The Year of the Wood Horse 2014

The Year of the Wood Horse begins on February 4th, 2014. It should be clarified that the Solar New Year is based on the Hsia calendar or Solar Calendar beginning February 4, and the Chinese New Year celebrations are based on the Lunar Calendar staring 31st January. The Chinese acknowledge the yin and yang energies of each year; the yang (solar, masculine) new year, and celebrate the yin (lunar, feminine) new year.

Year Pillar for 2014

If you look at the table above, you will see Yang Wood sitting above the Yang Fire Horse.  Both elements are Yang, strong, masculine, outgoing and active.  Wood supports Fire in the 5 element theory, so finally we have a year where the elements are more harmonious, yahoo!  The tension of the past 4 years is finally over so the world can rest a little easier in 2014.  Wood feeds the fire and the fire makes the wood dry, meaning things could burn out of control - strong passions could lead to heated arguments on conflicting and inflexible ideas, so there is still some tension in the air for 2014.  People may be more stubborn, hot-headed and argumentative in 2014 with the desire to 'fight the system'.  Dry wood is a great fuel for natural fires so tragedies involving large fires or explosions may feature.

The keywords for 2014 are initiative, inspiration and passion. The fashion trend in bright fluro coloured clothing and psychedelic prints which began in the Yin Fire Snake year (2013) are becoming more mainstream now to express the fire and 'bright' outlook as fire's energy = optimism.  It will be a year of great ideas and innovations.  People will take the initiative to express and create their passions.  The fire element in Chinese medicine represents the heart.  As the heart is where the soul or spirit resides, spirituality and religion will feature this year. There may be some tension between the established or orthodox religions and spirituality or alternative belief systems. Freedom of speech, personal freedom and having space will be an important theme in 2014.

The Horse is a Romance Star symbolising passion, love and relationships, but it can also highlight relationship problems, especially if you have a Horse in your 4 Pillars of Destiny which will clash with the 2014 Horse. On a positive note, if you have a Horse in your 4 Pillars of Destiny, you are very attractive to the opposite sex and if you were born in the Year of the Horse, you have a powerful presence and like to be the center of attention.

The 8 Fortune Star resides in the South from February 2014, so suburbs, states and countries in the South will prosper in 2014. The 5 Misfortune Star will be in the North West of the Earth Chart in 2014, so countries in the North West will be the ones to watch.

Industries that will do well in 2014: Personal trainers, sports, sporting events and activities. High adrenaline activities. Arts and entertainment. Environmental industries. Wedding organisers and event planners. Divorce Lawyers. Shares and the sharemarket. Real estate. Travel industry and transportation industries.  Spirituality vs religion. Glamour industries - hair, makeup, TV, music and movies.

Famous People: Year of the Horse = the recently deceased great spirit Nelson Mandela, Clint Eastwood, John Travolta, Aretha Franklin, Janet Jackson, Ashton Kutcher, Barbara Streisand, Jackie Chan, Warren Buffet, Calvin Klein, Paul McCartney and Sir Robert Menzies.

Your Four Pillars of Destiny

In chinese astrology we analyse your hour pillar, day pillar, month pillar and year pillar. Each pillar has two characters. For instance, 2014 is the year of Yang Wood over the Horse (Yang Fire).  Visit Chinese Astrology Chart - Four Pillars Calculator to calculate your four pillars for free.

• If you have a Tiger, or Dog in your 4 Pillars, 2014 is considered a good year for you.
• You may meet someone special in 2014 if you have a Snake, Rooster or Ox in your 4 Pillars as the Horse year is your 'Flower of Romance' star.
• If you have Yin Metal in your four pillars, you will meet helpful people in 2014 as it is your 'Nobleman' star. Often they appear like guardian angels who help you on your journey.
• If you have a Monkey or Yang Metal in your 4 Pillars, the Year of the Horse is your personal Travel Star. You will feel restless and seek change. You may travel, look for a new job and/or a new home.
• If you were born in the year of the Rat or have a Rat in your 4 Pillars of Destiny, the Horse year is considered a clash year for you bringing instability, change, travel and accidents.  Michael Shumacher has a Rat in his 4 Pillars. He had the awful skiing accident in late December 2013, Rat month, which clashes with the year of the Horse triggering the energy of the new year early.
• If you have a Horse in your 4 Pillars, the year of the Horse triggers a self penalty which can cause problems in relationships in general.  If fire is an unfavourable element for you, you may have health issues in 2014.

  Feng Shui Energies for 2014

The Annual Flying Stars are the feng shui energies that relate to the compass directions on the Earth Chart or World Chart for the 2014.

