Lucky charms, crystals and amulets won’t improve your luck — ever!

Tis the season once again to shop for feng shui elements that could help you get the positive chi on your side that bring you good fortune, abundance and financial opportunities.

As early as January, Filipinos start flocking to Binondo and Divisoria to consult their favorite feng shui masters to score these items in the hope of improving their luck, say, in the Year of the Earth Dog. If you haven’t gotten yours, it’s about time to hold on to your hard-earned money and put an end to all that “bulls**t!” — as our enlightened feng shui expert Joey Yap puts it.

“You don’t need lucky charms and lucky colors to improve your luck — ever!” advises Yap, best-selling author, international speaker and one of the world’s leading authorities in the field of Chinese Metaphysics. “The real thing that will change your life is your actions and decisions.”

A native of Malaysia, Yap was in the country recently for the annual “Joey Yap’s Feng Shui & Astrology Live Seminar 2018” held at the Manila Ballroom of Marriott Hotel Manila.

“You don’t need lucky charms. You need to make better decisions if you want a better life. Your relationships and business suck because you suck! I’ve been in this business for 22 years. All the rich and powerful men I know don’t wear charms — they may sell one to you, though,” he said with an impish grin.

So the next time someone tries to sell you a lucky charm, you’ll know what to do. 

“Just buy a branded watch, it will definitely make you feel better,” Yap added.

Partnership Is Key

Year 2018, in general, could be a great year to form partnerships.

“We can’t achieve exponential growth if we do everything ourselves,” Yap said. “If you’re starting a business, look for a good partner,” explained Joey. 

The Year of the Earth Dog is also a good year to acquire assets — real estate properties.

“Real estate is on the rise and the Philippine economy is back on track. If you want to catch the wave, you should start by looking for assets. Don’t wait for it to reach the peak, because you’ll lose the opportunity by then.”

According to Yap, it’s important to keep the money rolling.

“Don’t try to save too much money. Simply because you need to use resources to generate more resources. Things are going well in the Philippines so just enjoy the process. Well, don’t waste your resources either. Spend a little bit on improving yourself — either academically or your living environment  — so that you can take the opportunities that come your way,” Yap said.

Joey Yap shares more of what the Year of the Earth Dog brings to President Duterte, Vice President Leni Robredo, to the country, and life in general.

President Rodrigo “Roa” Duterte

Our President was born in the Year of the Rooster so he is a yang fire element. And because of the animal sign that he’s born with, there’ll be excessive aggression.

“He might offend more people with his words and policies,” Yap said. “But fortunately for him, he still has good fortune. Because of that, even if he’s going towards a more aggressive path, which is actually good, those — from his internal side — who are not in line with his thinking and style would be very offended,” Yap noted.

Women may also bring him success and failure.

“Those who are behind the scenes are the ones who will give him strength, and those who are in the forefront could actually betray him,” Yap warned.

The Government’s War On Drugs

And since the fire element is stronger this year, “the aggression will be even more stronger.”

“President Détente’s war on drugs may not sit well with his detractors and the outside world, but in the long run, the country will greatly benefit from it.”

Acts Of Terrorism

There’s a hidden metal in the Earth Dog, Yap said. The hidden metal, together with the fire element, indicates terrorism.

“Terrorist acts will increase this year not just in the Philippines but around the world, especially in the Philippines. So the government should beef up its defense strategies,” he added.

China’s Militarization In The West Philippine Sea

China is stronger than ever and dominant right now.

“What your government can do is ask in exchange of something else,” Yap suggested. “Don’t compromise entirely. Compromise one thing, but get a bonus in 10 different directions. For example, it could boost the Philippine economy. In doing so, you could turn an aggression into an opportunity — and everybody makes money,” Yap explained.

Natural Disasters

Natural disasters are geared towards two elements: Fire and Earth. And these equate to volcanic disturbances and eruptions.

“And with these come earthquakes,” Yap warned. “When the Fire element is too strong, it also causes ice to melt, which could result in typhoons and floods.”

Epidemics To Watch Out For

“Be careful of bird flu,” Yap warned. “The Earth element contaminates water so a lot of fowl will have diseases. Another health condition you should watch out for are joints and cardiovascular diseases.”

Vice President Leni Robredo

Yap said more women will rise to power in 2018. Unfortunately, it doesn’t apply to Vice President Leni Robredo.

“The Dog classes with the Dragon so there will be a big, enormous change in her career. Someone will definitely give her a hard time if she reaches for a higher position,” shared Yap. “She needs to be very careful about her decisions. The trick is to support the ‘boss.’ Though her chart indicates there’s a room for taking over, she shouldn’t go for it because she doesn’t have the support at this time.”

Family Life

Every year is the best time to have babies.

“If someone tells you that it’s not an auspicious year to conceive, that’s not true,” Yap said. “Because life itself is already a miracle.”

In terms of family, more families are going to be spiritually inclined, “which is good because that means there’ll be peace and harmony in every household.”

Is this also the best year to get married, I asked.

“If you could marry every year, do it. What you should worry about is getting a divorce because that brings a lot of problems,” Yap replied.

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Joey Yap’s “Feng Shui & Astrology Live Seminar 2018” is part of Resorts World Manila’s Year of the Earth Dog 2018 Imperial Festival.

If you want to learn about feng shui, and how Chinese astrology can be used to transform your life or help you in some way to move from one level to the next, join Joey Yap in his “Heaven and Earth” and on March 17 and 18 here in Manila (venue to be announced).