yellow like Three Killings are equally serious. You should avoid using these sectors if you can. Pregnant women and those who are ill or recovering from an illness should not use this sector.

To counter the negative effect of Three Killings, place live plants in the West sector. Later in this article I will share with you how to reduce the negative effect of Five Yellow. With the arrival of the Chinese Solar year comes a new set of annual stars that affects every household. Please refer to the diagram below that shows the annual stars for 2011. The star (or number) is a numerical representation of the “qi”, good and bad that affects the eight and center sectors of a house.

There are nine annual stars. Of the nine stars, number 5 (also known as Five Yellow) is the most destructive as it brings misfortunes and calamities. It afflicts the east sector in 2011. If the main door, bedroom or places that you spend a lot of time are located in the east or face east, then you must “treat” this area by placing metal items there. Five Yellow is an inauspicious Earth based energy that is exhausted using metal items (earth produce metal and is weaken in the process).

Closely associated with Five Yellow is number 2 star – in the south - that brings health problems or ailments. Like the Five Yellow it is also Earth based and the solution is to place metal items in the sector. Any metal item will do but the item of choice is the metal gourd (associated with healing). The number 3 star is associated with arguments, disputes and legal problems. It influences the north sector in 2011. It is a wood type energy that can be neutralized by fire. Therefore place red colored objects or a lamp in this sector. If possible avoid having sharp objects here which can activate this inauspicious energy. The number 7 star moves to the center of the house. The star is also known as the robbery as it is associated with losses due to robbery and theft as well as accidents and assault. Do not use this sector if possible and keep sharp objects away from this sector. By the way, sectors in a house are measured by referencing the center of the wall up area of a house. The open porch, backyard and garden are not included.

The south east is influenced by the number 6 star which is associated with authority, power, fame and wealth. The number 6 star is a metal based energy which can be strengthened with metal and/or earth based items. If you are in politics, management or position of power and wants to strengthen your power based, you should spend more time in the south east sector. The number 4 star that is associated with education and academic achievement as well as romance influences the south west sector in 2011. If you are pursuing a course of study or looking for love, you should spend more time in this sector of your house. You can enhance this sector by placing indoor plants or a water feature such as an aquarium or water fountain.

The west sector is influenced by the number 9 star that governs happy events, marriages, birth or promotions. However Sui Poh and Three Killings also influence this sector and it is best not to activate it. The north east sector is influenced by the number 1 star. This star influences reputation, recognition and growth. You can activate this area with a water feature.

There you go, the energies influenced by the 9 stars and how to ‘manage’ them.

Take Note: Tai Sui for the Year 2011.

There are 60 heavenly generals who assist the Jade Emperor in taking charge of the well-being of the Mortal World. Each of them takes turn to be in charge for a year. Due to most of them having a military background, they are normally known as the Military Generals, or as the Cycle Gods. The year of the Yin Metal Rabbit, 2011 is being take charge by General Fan Ning.

In Taoism, those whose Chinese Zodiac is offended, or by their sign conflict or clashes with the Tai Sui of the year are advised to go through a prayer session with a Taoist Priest to ask for blessing in obtaining Peace and Good Fortune throughout the year. Talismans thought to protect against Tai Sui are sold in many areas.

In Feng Shui, the area of the house corresponding with the position of that year's Tai Sui is to be left undisturbed or misfortune will befall the residence.

WHICH CHINESE ZODIAC SIGN CONFLICT WITH TAI SUI YEAR 2011.

1. The zodiac that is the same as the currently year zodiac is said to direct hit with Tai Sui. For 2011 Rabbit year, those whose zodiac is Rabbit will be affected.

2. In 6 clashes, the Rabbit and Rooster are in direct clashed. Those born in the Year of Rooster will be affected.

3. Rabbit and Rat are in Ingratitude Clash. Therefore, those born in the year of Rat will be affected.

4. Lastly, Rabbit and Horse are in Earthly Branch Clashed. Those born in the Year of Horse will be affected.

....so, Rabbit, Rooster, Rat and Horse... those born in these years would need to do something. =)

Source

The Chinese New Year 2011 - Year of the Rabbit.

