The solar new year, 2018, in Chinese astrology.

2/4 marks the beginning of the Chinese solar new year. It is also the beginning of spring in the Chinese calendar.
This is not the same as the lunar new year, which, this year, is the year of Earth Dog, and will begin at the next new moon, or February 15. This means that the effects of the solar year won't be in full force before the lunar new year begins.

2018 is the year of 9 Fire Star. It's color is purple. 9 Fire is characterised by strong creative energy, and unexpected, sudden surprises in the world both good and bad. Where trouble was brewing underground last year, it will come out suddenly this year. Dramatic changes can happen at anytime during the year, most pronouncedly in July. On a personal level, this year could bring about sudden meetings and encounters, maybe love at first sight. Important changes this year are sudden and disruptive. A key word for 9 Fire is sudden. 9 Fire is symbolized by lightning.

To find your personal birth star number, read carefully.

Because there are 9 Stars, we calculate to find out which one to read. Note: the 9 Star year always begins on February 4th (or 15 degrees Aquarius, exactly mid-point the winter solstice and vernal equinox). Therefore, if you were born on February 3rd, you have to use the prior year to find your birth star.

For the 20th century, first take the two last digits of the year of your birth. Then add them up to get a number under 10 (10 = 1). Then subtract that number from 10. For example, let's take the year 1967 (i.e. from February 4, 1967 to February 3, 1968). First add 6+7 = 13. Then add 1+3 = 4. Now subtract 4 from 10, or 10-4 = 6.

Then, note the numbers as per the following chart run opposite for males and females like this:

1 - 5
2 - 4
3 - 3
4 - 2
5 - 1
6 - 9
7 - 8
8 - 7
9 - 6

Taking 1967 as the example, if you are male, your birth star number is 6. If you are female your birth star number is 9.

The reason for this is that in Taoist thinking, male and female are understood as being opposite. This basic principle runs all through Chinese astrology and related subjects.

Now, for births in the 21st century, first add up all the numbers of the year of your birth to get a number under 10. For example, take 2000. 2000 = 2. Or take 2001 = 3, etc. Subtract that number from 11 to get your star number. For example, 2002 = 4. 11-4 = 7. Then refering to the above chart, if you are male, your birth star number would be 7. If you are female, your birth star number would be 8.

The 9 Birth stars have the following elements and colors.

1 Water is white
2 Earth is black
3 Wood is jade green
4 Wood is dark green
5 Earth is yellow
6 Metal is white
7 Metal is red
8 Earth is white
9 Fire is purple

The combinations of these stars produce many things, such as lucky numbers, power numbers, etc. 9 Star astrology is a complete system, yielding a lot of information. It used along, Bazi another form of Chinese astrology in fengshui. Its principles apply to Chinese cuisine, medicine, etc.

There are 9 houses through which these 9 Stars pass. The houses basically correspond to the 9 Stars.

In this year, 2018, the stars are as follows:

1 Water star is in the house of 6 Metal. Metal supports Water. 1 Water Star is nourished by 6 Metal. Your health will improve. Doors will open. Your affairs will go well provided you use your opportunities well. 1 Water Star is in the house of the Grand Duke of this year. This is very auspicious. 1 Water, however, is under Robbery Shar (shar means killing force) Star, and must be careful. If you are motivated by irrational moods, you could find yourself in open conflict with others. The northwest and southeast are bad directions to move in or travel for any length of time.

2 Earth star is in the house of 7 Metal. 2 Earth supports and nourishes 7 Metal. This is good for developing creative and business interests. Be alert to opportunites which are bound to come. 7 Metal house is also a place of pleasures. It is a place of social mingling, and entertainment. A love affair could develop, not necessarily long lived. If you are offered a proposal or contract, think or read it over carefully and take time to ask questions. The sweet illusions of this year may easily evaporate, leaving you empty handed in the long run. If you use diplomacy you can easily attract people into your life who will gladly help you to attain success. 2 Earth is also under Sickness Charm Star. Guard your health this year. The west and east are not good directions to move in or travel for any length of time.

