Chinese Zodiac for 2018: Year of the Earth Dog

Happy New Year! The Chinese New Year is also coming up, and Beth Grace, of Beth Grace Design, is here again to share this year's horoscopes for the Chinese zodiac! In almost one month exactly, we will say goodbye to the Year of the Fire Rooster and hello to the Year of the Earth Dog. Peek below for some insight into what's in store for your sign in the year ahead!

Remember, BTB Feng Shui always recommends carrying a three-dimensional rabbit charm (regardless of your sign) to welcome good luck and protection in 2018, since the Rabbit is the Dog's best friend. As usual, you can grab a charm in your favorite color in the Holistic Spaces store! Don't forget to check out our 2018 Chinese New Year Kit as well for a rabbit charm, custom aromastick and Happy Mist!

*Please note, if your birthday is in January or February, your animal sign may be the preceding year.  If you were born on the cusp, we we recommend you find your natal chart online .
**In addition to your year animal, you can see which animals are in your chart based on the month of your birth by simply following the date guidelines listed for each animal. Calculating your day animal requires assistance of either software or a Chinese astrology consultant, but it is easily obtained so just ask!

Dog 戌

Years: 1922, 1934, 1946, 1958, 1970, 1982, 1994, 2006
Month: October 8 - November 6

Dog people, this is your year, literally. All eyes are on you, and your hard efforts are more likely to be noticed this year, no more hiding in the shadows. This is also an excellent year to hone your skills or add new skills to your CV, as you have the ability to attain mastery if you apply yourself. Just don’t overbook or over schedule yourself, as you are more prone to health issues this year. Taking care of yourself should be a priority. While there may be some bumps along the way, you are generally in sync with the energy of this year, which puts you in the flow to accomplish your goals.

Pig 亥

Years: 1923, 1935, 1947, 1959, 1971, 1983, 1995, 2007
Month: November 7 - December 6

Pig, you are one of the luckiest animals this year, and the stars are on your side. While you may find your star rising and the center of attention don’t overlook those around you who may need your help. You should share your good fortune this year and make helping others a priority; what you give will come back to you many times over. In general, this is a year of happy events and celebrations. Pig people, if you are looking for love you may find a life partner this year if you are willing to take the chance. Those already committed may hear the pitter patter of little feet as babies and grandchildren may add to your joy. The only thing stopping you this year is you - make sure you put your words into action and there is very little you can’t do.

Rat 子

Years: 1924, 1936, 1948, 1960, 1972, 1984, 1996, 2008
Month: December 7 - January 6

Rat people can expect a pretty lucky year overall. If you are not on social media already you really should consider setting up an account. If you have social media accounts that are rather dormant, it's time to dust them off and make them work for you. A little social media effort can go a long way for you this year, as you are more likely to be seen and you may even find posts going viral. Show the world what you have to offer! If you feel like you need to polish yourself before putting yourself out there, this year is a great year to hone your skills or learn some new things. Time spent learning and improving yourself is never wasted, and this year you will be able to learn more than usual. Just make sure to schedule time for self care and well being amidst your other activities, as this year as you may be more challenged by health issues. So make maintaining yours a priority.

Ox 丑

Years: 1925, 1937, 1949, 1961 1973, 1985, 1997, 2009
Month: January 7 - February 3

Ox, you are one of the lucky ones this year. This year will empower you for career growth and wealth creation. Your employer is likely to notice your value to the company with a raise or promotion. Those who work for themselves are also likely to have great success this year, especially when it comes to connecting to the right people. If you find yourself struggling at any point this year, make sure to ask for help, as you will receive it so be sure to speak up and ask! Just be sure not to get too carried away by your success this year; pace yourself and be sure to invest some of your extra earnings for the future. 

Tiger 寅

Years: 1914, 1926, 1938, 1950, 1962, 1974, 1986, 1998, 2010
Month: February 4- March 5

Tigers, you generally enjoy the energy of the Dog, but this year may not be all smooth sailing. You may find petty people and gossip surround you, but issues and obstacles can be overcome by with the help of noblemen  - you should look to your greater social network for the right people to get you out of sticky situations. If you are willing to put in the right amount of effort, you can make good strides in your career and with your finances this year. With the right attitude and hard work you could see yourself rewarded with a promotion so hang tough!

Rabbit 卯

Years: 1927, 1939, 1951, 1963, 1975, 1987, 1999, 2011
Month: March 6 - April 4

Rabbits and Dogs get on like peanut butter and jelly, so this should be a good year for you and a welcome respite after the challenges that the Rooster year likely brought to you. You should find things coming to you more easily this year. If the Rooster year changes included an end to your relationship, never fear, as you may find yourself on the receiving end of romantic attention this year. You may find yourself feeling flirty and ready for fun, so don’t stay home; get out there and enjoy the attention. The only thing you may have to watch out for is your health, so make sure to take care of you too.

