Chinese new year predictions for 2016: year of Fire Monkey

2016 is the year of Fire Monkey. As with all signs, Monkey comes every 12 years, each under a different one of the 5 elements to complete its cycle of 60 years. There is a Fire Monkey, Earth Monkey, Metal Monkey, Water Monkey, and Wood Monkey.
The Fire Monkey is particularly active and smart. For the world this means 2016 is going to be a particularly active year with lots of fluctuations in the markets and lots of political drama, especially in the west.
In fengshui, south directions are not considered lucky this year. Avoid sitting with your back to the south at important events this year unless you wear or use the color green.

The following are predictions for each of the 12 Chinese zodiac signs. To get complete, detailed predictions, of course, you want your entire Chinese horoscope drawn up and read. But what follows gives a pretty good idea, especially if you were born in a year or day of one of the following signs.

Rat is in harmony with Monkey. Monkey is in a creative relationship with Rat. It supports and helps Rat. This is a good year for improving your home, learning new things, and cultivating whatever supports your health and well being. This is also a good year for initiating a new project, starting a new job, moving to a new location, or starting a new adventure in life.

Ox is in a time that is good for making plans, tending to works in progress, and saving money. Monkey encourages Ox to be courageous and use planning ability to advantage. This is a good year for you if you are an artist or work in a talent related profession. Be careful to avoid fights. This is not a good time for lawsuits, or legal entanglements. If you are married, or are in an intimate partnership, Monkey warns that it is to your advantage to be supportive of your spouse to prevent any unnecessary trouble or misfortune.

Tiger may have a lively year head. This year favors moving, traveling, making needed changes in your career, and/or redesigning your home. This may be a productive year of increased vitality and good health. And it may be socially lively. People may make demands on you that you will have to stand up to. Fire Monkey can also challenge your reputation, cause entanglements in love and even harm your relationship if you are not careful. If you are a woman, however, this could also be a year to get married. You are attracting attention.

Rabbit This is a good year for romance. At the same time, Monkey, being your Robbing Star, whole making you sharp and smart this year, warns that you can be used, and taken unfair advantage of, even robbed if you don't protect yourself. Monkey also tells you to be practical. You can manage your affairs very well and be successful at work, and with your finances this year.

Dragon is in harmony with Monkey. The combination of Fire Monkey with Dragon is highly intelligent. This is a good time to develop your projects and career, and to take up a new study. Monkey also favors you if you are an artist, or are in a talent related profession. To build up your work will bring money.

Snake may have a complicated year ahead. Fire Monkey encourages Snake to be independent, to be confident, stay focused with your own ideas and opinions, and achieve your goals, and prosper through sheer diligence. Monkey gives you the courage and planning ability to do that. If you are alone, that works well enough for you. But if you aren't, for all your work and productivity, demands will be made on you that could make you feel lonely or misunderstood. Avoid needless fights. If you are married or are in an intimate relationship, pay attention to your spouse, especially if they are having trouble.

Horse is at a high point this year. This could be a year of great success. It could also be a year in which you precipitate a disaster. The Fire Monkey gives you a Knife Blade star. You may find your patience tried. This year favors you, nonetheless, if you are determined, competitive, tough, decisive, flexible, and opportunistic. It works well if you are in a speculative career. You could make a lot of money. Monkey encourages you to make strategic changes in your career this year, also travel, move house, and/or redesign your home. If you are married, be careful; Fire Monkey does not favor relations with in-laws this year.

Sheep is in a year good for harvesting, or reaping the rewards of work begun in the past. Monkey favors those Sheep who are creative, or who pursue talent related professions. The down side of the year is that you might feel lonely at times, even if you are in a relationship, and could be taken unfair advantage of, notwithstanding, Monkey gives Sheep a keen mind that helps in making shrewd decisions.

Monkey This is your year. Fire Monkey gives you the ability to take advantage of any difficult situation, and get out of anything you got into that you don't like. This is a good year for initiating a new life, new path in life, or new lease on life. It also favors exploring things metaphysical and gaining from alternative sources of knowledge. If you are independent you can make good money. It is very good to take the lead now.