3 Wood star is in the house of 8 Earth. 8 Earth provides you with ample opportunities for financial gain. This placement is also good for learning deep subjects, and is good for meditation and religious studies. And it is good for banking, and going for adventures. Cultivate your high aspirations. The more broad minded and aspiring you become, the better your chances of success. Avoid getting into conflict. You can win a fight but at a bad loss. The more self-seeking you become, the more you will experience anxieties. Be patient. Your imagination is very strong this year, and is good for creative projects, not anxiety. You are under very strong lunar forces; they can delude, even frighten you, thus drive you into misfortune. You are under Five Ghosts Star this year, denoting extremely yin energies. This can work well for magical experiments, but can also overwhelm your mind with delusions. Avoid becoming despondant or depressed. Always keep your mind bright and clear. The northeast and southwest are inauspicious directions to move or travel in for any length of time.

4 Wood star is in the house of 9 Fire. Fire consumes wood, wood nourishes fire. You  are in a place of brilliant creative energy. Your success depends on farsighted planning and the ability to take advantage of opportunities. Your creative efforts can win you fame this year. But where there has been trouble brewing, it will come to a head this year. You are under White Tiger Star. It is very powerful and wants to leap forward. But you are being opposed by 5 Earth star, the star of destruction, and Funeral Door Star, the main shar (killing force) of the year. You may find yourself in legal troubles or get into an accident if you don't heed warnings. Temper your enthusiam. Watch your step. The south and especially north are the directions to avoid moving or traveling in for any length of time this year.

5 Earth star is in the house of 1 Water. Your success depends on gratitude. Do not try to force your way against obstacles. Unless you are content with your direction, this year can become extremely frustrating. There will be setbacks. This house is like passing through a canyon with high, impassable walls, and boulders in the way to hem you in. In other words, you can get stuck. The best way to deal with impasses is to be patient. 5 Earth star is the star of destruction. If frustrated you may try to break out, only to be harmed. Another reading for the house in which you are now is the Abyss. If you are discontent, you can wreck your situation and get people to dislike you; you are under Funeral Door Star; it is the main Shar (killing force) of the year. On the positive side, 5 Earth can make a lot of money this year. It is best to make peace with your situation and turn your mind to the most practical of things: making money. The north and south directions are to be avoided this year. Do not move or travel for any length of time in those directions.

6 Metal is in the house of 2 Earth. 2 Earth nourishes 6 Metal. Everything that 6 Metal does this year can lead to more and more to improvements, step by step. If you keep your aim steady, and adapt to the changing conditions, this will be a highly productive year, and your health will improve. It is also fortunate for marriage. You are under the stars, Sky Dog and Fortune Virtue both very favorable. In general, this looks like a smooth and fortunate year for you.  The southwest and northeast are directions to avoid moving or traveling for any length of time this year.

7 Metal is in the house of 3 Wood. 3 Wood is money for 7 Metal. Success depends on waiting patiently, without giving in to your susceptibility to flattery, for the right opportunities to show up. These opportunities can be in the areas of love and the possiblity of marriage, also business promotions. This is a very attractive and favorable position for 7 Metal. You are under Death Charm Star this year and will benefit by whatever changes happen.

8 Earth is in the house of 4 Wood. 8 Earth is in a position of power here. But being opposite the Grand Duke, your power can be undone and exhausted. Success depends on taking control of your emotions, learning from your mistakes, and cultivating positive faith in face of difficulties. Recknessness is your downfall. You are under Dragon Virtue Star and Year Breaker Star. Dragon Virtue is able to change with the times, and bend with the wind and the tides. Year Breaker is your challenge. It comes from the Grand Duke. The best way to deal with this is to be humble.

9 Fire is in the house of the Pivot.  In addition to what was said about 9 Fire above, the following is also relevant. 9 Fire Star is in the position of Dog, the sign of the coming year. 9 Fire supports Dog, a yang Earth sign. This can be a very creative year. The Dog represents the creative and business interests that 9 Fire is well suited to meet. But, Dog is also a very nervous sign. Your success depends on the ability to stay firm and resolute. But, in spite of being far-sighted, your restlessness and lack of patience, can cause you to precipitate unnecessary changes and bring the house to fall down on top of you. The Pivot house is a very precarious place to be in. And it is the worst place to be in without patience. So, this year will be a test of patience for you. What new things you manage to establish this year will last at least 9 years. On the other hand, what has been growing tired, will come to an end this year.

Raphael gives in-depth personal Chinese astrological readings, psychic readings, and fengshui consultations. For information, go to  www.raphaelsimons.com

Raphael's book on fengshui, Feng Shui Step by Step, is reprinted and is available at Amazon and at  www.createspace.com/3472024