Year of the Rooster

The rooster is almost the epitome of fidelity and punctuality. For ancestors who had no alarm clocks, the rooster’s crowing was significant, as it could awaken people to get up and start to work. Another symbolic meaning the rooster carries is exorcising evil spirits. People used to worship ancestors and believed in fortune telling for a long time.

Roosters are considered to be honest, bright, communicative, ambitious and warm-hearted. They might be enthusiastic about something quickly, but soon might be impassive. They have strong self-respect and seldom rely on others. As most roosters are born pretty or handsome, they might have several loves in their lives, treating each lover seriously. If they can overcome their arrogance, they will make more progress.

Best match: ox, dragon, snake; avoid: rooster, dog, rabbit

 
Elemental Sign of Monkey

• 22 January 1909 - 9 February 1910: Earth Rooster
• 8 February 1921 - 27 January 1922: Metal Rooster
• 26 January 1933 - 13 February 1934: Water Rooster
• 13 February 1945 - 1 February 1946: Wood Rooster
• 31 January 1957 - 17 February 1958: Fire Rooster
• 17 February 1969 - 5 February 1970: Earth Rooster
• 5 February 1981 - 24 January 1982: Metal Rooster
• 23 January 1993 - 9 February 1994: Water Rooster
• 9 February 2005 - 28 January 2006: Wood Rooster
• 2017 - 2018: Fire Rooster
• 2029 - 2030: Earth Rooster

• Strengthen your friendship. An unattached man or woman has the time to appreciate and enjoy friends, both new and old. Make plans with friends – beaches, concerts, movies or picnics.
• Further your career. Without a boyfriend or girlfriend, you have extra time, extra energy, and fewer personal demands. Now is the time for advancement if that’s what you want.
• Find your hidden talents. Did you ever want to learn photography? Do it now. Did you ever dream of learning how to play the guitar? Why not now?
• Develop new interests. French? Japanese? German? Bodybuilding? Mounting climbing? Travel? Now is the time to try something different.
• Find yourself. Being alone means you can be utterly self-involved. Whether you are searching for your inner child or the secrets of the universe, there is no one to account to but you.
• Lose your self. Take a walk along the shore, a bike ride outside the city, or go on a retreat in a mountain hideaway. It’s your choice and your schedule.
• Do life your way. You can go to sleep when you want, for as long as you want. You can eat exactly what you want, when you want, and where you want. You can go where you want, when you want, with whom you want-and come back when you feel like it. You can spend your time he way you want to. You can also spend your money on whatever you see fit. In short, you don’t have to reach compromises with anyone. Make the most of it.

• Let others get close o you. The more your share about yourself, the more likely you are to find true intimacy.
•  Be a good listener. It shows that you care and makes the other person feel important.
•  Anticipate the other person’s needs. For example, if your loved one is going on a trip, think about what he or she may need, and get it ready ahead of time. This will show you really care.
•  Share equally in responsibility, but don’t keep a score. The other person wont always be able to do exactly the same number of things for your that you did for him or her.
•  Be fee with compliments. Mark Twain once said that he could live for two months on a good compliment. Offer sincere compliments and see how far it carries you.

Myth#2: It’s not what you know, it’s whom you know.
            Even in the 90’s world of the Network, skills, training, experience and education still beats being well-connected.

Myth#3: Job-hoppers aren’t successful.
            Job-hopping may not be smart, but exploring better opportunities every two or three years is no longer negative in the business world. Who cares if you don’t retire with a gold watch?

In the calm after the storm, however, you can take steps toward healing. According to Dr. David Discott, M.D., letting your partner know you were wrong have a great power to end arguments and restore the trust between you. Try to risk being this open in admitting your faults. It can work wonders. So why not say something like these:

“I was wrong.”

“I was trying to control you because I felt powerless.”

“I was just being spiteful.”

“I was trying to hurt you.”

“I didn’t feel good about myself and took it out on you.”

