Chinese Astrology, Wood Horse Year 2014

The Wood Horse year arrives on 4 February 2014 according to thesolar calendar. However, Chinese New year is celebrated on January 31 that is the beginning of the year in the Lunar calendar. Horse is one of the 12 Animal signs in the astrological system known as the “Four Pillars of Destiny”. It is so named because it consists of four columns, containing data for the hour, day, month and year of birth. Each column contains two Chinese characters, a total of eight. For this reason it is sometimes called Ba Zi (bā zì, 八字), eight characters in Chinese.

The relationships of these 12 animals, based on the two cycles of the five elements in yin and yang forms with each other and (the two elements that come with each new year and) the 10 year luck cycles take the central place in this astrological system. Just examining the two elements of the year pillar in a 4 Pillars chart and comparing these two with the elements that come with the new year, without going in any great depth can give us a general idea of what to expect in regards to the new year. Let us just do that here; look at which animal signs Horse favours and which encounters might spell potential danger.

SIGNS IN “COMBINATION” RELATIONSHIP WITH HORSE:

TIGER: 1940, 1952, 1964, 1976, 1988, 2010…
DOG: 1946, 1958, 1970, 1982, 1994, 2006…
GOAT: 1943, 1955, 1967, 1979, 1991, 2003…Those born on the Goat year are blessed with the presence of one of the four major auspicious stars Tai Yang, the Great Sun. This star has the power to dissipate all negative influences and brings the support of Nobleman, suggesting that help and assistance will be easily available whenever it is needed.

People born in the years shown above can expect a harmonious time in general and good luck throughout 2014.

SIGN IN “CLASH” WITH HORSE:

RAT: 1948, 1960, 1972, 1984, 1996, 2008…

People born in the year of the Rat are in a clash, or conflict, with Horse. Being in clash is not always a bad thing as it is commonly believed. This could suggest many changes and much travelling throughout the year for people born in a Rat year. If you are planning to move house or travel a great deal, now it is the time to do so. Fulfilling a clash will naturally avert potential turbulence as a clash sometimes implies turbulence. It is recommended that all those born in the Horse year wear a Goat pendant to protect themselves from likely accidents. One might ask how a pendant can protect one from accidents. Elemental influences in nature, represented by the 12 animal signs, prefer to have the good company of friendly forces rather than conflict. Who would chose to have a fight instead of the company of a good friend?

So, Horse pairing himself with his good friend Goat, will ignore altogether the troublesome encounter with Rat. This is how it works in a nut-shell. We also should not forget the power of our intention. Any precaution taken as a symbolic act with the intention of averting any kind of danger will have a positive effect in our conscious experience, by at least making us more vigilant. As my Space Clearing teacher Denise Linn used to say “where intention goes, energy flows.” So, Pig, make sure to wear your Monkey pendant.

This is equally important for those born on a Rat day, as a clash in the House of Spouse might indicate changes in your marital status. I’ve seen many people getting married or having problems with their partners when this house is in conflict, as this usually indicate “change”. It can also mean that your husband/wife will be travelling a great deal this year. Even if you’re single, expecting to get married this year, still wear the Goat pendant as protection from unexpected, and unwanted, situations.

Those born in the Rat month, 7/8 December- 6 January , will most definitely feel the difference for better or worse. As Horse clashes with Rat in the month pillar, it activates it. So, if Water is your favourable element you might benefit from this clash. It also implies changes regarding carrier and/or your parents.

OFFENDING THE GRAND DUKE & PENALTY:

HORSE: 1942-1954-1966-1978-1990-2002…

People born in the year of Horse are said to be offending the Grand Duke Jupiter this year. This is not just a Chinese superstition, as I first thought when I just started studying the Four Pillars. My observations soon taught me that the Grand Duke, Tai Sui, can create serious obstacles, if one is not careful. Anyone born in a Horse year should at least wear a Goat pendant for protection. It is also a good idea to stay in maintenance mode so to speak and not to start big projects and taking risks. The Grand Duke Tai Sui’s image is often seen in Buddhist and Taoist temples as a big angry man and it seems that he doesn’t appreciate sharing his territory with others. On the second day of the New Year, many Chinese (especially those who are offending him) go to temples and pray in front of the image of the current Grand Duke and ask for his protection. Rituals for pacifying Tai Sui are also performed on the first and the 15th day of each lunar month for further protection.

There are considered to be 60 heavenly generals who assist the Jade Emperor in taking care of the world of the mortals and each of them takes turn to be in charge for a year. Due to most of them having a military background, they are normally known as the Military Generals, or as the Cycle Gods. During the year of Wood Horse, Great General Zhang Ci is on duty. The last time he was here was during the previous Wood Horse year, 1954, and he isn’t coming back again before 2074.

Being in a penalty relationship can be rather challenging as well. Depending on how favourable the Fire element is and other factors such as combines that can mitigate the situation, the penalty can unfold in many different ways, health issues being one of them. It is highly recommended to wear a Goat pendant for people born on the day and year of Horse.

NOBLEMAN STAR

Nobleman represents help from Heaven and helpful people in general who are always there for us. Horse brings the Nobleman star to people born on the day and year of yin Metal. 1941, 1951, 1961, 1971, 1981, actually all the years ending with 1 are yin Metal years. To find out your day branch you need to look it up in Tung Shu, Chinese calendar.

ACADEMIC STAR

Generally this star brings excellence in studies. It will be easier to master difficult subjects under the influence of this wonderful star. It is also great time to publish books. If your year or day stem is yin Wood, you will benefit from this wonderful star all through 2014. For those born in 1943, 1953, 1963, 1973, 1983, 1993 and 2003, the year stem is yin Wood.

Yang Wood stem of 2014, brings the Academic star for those born on the day and year of Snake as well. To find out your day branch you need to look it up in Tung Shu, Chinese calendar.

STAR of ROMANCE

Horse also brings the Star of Romance to those born in day and year of Snake, Rooster and Ox. This star makes one appear attractive, especially to the opposite sex. For a single man or woman, if the Star of Romance is a favourable element, it can even mean marriage. For the rest of us happily married and children, it can indicate being more likeable, more in the limelight and more socialising in general.

SNAKE: 1941, 1953, 1965, 1977. 1989, 2001…

ROOSTER: 1945, 1957, 1969, 1981, 1993, 2005…This sign has also one of the four auspicious stars Tai Yin, the Great Moon. The presence of this star indicates Roosters will do very well financially this year.

OX: 1937, 1949, 1961, 1973, 1985, 1997, 2009…Ox also has the auspicious star Dragon Virtue. Existing problems might all be resolved by the presence of this star.

Chinese New Year celebrations take place on the new Moon, the first day of the year in the Chinese lunisolar calendar. This date varies, as the lunar months are only 28 days in length, shorter than the solar months, and sometimes a 13th, or intercalary, month needs to be added. Please note that in the Four Pillars of Destiny we only use the Chinese solar calendar, also called the farmer’s calendar. The solar new year starts with the first day of spring, the beginning of the first solar month Tiger, which usually falls on 4 February. If you are born for example, in January 1965, your birth year is Dragon and not Snake.

 

A happy, healthy and prosperous Wood Horse year to all…