Chinese Zodiac for 2020: Year of the Metal Rat

Anjie Cho January 8, 2020

Happy Lunar New Year! Happy 2021!

To welcome the lunar new year, Mindful Design offers a New Year’s Reset Package, including a live ritual to peel away the old year and welcome the new one. This is an especially powerful ritual depending on your birth year animal, but everyone can benefit from these practices! To learn more about who can get the most out of this ritual, and more about what to expect in 2021 based on your birth year animal, listen to our podcast episode Welcome The Year of the Ox.

BTB Feng Shui always recommends carrying a three-dimensional charm to welcome good luck and protection each year. This year, since the Rat is the Ox’s best friend, we recommend a three-dimensional Rat charm, available in the color of your choice in the Holistic Spaces store!

*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 .

Rat 子

Resourceful, like to be busy, can sniff out opportunities

Years: 1924, 1936, 1948, 1960, 1972, 1984, 1996, 2008

Rats are best friends with Dragons, Snakes, Monkeys, and especially Oxen! The Ox and Rat are considered best friends in the Chinese Zodiac, so this means it’s a good year for Rats!

Overall energy of the year: Good

What to do: Embrace the calmer energy of the Ox year. Don’t push riskier endeavours.

You are most compatible with: Dragon, Monkey, Rat and Ox.

You clash with: Horse.

Ox 丑

Steady eddy, hard working, ploughs through problems calmly

Years: 1925, 1937, 1949, 1961, 1973, 1985, 1997, 2009

Oxen are great friends with Snakes, Roosters, and Rats. You may think that since it’s the year of the Ox, it would be a very lucky year for anyone born in the year of the Ox. But in fact, it may be a little more challenging for Oxen. In BTB feng shui we practice a protection ceremony called the Golden Cicada Ritual. Think of it as a way to smooth out the rough edges, and to bring more ease in the coming year. If you’re interested, there is a class available here, we also recommend you carry a 2021 charm (Rat) with you for extra support.

Overall energy of the year: So-so

What to do: Make time for self-care and take breaks. Oxen work too hard!

You are most compatible with: Rooster, Snake and Rat.

You clash with: Ram/Sheep.

Tiger 寅

Dynamic, self-reliant, Tigers leap forward with creative ideas

Years: 1914, 1926, 1938, 1950, 1962, 1974, 1986, 1998, 2010 Tigers are friends with Horses, Dogs, and Pigs. The creative and dynamic tiger finds the Ox’s stead-fast work ethic a little tiresome.

Overall energy of the year: Mostly neutral

What to do: Take advantage of the calmer energy (may feel boring to tigers)

You are most compatible with: Horse, Dog and Pig.

You clash with: Monkey.

Rabbit 卯

Easy-going, sociable, the rabbit hops along with grace

Years: 1927, 1939, 1951, 1963, 1975, 1987, 1999, 2011

Rabbits are friends with Rams, Pigs, and Dogs. Rabbits will enjoy the quieter, more stable energy of the Ox. For extra support and ease with Ox, we recommend you carry a 2021 charm (Rat) the Ox’s best friend.

Overall energy of the year: Neutral

What to do: Gracefully bunny hop over minor set-backs, and enjoy the slower pace.

You are most compatible with: Pig, Sheep and Dog.

You clash with: Rooster

Dragon 辰

Energetic, strong, dragons fly through life with purpose

Years: 1928, 1940, 1952, 1964, 1976, 1988, 2000

Dragons are best friends with Monkeys, Roosters, and Rats. Dragons respect the Ox’s work ethic and tenacious nature.

Overall energy of the year: Pretty good

What to do: Align your powerful Dragon energy with the stable and determined energy of the Ox

You are most compatible with: Rat, Monkey, and Rooster.

You clash with: Dog

Snake 巳

Intellectual, Snakes slide through life with wisdom and grace

Years: 1929, 1941, 1953, 1965, 1977, 1989, 2001, 2013

Snakes are best friends with Rooster, Monkey, and Ox; this is good news for the Snake. Snake’s wisdom will serve them well, and is looked upon favorably by the Ox.

