Q&A Sunday: Chinese Astrology for a Horse in a Rooster Year

This year of the Fire Rooster has been really tough for me so far. Big snow making getting to work difficult, 3 squirrel infestations in my new Nissan Rogue (wires chewed...in shop three times). I'm a Wood Horse. Please advise me how to improve my luck. Maybe a dragon in the entryway?

Shauna R., Abbotsford , British Columbia, Canada

Hi Shauna

I’m so very sorry that you have been having such a challenging year. It’s actually been a quite challenging year for many others as well. As far as the relationship between Horse and Rooster, it’s actually neutral. It may be useful for you to consult directly with a Chinese Astrology expert as it sounds like this is where your interests lie, and there are great astrologers I can recommend. Beth Grace, Doris Ingber and Yasha Jampolsky are all Chinese Astrologers you can hire. They can look at your specific natal chart, based on the time of your birth, in relationship with the energies of this specific year. Without seeing your actual birth information, there’s not much more I can advise in terms of your astrology.

As far the feng shui aspects to improve your luck, the founder of BTB feng shui, H.H. Professor Lin Yun always advised to first take of the mundane issues. That simply means what are the practical things you can do to improve the situation. Luckily the winter has passed, but as far as the squirrels, is there something you can do to prevent this happening again in the future? Then, I have a sense that you should start with the most basic feng shui adjustment of making sure your bed, desk and stove are in the commanding position. You can find more information about that here, here and here.

As far as the car damage, you can look at the feng shui of your car. It represents how you connect to the world, right? And the electrical wires are akin to your blood and nervous system. It maybe helpful for you to check that out. It might be interesting to also look at symbology of the squirrel. The squirrel is associated with playfulness but also preparation. The presence of so many squirrels may be a sign to take life a little less seriously and have more fun. However, it can also be a note to take a look at your preparations in life and ensure they are all in place. On a less obvious level, the squirrel can also be a reminder to remain mindful. Squirrels only find 10% of the nuts they hide for winter, but all of these unfound nuts do develop into larger plants and trees. So be mindful of what you "plant", because it will inevitably come back up!

Since the damage was carried out by nature, you can also create a shrine to invite the nature spirits to appease them. You can create a special place, ideally outdoors, where you make a humble offering to the nature spirits so they are happy and feel invited into your home. This would include water, liquor, rice and a small rock or statue. Do this to dedicate a small space for magic from the universe in your life, and be sure to ask nature to visit your home! There's more on that here

Finally, you inquired about a dragon in the entryway. I’m assuming you’re suggesting this because the Dragon is the best friend of the Rooster. In BTB feng shui we advise you carry on your body a three-dimensional dragon in the Year of the Rooster. So this is the adjustment, to carry it on you. It’s not the same to have it in the entryway. If you had another reason, let us know so we can comment on it. You can purchase the charm in the Holistic Spaces shop, and it will definitely help you have a more auspicious year. Since the Dragon is the best friend of the Rooster, the Rooster will see the dragon charm and bestow good luck and protection. 

Thank you for submitting your question, and I hope the rest of your year improves! 

by Anjie Cho


Thanks for reading our "Q&A Sunday".  We will be answering questions submitted by our readers. Click here to submit any Feng Shui or Green Design questions!


New Year's Inspiration with Your Own Personal Shrine

First, HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!! I hope it was wonderful and relaxing for everyone. I stayed in the neighborhood and shared an inspiring toast to the future with some friends and my husband.

Ok, moving along :) In my last podcast, Feng Shui and the Winter Solstice, I shared some ways to welcome the winter and new year into your home and life. Instead of just writing up a list of new year's "resolutions," I offered a way in which to create a personal shrine to embody how you want to FEEL in 2016. 

Here are the instructions! Note: I'm sharing the one I created in this post.

Materials:

  • Photographs and/or small items that are special and feel inspiring to you. My selections:
    • Celestite crystals, an angelic and spiritual stone
    • Origami paper crane, white for precision, and the paper crane as a nod to creativity and the story of folding a Thousand Origami Cranes to receive one wish
    • Blessed feng shui cinnabar rice in a red envelope from a teacher, for protection, wisdom and to honor the feng shui lineage that so inspires me
  • Mint tin, match book, any small box
    • I found this old mint box that held some paperclips. And how PERFECT, I opened it up and was reminded of the quote printed inside:
    • "Every thought we think is creating our future" Louise L. Hay
  • Other decorative materials such as paper, plant life, ribbons, shiny things
    • I found a mirror-like silver paper and a beautiful gold satin ribbon
  • Glue to put it all together!

Directions:

  • Decorate the interior of the box with your special objects. Keep in mind the FEELING you want to embody and be inspired by. 
  • Find a special place for it or carry it with you!

Please send along photos of your personal shrine! I hope this project inspires you!

Note: I'm sharing this (somewhat modified) DIY activity from the Winter catalog for the Rubin Museum. The Rubin Museum of Art "is an arts and cultural hub in New York City’s vibrant Chelsea neighborhood that inspires visitors to make connections between contemporary life and the art and ideas of the Himalayas, India, and neighboring regions." Be sure to check it out if you're ever in NYC!

by Anjie Cho