Eating like a horse

I am sorely tempted to place a question mark on the end of the title, but that would change our intended meaning and perhaps offend some of our readers. Actually, being such an auspicious day, our title refers to getting as much as you can and probably more than you need.

The Chinese almanac recommends meditating or honouring ancestors, asking for blessings, visiting friends, having a haircut,  travelling, getting engaged or married, exchanging gifts, having an astrology reading, buying or making clothes, emigrating, opening a  business and trading, refurbishing a home or office, laying foundations, fixing a roof, making wine or fermenting and setting up a tombstone.

Today’s Earth Horse is part of the same Chinese zodiac group as the monthly Tiger sign. This is what makes today auspicious and is further enhanced if you have a Dog in your Chinese astrology chart as it completes an extremely prominent fire influence. Is this you? Check our free Chinese horoscope to see.

Having nearly thirteen million different variations within a Chinese horoscope, it’s difficult to say how this alignment will affect you personally, but take a look at our attribute cycle and follow its instructions. Alternatively, a professional astrology reading will tell you, as well as so much more.

If you would like to see how your own sign is affected see our dedicated Earth Horse web page. We will return tomorrow on an Earth Sheep day. Until then, enjoy every moment of NOW!

Finn & Slim Shooey

What now brown cow?

Today’s title has a slight change to its original elocution lesson purpose of demonstrating rounded vowel sounds. Being our first blog since mid-December, (and the first of the western New Year), we thought we would ask you “what” you want to have in our daily blog instead of “how”. Answers, not on a postcard, should be emailed to us and we will try to cover the main feng shui or Chinese astrology subjects.

Of course we will also try to be educational, and if you are a regular reader you will know that brown is a colour associated with the earth element and cow is another name for Ox. It therefore should come as no surprise that as well as petitioning your input, we hid this Earth Ox day in our title.

The Chinese almanac which is said to indicate the flow of nature, also lists various factors that determine whether the day is lucky or not. Today's recommendations are meditating or honouring ancestors, buying or making clothes, trading and signing contracts. It advises against digging foundations, or erecting columns or statues.

If you were born on an Earth Ox day, you are an independent thinker, strong and healthy with a creative flair and a knack for making money. You have an air of confidence, enhanced by your excellent expressive and communication skills, and an honourable attitude that attracts others to share life’s luxuries with.

Famous Earth Ox celebrities include Kirstie Alley, Gary Barlow, Mary J. Blige, Jeff Bridges, Phil Collins, Minnie Driver, Crystal Gayle, Richard Gere, Robin Gibb, Billy Joel, Alicia Keys, Jeremy Renner, Lionel Richie, Bruce Springsteen, Meryl Streep, Justin Timberlake, Sigourney Weaver and Elijah Wood.

As you might imagine, Ox signs are prominent today, whilst Roosters gain much needed support and Snakes are innovative. It brings change to Sheep, Rabbit and Pig symbols though.  All other signs are neutral. If you are unsure of your sign, get a free Chinese horoscope by clicking the link.

Send us your input and feel free to mail this to your friends. Although extremely busy, we will return tomorrow on a Metal Tiger day.

Until then, enjoy every moment of NOW!

Finn & Slim Shooey

Blessings from the “glorious twelve”?

Today is the 12^th day of the 12^th month in the 12^th year of the century, which to me suits the term “glorious” better than its usual reference as the start of the Red Grouse hunting season. The number 12 is highly significant in Chinese astrology, where it refers to the Chinese animals or zodiac signs and our (mostly) daily blog interprets their effect on your personal horoscopes. Of course, we also look at other systems such as the 28 Lunar Mansions and the 12 Palaces, all of which bring blessings on this Fire Sheep day.

Consequently, the Chinese almanac recommends meditating or honouring ancestors, asking for blessings, getting engaged, having an astrology reading, trading, refurbishing a home or office, laying foundations and buying or setting a direction for a bed as today’s most suitable activities. It advises against hair styling or funeral duties.

Those with a Fire Sheep in their horoscope, or indeed any sheep or goat sign, should be feeling positively buoyant today. Although they do need to be careful of “lip service” and should check the small print when signing contracts. Their group includes Pig and Rabbit signs, who can respectively gain power and wealth today.

The Sheep also benefits Horse signs who find self-expression and creativity. It is also good for travelling, but not “racing” as they may tire easily. Conversely, the opposing group of Snake, Rooster and Ox may see change today. The Ox is most susceptible, as it is in a direct clash that may result in stomach issues. 

Famous celebrities with Fire Sheep influence include Kurt Cobain, Benicio del Toro, Prince Pavlos of Greece, Noel Gallagher, Nicole Kidman, Pamela Anderson, Will Ferrell, Vin Diesel, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Matt LeBlanc, Julia Roberts, Rufus Sewell , Carla Bruni, Steve Zahn, Sophia Bush, Matthew O'Leary. Also included is anyone born in the Fire Sheep year of 1967 and those born between July 7th and August 8th in years that end with 2 or 7, (for example 1982 or 1997).

Further information is available on our dedicated Fire Sheep web page and we will return tomorrow with a Yellow Monkey.

Until then, enjoy moment of NOW!

Finn & Slim Shooey

Bull before the storm?

Today is a quiet Metal Ox day, hence adding bull to a famous saying. It is the last day of the Pig month and being in a lull, is good for meditating or honouring ancestors, visiting friends, having a haircut and putting affairs in order.

Tomorrow sees the start of a Water Rat month, which will combine with the Water Dragon year to bring an absolute deluge. It also marks the start of a fifteen day season called “Big Snow” and as we are already experiencing cold temperatures in Europe, we can expect perhaps to see snow and storms over the next couple of weeks. If we add the effects of global warming which somewhat delays these seasons, there is a very good chance of a White Christmas. Cue for a song?

Speaking of Christmas, let’s return to the present, pun intended.  If Metal Ox is part of your horoscope, particularly if it is your day pillar, you are highly resourceful and well-liked by others. With great determination and drive, you can easily express yourself and cope well under pressure which helps you create abundance and prosperity, especially if you were born between January 6 and February 4. Famous celebrities include Orlando Bloom, Jim Carrey, Princess Caroline of Monaco, George Clooney, Billy Ray Cyrus, Caleb Followill, William Hague, Woody Harrelson, Peter Jackson, Nastassja Kinski, Heather Locklear, Kate Middleton, Eddie Murphy, Barack Obama and Meg Ryan.

There’s more, including zodiac compatibility, on our dedicated Metal Ox web page and we will return tomorrow on a raft, no bull!  

Until then, enjoy moment of NOW!

Finn & Slim Shooey

A tail of two Piggies?

“It was the best of times, it was the worst of times” is the start of the Dickensian classic of which today’s title parodies. However, being a “slow news” day, it also fits in two ways. Firstly, it’s an Earth Pig day in a Metal Pig month. Secondly, our daily blog translates the Chinese almanac and tells us which side of "lucky" each day falls.

Take today as an example; having two Pigs align or “meet” makes it a good day to see friends and is the first suggestion in today’s almanac. Furthermore, the relationship between their earth and metal elements can mean travelling, the only other recommended activity today. 

Of course it’s also a “Tail” day in the 28 Lunar Mansions and is why I have alluded to one of the greatest tales ever told in English literature in our title. It has nothing to do with staring out of my office window looking upon one of Charles Dickens favourite cities thinking about travelling to the other…  Bonjour!

We will return tomorrow. Until then, enjoy moment of NOW!

Finn & Slim Shooey