Dragon 辰

Years: 1928, 1940, 1952, 1964, 1976, 1988, 2000
Month: April 5 - May 5

Dragon people, this is your clash year, and before you go into fear mode just remember that clashes bring change, not necessarily doom and gloom. Change is inevitable, so embrace it and direct the force of change if possible. External circumstances could bring challenges and curve balls, but you get to decide what to do about it and how you want to handle it. If you are feeling like you are stuck or stagnating, then change can be a welcome force that brings something new and wonderful into your life. So be on the lookout for happy surprises as well. One change that is common during a clash year is moving. If you find you are not happy where you are, then this is a great time to pick somewhere more supportive to you and go. Remember, Fate is what happens to us; Destiny is what we make of it. Your challenge this year is not to be a victim of fate but a person who charts their own destiny. You can do it!

Snake 巳

Years: 1929, 1941, 1953, 1965, 1977, 1989, 2001, 2013
Month: May 6 - June 5

Snake people, last year was likely full of ups and downs, but this year should be calmer waters and smooth sailing ahead. Heaven is smiling on you now, and any troubles you have lingering from last year can be overcome with relative ease this year. You will have no shortage of people working with you and helping you to achieve your goals this year. You will also have access to more resources this year, so its a great year to raise capital and kick off a new venture, as you will also have greater access to powerful people who can help you realize your plans. Single Snakes will also be lucky with relationships this year; you may even find love at first sight. There seems to be no shortage of heavenly blessings coming your way this year, so be grateful for each one.

Horse 午

Years: 1918, 1930, 1942, 1954, 1966, 1978, 1990, 2002
Month: June 6 - July 6

Horse people, get ready to take charge this year. New opportunities could arise for leadership positions, so be ready to step up to the challenge. Increased responsibility and leadership could also come with financial rewards, and you may also see your assets increase in value as well. If you are thinking of cashing in on the increased value of property, this should be a great time to sell for a good price. You are one of the luckiest animals of the year, but don’t get too cocky or to take on dangerous activities, as you are more prone to accidents. This is a good year to skip the skydiving and make sure you have good insurance instead.

Goat 未

Years: 1919, 1931, 1943, 1955, 1967, 1979, 1991, 2003
Month: July 7 - August 7

You are one of the lucky ones this year, Goat folks. In general, this will be a year of fun times, and you will likely find yourself with a full social calendar. You may find yourself enjoying many parties and events this year. However, all those parties may add to your waistline, as you are more prone to weight gain this year - remember all things in moderation. In general, you will find plenty of people at your side helping you to reach your goals and overcome any challenges that come your way. It should be a fun and prosperous year for you, so enjoy it!

Monkey 申

Years: 1920, 1932, 1944, 1956, 1968, 1980, 1992, 2004
Month: August 8 - September 7

Monkey people, you may feel a bit out of sync this year. Some of the ups and downs of the Rooster year may continue into this year; some new challenges pop up as well but, with the right frame of mind you should be able to overcome them. What is working for you this year is the Intelligence Star, which gives you great ideas and a boost to any course of study you undertake. This is an excellent year to challenge yourself and learn new things. It’s also a good year for you to travel, as there is always so much to learn from new people and places - all in all it's a great year to expand your horizons!

Rooster 酉

Years: 1921, 1933, 1945, 1957, 1969, 1981, 1993, 2005
Month: September 8 - October 7

Rooster, as your year comes to a close you may feel let down after riding such a high, but it is also a good time to get off the ride and take a time out. You are likely coming into this year a bit tired and run down. This year it is really important to recharge physically and take care of yourself, as you are more vulnerable to illness. Your focus should be on rest, good diet, mental health and spiritual cultivation. It's a good year to make healthy eating and more exercise your resolutions for this year and stick to them to ensure you come out of the Dog year strong and ready to tackle the Pig year in 2019.

As always, thank you, Beth for sharing your suggestions for the Year of the Earth Dog. If you're interested in more personal, in-depth predictions, please reach out to Beth for a consultation! Also remember, feng shui recommends a three-dimensional rabbit charm this year, no matter what your animal signs. Grab one in your choice of six colors on Holistic Spaces!


Beth is the founder of Beth Grace Design, launched in 2008 to use love of textiles and experience in Decorative Arts to help clients create beauty within their homes. Over the past 8 years, Beth and her work have evolved to include feng shui, design, space clearing, water dowsing, and Chinese astrology. Her training as a certified feng shui practitioner and space clearer has deepened her awareness of space and informs her decisions as a designer. Using feng shui principles of balance and harmony, Beth is able to create spaces that not only look good, but feel good as well. She is passionate about creating healthy, supportive spaces and believes in using natural materials and sustainable practices whenever possible. For more information about Beth, her astrology readings or feng shui, please visit her website, Beth Grace Design and sign up for her newsletter!


Let Us Welcome the Winter Solstice

It’s officially winter! Happy (late) Winter Solstice!

Many months after we celebrate the Summer Solstice, our longest day of the year, the Northern Hemisphere observes the Winter Solstice, our shortest day of the year. These celebrations are actually opposite in the Southern Hemisphere, where Winter Solstice brings the longest day of the year.

