High-spirited Year of the Horse gallops<\/p>\n
The Jakarta Post, Jakarta<\/p>\n
If the Year of the Snake lived up to its prediction of
\nupheaval and disasters, many believe the Year of the Horse, which
\nbegins Tuesday, could be different but no less bumpy.<\/p>\n
Practitioners of the Chinese art of geomancy, Feng Shui, here
\nbelieve that prudence and personal will will be tested in the
\nyear symbolized by an animal known for its virility and
\nunrelenting spirit.<\/p>\n
Feng Shui masters say horses are the stormy nomads of the 12
\nChinese Zodiac signs, galloping from one endeavor to the next.<\/p>\n
Consequently, just as a horse is often unrestrained, 2002 will
\nlikely see \"adventurers\" cropping up both in the political,
\nbusiness and personal spheres of life.<\/p>\n
Some say the Year of the Horse is a lively and high-spirited
\nyear in which \"action\" will be the key word, while others believe
\nit should be a time of dialog and compromise to tame the wild
\nnature of the horse.<\/p>\n
In one's love life, breakups are likely to be caused by a
\nthird party and thus loyalty is stressed.<\/p>\n
Not surprising really since the horse in our dreams is often
\nequated with sexual lasciviousness and prowess.<\/p>\n
As one Feng Shui master predicts, scandals -- sexual and
\npolitical -- will abound.<\/p>\n
It seems that hard work and temptation will be key traits to
\nlook out for.<\/p>\n
In politics there will be a crop of opportunists trying to
\nexploit events for short-term personal gains.<\/p>\n
In financial affairs, people are being urged to work hard but
\nnot to be overly adventures as they must remain prudent and fight
\nthe temptation of greed.<\/p>\n
At a time of uncertainty, equated to a wandering wild
\nstallion, impulsiveness and recklessness are not helpful.<\/p>\n
The start of the Lunar New Year is the biggest celebration for
\nethnic Chinese around the world -- about one-fifth of the world's
\npopulation -- and most spend the week feasting with family and
\nfriends.<\/p>\n
In the Chinese lunar calendar one complete cycle takes 60
\nyears and is made up of five simple cycles of 12 years each, with
\n12 animals assigned to each year of the cycle.<\/p>\n
Feng Shui masters say the Year of the Horse is marked by the
\nelement of fire, which clashes with elements for the year --
\nwater.<\/p>\n
During the complete 60-year-cycle each of the animal signs is
\ncombined with the five main elements: wood, fire, earth, metal
\nand water. The element of an individual's lunar sign is believed
\nto influence their lives.<\/p>\n
The fundamental part of Chinese philosophy is the inter-
\nrelationships between these five elements, which are divided into
\nconducive and controlling inter-relationships.<\/p>\n
Pondering what the new year will bring is a big part of the
\nholiday, and many use the 12-symbol Chinese horoscope as a guide,
\nespecially when planning pregnancies.<\/p>\n
Many ethnic Chinese like to have children who are dragons,
\ntigers or horses.<\/p>\n
People born in the year of the horse are believed to be
\nhardworking and friendly. Famous horses include Genghis Khan,
\nVladimir Ilich Lenin, Nikita Khruschev, Theodore and Franklin D
\nRoosevelt and Paul McCartney.<\/p>\n
Chinese art and literature are filled with references to
\nhorses.<\/p>\n
The Chinese character or ideograph for the word \"horse,\" or
\n\"ma\" in the widely spoken Mandarin dialect, looks like a steed
\ngalloping at full speed.<\/p>\n
Generally speaking it is believed that those born under the
\nChinese sign of tiger, goat, dog and pig will be the one's most
\nin harmonious alignment with the horse. It could be a lucky year.<\/p>\n
Less so will be those with the sign of buffalo, rabbit, horse
\nand chicken. Worst off still is the rat, who are expected to
\nencounter many challenges with little luck going their way.<\/p>\n
The predictions have been coming in fast and furious from
\n\"masters\" all over the world.<\/p>\n
Li Fengcheng, a geomancy master in Quanzhou, a city in China's
\nsoutheastern Fujian Province was quoted by the Associated Press
\nas predicting that the war on terrorism won't wrap up in the
\ncoming year.<\/p>\n
But he agreed with other fortune tellers who said the world
\neconomy could bounce back, suggesting a strong recovery in April
\nand May.<\/p>\n
Taiwanese fortuneteller Hou Dejian, who consults the ancient
\nBook of Changes, said the year will be good for trading and other
\nforms of exchanges.<\/p>\n
\"The global economy could thrive if the major powers could
\nrely more on dialog and less on force,\" Hou said.<\/p>\n
However Feng Shui master Peter So in Hong Kong predicted a
\ngloomy outlook for many business sectors.<\/p>\n
\"There is a lack of vitality for sectors belonging to the
\nelement earth such as construction and those in fire, such as
\nelectronics, electrical appliances, hi-technology, computer,
\nplastics and fuels,\" So said as quoted by AFP.<\/p>\n
He also noted that under the 60-year cycle, the last Year of
\nthe Horse saw global conflict with World War II.<\/p>",
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