Rooster is at an end in some respect. Something significant reaches completion this year. A predicament is resolved. Fire Monkey favors Roosters who are trustworthy, upright, disciplined, and forthright, and who are good at management. It also favors Roosters in legal and legislative fields. It seems this year is, at least in part, about letting go of the past and tending to the practicalities of life.

Dog is in a good year to accumulate wealth and to bury old stuff. The past is the past. It is time to move on. Monkey is Dog's traveling star. This is a good year to take up something new in your career, travel, move house, redo your home, or fix it up finally. If you are an artist, or in a talent related field, this is a good year for you. Money comes as the result of productive work.

Pig welcomes everything new this year. Don't lay back. Monkey clashes with Pig, and can make a mess of your affairs this year if you do. Monkey favors you if you do some research and investigation, maybe such things as metaphysical studies too, and devote your energies to helping others. Monkey also gives you a sharp, bright mind, and warns you not to let others drain and take unfair advantage of you this year.


Raphael gives in-depth personal Chinese astrological readings. They cover everything in life. For information visit  www.raphaelsimons.com

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

The year of 2 Earth Star

Chinese spring season began on February 4th at 18:14, Beijing time. This marks the beginning of the 9 star astrological year. The Lunar new year starts at the new moon on February 8th.
In relation to western astrology, the Chinese spring season always begins at 15 degrees Aquarius, or exactly mid-point between the winter solstice and the spring equinox. In the context of the I Ching, this year's beginning of spring gives us Hexagram 53, line 1.
Hexagram 53 is Jian, Gradual Progress. It says, the maiden marries. Good to persevere. Line 1 encourages us to make long range plans before beginning any enterprise.

This year, in 9 star astrology, is the year of 2 Earth Star. The stars in 9 star astrology are 1 Water; 2 Earth; 3 Wood; 4 Wood; 5 Earth; 6 Metal; 7 Metal; 8 Earth; and 9 Fire. These stars rotate every year around a system of houses corresponding to the trigrams of the I Ching, and giving a yearly personal prediction for everybody, as everybody is born under one or another of the stars as you will see below.

2 Earth star, since this is 2 Earth star year, affects the whole world both positively and negatively. 2 Earth is the star of the Mother. It favors women. 2 Earth is productive, down to earth, receptive, caring, honest, and tenacious. It's concerns include home, children, food, clothing, medicine, and care of the needy. It is slow to decide, careful, and protective. While its positive qualities, in addition to the above, include trustworthiness, steadiness, sympathy, reliability, faithfulness, and moderation, its one big negative quality is worry. Anxiety is a big problem for people. It adversely affects the health. Problems having to do with hunger, starvation, disease, and homelessness will come to the fore as they are to do with 2 Earth star. There will be some large earthquakes and probable crop failures ass well.
According to the way this system is used in fengshui, the unlucky directions to move in this year, if you are thinking of moving house, are northeast and southwest. Northeast is the worse direction. If your door faces northeast, put 5 metal coins under the doormat in an inverted V formation, the point of the V pointing out the door to ward off the shar, or evil, of this direction this year.

The stars are calculated opposite for men and women. The following will help you find your birth star. 

2016, for males is 2 Earth, and for women is 4 Wood.
2015 for males is 3 Wood, and for women is 3 Wood.
2014 for males is 4 Wood, and for women is 2 Earth.
2013 for males is 5 Earth, and for women is 1 Water.
2012 for males is 6 Metal, and for women is 9 Fire.
2011 for males is 7 Metal, and for women is 8 Earth.
2010 for males is 8 Metal, and for women is 7 Metal.
2009 for males is 9 Fire, and for women is 6 Metal.
2008 for males is 1 Water, and for women is 5 Earth.

