Q&A Sunday: Chinese Astrology for Tigers

I'm excited to have stumbled upon you via Pinterest. I found a link for your podcast, started listening, and it really fed my interest in feng shui and Chinese astrology. I'm moving into a new apartment next month and am soaking up all the knowledge and expertise you offer...thank you!! I have a small question related to astrology. I'm looking for a strong resource for a 2016 Tiger astrology reading. I'm confused about my career and the next steps to take and would love some clarity! Do you have any suggestions on this? Thank you so much!

Jennifer S., Madison, WI

Hi Jennifer, 

Congratulations on the move, and thank you so much for following the podcast and blog! I'm happy to hear you're finding them helpful. :) I hope you get settled well into your new apartment! Be sure to check out our tips for that too!

I can tell you some basics about the Tiger in a Monkey (2016) year. In the Chinese Zodiac system, there’s a wheel that shows the relationships between different animals. I’ve included an image above. You can see that Tiger and Monkey are actually diagonal from each other which indicates an opposing relationship. Now, this doesn’t mean it’s “bad,” but it does indicate a challenging year for you. Similarly, Horse and Rat are opposites, Dog and Dragon and so forth.

What does a challenging year mean? Well, you may need to face the qualities of the Monkey which are not as easy or natural for you. And challenges give you an opportunity to grow and stretch, right? Monkeys are playful and clever, they can maneuver through most situations. On the other hand, Tigers are more humble and grounded. So it’s possible that a Tiger in a Monkey year will feel a bit ungrounded and learn to be a bit more premeditative about how they move forward.

You can also carry a charm with you that is a three-dimensional representation of the year animal’s best friend. In the Monkey year, this would be the Snake, and you can find one in the Holistic Spaces store! The idea in Chinese Astrology is that when you carry a charm of the year animal's best friend, the year animal will see that image of its friend and be so enamored that it brings you no harm. So you can see why carrying one brings protection and good luck!

In my podcast with Doris Ingber, Welcome 2016 Chinese New Year with the Fire Monkey, she goes into her forecast for the Tiger in 2016, and we also chat about the Four Pillars, Chinese astrology that uses the zodiac animals. In the Four Pillars, you have an hour, day, month and year animal. So there is much more to learn! I’m not sure about any accurate online sources for the Four Pillars, but I highly recommend seeking out a practitioner for a Four Pillars reading. Doris Ingber is great. I also can recommend another good friend, Beth Grace, who also has a monthly newsletter with more info. They would both be great at giving you guidance on your career path. And of course feng shui always helps! Keep an eye out for an upcoming blog post about how to clarify your career path with feng shui! Thanks for the idea! :)

by Anjie Cho

Thanks for reading our "Q&A Sunday" (formerly “Question of the Month”).  We will be answering questions submitted by our readers.  Click here to submit any Feng Shui or Green Design questions!

DIY Numerology: What’s In Store for Your Nine Stars This Year?

Happy Chinese New Year!

It’s that time again to celebrate the transition to the lunar new year. On Monday Feburary 8, 2016 we welcome the Year of the Fire Monkey. In addition to the Chinese zodiac animal and four pillars astrology, I utilize the numerology of the Nine Star Ki in my life and feng shui practice. 

The Nine Star Ki was developed in ancient China and syncs perfectly with feng shui, the I-Ching and five element principles. The transition to the new cycle in the Nine Star Ki system occurs on Februrary 4th of every year. 

Holistic Spaces and Aromatherachi have curated aromatherapy inhaler sticks for each number for 2016. The aromastick blends were created to support and enhance the energy that your number will be working with in 2016. These aromasticks can be used with feng shui adjustments to help you achieve your goals this year. Each blend of essential oils distributes olfactory information directly to your limbic system and hypothalamus, producing deep emotional and behavioral transformations.

In case you are not familiar with the Nine Star Ki, you can calculate your principle number by using your year of birth.

For example, if you were born in 1976:

  • Add: 1+9+7+6 = 23

  • Reduce to a single digit: 2+3 = 5

  • Subtract from 11: 11-5 = 6

*if born Jan 1-Feb 4, subtract from 12:  12-5 = 7

For example, if you were born in 1950:

  • Add: 1+9+5+0 = 15

  • Reduce to a single digit: 1+5 = 6

  • Subtract from 11: 11-6 = 5

*if born Jan 1-Feb 4, subtract from 12:  12-6 = 6

Now that you’ve calculated your principle number, you can see what kind of energy you can expect for the year.

If your principle number is 1, in 2016 you will be in the year of Rapid Growth. This year will be a continuation of last year where you see your sprouts grow into strong, grounded trees. This year will be busy and active, so please take care of yourself and be careful not to get burnt out.

If your principle number is 2, in 2016 you will be in the year of Fluctuation. This year will feel a little chaotic, as this is a time of renewal and rebirth. You many need to reinvent yourself this year. It’s a great time to let things go that are no longer serving you. 

If your principle number is 3, in 2016 you will be in the year of Prosperity. This year will feel strong and prosperous. You will begin to feel confident and be recognized for your knowledge and skills. There will still be a lot of effort, but you shall finally be harvesting the fruits of your labor.

If your principle number is 4, in 2016 you will be in the year of Celebration. This year will feel celebratory and playful. It is a great time to relax and pat yourself on the back for all the hard work that you put in the last few years. Enjoy yourself, rejoice and have some fun.

If your principle number is 5, in 2016 you will be in the year of Stillness. This year will be much quieter than the last. It will be a time of stillness, like climbing up a mountain to meditate in isolation. This is a great time to focus inward and do some self-cultivation.

If your principle number is 6, in 2016 you will be in the year of Recognition. This year you will be in the house of fire, where you have the best opportunities to be seen and recognized by others. It is a great time to receive any promotions or any other projects that you want publicity for. Be careful, as all things, good or bad, may be unveiled to the public.

If your principle number is 7, in 2016 you will be in the year of Planning. This year will feel quiet and is a time for planning. In the winter, it may appear that everything is dead on the surface, but underneath there is much life and activity. Similarly, it may feel slow, but take this time to reflect, review and plan for the future.

If your principle number is 8, in 2016 you will be in the year of Germination. This year will be the time to plant seeds. When you plant a garden, you germinate many more seeds than you need. Do the same this year. Put all your ideas out there into the universe and share them with others. Plant the seeds and see what comes up! 

If your principle number is 9, in 2016 you will be in the year of Sprouting. This year will be energetic and full of new beginnings as you catch sight of seeds that you planted last year begin to sprout and grow. Be open to new ideas and cultivate the projects that you start at this time.

For a bit more on Nine Star Ki numerology and what that means for this year, check out a recent Holistic Spaces podcast. You can also visit the posts here for tips on how to bring in the new lunar year in feng shui style! Whatever the year ahead looks like for you, be sure to take time to care for yourself and ensure that your space is nurturing. Also, don't forget to carry a three dimensional snake charm this year, as the snake is the best friend of the monkey and offers support and protection throughout the year! Grab one over at the Holistic Spaces store!

by Anjie Cho