What’s the beef?

Today’s title is an urban saying that refers to conflict. Of course it also refers to the food we get from a cow, and would seem most appropriate on this Earth Ox day. Furthermore, we are in a Pig month and, despite both being part of the same group of zodiac animals, the Ox controls the Pig and may cause a problem or two.

This particular group denotes the water element that, among other things, represents communications. Having the beginning and end of a combination means disjointed messages, so the connecting influence of the Rat is sorely needed. If you have one in your horoscope and you can find out with our free Chinese horoscope you will probably act as a councillor today and people will naturally flock to you for your unbridled wisdom, another water quality.

Failing that, we will all share the early Rat hour which runs from 11pm until midnight, so if you need to discuss important issues this may be the best time. Otherwise the Chinese almanac suggests meditation, visiting friends, buying or making clothes, opening a business and trading, refurbishing a home or office, moving earth, buying or setting a direction for your oven and filling cracks, like the one found between the Pig and Ox.

To see how your own sign is affected today see our dedicated Earth Ox web page and we will return tomorrow on a natural harmony day of Metal Tiger.

Until then, enjoy NOW!

Finn & Slim Shooey

Rich Rat helps Pig graduate, no bull!

From the five different types of Rat today's Earth Rat is said to have the most wealth potential. In fact, Earth Rat people born in November, the Pig month can double this effect and also easily see their life plans come to fruition. Their wealth opportunities can actually go off the scale if they are also born in the hour or year of the Ox as this forms a triple combination. Ox times occur every day between the hours of 01:00 – 03:00 and years such as 2009, 1997, 1985, 1973, 1961. However, it is a trade-off between wealth as they lose this advancing ability, so no bull for easy graduation.

This theme of personal development is also featured in the Chinese almanac as it recommends taking a course. As different perspectives broadens the mind, travelling is also a suitable activity for today, as well as having a haircut, sweeping the house, buying or making clothes, opening a business and trading, refurbishing a home or office, moving earth, fixing a roof and setting directions for your door or bed.

To see how your own sign is affected today see our dedicated Earth Rat web page and although today has no bull, there is plenty of it tomorrow as it is an Earth Ox day.

Until then, enjoy NOW!

Finn & Slim Shooey

Howl at the Monkey Moon - now that’s clever!

This Wood Monkey day welcomes a New Moon tonight and putting the two together, perhaps we should have called it “Howler” instead of howl at. Speaking of similarities, did you know that the Chinese word for Monkey, “Hou”, is the same as the word for clever, so let’s try to continue cleverly!

Howl is still appropriate though, as shouting is one of the traits associated with the Wood element, especially when it is out of balance. This would normally be the case with a Wood Monkey, as the Monkey’s element is metal which clashes with Wood to create pressure, maybe even rage. However, today's Wood Monkey is well balanced by the seasonal water element, so it is able to use its power more wisely. Now that is clever.

Speaking of which, the “smart” things to do today according to the Chinese almanac, are meditation, asking for blessings, visiting friends, having a haircut, travelling, even emigrating, getting married, having an astrology reading, buying or making clothes,

moving earth, fixing a roof, or setting up a tombstone.

To see how your own sign is affected today see our dedicated Wood Monkey web page and as Mondays are so hectic of late, we will return next Tuesday.

Until then, enjoy NOW!

Finn & Slim Shooey

Black spot sheep finds Success at Well

Today's Water Sheep is associated with the colour black as well as transport and communications. With that in mind, today's picture is of a house with the speed limit painted on the side that measures a whopping 5 metres in diameter. It is placed on an accident black spot to slow motorists rampaging through a Devon UK village and allow villagers to access the local shop.

This reminds me that in ancient times, Chinese villages were placed in a nonagonal arrangement around a well and this became the origin of town squares. This assembly of nine has been fully adopted in Chinese culture and is found is such diverse subjects such as writing and feng shui. In the latter, it is found as a Luo Shu magic square and “Well” itself is a constellation that the Moon rises in once every 28 days and known as a Lunar Mansion.

Interestingly enough today is a “Well” day in the lunar mansions and is associated with learning. This is partly the reason for going into such detail in this blog and wholly the cause of painting the warning sign on the house. It marks the start of Road Safety Week in the UK and the owner will paint over it on 5 December.

In another cycle, today is also a “Success” day; highly auspicious for such an important awareness campaign. Furthermore, today's Sheep unites the monthly Pig and annual Rabbit signs making it an extremely lucky day, so much so that I heard a rumour the campaign was even mentioned in a Chinese astrology and feng shui blog. Go figure!