If you have had a specific feng shui analysis of your home or business by Sacred Feng Shui Design, the Annual Flying Stars are analysed in relation to the stars present in the Flying Star Chart of your home or business - do they feed, weaken or support good and bad stars? The interplay between the Building Chart and the Annual Time Stars is extremely accurate.  As such, if you have had a Feng Shui Consultation by Sacred Feng Shui Design, please do not follow the recommendations below. The information below is for people who have not had the benefit of a specific feng shui analysis for their business or home, but would still like some guidance and help for the upcoming year.

When not analysed in conjunction with the Flying Star Chart of a building, the Annual Flying Stars for the compass directions are more general, but may have some impact on your life this year, especially if your home, shop or office front door, or bedroom is located in the South, North West or the East.

The two numbers which are the most problematic are 5 and 2, and must be remedied!

1 = Wisdom

If your home or business main door is located in the South West, your financial prospects will be good this year. Ensure your entrance looks beautiful, tidy and inviting. Add some beautiful metallic objects such as statues, vases, picture frames etc (gold and silver) to help support the 1 Water Star. If your bedroom is located in the South West, your health and relationships will be good if you clear the clutter out of your bedroom, and ensure it looks beautiful, relaxing and tidy.

2 = Sickness

If the front door of your home or business is located in the East, your health may deteriorate this year thereby affecting your finances and business due to an increase in poor health and staff sickness. Place 6 Chinese Coins at the entrance to your home or business. The sound of metal also weakens the sickness star.  Use a Tibetan Tingsha, Tibetan Bell, Singing Bowl or Brass Bells and chime on a regular basis.  Say an affirmation such as 'money comes easily and frequently' every time you chime. If your bedroom is located in the East, you may have more health problems this year which could put a strain on your relationships. Place 6 Chinese Coins in the bedroom. The sound of metal also weakens the power of the sickness star, so I recommend a Tibetan Tingsha, Tibetan Bell, Singing Bowl or Brass Bells which must be chimed on a regular basis. Every time you chime, say a positive affirmation such as 'I have perfect health and relationships'.

3 = Conflict

If the front door of your home or business is located in the South East, your may be financially worse off in 2014, with the risk of more arguments, conflicts and legal problems such as fines, lawsuits and theft. Place 6 Chinese Coins at the entrance to your home or business. The sound of metal also weakens the conflict star, so I recommend a Tibetan Tingsha, Tibetan Bell, Singing Bowl or Brass Bells which must be chimed on a regular basis. Every time you chime, say a positive affirmation such as 'I am a magnet for money'. If your bedroom is located in the South East your relationships will be less harmonious and your health may be more challenging. Place 6 Chinese Coins in your bedroom and use a Tibetan Tingsha, Tibetan Bell, Singing Bowl or Brass Bells here to weaken the conflict star. Every time you chime repeat a positive affirmation such as 'I have perfect health and relationships'.

4 = Romance & Academic Success

Fortunately, no front doors are located in the centre or middle of homes or offices, but if your shop, office or apartment is in the middle of a large complex, you may find you have more interest for your products and romantic proposals too. It also supports academic success this year! To support the energies, at the centre or entrance keep the entrance tidy and visually beautiful. If your bedroom is located in the centre of your home your health will improve and your relationships may improve. However as romantic liasons are stimulated, you could have problems with competition, particularly if the bedroom is a mess and looks terrible.

5 = Misfortune

If the front door of your home or business is located in the North West, the Misfortune Star may negatively impact your finances. Hang 6 Chinese Coins at the entrance to your home or office this year. Every time you look at the coins, say a positive affirmation such as 'I am a magnet for money'. If your bedroom is located in the North West of your home, your health and relationships may be very challenging this year. The sound of metal neutralises this Misfortune Star, so I recommend a Tibetan Tingsha, Tibetan Bell, Singing Bowl or Brass Bells, which must be chimed once a week. Say an affirmation in the bedroom such as 'I have perfect health and relationships' every time you chime.

6 = Power & Authority

If the front door of your home or business is located in the West, power, fame and authority are stimulated. To bring out the positive energies of this star - good relations with authority such as police, councils etc and positions of power that come to you, you must keep this area tidy and visually beautiful. Remove all clutter! If this area is untidy and looks uninviting, you may stimulate problems with power and authority. If your bedroom is located in the West, please ensure your bedroom is neat and visually attractive to bring out the positive qualities which will enhance your health and relationships in 2014.

