2021: YEAR OF THE METAL OX 

A Year to Find and Grow on Your Land

“Sustainability and recycling will be a key this year” 

By Richard Giles Your YEARLY FORTUNATE FORECAST – The CHINESE ZODIAC

Each year in February is the beginning of the traditional Chinese calendar and because of population this calendar is probably the most followed in the world. The New Year in 2021 formally commences on Friday 12th February and begins a new Zodiac animal cycle. Chinese tradition always employs both a Solar and Lunar calendar. Using the Solar calendar, it’s 5th February but the New Moon day of 12th February is the official Lunar New Year celebration day when the dragons and fireworks come out into the streets. 

LOOKING BACK on the RAT Year  
What did I say in my 2020 forecast that has happened…?

♦ “A TURNING POINT – The Rat Year signals the end of a 12 year cycle and also the beginning of the new decade of the 2020s.  In the big cycle, last time we experienced the Metal Rat year was in 1960 when we had the previous start of a sixty year cycle until today.  The 2020 year and the coming decade will act to profoundly change the world in the same way we may remember from the 1960s. It will be as world shaking.”

♦     “Exploring the nature of this year’s makeup, called the Stem and Branch of the Chinese zodiac year – we see they are Metal and Water. They do come together in a harmonious relationship, but because the characteristic of Yang Metal is more difficult, then their combination can be destructive.  Hence the atmosphere of 2020 can tend towards people feeling more liable to resort to direct action and violence to achieve their political or environmental beliefs and thus create more conflict.  There will be more impassioned protests, civil unrest, angry demonstrations and riots over issues of social justice, environment and inequalities.”

♦ “In Traditional Chinese medicine the Metal element represents the breathing organs including the lungs, nose, and skin. The Rat is of Water element and is related to the kidney, urinary system, and sexual organs. Excessive Water element this year can cause problems in these areas. And because both the Fire and Earth elements are totally absent, this contributes to weakness in the stomach leading to digestive problems, the pancreas (diabetes), the immune system and issues with the heart, blood or overall vitality.”

♦      “The Rat in 2020 means Fire has gone into an embryo state. Therefore the general economic atmosphere will slow and the pace of growth will go downwards. Looking back to 2008 (again a Rat Year), Wall Street was in turmoil after the financial tsunami of the Sub Prime Mortgage scandal leading to a recession lasting from 2008 to 2013.”

The OXEN’s QUALITIES and Its MYTHOLOGY
The Chinese mythology of the Ox (or Buffalo) is a useful tool for finding some insights into this year ahead. Some stories about the Oxen – the Ox was born from the very essence and heart of a very old pine tree. Its a sign of longevity. Lao-Tse, the great Chinese sage, rode astride an Ox during his travels in the mountains in search of immortality. The transcendent Ox is also able to live thousands of years. From one end of Asia to the other the Ox is considered a sacred animal being an object of veneration everywhere. The Ox figures in Greek and Roman mythology as the bull who was both tireless and who made his way through the mysterious labyrinth as a human’s guide. There he is in the form of the Minotaur (from Crete, he had the body of a man and the head of a bull). In all civilisations the Ox is the assistant to mankind – gracefully and steadily he draws the plough working the virgin earth. He looks immutable and peaceful and he advances steadily. He is the classic Yin, with wisdom, and impassiveness. Read more

WHAT IS The OX YEAR ALL ABOUT?
The previous Metal Ox year was 1961 and the beginning of the Sixties. Now its 60 years on and in the Chinese Hsia calendar, 2021 is symbolised by two Chinese characters – Yin Metal and Yin Earth, the Ox. Yin Metal is the Heavenly Stem (the character on the top), and the Ox is the Earthly Branch (the character on the bottom). In the Five Elements cycle, Earth births Metal. Because the Earthly Branch (Earth) supports the Heavenly Stem (Metal), you can say that this combination represents a more harmonious relationship. Therefore, you might expect 2021 to be a more peaceful year. However, Yin Metal can be compared to that of a delicate piece of jewellery, but the other nature of Yin Metal is cold and brutal, like an ice dagger (see in Game Of Thrones). And in addition, the Ox sign is considered to be “winter earth” and therefore without warmth. When adding these cold elements together you get the picture of a year than can be quite a difficult one. Looking back at the Year of the OX may help us to understand the influences that will affect us in 2021 Click here to read more.

