Chinese Astrology: Predictions for the Year of Wood Horse

The Chinese lunar new year always begins at the 2nd new moon after the winter solstice. There are 60 signs in the Chinese astrological system. These consist of 12 basic signs with 5 elements for each of them. For example, there is a Wood Horse, a Fire Horse, an Earth Horse, a Metal Horse and a Water Horse. Horse comes up every 12th year. Wood Horse repeats every 60th year, and so on.

The year of Wood Horse begins with the new moon of January 30/31, 2014. It is the 28th year in the 60 year cycle. Reduced to an I Ching hexagram, to get a simple outlook for the entire world, the beginning (1st hour of the 1st day of the 1st month of the 28th year) gives us the first line of hexagram 39.

The 39th hexagram is called Obstruction. Water is above, the mountain is below. And while it shows an impasse, it says that surprises that may make you happy are coming, and that chances for prosperity will develop. Good fortune may come, but from very far away. International business relations are actively developing, but not without dangers and challenges. The time of this hexagram is very late at night when everything is quiet.

Hexagram 39, Obstruction, is one of the four evil hexagrams in the I Ching. It advises to be mindful of limitations and use your money and resources for learning new skills for the future. Water above, and mountain below describes a high cliff behind you and a rushing river in front of you, and suddenly you discover a tiger stalking you. Heedlessly forging ahead brings you into greater danger.
The hexagram says the southwest furthers, the northeast does not further. The southwest signifies working together and cooperating with others. The northeast signifies standing alone. It also says that it furthers to see the great man, and that perseverance brings good fortune. This means that the time favors self-development in conditions of adversity.

Line 1 says that going leads to difficulties, but coming back wins praise. Impulsive action results in opposition. Forging ahead rashly leads to trouble. Watch carefully. Truth comes out in time.

The first line of this hexagram reduced to an astrological figure, and judged against the signs of the first day and first month of the year show conflicts developing all through the year, and that these conflicts will call for courageous leadership. But, not everyone in power has the wisdom that this calls for.

Wood Horse is one of the most dynamic, active of all the 60 signs in the Chinese zodiac. It drives forward relentlessly. Wood and Horse combine to produce Metal. The nature of Metal produced by Wood Horse makes this sign ruthlessly determined, cutting edge, and dangerous for conflict. It has a militant quality and succeeds come hell or high water. Considering the indications seen by the I Ching hexagram, some degree of shrewdness is needed. Metal can be totally shrewd. It is the most refined of the elements. The world game this year is going to be especially elegant and dangerous.

In terms of the 9 Star system, this is also the year of 4 Wood Star. 4 Wood star is extremely flexible and active. Many points of view will shift and change this year. Not much can be relied upon to stay constant. Many arguments can spring up, and the weather will be stormy and windy. On a positive side, this can bring opportunities to those of us who are flexible, adaptable and skillful.

Because of the time of the new moon, the signs for the world west of Eastern European Time are different than those east of that time zone. West of EET new year begins on the day of Metal Ox. East of EET it begins on the day of Water Tiger. East of the time zone the indications are more yang, meaning, the east tends to take the lead this year. Violence and contention coming up in the east will increase. The violence in the Ukraine, for example, will escalate. The zone east of EET includes eastern Europe, all of Asia, Australia and New Zealand.

The new year chart made for China has a predominance of Wood and Fire. There is no Metal. China this year is very active in all areas of business and finance. The deity of the chart is called Implicit Talent. This shows innovative, boundless creative activity. The arts are flourishing. No Metal may indicate conflict with the west, possibly in the Fall.

The new year chart made for the UK and the EU has a predominance of Water. This could indicate a lot of rain with flooding, and a very cold winter in 2014-15. The chart deity is called Conventional Wealth. It focuses on matters of finance. Important decisions are made. UK and the EU now have three stars of Tien Yi. This may be lucky. They may help resolve the predicament. Whether this is peaceful or violent has yet to be seen. The Robbing Star is also showing. Who steals from whom is not a riddle.

