YOUR LUCK IN 2010

 Today, February 14, is extra special this year because of two celebrations –St. Valentine’s Day and the ChineseNew Year. The start of the Year of the Metal Tiger coincides with the Day of Hearts this 2010.

So, will love be in the air this Tiger Year?

Not quite so, says Feng Shui expert and World of Feng Shui CEO Maritess Allen. According to Ms. Allen there is too much love in 2010 that there will be a lot of infidelity issues, causing problems in marriages.

“Singles, especially the Rat-born people can easily find love this year but marriages will also face a lot of challenge this year because of the External Romance Star,” she said.

But the problems of the Year of the Tiger do not end at infidelities and extra-marital affairs.

Allen explained that there is an imbalance of elements this year. There are five elements – wood, earth, metal, fire and water. The Four Pillars Chart for 2010 has a predominance of wood, earth and metal, she said, while fire and water are absent, which indicate an imbalance of elements.

“We need water and fire to balance things,” she said, adding that one way to balance the elements is to wear blue and red, the colors that represent water and fire. And since there is a need for water this year, spas, beaches and other businesses related to water will enjoy good luck this year. Businesses that are related to fire, like restaurants, will also have a good year this 2010.

The imbalance of the elements during this Tiger Year will also cause political instability. “Political riots will occur in many countries,” she said. “The year 2010 will bring chaos in air currents with strong winds and heavy rains causing disasters and rapid spread of diseases especially in Japan, Canada, America, India, Africa, Southeast Asia, and the northern and southern region of China. Political instability and leadership challenges may be seen in some countries especially in Indonesia, the Philippines and Thailand,” Allen said.

For the Philippines, Allen said the forecast was also gloomy, especially with the scheduled May 10 national elections. “May 10 is the day of the monkey and the monkey is the enemy of the tiger. May 10 is a day of conflict and the month of May has the “violence star seven” in the Chinese Feng Shui calendar,” she said.

Allen, however, added that despite all these adversities, “the survival instinct in us Filipinos will prevail and make us realize that we can be winners for as long as we do not focus much on the things we cannot change or on the materials of life but rather on how we make the best use of our time and talents.”

To know your luck or how to ward off bad luck this year, here are suggestions from Ms. Allen:

RAT (1924, 1936, 1948, 1960, 1972, 1984, 1996)

Rats will have to be ready for the arrival of two unlucky stars flying towards their chart in 2010. They will be afflicted by the Three Killings and Natural Disaster Star which will bring misfortune. One of the best cures for this unlucky star is the Three Deities Sitting on a Tiger, which, when placed in the north sector of the house, will guard the Rats against illnesses, mishaps, and robbery. Rats will also need the Wu Lou with Antahkarana symbol to suppress the sickness energy that will be afflicting them sometime in the year. The Wu Lou is a well-known symbol of good health. Displaying this by the Rat’s bedside will protect him or her from falling ill. And since married Rats are vulnerable to the Star of External Romance this year, which will possibly bring infidelity in their relationship, they will need the Jade Double Happiness to ensure marital happiness.

OX (1925, 1937, 1949, 1961, 1973, 1985, 1997)

There is a possibility of illness and misfortune afflicting the Ox this year and one of the charms they will be needing is the Heaven and Earth Amulet. Heaven and Earth charms are known as the most powerful forces that overcome any obstacle together with the mantra OM AH HUM, which brings protection to those who carry it. The Wu Lou with Antahkarana on the other hand will bring health luck, which the Oxen will need all throughout the year. For the business-minded Ox, it is advisable to carry the Wu Lou Amulet in order to enhance luck in business.

TIGER (1926, 1938, 1950, 1962, 1974, 1986, 1998)

The year brings illness and competitive pressures and intense politicking in the workplace for the Tigers. An ideal luck remedy for this is the Standing Kuan Kung, which will ward off any negative energy that is about to enter their house or office. It is best to place the image behind where one sits at work so that he or she will never lack powerful support from important people. The Manjushri Flaming Sword is also an excellent cure for the argumentative star, which will be afflicting the Tiger this year. It helps quell gossip, arrogance and conflict.

RABBIT (1927, 1939, 1951, 1963, 1975, 1987, 1999)

The Rabbits will have Heaven's luck appearing on their chart this year and they will expect fortune and prosperity. Although their luck is good, it is still advisable for Rabbits to have the Wealth Ship and Six Big Smooth Coins in their house to activate the Heaven’s luck. The Chinese believe that the six large coins made of metal with gold finish ensure that everything goes smoothly. Rabbits can look forward to many good things in the last few months of the year. Placing the Victor Banner Windchime in the northwest of one’s space will activate victory luck.