Our earth is tilted on its axis as it revolves around the sun, which means that the different hemispheres experience seasons and solstices (Latin for “sun stands still”) differently. During the Winter Solstice, the Northern part of our planet reaches the furthest point from the sun we will experience during the year.

Feng shui-wise, the winter is considered a yin season, where we start to move inward physically as well as emotionally. The yin concept is also about slowing down, and emptiness. Winter in feng shui is also associated with the water element. In winter it looks like everything is dead outside on the outside, but below the snow there is life (even if it’s dormant). The water element and winter are similar. Imagine the middle of a vast ocean, where it’s very still but there’s so much activity happening if you look beneath the surface.

My meditation instructor, Joe Mauricio, called me out earlier this month on my “speediness”. I spent all year running around, never stopping to be mindful. I can’t just blame it on the year of the Horse (Chinese astrology)! Meditation can help you find that space that many of us fear. During this winter season, I encourage each of you to accept the slower pace and pause to find emptiness and space. Even five minutes a day is enough! Let yourself slow down and feel…. Bored? Empty? Quiet? Rest. Peace. And love for yourself.

Fun facts about the Winter Solstice:

Usually occurring between December 21st and 23rd, longstanding Winter Solstice activities have been combined with the popular Christmas holidays, but many of our traditions began as ancient celebrations for surviving another year! In earlier times, winter was a welcome break from hard work during the rest of the year, and almost every culture celebrates the Winter Solstice in some way.

Some of our most mysterious world wonders, including the Irish Newgrange tomb and Stonehenge, were constructed in a way that perfectly captures the sun’s light at the moment of Winter Solstice.  The Yule log also originated as a celebratory festival for the Winter Solstice. Romans even celebrated the solstice for an entire week!

by Anjie Cho


Q&A Sunday: Chinese Astrology for a Horse in a Rooster Year

This year of the Fire Rooster has been really tough for me so far. Big snow making getting to work difficult, 3 squirrel infestations in my new Nissan Rogue (wires chewed...in shop three times). I'm a Wood Horse. Please advise me how to improve my luck. Maybe a dragon in the entryway?

Shauna R., Abbotsford , British Columbia, Canada

Hi Shauna

I’m so very sorry that you have been having such a challenging year. It’s actually been a quite challenging year for many others as well. As far as the relationship between Horse and Rooster, it’s actually neutral. It may be useful for you to consult directly with a Chinese Astrology expert as it sounds like this is where your interests lie, and there are great astrologers I can recommend. Beth Grace, Doris Ingber and Yasha Jampolsky are all Chinese Astrologers you can hire. They can look at your specific natal chart, based on the time of your birth, in relationship with the energies of this specific year. Without seeing your actual birth information, there’s not much more I can advise in terms of your astrology.

As far the feng shui aspects to improve your luck, the founder of BTB feng shui, H.H. Professor Lin Yun always advised to first take of the mundane issues. That simply means what are the practical things you can do to improve the situation. Luckily the winter has passed, but as far as the squirrels, is there something you can do to prevent this happening again in the future? Then, I have a sense that you should start with the most basic feng shui adjustment of making sure your bed, desk and stove are in the commanding position. You can find more information about that here, here and here.

As far as the car damage, you can look at the feng shui of your car. It represents how you connect to the world, right? And the electrical wires are akin to your blood and nervous system. It maybe helpful for you to check that out. It might be interesting to also look at symbology of the squirrel. The squirrel is associated with playfulness but also preparation. The presence of so many squirrels may be a sign to take life a little less seriously and have more fun. However, it can also be a note to take a look at your preparations in life and ensure they are all in place. On a less obvious level, the squirrel can also be a reminder to remain mindful. Squirrels only find 10% of the nuts they hide for winter, but all of these unfound nuts do develop into larger plants and trees. So be mindful of what you "plant", because it will inevitably come back up!

Since the damage was carried out by nature, you can also create a shrine to invite the nature spirits to appease them. You can create a special place, ideally outdoors, where you make a humble offering to the nature spirits so they are happy and feel invited into your home. This would include water, liquor, rice and a small rock or statue. Do this to dedicate a small space for magic from the universe in your life, and be sure to ask nature to visit your home! There's more on that here

Finally, you inquired about a dragon in the entryway. I’m assuming you’re suggesting this because the Dragon is the best friend of the Rooster. In BTB feng shui we advise you carry on your body a three-dimensional dragon in the Year of the Rooster. So this is the adjustment, to carry it on you. It’s not the same to have it in the entryway. If you had another reason, let us know so we can comment on it. You can purchase the charm in the Holistic Spaces shop, and it will definitely help you have a more auspicious year. Since the Dragon is the best friend of the Rooster, the Rooster will see the dragon charm and bestow good luck and protection. 

Thank you for submitting your question, and I hope the rest of your year improves! 

by Anjie Cho


Thanks for reading our "Q&A Sunday".  We will be answering questions submitted by our readers. Click here to submit any Feng Shui or Green Design questions!