The ELEMENTS of the YEAR
This is Yin Metal year combined with an Earth element from the Ox.  The Ox is an Earth element and contains three hidden Elements -  Earth, Metal, and Water. Therefore there is  none of the Fire element supporting the Earth. This is why, in Chinese astrology it’s said the Ox is the weakest Earth element.  Whenever the Earth element is out of balance (too weak or too strong), it can trigger earth-related disasters. Watch for quakes, earth collapses, sinkholes and especially avalanches if you live in mountain country.

Yin Metal is always associated with beauty because it represents fair skin, good bones and an oval-shaped face. Yet Yin Metal is deceiving because though it may appear gentle, moderate, and graceful on the outside like a diamond, beware of the strong character inside, like a dangerous dagger. Yin Metal people can exhibit harsh and drastic behaviours with a tendency to take strong actions to achieve their goals. Looking at worst examples, some mass killers were born on a Yin Metal Day – Andreas Lubitz, the German Flight 9525 co-pilot who deliberately crashed his passenger flight in the French Alps. Also Anders Breivik, the Norwegian extremist who killed many young students in the Norway in 2011.

WHAT’S Your HEALTH ISSUE In 2021?
In Chinese Medicine the Metal element represents the breathing organs including the lungs, nose and skin. As Metal needs Fire to melt it into useful tools when the Fire element is missing then Metal becomes imbalanced and unhealthy. The 2020 Covid pandemic is about weakness in the Metal element or the lungs. In 2021 we’ll continue to see this as a health problem with more cases of flu and viral infections affecting people’s breathing.  Further, because Fire is totally absent, the Earth element of the Ox is very weak, contributing to the weakness of the stomach with digestive problems and/or diabetes. The weakness in Fire means Fire organs are impacted -  the heart, blood circulation, and overall vitality of the body – following on from Covid19. Some prblems with Water this year can create issues with the urinary system and reproductive organs. To assist with your health consider those supplements such as any antioxidants, Vitamin D, Vitamin C, Coenzyme Q10 and any immune system boosters. 

The OX YEAR TRENDS – WHICH WAY For The ECONOMY?

\Water element which rules worry and fear is still in 2021 so pessimism will continue for part of the year. There may be longer-term setbacks and more economic crises will probably arise. There is no Fire element in the year’s elements until 2025, so we can expect a long slow economic haul and slow market ahead.

Which industries can still thrive in this market?  Remember, the Ox is Earth element and contains three hidden Elements -  Earth, Metal, and Water. Industries belonging to the Fire Element can expect some prosperity because Fire conquers Metal (its unique position), and Metal is Fire’s money. The Fire industries include energy, power generation, restaurants and entertainment – look forward to new moves in the alternative energy industries.  Next are industries belonging to the Earth element because Earth conquers Water and produces Metal. Metal means activity and productivity, and Water inside the Ox also means money, and Water is Earth’s money. Earth industries include real estate, land development, mining, farming, insurance, computer software, and technology. The Metal industries will face serious competition this year. They include automobiles, engineering, banking, and machinery. Keep an eye on banking and currencies, and thus interest rates. Because of the strong emphasis on Yin Earth and the fact its the Oxen’s year, this is a year of slowly tilling the soil to create  sustainability in your life and focus onto creating a more self-sufficient lifestyle with food, crops, gardens, growing your own, simple home cooked food and systems that recycle all the things you normally throw in the bin. Sustainability and recycling will be a key this year.

HOME & BUSINESS FENG SHUI MOVES In 2021
From traditional Feng Shui principles there are Flying numbers called Flying Stars that arrive in different sectors of the house each year to influence a building’s good and bad fortune. In the year of the Ox the Flying Star numbers that create challenges in your home will move on to new locations (see my 20120 Chinese Forecast). There are prosperous energies and the illness and breakdown energies. The good fortune numbers are 8 and 9 and the sickness numbers are 5 and 2. The two most important, the number 5 is called the Yellow Five, and the number 8 is called the White Star. These new numbers move into place on the 4th February each year, the beginning of the Solar year, but its always good to have your remedies in place in the last weeks of January as their influence begins to grow from then. 

In 2021 the Flying Star Number 5 moves into the South East sector of your building symbolising obstacles and misfortune.  It’s best to hang a 6 piece metal windchime to neutralise the 5, and use metallic items and colours here. The worst months will be in April, October, and January 2021. The Number 2 moves into the North which brings sickness and worries, and if you have a front door there then the traditional method is to use red cord tying together six metal coins.  Hang that in the North. The Flying Star 3 is related to conflict and robbery and it will be in the South West. Use a square of red coloured paper up on a wall to minimise the negative influence. And Flying Stars 6 and 7 are in the Centre and North West and can create legal problems or scandals, respectively. The traditional solution is to place 3 bamboo stems in a clear glass vase in the those positions. The Number 8 is in the West and the Number 9 is in the North East sectors of your home. Both are supported by bright colours, the Fire Element and Number 9 is supported by wood features as well.