The Chinese New Year - often called Chinese Lunar New Year although it actually is lunisolar - is the most important of the traditional Chinese holidays. Despite its winter occurrence, in China it is known as "Spring Festival."The festival begins on the first day of the first month in the traditional Chinese calendar and ends with Lantern Festival which is on the 15th day. Chinese New Year's Eve, a day where Chinese families gather for their annual reunion dinner, is known as Chú Xī or "Eve of the Passing Year."

Chinese New Year is the longest and most important festivity in the Chinese Lunisolar Calendar. The origin of Chinese New Year is itself centuries old and gains significance because of several myths and traditions. The Ancient Chinese New Year is a reflection on how the people behaved and what they believed in the most.

Chinese New Year is celebrated in countries and territories with significant Chinese populations, such as Mainland China, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Macau, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore,Taiwan, Thailand, Vietnam, and also in Chinatowns elsewhere. Chinese New Year is considered a major holiday for the Chinese and has had influence on the new year celebrations of its geographic neighbors, as well as cultures with whom the Chinese have had extensive interaction. These include Koreans (Seollal), Tibetans and Bhutanese (Losar), Mongolians (Tsagaan Sar), Vietnamese (Tết), and the Japanese before 1873 (Oshogatsu).

In countries such as Australia, Canada and the United States, although Chinese New Year is not an official holiday, many ethnic Chinese hold large celebrations and Australia Post, Canada Post, and the US Postal Service issue New Year's themed stamps. Within China, regional customs and traditions concerning the celebration of the Chinese new year vary widely. People will pour out their money to buy presents, decoration, material, food, and clothing. It is also the tradition that every family thoroughly cleans the house to sweep away any ill-fortune in hopes to make way for good incoming luck. Windows and doors will be decorated with red colour paper-cuts and couplets with popular themes of "happiness", "wealth", and "longevity". On the Eve of Chinese New Year, supper is a feast with families. Food will include such items as pigs, ducks, chicken and sweet delicacies. The family will end the night with firecrackers. Early the next morning, children will greet their parents by wishing them a healthy and happy new year, and receive money in red paper envelopes. The Chinese New Year tradition is a great way to reconcile; forgetting all grudges, and sincerely wish peace and happiness for everyone.

This year 2011 is the year of the Rabbit. =)

Traditionally, Red envelopes or red packets are passed out during the Chinese New Year's celebrations, from married couples or the elderly to unmarried juniors. It is also common for adults or young couples to give red packets to children. Red packets almost always contain money, usually varying from a couple of dollars to several hundred. Per custom, the amount of money in the red packets should be of even numbers. The number 8 is considered lucky (for its homophone for "wealth"), and $8 is commonly found in the red envelopes in the US. The number six is also very lucky as it sounds like 'smooth' , in the sense of having a smooth year. Sometimes chocolate coins are found in the red packets.

Bamboo stems filled with gunpowder that were burnt to create small explosions were once used in ancient China to drive away evil spirits. In modern times, this method has eventually evolved into the use of firecrackers during the festive season. Firecrackers are usually strung on a long fused string so it can be hung down. Each firecracker is rolled up in red papers, as red is auspicious, with gunpowder in its core. Once ignited, the firecracker lets out a loud popping noise and, as they are usually strung together by the hundreds, the firecrackers are known for their deafening explosions that are thought to scare away evil spirits.

The burning of firecrackers also signifies a joyful time of year and has become an integral aspect of Chinese New Year celebrations. In Singapore, a partial ban on firecrackers was imposed in March 1970 after a fire killed six people and injured 68. This was extended to a total ban in August 1972, after an explosion that killed two people and an attack on two police officers attempting to stop a group from letting off firecrackers in February 1972. However, in 2003, the government allowed firecrackers to be set off during the festive season.

At the Chinese New Year light-up in Chinatown, at the stroke of midnight on the first day of the Chinese New Year, firecrackers are set off under controlled conditions by the Singapore Tourism Board with assistance from demolition experts from the Singapore Armed Forces. Other occasions where firecrackers are allowed to be set off are determined by the tourism board or other government organizations. However, they are not allowed to be commercially sold. In Malaysia – firecrackers are banned for the similar reasons as in Singapore. However, many Malaysians manage to smuggle them from Thailand to meet their private needs.

Anyways, Happy Chinese New Year and Gong Xi Fa Chai to all!!! =)