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Your feng shui forecast for the Year of the Water Snake


Valentine's Day is just around the corner, but it might be best not to get your hopes up too much. According to one feng shui master, the Year of the Water Snake is a good year financially, but not for romance.
 
"For relationships, people should not expect too much in this year. They should concentrate on work," geomancer Joseph Chau said during a press conference at Mandarin Oriental on January 28.
 
According to Chau's forecasts, this is not a good year for love affairs for those born in the year of the Snake, Goat, Rooster, Rat, and Ox.
 
On the other hand, the romantic star shines bright for those born in the year of the Horse, Dog, Tiger, Rabbit, and Dragon. For those born in the year of the Monkey, romantic sparks are ignited easily, but married Monkeys must avoid extramarital affairs, Chau said.  
Renowned geomancer Joseph Chau predicts the Year of the Water Snake as a good time for financial opportunity. (Photo by Oliver Mejia)
However, Chau stressed that the forecasts do not determine what will actually happen. For instance, there is a marriage star in 2013 for President Benigno Aquino III, who was born in the year of the Rat. But as Chau said, "it depends on the President to make decisions. We cannot say anything. We cannot decide for him."
 
From diet to office relations
 
Still, the forecasts contain plenty of sound advice, from watching your diet to avoiding office politics.
 
In general, Chau said this year will be challenging, and people will easily get into conflict with other people. "People should try to avoid being too stubborn. . .it is important that they manage themselves — their strengths and weaknesses — and try to adapt to the new situation," Chau said.
 
When it comes to financial matters, Chau said "money luck is easy come, easy go." "They need to save money for the rainy day," said Chau, who warned that there will be plenty of typhoons and earthquakes this year, as well as car accidents.
 
On the other hand, feng shui expert Tony Suvega said 2013 is bound to be a good year moneywise for Filipinos, based on the Philippines' location on the Lo Shu grid, a magic square used by feng shui astrologers and geomancers.
 
Chau's advice for those who wish to attract money is to place an electric fan in the south area of your home, where the prosperity star is located. 
 
More prosperity? Use an electric fan 
 
"In the south is the prosperity star – more happiness to come. If you want to motivate, you can motivate it by an electric fan or a money catcher so you can have more money luck to come," he said. Another option is to have an aquarium containing goldfish, but not koi, which he said are "not feng shui fish, and only for entertainment."
 
Although Chau gave specific forecasts for the 12 Animal Signs, a lot of his tips were helpful, regardless of who would follow them. For instance, Snakes were advised to "pay attention to road safety, keep away from sharp objects, and pay attention to the liver, heart, blood pressure, and cardiovascular system."
 
Those born in the year of the Horse should "be extremely careful in handling their expenses." Goats were advised to keep away from rumors and jealous people, and to remember the Chinese saying, 'no pain, no gain.'"
 
Monkeys should be careful when signing contracts, while Roosters should handle their work cautiously. For those born in the year of the Dog, things will go smoothly in terms of finances, but they should handle their wealth with extra care, lest they end up losing more than they gain.
 
Pigs should quit their vices 
 
Pigs were advised to give up their bad habits, like smoking and alcohol. Tigers, on the other hand, were told to exercise more and get enough rest. Rabbits, too, were advised to get enough rest and relax more "to avoid a breakdown from mental and physical exhaustion."
To attract wealth, Feng Shui master Joseph Chau recommends keeping an aquarium, like this one at Tin Hau in Mandarin Oriental. (Photo by Oliver Mejia)
Rats were advised not to be too greedy, while those born in the year of the Ox were told to "be patient and humble to face their challenges." Dragons were advised to "keep calm and be patient to avoid being over-emotional or they will easily get into trouble."
 
Chau said that this year, ladies must be careful with their diet and hygiene, because they are prone to problems in the abdomen, digestive, and reproductive systems. “In the year 2013 the big enemy is the sickness star. So you have to pay attention to what you eat,” Chau said.
 
For the gentlemen, Chau said they must be humble and avoid quarreling with other, especially for members of the younger generation who frequent nightclubs. “Otherwise they will get into trouble or even have death threats,” he said.
 
Even for those who would rather not practice Feng Shui, it wouldn't hurt to follow some of Chau's advice. After all, most people would agree that health and happiness are worth more than any amount of money. – KDM, GMA News 
 
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