Add multiples of 9 to your birth year until it comes to one of these years (2008 - 2016), noting that the beginning of the 9 star year is always on or about February 4th. If you were born between January 1st and February 4th calculate from the year prior to your birth.
For example, if you were born in 1970, after February 4th, you would add 45 (9 x 5) to come to 2015, which for both men and women is a 3 Wood star year.
If you were born in 1970, before February 4th, noting that the 9 star year begins on February 4th, you would add 45 to 1969 to come to 2014, which for a man is 4 Wood, and for a woman is 2 Earth.
If you were born in 1955, you would add 54 (9 x 6) to come to 2009, which for men is 9 Fire star, and for women is 6 Metal Star.

The following are the prognostications for the 9 stars. 

1 Water is in the house of wind. This can be a productive year. It favors all business activities, traveling, communicating, making new contacts, and making financial gains. It is also good for learning new things. Be flexible and adaptable to changing conditions. For this position of 1 Water, Confucius says in Analects IV:13, "If you are able to govern with courtesy, what trouble will you have? If you cannot govern with courtesy, what good will the rules of proper conduct do?" The key word for you is courtesy.

2 Earth is in the pivotal house. This year marks a critical turning point in your affairs. Something begin in the past will come to a head for good or ill this year. What is begun this year can last a long time. What comes to crisis will end. Be patient and cautious, and careful in dealings with others. Misunderstandings can put you at a serious disadvantage, while cooperation will ensure your success. For this position of 2 Earth, Confucius advises, in Analects VIII:24, to weigh your conduct against these four things: "erudition, ethics, devotion, and truthfulness."

3 Wood is in the house of heaven. Opportunities abound. Take advantage of them. This is a fortunate year. It favors moving up in rank, expanding your business activities, taking on greater responsibilities, making investments, making money, traveling, meeting new people, improving relations especially in business. Be careful not to step on anyone's toes. You could easily incite the enmity of others if you pursue your aims more forcefully than you normally do. For this position of 3 Wood, Confucius says, in Analects IV:12, "He who acts with a constant view to his own advantage will be much murmured against." It helps to be considerate.

4 Wood is in the house of the lake You are in a period when over-expansion and unrealistic expectations of windfalls and big profits could spell big headaches. Nevertheless, this is your year for financial growth through, especially through intelligent interactions with others, and by forthright and honest communication. Pay attention to details to avoid misunderstandings. Partnerships and contracts could fail unless everything is spelled out and made clear. To freely express your talents will win the admiration of others, and may lead to a desired promotion. For this position of 4 Wood, Confucius says in Analects VII:22 "Heaven produced virtue in me. What can my enemies do to me?"

5 Earth is in the house of the mountain. You are in a transitional time that calls for crucial decisions and possible corrections. Avoid too much stress, as that can affect your health. Some activities may come to an end or take on new directions, while other activities or interests that have been dormant may come back to life. You are turning a corner. This is a good time to save up money, and to keep secrets. Follow the middle course and be cooperative with others to be successful. Exerting undue pressure on others will bring up resistance. Exercise self-restraint, and don't overreach your proper boundaries. For this position of 5 Earth, Confucius says in Analects VII:26, "The master fished with a pole, but not with a net. He shot, but not at the birds that were nesting."

6 Metal is in the house of lightning, This may be a year of surprises, favorable and unfavorable. Matters previously kept secret from you will come to light. Your secrets may be made public as well. Unexpected trouble can come up. On the other hand, your work, especially if you are an artist or creative thinker can win you acclaim. This year could bring about an unexpected love affair, or bring a relationship to its end. At work, you could make rapid progress and be promoted. Documents, signatures, meetings, and partings of the way are particularly significant. Avoid pretense and greed. For this position of 6 Metal Confucius in Analects IV:5 says, "If riches and honor cannot be obtained in the right way, they will be lost. If poverty and meanness cannot be overcome in the right way, they will not go away. Never act contrary to virtue. In moments of haste, cling to it. In times of danger, cling to it." The Chinese character for virtue means action upon looking directly into the heart.

