"Like a Rabbit Caught in Headlights"

Following on from yesterday’s narration, you should be able to tell that today is a Rabbit day. “Headlights” refers to Yin Fire as it usually means something small and bright. The plural aspect is used as we have a Yin Fire Rabbit day in a Yin Fire Rooster month.

However, the overall “startled” affect is what we are going for, as today we have major clashes with both the day and the month. According to the Chinese almanac, you too will be startled at the problems that can arise if you try to do anything new. It especially advises against having your hair done, perhaps a case of broadcasting your mistake or drilling a village well and going for a group surprise!

On the plus side, it’s excellent for taking things apart and starting over.

It is a better day tomorrow, an Earth Dragon day and better still on Sunday, the Earth Snake day. It’s a full moon when we return on Monday, so expect public places to be busy this weekend.

Until then enjoy NOW!

Finn & Slim Shooey

Like a cat on a hot tin roof

Wherever possible I try to choose a popular proverb for a title that may appear obvious at first, but later yields great subtlety. In a way, Feng Shui is like this; the changes we advise in a consultation may appear obvious and full of common sense, and yet they create harmony, success and joy at a most profound level.

So the first obvious part of the title is “hot” alluding to Fire, whilst “cat” refers to the Tiger, which should tell you that today is a Fire Tiger day. Meanwhile, “tin roof” denotes the Rooster; it is of the metal element and we are all under its influence as from today.

The whole title indicates being restless, skittish and unable to remain still for any length of time, which is certainly a trait of today’s creature. It can also show anxiety, probably due to today being the start of a Fire Rooster month. In this current Rabbit year, this is a “month break” and can indicate problems arising from rapid change.

However, most issues can be balanced and harmony found with the water element, generally taken as communicating. Talking to people will certainly bring harmony, and the water element can also be found by travelling, having salty foods in your diet, wearing black or dark blue colours and by being near water.

According to the book of nature or Chinese almanac, success and joy can be found today by learning something new and taking a course, visiting friends, getting engaged, fixing a roof, shopping and buying clothes (as if we needed an excuse), or setting up a tombstone.

Tomorrow is a Fire Rabbit day. Until then enjoy NOW!

Finn & Slim Shooey

Friends hunt super cow in star burst

This is probably the most outrageous title I have ever written, but then again we need something eye catching to match tonight’s Supernova phenomenon. This imploding star releases vast radiation to become the brightest object in the universe.

Tonight’s starburst is so near to our planet that we can actually see it from our gardens; albeit through binoculars. The Chinese almanac suggests that it’s a good day to hunt and meet friends, who no doubt can help you find it against the back drop of the night sky. So, champagne by supernova anyone?

Super cow is actually a veiled allusion to a Wood Ox, said to be the most powerful of the five Oxen in Chinese astrology. On the downside, if Wood Ox is part of your horoscope and you can discover with our free Chinese horoscope; you tend to trap your emotions within and this can cause a lot of stress. Eating healthily, and taking charge while communicating can help balance your energy. Suitable foods would be any root vegetables, fish, nuts and anything with a salty taste.

Wood Ox celebrities include Agnes Bruckner, Chelsy Davy, Arielle Kebbel, Stéphane Lambiel, Jack Osbourne, Cristiano Ronaldo and Wayne Rooney.

Tomorrows Fire Tiger is better and the supernova phenomenon will last for the next 10 days. Until then enjoy NOW!

Finn & Slim Shooey

The best laid plans of mice and men

Today’s title refers to a popular saying derived from a poem by Scotland's national bard, Robert Burns. How we arrive at today’s Wood Rat is also a bit of an epic and is hopefully worth the tellin’. Being as we have only just returned to our blog and it’s the start of a new 60-day cycle, we will ease into it gently.

In Chinese philosophy and culture the mouse is often treated as the same as Rat, (should that be synonymouse?) For example, in the year of the Rat, the mouse is also celebrated, although this may well be because they share the same Chinese character and word of Shu.

Best laid plans refers to strategy, the discipline of which is the province and domain of the wood element, most strongly represented in Yang Wood. And so we arrive at Yang Wood Rat, todays totem. However, we chose the title primarily because according to the book of nature or Chinese almanac, today is excellent for most activities; not a case of the best-laid plans of mice and men “gang aft agley” or translated from native Scottish as “going awry”.

Being easily the best day of the week, lucky pursuits include meditation, asking for blessings, visiting friends, having a haircut, travelling, getting engaged, getting married, exchanging gifts, having an astrology reading, emigrating, opening a business and trading, collecting debts, refurbishing home or office, moving earth, fixing a roof, making wine or fermenting, buying or setting direction for your bed and even hunting.

We will return tomorrow, a Wood Ox day, until then enjoy NOW!

Finn & Slim Shooey

Mercury rising, remembered and retiring on Water Pig day!

We are finally in the shadow of Mercury Retrograde which lasts until September 9^th and was in full force from August 2^nd until 26^th. It was a time that severely affected water element characteristics, such as communication, speaking, negotiating, buying and selling, listening, formalising contracts, documents, travel, the mail, shipping, and so forth. Hence we closed our blog down at the onset and as you can see; have only now returned. (Any resemblance to our regular summer sabbatical is purely coincidental!)

The positive side to Mercury Retrograde is best used for re-organizing and reflecting. It is a time of heightened inner awareness, where we can discover some very important inner revelations, especially by reviewing past work or performance.

If you visit Google today, you will also be reminded of another memorable Mercury performance, as it is Freddy Mercury’s 65th anniversary today. The search engine has commissioned a special video that celebrates the life of this awesome communicator, performer and Water person.

Again coincidentally, a Water Pig day denotes the end of a cycle, as it is the last of the sexagesimal or 60 pillar cycle. Consequently, the Chinese almanac suggests pampering and preparation, a good day to retire early, treat yourself or even refurbish your home, especially by repairing walls or paths.

It is much better tomorrow – a Wood Rat day, until then enjoy NOW!

Finn & Slim Shooey