DRAGON (1928, 1940, 1952, 1964, 1976, 1988, 2000)

Luck may be average for Dragons this year and the Gift of Gold with HUM pendant will be very useful. For the Chinese, wearing gold jewelry is believed to bring good luck, especially when it carries an auspicious symbol such as the word "HUM" which represents the trinity of heaven, earth and mankind. It is believed to contain the foundation of all prayers and mantras. Wearing a symbol of this word is said to bring a good life and it brings one nearer to nirvana and enlightenment. There is also danger of being robbed in the first few months, so it might be a good idea to place a Double Horned Rhinoceros and Elephant plaque in the Southeast of the Dragon’s home and carry the Rhinoceros and Elephant keychain for protection against danger.

SNAKE (1929, 1941, 1953, 1965, 1977, 1989, 2001)

Snakes will benefit from the Star of Heavenly Seal smoothing out whatever path they plan to take. But to activate different kinds of luck, it is best for them to have the Bejeweled Mystic Knot and the Crystal Globe with stand in their home. The Nightspot Talisman Amulet will also be useful to protect the Snakes against getting mugged. This protective amulet is believed to bring protection against all sorts of harm and people with bad intentions. This is highly recommended for those who work late at the office, or those who frequent nightspots or as well as those who have to entertain clients or travel a lot.

HORSE (1930, 1942, 1954, 1966, 1978, 1990, 2002)

The Horse will likely be prone to short temper this year. To subdue the quarrelsome energy and to steer Horses away from legal battles, they should always carry the Fire Gold Talisman, which is designed with a mantra that can effectively reduce gossip, slander, office politics and even help you avoid court case and legal entanglements. And since there's trouble in the romantic front for the Horses this year, they will find it useful to place the Jade Double Happiness in their house to maintain marital bliss in the household.

SHEEP (1931, 1943, 1955, 1967, 1979, 1991, 2003)

Precaution is the keyword that would best describe this year for the Sheep. Sheep will find protection by carrying the Ally Coin Amulet for Sheep, Boar and Rabbit at all times. This coin stamped with the Sheep and its horoscope allies will help fight the bad luck. To further bring good luck, they should also wear the 15 eye Dzi bead which imparts to the wearer all of heaven's blessings. This manifests in everything that they do will proceed smoothly with little or without obstacles. It also brings good business luck and brings more opportunities to the wearer. Sheep will also be needing the Guru Rinpoche Amulet Disc for protection and success in all their endeavors.

MONKEY (1932, 1944, 1956, 1968, 1980, 1992, 2004)

As the secret enemy of the Tiger, the Monkey will have to watch out this year. This is also the year when Monkeys should lie low and postpone making major changes in their life. The Tai Sui Talisman 2010 is specially designed for those in conflict with the year. Monkeys should carry it to protect them against the affliction of the Tai Sui. This is also especially suitable for those born in the years of the Tiger, Monkey, Snake and Boar. Placing the Five-element pagoda in one’s home will also ward off any misfortune. To ensure your goals are realized, it is advisable for Monkeys to place a Green Tara Crystal Ball in their living room.

ROOSTER (1933, 1945, 1957, 1969, 1981, 1993, 2005)

Good things will come the Rooster’s way in the year of the Tiger. They can look forward to good money luck as well as exciting opportunities in business. It is best for them to carry or hang the Good Income Talisman amulet to bring in good income and wealth luck. For the Roosters who are into gambling or lotteries, the Nanbu Lock Coin will be useful in enhancing their windfall luck. The Victory Banner is also useful in overcoming obstacles this year.

DOG (1934, 1946, 1958, 1970, 1982, 1994, 2006)

The Dog may be starting the year with hostilities but wealth and income luck enters in the middle of the year. To bring in good luck this year, Dogs will be needing the Good Income Talisman and the Bejewelled Mystic Knot. They also have to lie low because their energy levels could not cope with daunting tasks. For protection, it is advised that they wear the Jade Wo Lou Amulet, which symbolizes good health and longevity. This amulet also brings prosperity luck.

BOAR (1935, 1947, 1959, 1971, 1983, 1995, 2007)

It’s a mixed year for the Boars in 2010. They will have to start the year dealing with hostilities in the workplace and some litigation issues. There may still be hostile energies that will manifest in the form of burglary or loss in the mid-year. The Rhinoceros and Elephant keychain will protect Boars from robbery and accidents. The Nine-ring Sword will also help them enhance the power of 9 and to control any robbery afflictions in their astrological chart. The Vairochana Plaque, which carries the Heart Mantra of Arya Vairocana will bring success to Boars and keep them away from harm and diseases.

These Feng Shui accessories and luck enhancers are available at the World of Feng Shui (WOFS) SM City Cebu. For more information about Marites Allen visit her website at www.maritesallen.com