Beldames’ Saloon

The stubborn ox challenges the Feng Shui fire year (normally brings out a more social, gregarious, and ambitious side). On the surface, Feng Shui earth and fire elements compliment each other; however, earth reduces fire (think of your Scouting days - dirt over the fire to put it out). In addition, according to the monthly horoscopes,the ox’s true nature is earth so this year is a double-earth over fire year. Earth, in of itself, can resist change but come around after there’s time to process. Double earth will adamantly resist.

“Earth” businesses will do fairly well. They include real estate, recruiting, the food industry, farming, household products, and practical clothing. The energy implies business consolidation, which is normally met with layoffs. Next months’ article, 2009 Feng Shui and the Fire Year, will reveal another layer of complexity. Earth years can also produce an earnest search for spirit and more focus on family. It’s fun to validate this theory by looking at history. The Chinese astrology calendar has a 60-year cycle, so the last time we experienced earth ox energy was 1949.

Events that happened in 1949: Mao Tse Tung’s army marches into Nanking; a bill is introduced to relocate African-Americans “equitably” throughout the country; Truman institutes policy of aid to underdeveloped countries; flight records are made; NATO begins; Republic of Ireland is created; Siam becomes Thailand; Chinese Communists take Shanghai; Orwell’s 1984 is published; Supreme Court rules that evidence gathered through illegal search and seizure may still be used in prosecution; apartheid begins by law in South Africa; Willie Mayes debuts; Vatican excommunicates Communists; seven UFOs in three pairs with one trailing are tracked for ten minutes; Ingrid Bergman divorces and quits Hollywood; Truman announces Russia has The Bomb; Mao Tse Tung becomes Chairman of China; and Chiang Kai-shek’s government flees to Taiwan.

All the King’s Men won best picture. Let’s look at some of the births that year. Some believe we need to see where we came from to see where we’re going (i.e., lessons turned to opportunities). How have these people lived their lives? Think objectively about the impact they’ve had: George Forman, Robert Palmer, Steve Perry, Erik Estrada, Patrick Duffy, Jessica Lange, Billy Joel, Hank Williams, Jr., Lionel Richie, Meryl Streep, Lindsay Wagner, Maureen McGovern, Richard Gere, Joe Theisman, Ed Begley, Jr., Twiggy, Bruce Springsteen, Sigourney Weaver, Bruce Jenner, Richard Dreyfuss, Bonnie Raitt, Paul Shaffer, Garry Shandling, Jeff Bridges, Tom Waits, Maurice and Robin Gibb, Susan Lucci, and Sissy Spacek. When you think of oxen, these people are famous but keep to themselves for the most part.

Does life come to a stand still because it’s not particularly a good year? No, of course not. This is helpful information that enables success. If your energy is low this year, postpone strategic decisions and major purchases for a better time. You can be sure I check energy patterns and other conditions in my planning process.