The Wood Goat year arrives on 4 February 2015 according to the Chinese solar calendar. However, Chinese New year will be celebrated widely on February 19 this year as the lunar year starts on this date. Goat-sometimes called Sheep as well- 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 Goat favours and which encounters might spell potential danger.

 

COMBINATION SIGNS with GRAND DUKE GOAT

Horse, Pig and Rabbit are the signs that have a combination relationship with Goat. People born in the years shown below will mostly have a pleasant year ahead due to this special harmonious relationship throughout 2015.

HORSE: 1942-1954-1966-1978-1990-2002…

The presence of Surpassing Path star emphasises the need to slow down and pay attention to one’s well being. Sickness Charm star may indicate health issues this year and Horses could really protect themselves from the ill effects of this star by having a proper diet, appropriate exercise and perhaps even some relaxation techniques.

As Grand Duke Combination will be assisting and helping them all the way through, Horses can look forward to a wonderful year ahead as long as they do their best to take care of their body, spirit and mind.

PIG: 1947-1959-1971-1983-1995-2007…

The best news for Pig this year is the visiting Three Stages Star and National Treasure Star. Three Stages brings good connections and excellent communication skills. National Treasure makes sure that  hard work is recognised and appreciated by the right people.

The presence of the less positive stars such as Flying Charm and Officer Charm could be challenging at times. Back Poking Star might signal that Pigs should be careful to whom they trust as well. However Pigs can always protect themselves from these negative influences by being prepared for every situation possible. A wonderful year could be ahead for the Pig who threads carefully.

RABBIT: 1939-1951-1963-1975-1987-1999-2011…

Rabbit is one of the luckiest signs this year with a cluster of four auspicious stars. The General Star will make sure Rabbits are always surrounded by people who help and support them.

Sky Relief Star will assist solving problems effortlessly. Relief God Star is there to protect Rabbits from all the ill effects of negative stars. And of course the icing on the cake: the Golden Lock Star that promises strong wealth luck all through the Goat year. So, Rabbits rejoice and make the most of this brilliant year.

SIGN IN “CLASH” WITH GOAT:

OX: 1949-1961-1973-1985-1997-2009…

People born in the year of the Ox are in a clash, or conflict, with Goat. Being in clash is not always a bad thing as is commonly believed. This could suggest many changes and much travelling throughout the year for people born in an Ox year. If you are planning to move house or travel a great deal, now 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 Ox year wear a Horse 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, Goat pairing himself with his good friend Horse, will ignore altogether the troublesome encounter with Ox. 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, Ox, make sure to wear your Horse pendant.

This is equally important for those born on an Ox 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 Horse pendant as protection from unexpected, and unwanted, situations.

Those born in the Ox month, 6 January- 3 February , will most definitely feel the difference for better or worse. As Goat clashes with Ox in the month pillar, it activates it. Earth Clashes are like no other clashes and this element actually gets stronger through a clash instead of weak. So, if Earth is your favourable element you might benefit from this clash. It also implies changes regarding career and/or your parents.

OFFENDING THE GRAND DUKE

GOAT: 1943, 1955, 1967, 1979, 1991, 2003…

People born in the year of Goat are said to be offending the Grand Duke Jupiter this year. This is not just a Chinese superstition, as I first thought when I 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 Goat year should at least wear a Horse 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 Goat, Great General Yang Xian is on duty. The last time he was here was during the previous Wood Goat year, 1955, and he isn’t coming back again before 2075.

Being in a penalty relationship can be rather challenging as well. Depending on how favourable the Fire element is and other factors such as combinations 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.

Probably, the most auspicious star present in Goat is the Elegant Seal. For all Goats this year, learning new subjects can be easy and fun as Elegant Seal is an academic star.

This actually offers the key to success for most Goats this year; find a subject you are passionate about and make time to study it, having lots of fun, while staying in maintenance mode in all other areas. At the end of the year, you’ll have a new skill that will benefit you for many years to come.

EARTH PENALTY, OX-DOG-GOAT

When these three earth element branches come together from the four pillars, the year and/or the luck cycle, the earth penalty is formed.  The earth penalty might not affect the person in question in a negative way if earth element is favourable. However it might bring some turbulence anyway depending on the pillar in which it is found. It is highly recommended for all people who have this penalty to wear a pendant of Horse to minimise the ill effects.

OX: 1949-1961-1973-1985-1997-2009…

DOG: 1946, 1958, 1970, 1982, 1994, 2006…

GOAT: 1943, 1955, 1967, 1979, 1991, 2003…
Please check your BaZi chart to see if you have any of these three earthly branches forming earth penalty in your day pillar, hour pillar and luck cycle.

If you do find a penalty formation, please do not panic. First find out how this penalty might influence you and which aspects of your life. The secret of coming out of serious earth penalty unharmed is to use this excessive earth qi in a positive manner, or give it a purpose and structure it before it has the chance to attack you. This can only happen if you do not take precautions and thereby allow it.

You might ask how to structure or give an outlet for excessive earth element. Taking up a new hobby, such as gardening and becoming a keen gardener is one example of structuring earth energy. Of course there are many other activities that could also exhaust excessive earth. So, there is actually no bad news, it is all about what one is willing to do to turn around the potential negativity to ones favour.

NOBLEMAN STAR

Nobleman represents help from Heaven and helpful people in general who are always there for us. Goat brings the Nobleman star to people born in the year of:

yang Wood (甲 – jiǎ) :1944, 1954, 1964, 1974, 1984, 2004, 2014.

yang Earth (戊 – wù ): 1948, 1958, 1986, 1978, 2008.

yang Metal (庚 – gēng ): 1940, 1950, 1960, 1970, 1980, actually all the years ending with 0 are yang Metal years.