The Grand Duke -  the Grand Duke is like a large Chinese warrior king and leader on a huge horse. You cannot face him off or you lose. This is the energy of the Ox’s compass direction and this year is in the North East. Those born in the Year of the Ox (1925, 1937, 1949, 1961, 1973, 1985, 1997, 2009) are said to be ‘offending’ the Grand Duke. It means you are offending the energy of the year. Therefore carry a Jade pendant of the Rat to help reduce those negative influences. The Grand Duke being in the North East this year it’s best not to move the earth (earth works) or do substantial construction work in this direction. And its not recommended to sit with your back to the East – otherwise you will be sitting against what’s called the unfavourable energy of the “Three Shars” and this can bring poor luck.

Your YEARLY FORTUNATE FORECAST – The CHINESE ZODIAC
The animal sign that is most unfavourable with the Ox is the Goat. If you were born in the Year of the Goat (1919, 1931, 1943, 1955, 1967, 1979, 1991, 2003, 2015), you are in direct clash with the year. Clashes will bring turbulence, movements, accidents or big changes. You can anticipate more travelling opportunities, and it is a good year to change jobs or move office or house. You need also to carry the Jade Rat pendant for protection. And you need  take extreme care and refrain from participating in any risky sports such as car racing, piloting aeroplanes, skydiving, or parachuting. Famous people born in the Year of the Goat include Bill Gates, Rowan Atkinson, and Nicole Kidman.  And you can be in clash if you were born on the Goat Day too. The clash can be more severe, and you could face a challenging year ahead. This clash can also adversely impact your relationship area with a spouse or anyone of the opposite sex. A couple of interesting things to point out about two world leaders (one ex) – the year 2021 ought to have been favourable for Donald Trump, but the Ox will create what’s called a Three Earth Penalty which will bring him more challenges and enemies. President Joe Biden is a weak Fire person and the Metal and Earth of 2021 are unfavourable to him, so he will face a tough year ahead until his more favourable Tiger year comes in 2022.

The Ox is a ‘Nobleman’ Year for those born on the Day or Year of Yang Wood, Yang Earth, or Yang Metal or if you were born in years ending 4, 8, and 0, such as 1954, 1968, or 1980, etc. Nobleman means forces are coming from heaven to offer you rescue and support. The Nobleman star often brings a solution to obstacles and dangers and it helps to make the year more comfortable and smooths out difficulties. If 2021 is your Nobleman year, go ahead and  develop new projects.

What’s in Store for Each of the Twelve Animal Signs in 2020? 
This is a guide only to the year.  Remember that this is just a simple picture – for complete forecasts for 2020 look at your Four Pillars Chart which is your full Chinese destiny zodiac chart.  It uses Year, Month, Day and the Hour of your birth to get a picture of your character.

 The Chinese zodiac animals that combine well with the Ox are the Rat, Rooster, and Snake. These animals are in a year of harmony. However, don’t rely on this kind of astrology because it is not based on the formal Chinese astrology system. For a more reliable assessment of your fortune, its best to use the full system of the Four Pillars of Destiny so the entire birth chart is analysed as a whole. Because animal signs can appear anywhere within the Four Pillars of a person’s chart, the clash and penalty commentaries are not just confined to your Year Pillar alone. You need to assess how the clash and penalty will impact on your Month, Day, and Hour Pillars as well.


We can now deal with the Chinese Zodiac Animals here one by one….
Note: When the animal is listed here below its element is in brackets.

THE RAT (Water): (1924, ’36, ’48, ’60, ’72, ’84, ’96, 2008, ’20).  This is going to be a good year for Rats following on your 2020 year. Because you combine well with the Ox you can receive support and praise for your efforts. The opportunity to move to locations that suit you better is here now. And relationships are in an upward move. This is the year to find the one you really love or deepen your existing relationship. Note the Nobleman year numbers.

THE OX (Earth): (1925, ’37, ’49, ’61, ’73, ’85, ’97, 2009).   Your Ox year is here. It can be a very productive and positive year or a difficult one depending on your understandings about yourself and your attitudes. You will find this year that others come to you for advice. This is a year for improving your relationships and for making deeper connections within yourself.