The new year chart made for the US also has predominant Water, indicating rain, flooding and a very cold winter. Extremes of weather are to be expected. The chart deities are called Conventional Wealth and Talent. As in the UK and EU, this focuses on matters of finance. And it focuses on innovative, creative activity. This will be a productive year for the arts in America. In addition to three Tien Yi stars, the US chart has Traveling Horse, Knife Blade and Heaven Medicine. Traveling Horse shows changes coming in business. Coinciding with Knife Blade, it says that these changes will involve extreme competition. Not everyone will succeed. The business climate will be extremely cut throat. Heaven Medicine star suggests developments coming in medicine.


Forecasts for the 12 zodiac signs.

Rat in the year of Horse is challenged by opposition. It is important for you to be productive and meet your challenges creatively. Financial gains are possible, especially in the second half of the year. This is a good year for you to use your talent and wit to turn problematic situations to your advantage. The year favors moving, rearranging your home, and making necessary changes at work. If you are in a relationship this year could bring you a lot of pleasure.

Ox has a complex relation to Horse. The challenge that Wood Horse makes on Ox to be productive can be exhausting. It is important for you to pay attention to your health, to take time out for relaxation and play, and to pay attention to personal cultivation. Horse is the Star of Romance for Ox. It says this a good year for you to be in love.

Tiger gets along very well with Horse. Horse invites Tiger to be productive and prosperous. Wood Horse brings you lots of social possibilities; it encourages you stand out and demonstrate your leadership abilities. It is a very good year for you to rise up in the world.

Rabbit is at an advantage this year. It is good to be productive and to take advantage of your opportunities. Be careful to resist temptation to engage in conflict. This could be a year for romance.

Dragon may rest on its laurels this year, but not rely on the support it imagines it is getting. Be careful not to let yourself be fooled. Not everything is the way it seems. While you are strong, you may find the demands made on you exhausting. It is easiest for you to rely on yourself this year.

Snake is not in the strongest position this year. Your situation can be like playing second fiddle when it is better not to. You may not be as effective as you might like to think you are. Better turn your attention to yourself, satisfy your thirst for knowledge, study something new, and work to solve whatever problems you have. While you are protected by Wood Horse, it will be very much to your advantage to take care of your health this year.

Horse in the year of Horse is extremely active. Horse clashes with Horse. This means there is the chance that your patience will run out from time to time, and to your disadvantage. Be careful to avoid acting destructively; you can wreck your situation if you do. That said, you are in a commanding position and can stand out and show your leadership abilities to advantage this year.

Sheep and Horse are very friendly. Sheep is supported and cheered by Horse. This is a good year for you to build up your money, to do away with nonessentials, and to build positive relationships. Friendly people will come to your aid this year. The tide will turn in your favor.

Monkey is challenged by Horse. Wood Horse can entice the Monkey with financial dreams, calling on the Monkey to take the lead, but only to fool the Monkey into exhausting itself, when this year might actually be asking you to let go of the past and start seeking a new life. This might be the year to change your work, move house, or travel.

Rooster is best off yielding to overpowering forces this year. It is also advantageous for you to initiate a new life if need be. New beginnings are good. If this year brings marriage it could be very good.

Dog and Horse are very friendly. Wood Horse challenges Dog to come out and play. The prospects are good if Dog accepts. This is a very good time for making plans. If you are thinking of having a baby, and are a woman, this year is good for pregnancy. This is also a good year for you to be productive if you are an artist.

Pig can be very productive and prosperous in the year of Wood Horse. The Horse brings out your mental powers. You can be sharp and take advantage of your opportunities. On the other hand, however, you will need to be cautious to protect yourself against being taken unfair advantage of and being robbed in some sense. Keep your eyes open.

Raphael Simons is a world renowned expert consultant, teacher and writer in Chinese astrology and Feng Shui living and practicing in New York. Raphael is available for personal Chinese astrological and feng shui readings. To find out more about Raphael’s work visit www.trs-fengshui.com. Raphael’s book Feng Shui Step by Step has been reprinted and is available through Amazon and at www.createspace.com/3472024.