If you have these three stems as your day master, you will also have the helping hand of the Nobleman star all through the Goat year. To find out your day branch you need to look it up in Tung Shu, Chinese calendar.

STAR of ROMANCE

RAT (1948, 1960, 1972, 1984, 1996, 2008…)

Goat brings the Peach Blossom star to Rat. This star makes one appear attractive, sometimes to the opposite sex. For a single man or woman, if the Star of Romance is a favourable element, it can even mean marriage if found on the day pillar. There is even a stronger chance for romance if the stems combine. For example, if you are a man with day pillar yang Metal/Rat.

For the rest of us happily married and with children, Star of Romance can suggest being more likeable and more socialising in general.

Rats are also blessed this year by the presence of Month Virtue Star. This auspicious star both gives all the help needed for success and protection from the ill effects of negative stars.

Jade Hall Star is the extra bonus for Rats this year. With the help of this wonderful star Rats will excel in their careers and their wealth luck could improve as a result. So, Rats will have a lot to look forward to this year.

I would also like to list some of the auxiliary stars affecting the fortunes of the rest of the 12 Branches. The years and the months for each branch will be given here. Please check your hour and day branches as well, to get a more balanced and detailed understanding of your overall fortune for the year ahead.

MONKEY: 1944, 1956, 1968, 1980, 1992, 2004…

Monkeys are blessed with excellent relationships this year, favouring romance in particular by the Red Matchmaker Star.

However the biggest bonus for Monkey this year is the Sun Star,Tai Yang that is one of the four most auspicious stars. This powerful star brings all opportunities for an excellent career and wealth luck. It looks like the Goat year will be a happy and fulfilling year for most Monkeys.

ROOSTER: 1945, 1957, 1969, 1981, 1993, 2005…

Even though there is a cluster of negative stars in Rooster this year, they can still have a good and productive year by making the best of what they’ve got, not taking risks in career-love-finance and remembering that facing difficulties and transforming them will only make them stronger.

A challenging year ahead probably, still with every chance of success for those Roosters who stay in the maintenance mode-so to speak. It will be a big bonus if Rooster has a lucky sign such as Rabbit, Dragon, Dog or Monkey in hour, day and/or month pillars that will help to soften the tricky Rooster luck through the Goat year.

DOG: 1946, 1958, 1970, 1982, 1994, 2006…

The biggest bonus for Dogs this year is the Moon Star, Tai Yin that is one of the four most auspicious stars. With the presence of this powerful star, wealth and prosperity improve and oftentimes all help and support needed for overcoming difficulties in the process is offered by female family members, female elders and/or female VIPs.

Earth Relief is yet another helpful star that has the power to transform all negative beginnings into positive outcomes. With the aid of these two powerful stars, there will be an exciting and fruitful year ahead for most Dogs.

TIGER: 1938, 1950, 1962, 1974, 1986, 1998, 2010…

 One of the four most auspicious stars, Dragon Virtue is in Tiger this year. The benefits of this magnificent star are far-reaching with the power of transforming all negative situations into positive ones.

The presence of Emperor Star signals status, power and improved ranking. You will feel that everything you do turns out right with the help of this wonderful star. The celebration star Sky Happiness also graces Tiger this year. All kinds of celebrations such as weddings, engagements, births, graduations are all likely with the influence of this star.

There will be plenty of opportunities for a successful and fulfilling year ahead for most Tigers.

DRAGON: 1940, 1952, 1964, 1976, 1988, 2000, 2012…

Dragon appears to be one of the luckiest signs this year along with Rabbit. The presence of Fortune Virtue Star signals being surrounded by helpful people. This wonderful star also gives protection from all other harmful stars. One of the other attributes of Fortune Virtue is the availability of plenty of good food. So, watch out if you do not want to pile on the pounds…

Prosperity Star and Heavenly Virtue Star will surely bring career success and promotions to the fully committed and hard working Dragons.

With so much positive going on for Dragon this year, it seems the key word is “focus” if Dragons want to make progress and not get swayed away by the effects of the less positive stars such as Drapes Star, Crossing Sha and Curled Tongue.

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

Probably the best news for Snakes this year is the Eight Seats Star visiting. This star not only enhances learning, it also assists personal development through deepening ones understanding of life long endeavours.

Eight Seats Star also ensures meeting the right people and making the right connections that will lead one to success.

Another wonderful star visiting Snake this year is the Sky Horse Star. With the influence of this beneficial star, Snakes will travel far and wide it could bring them more luck both in career and wealth.

Sky Dog and Funeral Guest Star are the less favourable stars in Snake this year. However it may not be as bad as it sounds, it may simply suggest potential trouble if one takes part in funerals and wakes. If possible it is best to stay away, just in case.

Still, Snakes will have wonderful and fulfilling year ahead.

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…

 

CHINESE SOLAR MONTHS

Rat month: 7 December – 6 January

Ox month: 7 January – 3 February.

Tiger month: 4 February – 5 March.

Rabbit month: 6 March – 4 April.

Dragon month: 5 April – 5 May

Snake month: 6 May – 5 June.

Horse month: 6 June – 6 July.

Goat month: 7 July- 6 August.

Monkey Month: 7 August – 7 September

Rooster month: 8 September – 7 October.

Dog month: 8 October – 6 November.

Pig month: 7 November – 6 December.