Overall energy of the year: Good

What to do: Use your subtle influence and keen intuition

You are most compatible with: Rooster, Ox and Monkey.

You clash with: Pig

Horse 午

Strong, active, horses will gallop by looking for adventure

Years: 1918, 1930, 1942, 1954, 1966, 1978, 1990, 2002

Horses are best friends with Tigers, Dogs and Rams. You just came out of Rat year, which was a tough one -- for all of us :) Horses are efficient and hard-workers which the Ox respects.

Overall energy of the year: Ease

What to do: focus on projects that were left undone in 2020 (Rat) and channel that Ox energy into tackling them.

You are most compatible with: Tiger, Dog and Ram.

You clash with: Rat

Ram 未

Gentle and kind, but under that soft, wooly exterior is strong determination

Years: 1919, 1931, 1943, 1955, 1967, 1979, 1991, 2003

Rams (Sheep or Goat) are friends with Pigs, Rabbits and Horses. The good-natured Ram is not a fan of the hard-working Ox. Because Ram clashes with the Ox, so it is important in BTB feng shui to practice the Golden Cicada Ritual. If you’re interested, there is a class available here. We also highly recommend you carry a 2021 charm (Rat)

Overall energy of the year: Might feel like Ox is a bit of a task-master

What to do: Tap into your strength and determination

You are most compatible with: Rabbit, Pig and Horse.

You clash with: Ox

Monkey 申

Clever, curious, Monkeys will charm others with their ap-peel

Years: 1920, 1932, 1944, 1956, 1968, 1980, 1992, 2004

Monkeys are friends with Dragons, Rats, and especially Snakes. Monkeys will do well this year if they focus their energy and don’t try to take the quick way to doing things. Use the Ox’s hard-working energy to balance your curious nature, the Ox won’t tolerate any monkeying around.

Overall energy of the year: Pretty good

What to do: Use your clever Monkey and ways to channel your energy for success.

You are most compatible with: Rat, Dragon and Snake.

You clash with: Tiger

Rooster 酉

Articulate, astute, Roosters strut with confidence

Years: 1921, 1933, 1945, 1957, 1969, 1981, 1993, 2005

Roosters are best friends with Snakes, Oxen, and Dragons. Roosters like the solid work ethic of the Ox. They make a good team and appreciate each other's focus and determination.

Overall energy of the year: Supportive

What to do: Just because you have the opportunity to do a lot and accomplish much, doesn't mean you should. Don’t get caught up in working too hard, take time for yourself.

You are most compatible with: Ox, Snake, and Dragon.

You clash with: Rabbit

Dog 戌

Loyal, dogs look out for others and they are dogged protectors

Years: 1922, 1934, 1946, 1958, 1970, 1982, 1994, 2006, 2018

Dogs are best friends with Tigers, Horses, and Rabbits. They are in a mostly neutral relationship with the Ox. Dog and Ox see eye-to-eye on being fair and steadfast. For extra good luck and support, we recommend you carry a 2021 charm (Rat) this year.

Overall energy of the year: Neutral

What to do: Don’t pick fights, instead choose to channel your inner peace-maker.

You are most compatible with: Tiger, Horse and Rabbit.

You clash with: Dragon

Pig 亥

Good-nature, trust-worthy, fun-loving. Pigs are always there to help ‘sn-out’

Years: 1923, 1935, 1947, 1959, 1971, 1983, 1995, 2007, 2019

Pigs are best friends with Rabbits, Rams, and Tigers. Pigs are hard-working but know how to have to have a good time. Yes, Pigs work hard, but the Ox doesn't appreciate the Pig’s bon-vivant side, so we recommend you carry a 2021 charm (Rat) to soften the relationship and give the Pig more support.

Overall energy of the year: So-so

What to do: Be selective of who you do business with, and use the stable and analytical ways of Ox to support you.