7 Metal is in the house of the abyss. Best to keep within your limits and adapt to pressures in this uncertain and potentially stressful year. This may not be the easiest time for your work, and for affairs that are in beginning stages. Stick to routines and avoid entanglements. You can be very productive if you are content in your situation. Avoid confiding in the wrong people. Quarrels can bring bad luck. When experiencing difficulties in communication, be patient. For this position of 7 Metal, Confucius says in Analects XII: 23, "Faithfully encourage your friend and guide him skillfully. If you find him resistant, stop. Do not disgrace yourself."

8 Earth is in the house of the valley. This is a good time to be patient. Invest your money conservatively while taking time to work out your plans for the future. Do not over-reach yourself, or have pie in the sky ambitions now, because you could fall into a hole if you do. Forcing your way will bring bad luck. Cultivate discernment. For this position of 8 Earth, Confucius says in Analects XVII: 8, "The love of goodwill without discernment leads to folly. The love of knowing without discernment leads to mental dissipation. The love of sincerity without discernment leads to an injurious disregard of consequences. The love of straightforwardness without discernment leads to rudeness. The love of boldness without discernment leads to insubordination. The love of firmness without discernment leads to recklessness."

9 Fire is in the house of thunder. Aim high. This is a year for rapid growth that could bring you to great success or failure depending on how clear you are about what you are doing. Be ready for surprising developments along the way. This year favors making decisions, taking initiative, and entering new territory. Creative projects can flourish, and you may make surprising gains, financial or otherwise. When seeking help, use only the best for the best results. For this position of 9 Fire, Confucius says in Analects II:19, "Choose the upright and set aside the crooked, then the people will agree. Choose the crooked and set aside the upright, then the people will not agree."

Chinese new years predictions for the lunar new year, 2/8/16 will be posted at that time.

Raphael gives in-depth Chinese and western astrological readings, psychic readings, and fengshui consultations. For information visit  www.raphaelsimons.com

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

Chinese astrological I Ching reading for Year of Fire Monkey

Chinese lunar new year comes on February 8. This year it is Fire Monkey. It is the 32nd year in the 60 year cycle. Every 12 years is a Monkey year, each with a different element, 2004 being Wood Monkey year, and 2028 being Earth Monkey year.
The signs for the beginning of the new year are as follows. The year is Fire Monkey; the first month is Metal Tiger; the first day is Metal Monkey; and the 11th hour, the time of the new moon in China, is Fire Pig.
The chart brings out Imposing Authority deity, meaning that heroic forces for good and evil are active in the world this year. The nature of Imposing Authority breaks down barriers, is adventurous, takes big risks, takes the lead, and is war-like. It points to risky and unstable economic conditions, violence, and technological breakthroughs.
The chart contains several clashes, and a sharp split down the middle, showing a lot of strife, and anticipated, but surprisingly dramatic shifts in power into the second half of the year.

An I Ching hexagram was derived from the year, month, day, and hour, these being the 32nd year, 1st month, 1st day, and 11th hour, respectively. The calculations give us Hexagram 28, line 3.

Hexagram 28 is Daguo, Great Preponderance. The ridgepole sags to the breaking point. Action must follow. Pressure is mounting, The force is reaching the turning point. This hexagram is good in spring, bad in fall.

Line 3 The ridgepole sags to the turning point. Bad luck. Matters have gone too far. If those who work evil push ahead heedlessly, it will collapse on them. The zodiac sign of line 3, Rooster, is weak by the season, and, by the hexagram represents Imposing Authority; it suggests vain posturing. Imposing Authority shows up in both the astrological chart for the new year, and in the I Ching hexagram derived from it. It is a great sign. Rooster is further weakened by the signs of the day and month. It loses strength. Time to take courage and act. This is not a time to lay back. The Metal of Metal Monkey day puts a dragon in line 3, confirming that it is a good time to act. There is a fight brewing in the world. Heroic actions will be taken. Power is coming to a turning point. There is something decisive about this year.

