AS usual, with every New Year come predictions from feng shui masters on what lie ahead. According to World of Feng Shui (WOFS) boutique director Liew Shaw Pin, 2010 brings forth a challenging and competitive year. “This is a year when everyone will be competing with one another for jobs, wealth and such like,” he said.

“It’ll be a year when you may find your best friend or even close colleague stabbing you in the back while some people may lose their jobs or get retrenched. This forecast, Liew explained, was due to the absence of the significant ‘lap chun’ this year.

“The ‘lap chun’ marks the first day of Spring in the Chinese Lunar Calendar that usually falls on either February 4 or 5 every year. “However, as Chinese New Year falls on February 14, it means we don’t have Spring in the coming year. The Chinese believe a New Year without Spring denotes a weak year ahead. Without Spring, there will be no significant growth,” he said.

Liew also pointed out that the Paht Chee chart was “very unbalanced” as water is completely missing from the main chart and the hidden chart.

“The Paht Chee charts are created based on the four pillars of a persona’s birth data and these are the year, month, day and hour of birth. The four data generate two elements each, comprising the heavenly stem and the earthly branch of each pillar.

“Thus, there are eight characters generated from the four pillars of the birth data,” Liew said, revealing this year’s characters comprised Yin Earth, Yin Wood, Yang Earth, Yang Metal, Rabbit Wood, Rooster Metal, and two Tiger Woods.

Without water, this suggests a complete drying up of resources. So how do we activate ‘water’ to maximise luck in 2010?

This can be done simply by placing water in your home, said  Liew who practises symbolic feng shui and believes the afflictions can be countered with representations.

According to him, everything has a symbol to represent a particular thing, so to place water in dwellings, he recommends the Dragon, Tiger and Rabbit fountain.

“Invite a Dragon into the home so that you have the Dragon’s  symbolic presence which then combines with the Tiger’s and Rabbit’s of the Paht Chee chart to form the seasonal combination of spring.With the lack of ‘lap chun’ for the year, these three animals will make up for it as the Paht Chee chart shows the presence of the Rabbit and the Tiger while the Dragon can save the year,” he explained, adding that the Dragon becomes the vital link that could reduce discord and disagreements.

Besides placing the Dragon, Tiger and Rabbit fountain, Liew also suggested carrying the Water Globe Amulet keychain that contains a drop of water in the globe.

“Unfortunately, this amulet is currently sold out all over the world. The most recent stock we had was snapped up within three to four hours in Kuala Lumpur and Singapore, so you can imagine how vital it is to have water this year,” he said.

Nevertheless, one can also opt for the aquamarine bracelet available at WOFS, which Liew said is the best resemblance to water for crystals.

While the year may be treacherous for many, Liew revealed there were many ways to counter the afflictions faced by each person born under his/her Chinese zodiac sign.

TIGER (1902, 1914, 1926, 1938, 1950, 1962, 1974, 1986, 1998) The year brings competitive pressures and intense politicking, and you may get drawn into a situation where you are put in a difficult position.
The year also brings ill health, so take more steps to stay healthy. The Tai Sui resides in your location this year, so you must display the Tai Sui Plaque in the Northeast to appease the Grand Duke and also to bring good luck.
Whenever possible, carry the Tai Sui Talisman with you. To protect against sickness, wear the Antahkarana Signet Ring and display the Dragon & Tiger Wu Lou on both sides of your bed. Further subdue the bad energy of the year by carrying the Precious Ring Talisman. Mature Tigers or those with existing medical problems should wear the Double Wu Luo with Infinity Pendant in Gold to ensure continued good health.

RABBIT (1903, 1915, 1927, 1939, 1951, 1963, 1975, 1987, 1999) The Rabbit’s luck improves with gains in money and success. The annual heaven star brings you plenty of help, so you will have a generally smooth and productive year. Although your luck forecast is good, it is advisable to enhance heaven luck by placing 6 Big Smooth Coins in the East corner of your home.
You should also hang a 6 Rod Victory Banner Windchime in the East of your home or office to enhance success and career opportunities, and to triumph over competitors. The Yi Duo Star brings obstacles; to overcome this unlucky star, wear the 6 Stone Circles with Amitabha Mantra Pendant. Another good amulet for the year is the 3-Eyed Trinity Dzi as this Dzi bead brings about serious accumulation of wealth. Display this Dzi in the East.

DRAGON (1904, 1916, 1928, 1940, 1952, 1964, 1976, 1988, 2000) The good fortune of the Dragon reduces in 2010 but you are helped by the appearance of the Star of Golden Deity. You could find yourself having to cope with predicaments and problems caused by troublesome people.

To improve your luck, carry the Water Globe amulet keychain as water brings protection to the Dragon. Display the Double Horned Rhinoceros & Elephant Plaque in the Southeast of your home and carry the Nightspot Talisman as protection against danger.

To invoke the help of the Golden Deity star, place a Bejeweled Kuan Yin on your work desk. A good Dzi to wear is the Tiger Tooth Dzi as this will enhance your will power, lending you the strength and determination you need to succeed. A good amulet for the year is the Hum Syllable Pendant as this represents the unity of heaven, earth and mankind.