The Chinese almanac is following this theme and seems to be doing a “happy dance” and smiling with its auspicious horseshoe formation. Suitable activities to do today include meditation, asking for blessings, taking a course, visiting friends, getting engaged, having an astrology reading, buying or making clothes, opening a business and trading, refurbishing a home or office, moving earth, fixing a roof, making wine or fermenting, buying or setting direction for your bed or setting up a tombstone.

To see how your own sign is affected today see our dedicated Water Sheep web page and we will return tomorrow with a Wood Monkey. Don’t worry we will be over the moon… Until then, enjoy NOW!

Finn & Slim Shooey

Water turns to “Little Snow” that’s straight from the horse's mouth

Now that’s a title to get your teeth into, excuse the pun. There’s just so much going on today, it provides some interesting components for the title. Firstly, it’s a Water Horse day and the water element in people creates distinctive mouths, which can be used to discern people’s energy in “face reading”. Hence, the equine proverb in the title.

Secondly, by observation Chinese philosophy divides the year into 24 x 15 day periods. These are referred to as the “24 seasons” and today starts a new 15 day period called…“Little Snow”. This normally marks an icy spell in the northern hemisphere and you can see the effects of global warming by counting the days until you experience your next cold snap.

Mind you, friends are good for taking our minds off the weather and the Chinese almanac suggests the best possible activities today as seeing friends, as well as getting engaged, emigrating, is that to warmer climes? moving earth, fixing a roof, and setting directions for your bed, presumably away from any draughts…

To see how your own sign is affected today see our dedicated Water Horse web page and we will return tomorrow with a Black Sheep.

Until then, enjoy NOW!

Finn & Slim Shooey

Take a Snake break and seek cure

Today’s Metal Snake clashes with the monthly sign of Pig, so unless you’re fixing something, it’s best to make important decisions tomorrow. The Chinese almanac suggests only remedial activities which range from seeking medical advice, (hence today's title) to refurbishment, particularly smoothing paths and fixing walls.

To discover how your own sign is affected today see our Metal Snake web page. We will return tomorrow a Water Horse day to offer belated advice for any postponed decisions.

Until then, enjoy NOW!

Finn & Slim Shooey

Red rag to a bull?

Not at all, this Fire Ox day is good for seeing friends, fixing cracks in walls, quiet meditation and thanking your ancestors. The Chinese almanac also advises against having your hair done and maybe that would make you feel like today's title.

However, I prefer to think of it as a countdown to the action packed and auspicious weekend which lies before us and lasts all the way until Tuesday, which is when we will return.

Until then, enjoy NOW! I dare you not to!

Finn & Slim Shooey

Rat sits Astride fire cycle

Now that’s a title you don’t hear every day! What does it mean? Well firstly it is a Fire Rat day and every rat day starts a new twelve day cycle in the Chinese zodiac. Having five different types of rats we can classify these cycles according to the element preceding Rat. That makes today the start of a fire cycle. So there you go, no animals were hurt in the writing of this blog.

As the fire element can be likened to action these next twelve days should see lots of activity on the world stage. It is definitely time to put plans into action. Following this theme the Chinese almanac suggests most activities are favourable today, especially travelling, getting engaged, having a haircut, sweeping house, buying or making clothes, seeing a doctor or choosing a treatment, emigrating, opening a business and trading, refurbishing a home or office, moving earth, fixing a roof, buying or setting direction for your door, bed or oven, or else setting up a tombstone.

In the twenty eight lunar mansions today is an Astride day better for garments that it is for digging. To see how your own sign is affected today see our dedicated Fire Rat web page. We will return tomorrow on a Fire Ox day.

Until then, enjoy NOW!

Finn & Slim Shooey

"If That Don't Beat a Pig-a-Pecking."

Today's title is a way of saying that something is amazing and I thought I would use it to brighten up an otherwise gloomy day. Although, the picture seems to refer to Pig packing instead of pecking.

It’s a Wood Pig day in a Pig month and as they are aligned with the annual Rabbit sign, it should be amazing. However, apart from quiet meditation, travelling and house building, it is pretty unremarkable, so says the Chinese almanac.

Mind you, it also states it’s a good day for pampering, so be amazing to yourself and treat yourself in some way. Otherwise two Pigs together in a horoscope are seen as a “punishment” affecting self-esteem. So, do the unexpected!

To see how your own sign is personally affected see our dedicated Wood Pig web page and we will return tomorrow, which is an amazing Fire Rat day.

Until then, enjoy NOW!

Finn & Slim Shooey