More complete Chinese astrological predictions for the new year will follow in the coming two weeks.

Raphael gives in-depth Chinese and western astrological readings, psychic readings, and fengshui consultations. For information visit  www.raphaelsimons.com

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

Daily Chinese astrological I Ching reading: 2/21/15

2/21 is the day of Earth Dragon in the month of Earth Tiger. This is a partly discordant combination. It brings out Amiable Deity. Amiable Deity encourages friendliness, but independence. Earth Dragon is forceful and will get its way, except it can run into trouble in romantic relationships as well as in marriage and with in-laws. This day may be a challenge in relationships. Easy does it.
Dragon is the Star of Arts for Monkey, Rat, and Dragon. It likes solitude. If you were born in a year or day of one of these three signs this is a good day for focusing on creative work.
If you were born in a year or day of Snake, Horse, or Sheep, this is a good day to listen to yourself and enjoy your own company.
Dragon favors Monkey, Rat, Rooster, Tiger, and sometimes Rabbit; is neutral toward Snake, Horse, Sheep, and Ox; and clashes with Dragon, Dog, and sometimes Rabbit.
The I Ching hexagram for this day, using the King Wen calculation, is number 20, line 4.

Hexagram 20 is Guan, Contemplation. The ablution has been made but not the offering. People look up to him with trust. The action is not yet completed.

Line 4 advises taking a broader view of the circumstances. The zodiac sign of line 4, Sheep, is in a neutral relation to the signs of the day and month. The Earth of Earth Dragon day puts a tortoise in line 4. It speaks of being patient, accepting and working with circumstances such as they are, and keeping your thoughts to yourself for the time being.

The elements of this hexagram are Metal, Earth, and Wood. Energies are low. Small gains.

For Chinese new year predictions go to http://raphael-astroblog.blogspot.com
Raphael gives personal in-depth Chinese astrological readings and consultations. Plan your moves. For information visit www.trspfengshui.com or www.raphaelsimons.com

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

To follow this daily blog scroll to the bottom of the page and enter your email address.

Daily Chinese astrological I Ching reading: 2/19/15

2/19 is Chinese new year. It is now the year of Wood Sheep. For new years predictions visit http://raphael-astroblog.blogspot.com

2/19 is the day of Fire Tiger in the month of Earth Tiger. This is a harmonious combination. It strongly brings out the deity of Implicit Talent, and favors all creative and artistic activities.
Fire Tiger is a Peach Blossom Star. It encourages social activities and love, but, Fire Tiger also being a Red Light Star, warns of trouble developing in romantic affairs if you are not careful.
Fire Tiger is highly intelligent, and brings out the star called Tian Shu. Tian Shu brings luck. So, if there are any problems it's not hard to get around them.
Tiger is the Traveling Star for Monkey, Rat, and Dragon. If you were born in a year or day of one of these three signs this may be a busy day, good for traveling, moving, and/or making positive changes at work.
Tiger favors Tiger, Horse, Dog, Rabbit, Dragon, and Pig; is neutral with Sheep, Rooster, Rat, and Ox; and clashes with Snake and Monkey.
The I Ching hexagram for this day, using the King Wen calculation method, is number 63, line 3.

Hexagram 63 is Jiji, Completion. It brings success to small details. Persevere. Know where to stop. In the beginning there is good luck. If you go too far, there is disorder.

Line 3 advises using only the most qualified people and the best ideas. The zodiac sign for line 3, Pig, is in harmony with the signs of changing line 2, and with the sign for the day and month. The Fire of Fire Tiger day puts a snake in line 3. While all the signs point to ease in productivity, pay attention to some detail that seems hidden but that can cause some problems later.

The elements of this hexagram are Water, Fire, and Water. Study deeply. A sharp, penetrating mind is necessary. Go into the darkness to find the light.

Raphael gives private in-depth Chinese astrological readings and consultations. For information visit www.trs-fengshui.com or www.raphaelsimons.com

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

To follow this blog scroll to the bottom of the page and enter your email address.