THE TIGER (Wood): (1926, ’38, ’50, ’62, ’74, ’86, ’98, 2010).   The Tiger and the Ox are next to one another so they work well together if you have a Rabbit, Dragon or Rat in your Four Pillars chart (check it). It can be an incredibly good year for you if that works. The most important focus for you this year is the family – put all your efforts into making things work. You may feel the need sometimes to get a break from family so take a holiday. Tigers this year will be very into social justice and fairness in society.  Do lots of good things to help others. Note the Nobleman numbers.

THE RABBIT (Wood): (1927, ’39, 51, ’63, ’75, ’87, ’99, 2011).  The year will not be the best for your finances and you may have to ask others for help at times. Make sure your reserve your spending until next year . If you have property this is a good year for making it work for you. Health is good this year and you need to focus on techniques to assist you such as meditation, Chinese movement arts such as Tai Chi, and Qi Gung.

THE DRAGON (Earth): (1928, ’40, ’52, ’64, ’76, ’88, 2000, ’12).  This year for Dragons is a year of making your stable situation at home work for you. It can be a year of much work for you in your chosen field, and it can boost your career, but don’t over work – it can damage your health. Keep an eye on health needs this year.  Note the Nobleman numbers. 

THE SNAKE (Fire): (1929, ’41, ’53, ’65, ’77, ’89, 2001, ’13).  The Ox assists you this year to get things working for you. There are lots of benefits for you if you apply yourself to the year, but don’t slack off as it will not work. Take advantage of the year’s energy in money and relationships. You can do well with it. Whether at work or in the area of finance you will get the help of other people. 

THE HORSE (Fire): (1930, ’42, ’54, ’66, ’78, ’90, 2002, ’14).  The Ox year brings you relief from last year’s trouble with the Rat.  The things that matter most in 2021 are your family, your children and work. There may be some obstacles this year but they will be more of the smaller type related to family issues. Health is something to pay great attention to this year. Take care of your everyday approaches and be honest with others. See Nobleman numbers.

THE SHEEP/GOAT (Earth): (1919, ’31, ’43, ’55, ’67, ’79, ’91, 2003, ’15).  Your year will be interesting as the Sheep/Goat is opposite to the Oxen in Chinese charts so its called a clash of signs. If you have a relationship then you need to put some effort into keeping it going, or it may give way. The year can bring turbulence, accidents or big changes. There may be travelling opportunities and its a good year to change jobs, move office or house. Best way is to focus your energies at developing yourself and getting out and about to meet others. This helps you overcome the clash effect.

THE MONKEY (Metal): (1920, ’32, ’44, ’56, ’68, ’80, ’92, 2004, ’16).   Monkeys are ruled by Metal element so this year is good for you. Look to the money flow this year as it will continue from last year. Look also to your love life as it needs some supporting in 2021.  If you don’t, things may slow right down. You may find work is a central aspect and even get slightly overloaded.  Take a breather then when you feel pressured. Note the Nobleman numbers.

THE ROOSTER (Metal): (1921, ’33, ’45, ’57, ’69, ’81, ’93, 2005, ’17).  You are also ruled by Metal so Roosters will continue with money luck. Your relationships are going well this year and keep it that way. One thing to watch out for are legal issues, do not take on any legal fights as you may not do well, even if you feel you are in the right. Health is good this year so keep your health regimes going.

THE DOG (Earth): (1922, ’34, ’46, ’58, ’70, ’82, ’94, 2006, ’18).   In the Chinese zodiac the Ox and the Dog have a penalty relationship meaning that 2021 can generally feel to be a slower year and things may need to be pushed along to brighten yourself up. Situations where others blame you or criticise you may be common. Look very much to health regimes you have already as health issues may be prominent. Dogs have a skill where they can always see the big picture, so any difficulties can be resolved using that view. Insomnia may be an issue at times this year. Note the Nobleman numbers.

THE PIG (Water): (1923, ’35, ’47, ’59, ’71, ’83, ’95, 2007, ’19).   The Ox and the Pig have a good relationship so things this year will come from finding support from others you don’t expect. Look especially to friends born in the year of the Rat. Pay attention to the health of your family as there may be illness issues, which can be expensive. Any study you do can bring you good results in 2021. Working hard this year and having the support of others is good for you .

Visit:  http://www.feng-shui-institute.org/Chinese_Astrology/free4pillars.html  
for a full calculation of your chart.

May you Greatly Prosper, Experience Abundance and Be Successful in 2021.
Richard Giles,

Feng Shui Practitioner and Astrologer, Visit the Webb:  http://richardgiles.info
Facebook pages:  Astrologer, Feng Shui & Earth Energy Practitioner .
Shungite Australia.