The Dog Bounds In!
THE ROOSTER EXITS AND IN COMES THE DOG. WE ASKED FENG SHUI EXPERTS WHAT MAN’S BEST FRIEND WILL BRING THIS COMING YEAR.
—STORY BY MARIETTA KOH ILLUSTRATIONS BY QUEK HONG SHIN
The Year of the Rooster saw a slew of natural disasters and its fair share of global unrest even though the economic outlook was rosier than previous years. Now we await what the Year of the Dog has in store for us. To find out, Spring went to feng shui experts for their predictions. We talked to Master Tay Thong, a feng shui geomancy specialist with 45 years of experience, and Master Tan Khoon Yong, who established the WayOnNet Group, a geomancy consultancy firm based in Singapore.
Photo: It’s good news for small and medium enterprises this year says Master Tan.
CLIMATE, DISASTERS AND DISEASE
The year 2006 is the year of Bing Xu, with the celestial stem as Bing (yang fire of the sun) and the earthly branch as Xu (yang earth of the brick). Unfortunately, this year presents a collective picture of “scorching heat and dry earth”, according to Master Tan.
Master Tan foresees that volatile weather, which can induce typhoons, torrential rain, tectonic plate movements and earthquakes, looms large on the horizon. The US, for example, will have to contend with earthquakes and hurricanes, especially in California. In addition, the disruption of magnetic fields due to the active sun may also contribute to traffic and aviation accidents. Europe (specifically countries near the Mediterranean Sea), Asia (particularly the Southeast region), South America, Australia and Russia must exercise vigilance.
Where natural disasters are concerned, Master Tay believes floods will inundate certain areas especially in the months of March to May 2006. Illnesses will be prevalent as well, with the months of January to March being the period to be on one’s guard, advises Master Tay.
POLITICAL CONFLICTS AND TERRORISM
This is the year where Three Jade, a combat star, moves into the Central Palace (Zhong Gong). Master Tan explains that what this signifies is that severe friction will arise when a confrontational stance is adopted. Unfortunately, the strong Yang element in this Year of the Dog will contribute to increased levels of aggression and irritability. Master Tay forecasts the months of July, August, September and October to be fraught with tension and discord.
Both Master Tay and Master Tan concur that terrorism will inevitably rear its ugly head again in various forms this year.
GLOBAL ECONOMIC OUTLOOK
Countries in the West have to exercise caution with money, advises Master Tay. The Year of the Fire Dog means that money may “burn up”. The US, the world’s largest economy, looks set to re-value its currency, probably resulting in a depreciation of the US dollar.
Master Tan has the same forecast for the US and adds that China, on the other hand, will see an appreciation of the renminbi.