1. You or your spouse may lose your job.
2. You may incur medical/hospital bills over and above your insurance coverage.
3. You may have borrowed more than what you can repay.
4. You or your spouse may die and leave not enough properties to cover the needs of your family.
5. You may have made the wrong investment, leaving you with enormous debts.
6. You may be living above the financial level you can realistically afford.

The following techniques should give you the means to reduce the pressures while you solve your financial problems:

1. Don’t panic. Relax and take it easy. Set your mind positively. Don’t predict doom or try to predict too far into the future. Put the problem in perspective, step by step. In times of crisis, it is better to plan life day by day.
2. Take care of your health. The tension levels will be higher than usual so you will need rest, food, and a minimum of stimulants. Continue your usual routines for taking good care of your health. Try not to get into problem-solving sessions around dinnertime or late at night. Your energy levels are low during these times of the day.
3. Try to still have some fun and entertainment. Keep your appointments.
4. Set up some time to work on your financial problems. Crate a schedule for dealing with events on your own terms. This way, you won’t be too worried.
5. Don’t look back. Instead, see what it is you can do to work out solutions. Don’t blame anyone, especially yourself, for what has happened. Save your energy in finding solutions to the problem
6. List down all possible solutions or alternatives to your problems. Write down the pros and cons of all the alternatives. You’re not helpless.
7. Act step by step on ideas, solutions, and directions you have developed. Be sure to do a little something each day and review what you have done.
8. Let close friends and family know about the financial difficulties you are having. This doesn’t necessarily mean that you are asking them for help (or you might want to do which is okay). Do not isolate yourself and cut off your contact with other people. Don’t go underground to save face. Doing so only creates more tension and anxiety, which can lead to more panic. Keep open to the people around.
9. Involve your immediate family or roommates or close friends at some levels in the process of solving your financial problem. Let them participate in some degree, if they want to.
10. Don’t try to resolve your problem in one sitting. It’s good to have an overview, but you need to allow time and space to get relevant information. Seek many alternatives. Balance your life.

Year of the Monkey

The monkey is a clever animal. People used to compare it to a smart person. During the Spring and Autumn Period (770 BC – 476 BC), the dignified official title, marquis with the pronunciation ‘Hou’, was the same as the monkey’s. The monkey was thereby bestowed with auspicious meaning. It appeared on pictures pasted on the walls and doors to predict good fortune in officialdom.

Most people born in the Year of the Monkey are lively, flexible, and versatile. They love moving and sports. To help others they put their own business aside. When communicating, they do not like to be controlled and have a strong desire to present themselves. In their work, they will show amazing creativity. If they are not impatient and mouthy, they can gain more achievement.

Best match: rat, dragon; avoid: tiger, snake, pig

Elemental Sign of Monkey

• 2 February 1908 - 21 January 1909: Earth Monkey
• 20 February 1920 - 7 February 1921: Metal Monkey
• 6 February 1932 - 25 January 1933: Water Monkey
• 25 January 1944 - 12 February 1945: Wood Monkey
• 12 February 1956 - 30 January 1957: Fire Monkey
• 30 January 1968 - 16 February 1969: Earth Monkey
• 16 February 1980 - 4 February 1981: Metal Monkey
• 4 February 1992 - 22 January 1993: Water Monkey
• 22 January 2004 - 8 February 2005: Wood Monkey
• 2016 - 2017: Fire Monkey
• 2028 - 2029: Earth Monkey

• http://www.travelchinaguide.com/intro/social_customs/zodiac/  
• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Monkey_%28zodiac%29

Year of Horse

The spirit of the horse is recognized to be the Chinese people’s ethos – making unremitting efforts to improve themselves. It is energetic, bright, warm-hearted, intelligent and able. Ancient people liked to designate an able person as ‘Qianli Ma’ (a horse that covers a thousand li a day).

People born in the year of the horse have ingenious communicating techniques and in their community they always want to be in the limelight. They are active, clever, kind to others, and like to join in a venture career. They cannot bear too much constraint. However they are interested in only the superficial level of an object, neglecting the essence. Once they suffer from failure, they become pessimistic.