7 = Fire and Accidents

If the front door of your home or business is located in the North East, your finances may deteriorate this year with an increase in fire, accidents and theft. Place 3 or 4 lucky bamboo in a vase at the entrance to help diminish the negative energy. At least once a day, say a positive affirmation such as 'money comes easily and frequently' at the entrance.  If your bedroom is located in the North East, your health may be worse in 2014. Ensure you have a fire alarm in the bedroom, check the all alarm batteries and turn off all electrical items at night including electric blankets.  3 or 4 lucky bamboo in your bedroom will help to diminish the negative energies located here. Remember to say a positive affirmation such as 'I have perfect health and relationships' and 'my guardian angels protect me'.

8 = Prosperity

Congratulations! If the front door of your home or business is located in the South, you will find your finances & business will improve this year. Make sure this entrance is used all the time this year as activity helps stimulate the prosperous 8 Water Star. Place a large red picture or rug at the entrance to your home or business. Make sure this entrance is used all the time this year as activity helps stimulate the prosperous 8 Water Star.  If your bedroom is located in the South of your home, your health and relationships will improve this year. Buy a lovely red rug, throw or picture and place them in your bedroom this year.

9 = Success

Great news! If your home or business is located in the North, because of your success and growing reputation, your finances and business will improve this year. Place a large red rug at the entrance to your home or business.  Make sure this entrance is used all the time this year as activity helps stimulate the fortunate 9 Water Star.  If your bedroom is located in the North, your health and relationships will improve this year. Buy a lovely red rug, throw or picture and place them in your bedroom this year.

The Grand Duke resides in 165 - 195 degrees South this year. Try to avoid or minimize construction and digging here. If it is unavoidable, you may experience delays, equipment breakdowns and unforeseen obstacles.

Annual time stars are far more accurate when analysed in conjunction with the unique feng shui chart of your home or building, which is based on the year your home, shop or office was built and the exact facing direction. Therefore, a comprehensive feng shui consultation is recommended to predict and improve your unique situation.

Welcoming the God of Wealth for 2014

An important event in the Chinese New Year Festival, welcoming the Gold of Wealth or Cai Shen is a ritual which is performed every year on the eve of the Lunar New Year. For 2014, the Lunar New Year commences on the 31st January and the God of Wealth will arrive from the South (180) at midnight Local Standard Time, or an hour earlier at 11pm for Australian states that observe Daylight Saving Time.

• Have a bath or shower to cleanse yourself and visualize all negative energy and stresses being washed away from the previous year.
• If you have an image or statue of the God of Wealth, place it in the South sector of your home, or in the South of your living room or prayer room.  The God of Wealth should be facing North.
• Late in the evening on 30th January, open all South facing windows and doors in order to receive the auspicious new year Qi into your home.
• Just before the God of Wealth arrives, light 3 tea light candles and place them in the South sector of your home or in the South of your living room or prayer room. Please ensure lit candles are not left unattended.  3 candles represent your heaven, earth and human luck. 
• At midnight LST or 11pm DST stand or sit next to a window or in the door way and face towards the South (180) or face the God of Wealth image.  Inhale the prosperous influences and pray for your goals and dreams in 2014.  Alternatively, you can burn 3 sticks of incense or josh sticks in the South sector of your home, bow three times and pray whilst inviting the God of Wealth into your home.  If you have an image or portrait of the God of Wealth, bow three times before him and pray. 

Out with the old and in with the new

I flow with the changes and stand for what's true

Rooted deep and reaching wide

I welcome this new cycle's tide

Feng Shui Tip

To welcome in the Year of the Wood Horse, start de-cluttering your home, office or shop now. Remove anything that is broken, you don't like or don't use. Get rid of gifts you don't like which are hidden in drawers or cupboards somewhere. Sell them on Ebay or give them to your favourite charity. These things energetically and emotionally drag you down and keep you from moving forward. You will be amazed how good you will feel when you remove 'old stuff' from your life.

Clutter in any area of your home, shop, or office will be blocking a part of your life. You will feel like you are stuck or stagnating. So get things moving and de-clutter your life!

I hope you enjoyed my Feng Shui Newsletter! If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact Carol. For daily feng shui tips and inspiration, follow me on Twitter. I have also set up Feng Shui Forum on Facebook to answer general questions you or your friends may have about all things esoteric. Are you unsure what to expect from a qualified feng shui consultant during a feng shui consultation? Read my handy information page feng shui consultant.

May the year of the Horse bring you peace and prosperity! Carol G Partridge

Copyright (c) 2014 Sacred Feng Shui Design