Harnessing the might of the Rat

ILLUSTRATION BY STEPH BRAVO

Kung Hei Fat Choi! Today is the first day of the Year of the Metal Rat, the first animal in the Chinese zodiac hierarchy indicating the start of a 12-year cycle as well as the next 60-year elements cycle. The year 2020 marks the start of the new cycle where we all need to rethink the way business is done and embrace change as we enter the ever-advancing new digital age.

The year literally began with an explosive start. At the recently held Inquirer Property Forum entitled, “State of Real Estate: A Clear Vision For 2020,” guest speaker, Prof. Enrique Soriano III of W+B Advisory shared that we should all take a proactive attitude in business instead of a reactive nature. He gave the example of the recent Taal Volcano eruption and how we were all caught off-guard with its destructive power.

Prof. Soriano also explained the importance of having a three-year plan in the real estate business where speed, innovation, excellence, simplicity and teamwork come together for the company’s progress and profitability.

Between the guest speakers, I shared some feng shui tips that I gathered from feng shui master Lillian Too and my Bikram yoga teacher Ollay Aninion to enhance the wealth sector of the home or office and to cure the afflicted directions.

At least 60 days before Chinese New Year, you should have inspected every corner of your home for cracks on the walls and floors, and look for signs of any water leakages. It is important that any water leak, especially leaking faucets, sinks and toilets are repaired, as leaking water in one’s home means “loss of money and unnecessary expenditure.”

You should also consider giving your home a new coat of paint, as doing so means you go into the New Year with a home with fresh new energy. Since the New Year already started, it is still lucky to repair and repaint areas that are damaged. Make sure not to demolish anything during the New Year Festival that ends on Feb. 8.

This year especially benefits those born in the year of the Ox, Dragon, Snake, Sheep, Monkey, Rooster and Dog. These animal signs all enjoy Big or Small Auspicious Stars, bringing unexpected wealth, windfall and opportunities.

This year’s Paht Chee chart features a balanced basket of elements with no missing elements. But there are excessive amounts of Earth, which indicates increased stress and worry. There are however strong indications that underlying the increased tension is a treasure to be tapped. Something good will come out of any period of worry, and relationships will sustain despite temporary strains.

The biggest concern in 2020 would be the emergence of toxic people who ride on negativity to gain popularity and fame, and this, if left unchecked, could lead to much infighting and quarrels. Thus, there is a need to control the negative energies brought by the dominant hostile star and the quarrelsome star in the sector of the Rat, the animal sign of the year.

This means that the Year of the Metal Rat starts the year with plenty of growth energy. This will help pull economies across the world out of recession, and from a micro viewpoint, this will also help the individual augment business and income luck. Rat years are always years when there is money to be made. Stay on the lookout for new opportunities. If your element luck is strong, you can turn prospects into wealth spectacularly.

Place a Wealth Tree with Mongoose and 6 Birds in the NW to activate big wealth and growth luck.

The first half of the year is better for preparation and planning; the second half of the year is better for implementation of new directions.

Both direct and indirect wealth energy is ample this year, with wealth originating from new innovations and strategies, much more so than from tried and tested methods. However, there could be a danger of not having sufficient resources. Place the Double Humped Camel in the Northwest of your office to protect your resources from being wasted, and to ensure you never run into cash flow problems.

With the right amount of determination and proper planning, you can achieve previously unattained heights of success. It is the kind of year when there will be no shortage of lucrative opportunities.