The promise of the Metal Ox

The year will be auspicious for businesses with a clear roadmap for the future, like Ortigas Land.

Stay careful with your relationships, investments and health.

That would be the rule of thumb as we officially head into the Year of the Metal Ox, a year to recover from what we can all agree was a devastating Year of the Metal Rat. The previous year will forever be etched on our collective memory due to the COVID-19 pandemic, which upended life as we knew it. We said goodbye to loved ones. It was a zero-sum year for many businesses. Millions lost their jobs. We were in uncharted waters.

“I know everybody felt the reset button as the Rat pressed on us last 2020,” noted Sutra Manila owner and founder Joyce Co during Ortigas Land’s virtual event, “Year of the Ox: Expectations and Realities this 2021.”

“For 2021, I know that everybody is expecting some changes,” noted the feng shui consultant. “Hopefully we could feel the changes because this 2021 will be a year full of rehabilitation and recovery.”

Better year

It will be a better year owing to the harmony between Metal and the Ox, noted renowned feng shui grand master Raymond Lo on his website (Raymond-lo.com): “The Ox is also an Earth Element. In the Five Elements cycle, Earth births Metal. Because the Earthly Branch (Earth) supports the Heavenly Stem (Metal), you can say that this combination represents a more harmonious relationship.”

But the year will bring challenges, still—as 2021, noted Co, will be a bearish year. Money luck will be weak, and the Squandering Star predisposes the reckless to monetary losses. Infidelity and betrayal will threaten us, too. Third parties and other marital issues may dog couples. Politicking, gossip and backstabbing will be intense. Co, thus, cautioned against letting our emotions get the best of us, especially as the Loneliness Star and Aggressive Sword can cause depression and urge us to make hurtful comments, respectively.

Earth industries like technology, real estate and land development are expected to thrive in the Year of the Metal Ox.

We thus need to manage stress and stay healthy. Lo predicted that 2021 will cause issues on our lungs, nose and skin. Metal represents our breathing organs and fire will not melt and balance it this year.

“[T]he Earth Element of the Ox is very weak, contributing to the weakness of the stomach such as digestive problems and diabetes,” Lo added. Organs related to fire (the heart, blood circulation and overall vitality) and water (the urinary system, kidneys and reproductive organs) may also take a toll.

Bright spots

We can, however, still look forward to bright spots. We will gain mentors, allies and supporters, according to Co. The Stars of Prospects and Powerful Mentors are with us. Also on our side are celestial beings. In 2020, the Robbery Star caused loss and disharmony. The Favorable Heaven Star replaces it this time around.

“You need to have that faith with you so that celestial blessings will be bestowed on you,” Co remarked. Likewise, great things await those who work hard like the Ox—and those who show discipline, patience, determination, even kindness and charity.

Fire industries such as energy, power generation, restaurants and entertainment stand to gain this year, Lo said. So, too, will earth industries like technology, real estate and land development. Co also commented that wise long-term investments will yield profits.

“It’s a buyer’s market this year. If you have spare money, it’s a good year to invest on property,” Co said. But, we must entrust our fortunes on reputable brands like Ortigas Land so our investments may stay secure and benefit from value appreciation.

If you have spare money, it’s a good year to invest on property, according to feng shui master Joyce Co.

“[There is] actually no problem with Ortigas because you are very stable and you have a masterplan,” she explained. The year will be auspicious for businesses with a clear roadmap for the future, like Ortigas Land.

When the year gets tough, temper your expectations, “appreciate small things, value what you have and be thankful for it,” Co added. It is a recovery year after all.

She thus encourages everyone to take control of their luck: “Energies are just there and it’s up to you whether you will entertain it… Every animal sign, any person around us has negativity. If you learn how to veer away from those negatives, then you are lucky.”