You are most compatible with: Sheep, Rabbit and Tiger.

You clash with: Snake

To learn more about the energy coming your way in 2021, be sure to check out our podcast episode Welcome The Year of the Ox!

If you're really interested in more personal, in-depth predictions, please reach out to a Four Pillars or Bazi practitioner for a consultation!

Don’t forget to grab your three-dimensional rat charm this year, here at Holistic Spaces!

Check out our New Year’s Reset Package here!

If you’d like to learn more about feng shui, check out Mindful Design Feng Shui School at: www.mindfuldesignschool.com

Visit the Holistic Spaces Store

Q&A Sunday: Being Overlooked at Work

Anjie Cho January 5, 2020

I find I get overlooked at work. Can you suggest a feng shui cure for this?

Giuliana G., Lille, France

Hi Giuliana

Thank you for your wonderful questions and support. I'm so sorry to hear you're feeling this way!

Nobody likes to feel overlooked, especially in the workplace. But you're in luck! There are many, many ways to approach this concern from the feng shui perspective. The fame and Recognition area is the feng shui bagua map area for you! I think this area came up for you before in a previous Q&A.

But before we work on the fame and Recognition area, it's helpful for you to look more closely at why you are feeling overlooked. We can give clarity to a problem by looking at it more carefully in light of the other feng shui bagua areas. Who is doing the overlooking? Why is it happening? Are there ways to work with it? Can you gain more skills and knowledge? Is there a relationship that can be improved? Etc., etc.

I challenge you to really look closely at that. If this were a consultation, I would of course like to know much more about the situation.

Now getting back to the Recognition and fame area, this would be the best area to address feng shui-wise to receive more credit and acknowledgment. My intuition tells me it would be best for you to place a new green plant in the Recognition area of your desk at work, the same area of your desk at home and in the same area of your entire home. Use matching black pots with a red ribbon tied around the pot or plant. The plant adds Wood to feed the fire of Recognition. The color combination creates a powerful feng shui cure as Water (black pot) manifests the Wood (green plant) and culminates with Fire (red ribbon).

You can check out some of our posts on green plants and the Wood element for insight on what kind of plants to choose based on feng shui, indoor air quality and much more. Please keep us updated and feel free to share photos of your new green friends!

by Anjie Cho

Mindful Design is a new way to learn feng shui. Our a unique training program takes an holistic approach to learning the art of feng shui design. Mindful design is about becoming aware, and attentive, to the energy around you: both inner and outer qi. It is about promoting a better way of living and creating sacred spaces that support, and nourish. Visit us at mindfuldesignschool.com.

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!

Feng Shui Tips for a Strong Front Door

Anjie Cho January 1, 2020

featured on The Spruce

Activate the Mouth of Qi

In feng shui, one of the first places to look at in your home is the front door. You want to have a strong front door so that you can welcome positive energy. When qi can flow easily into your home, this energy brings along with it abundance and ease.

The front door refers to the official, formal front door of the home. It’s also referred to as the mouth of qi, the portal of energy. Some homes may have secondary doors that are used on a daily basis. This is okay, however the mouth of qi is your formal front door. If you never use it, you are block out energy and opportunities. Therefore, it’s essential to activate your front door regularly. You can do this by simply opening and walking through it at least every nine days. Daily is better. I recommend you make it part of your routine, like when you go for the mail, always walk through the front door.

De-clutter and Clean

Of all the areas in your home, the front door area is probably one of the more neglected areas when it comes to clutter and regular cleaning.

When is the last time you wiped down your front door? I’m talking about the interior side, the exterior side, and the edge. Incredible amounts of debris accumulate at the front door. Giving this area more attention ensures that positive energy can come into your home.

…read full article

If you’d like to learn more about feng shui check out the Mindful Design Feng Shui certification program. Laura Morris and I launched our program in September 2018. To get on the list about it, sign up at: www.mindfuldesignschool.com.