Best match: tiger, sheep, dog; Avoid: rat, ox, rabbit, horse

Elemental Sign of Horse

•  25 January 1906 - 12 February 1907: Fire Horse
• 11 February 1918 - 31 January 1919: Earth Horse
• 30 January 1930 - 16 February 1931: Metal Horse
• 15 February 1942 - 4 February 1943: Water Horse
• 3 February 1954 - 16 February 1955: Wood Horse
• 21 January 1966 - 8 February 1967: Fire Horse
• 7 February 1978 - 27 January 1979: Earth Horse
• 27 January 1990 - 14 February 1991: Metal Horse
• 12 February 2002 - 31 January 2003: Water Horse
• 2014 - 2015: Wood Horse
• 2026 - 2027: Fire Horse

• http://www.travelchinaguide.com/intro/social_customs/zodiac/  
• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Horse_%28zodiac%29

Year of the Snake

In the Chinese zodiac, snake is listed after the dragon, but its place and the significance as the symbol of worship is far behind the dragon’s. The snake carries the meanings of malevolence, cattiness and mystery, as well as acumen, divination and the ability to distinguish herbs. In some places, people believe that a snake found in their court can bring delight. In Spring Festival, people like to paste onto their doors and windows the paper-cut ‘Fu’ character (happiness), combined with the snake twisting around a rabbit as a popular pattern indicating wealth.

People born in the year of the snake often have a good temper, a skill of communicating, and a gracious morality, but they are likely to be jealous and suspicious. They should be cautious about discussion with others, as that might cause them to lose friendship and opportunities. Women under the sign of the snake do well in housework but are irritable. They might gradually enjoy happiness in their old age.

Best match: ox, rooster; avoid: tiger, monkey, pig

Elemental Sign of Snake

• 4 February 1905 - 24 January 1906: Wood Snake
• 23 January 1917 - 10 February 1918: Fire Snake
• 10 February 1929 - 29 January 1930: Earth Snake
• 27 January 1941 - 14 February 1942: Metal Snake
• 14 February 1953 - 2 February 1954: Water Snake
• 2 February 1965 - 20 January 1966: Wood Snake
• 18 February 1977 - 6 February 1978: Fire Snake
• 6 February 1989 - 26 January 1990: Earth Snake
• 24 January 2001 - 11 February 2002: Metal Snake
• 10 February 2013 - 30 January 2014: Water Snake
• 2025 - 2026: Wood Snake
• 2037 - 2038: Fire Snake
• 2050 - 2062: Solid Snake

Sources:

• http://www.travelchinaguide.com/intro/social_customs/zodiac/  
• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ox_(zodiac)

Year of the Dragon

The dragon enjoys a very high reputation in Chinese culture. It is the token of authority, dignity, honor, success, luck, and capacity. In ancient China, a dragon was thought to speed across the sky with divine power. Emperors entitled themselves exclusively as ‘dragon’; their thrones were called ‘dragon thrones’, their clothes ‘dragon gowns’.

People under the sign of the dragon are lively, energetic and fortunate. They often can be leaders and try to go for perfection. When they meet with difficulties, they are not discouraged. But they are a little arrogant, and impatient, and women are over- confident. If they overcome these defects, they can have a brighter future.

Best match: rat, monkey, rooster; avoid: dog, ox, dragon, rabbit

Elemental Sign of Dragon

•     16 February 1904 - 3 February 1905: Wood Dragon
• 3 February 1916 - 22 January 1917: Fire Dragon
• 23 January 1928 - 9 February 1929: Earth Dragon
• 8 February 1940 - 26 January 1941: Metal Dragon
• 27 January 1952 - 13 February 1953: Water Dragon
• 13 February 1964 - 1 February 1965: Wood Dragon
• 31 January 1976 - 17 February 1977: Fire Dragon
• 17 February 1988 - 5 February 1989: Earth Dragon
• 5 February 2000 - 23 January 2001: Metal Dragon
• 2012 - 2013: Water Dragon
• 2024 - 2025: Wood Dragon

• http://www.travelchinaguide.com/intro/social_customs/zodiac/  
• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ox_(zodiac)