.: 2009 Earth Ox
Chinese Horoscope-the zodiac and Ba Tze:
Chinese Astrology comes in different forms. Many of us are familiar with the Chinese animal zodiac with each year representing a different animal within a 12 year cycle – starting with the Rat, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Goat, Monkey, Rooster, Dog and finally the Pig.
In Ba Tze or Four Pillars of Destiny, this animal horoscope represents just 1/8th of a total assessment and is more applicable to when the individual was a child. Also, a Four Pillars assessment uses the solar calendar (Hsia calendar) which begins usually on February the 4th every year instead of the lunar calendar to which traditional Chinese New Year aligns.
In combination with the animal zodiac, Four Pillars uses the elements of the universe – Earth, Metal, Water, Wood and Fire to forecast and determine events over time. Traditionally, in the year pillar a universal element will sit on top of the animal. This year 2009 is represented by the Yin Earth sitting on top of the Yin Earth Ox.
The Yin Earth element interacts with the Yin Earth Ox animal. On top of this, the Yin Earth Ox contains hidden elements that influence the relationship between it and the yin earth element on top. From these interactions and combination of elements, profiling and forecasting is possible using ancient databases of information and patterns that have formed and solidified over thousands of years.
Ba Tze Usages:
A qualified practitioner will be able to use Ba Tze for an amazing range of applications. It can be used at a macro level to predict global events and sentiments for the year, then narrow in on specific industries and organisations that influence the world and then can be used at a micro level to determine individual experiences within the year or during a person’s life time. Ba Tze is a tool that can be used to profile an environment, situation or person and forecast events. Not only is it a predictive tool, but practitioners should also be able to give practical and logical recommendations for how they can better manage foreseen life experiences, smoothing the journey of life.
2009 – Year of the Yin Earth on Yin Earth Ox:
This year begins on February 4th 2009. Yin earth contains hidden elements of Yin Water, Yin Metal and Yin Earth.
Earth Ox:
The Ox (also known as the cow and bull in other cultures) is sturdy and strong to the point of being stubborn. It represents prosperity through grit and hard work. The Ox ploughs and flattens the land, making it ready for replanting and rebuilding – a befitting role considering what the global community has experienced in the last few years of unrest, turmoil and economic down turn.
In fact the Earth element on top of the Earth Ox is a friend to the Ox. Unlike previous years where the elements have clashed, this year represents a time to make friends and build partnerships to get through the economic and natural disasters of the previous 2 years. The quality of Earth is meditation and Yin earth on earth represents more harmony and the earth looking internally to heal itself and return to a more stable foundation. Topics like Global Warming and environmental sciences will be given more prominence on the international stage.
The Earth Ox is damp earth as it contains water and metal. Water and metal elements deplete earth of its energy. The earth is weakened by these elements and will be a little unstable this year potentially causing natural water disasters not perhaps through raging torrents, but more subtle seepages.
Industry Forecast:
Each element is associated with various industries. To understand which industries will bode well in 2009, we need to look at the elements that represent money, productivity and resources and see if these elements are present in 2009.
Fire Industries:
Fire represents airlines, energy, electrical, advertising, entertainment, finance etc. Fire produces earth so represents a productive year for fire related industries. The financial markets are also tied to fire. On the face, there is no fire present this year which drives the economy, however, the months of February and March do show fire fueled by wood so these months should show small bull runs. Overall, with hidden metal in the earth Ox representing money to fire, the markets should show greater stability from February 4th onward and maintain consistency albeit subdued and cautious confidence as the year progresses.
Wood Industries:
Wood represents textiles, news agencies, publishing, hair dressing, fashion, farmers and horticulture, environment management, wooden furniture etc. Wood industries see earth as money because wood overcomes earth. This year will be financially auspicious for wood industries.
Earth Industries:
Earth represents mining, construction, housing and property, Insurance, plastics, natural therapies, Feng Shui, pharmaceuticals etc. Earth conquers water and thereby sees it as money. Earth produces metal and therefore sees it as productivity. This year bodes well for earth industries, however, with earth sitting on top of the Ox, there will also be fierce competition.
Metal Industries:
Metal represents IT & computer, banking, skin care, car manufacturing, welding, teachers, dentists etc. Metal sees wood as money. As there is no wood in the year (and weak wood in the months of February and March) Metal industries will not make profit this year, but will have resources from Earth to build for next year which is the Wood Tiger and more financially welcoming for metal industries.
Water Industries:
Water represents shipping, transport, communication, pubs, spa retreats etc. Water sees fire as money. This year is absent of fire and therefore money for these industries, although fire shows up during the months of February, March, May and June one could say it will be sporadic and the first half of the year will be much better than the last half of the year.
Individual Forecast:
Four Pillars of Destiny assessments for individuals requires birth data and preferably the hour of birth to understand a person’s profile and events past, present and future. These can be performed by a practitioner, however, this year of the Ox brings particular trouble to those whose pillars already contain the Goat and Dog. The Ox combines with these other earth animals forming hidden dangers to the individual, particularly if they are in a phase of obstacles and trials. It could bring illnesses like cancer or accidents related to earth disasters. If the four pillars are known, the individual should wear an animal talisman of the Rat which combines with the Ox to minimise its influence with the Goat and Dog.
People born in the year of the Goat or have the Goat in other positions of their pillars are in clash with the Ox. Depending on the position of the Goat, an individual could experience disruptions to their marriage or family and be particularly busy with high activity this year. It could bring about earth related accidents (for example road traffic accidents, skiing accidents in the mountains etc) also dependent on whether the individual’s luck pillars are favourable or not this year. Again, it would be advisable to carry a Rat talisman all year and not take undue risks.
People born in the Year of the Ox or who have the Ox in other positions of their pillars are said to be offending the Grand Duke. This clash with the year animal will bring more activity, changes in life potentially to jobs, moving house and could also cause accidents.
Health Forecast:
Earth represents the stomach and pancreas. To individuals where earth is unfavourbale or they have a clash or penalty as outlined previously, this year will see an increase in people with cancers or stomach complaints. The pancreas is responsible for insulin production, so diabetes could also be a common complaint this year.
Earth is associated with carbohydrates and sugars. It may be difficult for people to resist these types of foods and in excess could exacerbate weight gain in individuals. It is important for people to focus on good health and eating habits particularly this year and include a diet rich in antioxidants and fibre along with an appropriate exercise plan.
Conclusion:
Ba Tze or Four Pillars of Destiny is intricate and can be analysed down to the hour and minute of every day. Because people are unique, so are their assessments. broad brush strokes can be made if the year a person is born is known, however, more accurate and timely details are obvious once the month, day and if known hour of birth are provided. Feng Shui practitioners will study Ba Tze to include it as part of their home or office assessments. More poignant recommendations can be made to a business owner for example who is looking to expand his business – not only can recommendations be made on where this individual should perform business related activities and how to optimally set up his office for success considering the energy in his office space but Ba Tze can quickly tell if this is the right time for the business owner to expand and take more risky actions.
I wish you an abundant and prosperous 2009 Year of the Ox and hope you have enjoyed reading this article.
If you are interested in an Feng Shui or Ba Tze consultation, learning Ba Tze or Feng Shui from a reputable school or wanting symbolic gifts and talisman to provide meaningful gifts for friends or colleagues, I invite you to contact me.
