FEW days before the year 2010 ends, Feng Shui consultant Joy Lim had a sit-in interview with Sun.Star to give her advises on how to mark the New Year and enhance good fortune in 2011 - the year of the Golden Rabbit.
Though a Chinese tradition, it is a fact that majority of the Filipinos practice the art and science of Feng Shui.
In 2011, the Chinese New Year falls on February 4.
According to Lim, the year of the Golden Rabbit does not carry the luck of the Metal Tiger of 2010. This is because of the presence of the number seven violent star, which spells danger, illnesses, and accidents.
She said everyone should be wary of people with evil intentions and be careful with whom to trust.
Year 2011 is also predicted to suffer from more cases of burglary and theft.
Lucky signs
Snake, Dragon, Ox, and Tiger are the lucky signs in 2011.
Lim said those born under the year of the Snake are more likely to attract wealth.
They are very lucky when it comes to business, plans in the future, and transactions because of the presence of the heaven's luck or good star in the Southeast.
"There will be a lot of unexpected blessings coming in. Pwedeng manalo sa lottery, may mamana sa parents, and in so many ways," Lim said.
Lim urged them to be more generous and acknowledge those who helped them achieve their luck.
It is also an auspicious year for the Dragon, especially those who are working abroad and seeking greener pastures.
Business and money will come easily for those born under this sign, but they need to focus more on their health because they are prone to illnesses.
Year 2011 is a better year for the Ox. They will taste the sweet victory of their labor.
The Ox sign will be successful in putting up business and will excel academically in their careers.
Lim advised them to place a bejewelled ox in the Northeast to activate the god of wealth and enhance good productivity.
Things are looking great too for the Tigers after they experienced misfortunes in 2010.
They will enjoy unexpected luck and blessings, which comes from helpful people and above. But they need to stay focus because they are more vulnerable than usual to some losses and robbery.
Meanwhile, those born under the year of the Rat and Horse are not as lucky as that of the Snake, Dragon, Ox, and Tiger.
Though they are looking forward to unexpected blessings, the Rat and Horse signs may still experience downfall in 2011.
Rats, in particular, will have concerns in their personal relationship.
"Fights might erupt on regular basis... troubles might create misunderstanding," added Lim. "They need to carry on more patience so that issues will not lead to arguments, separation or even lawsuits."
For the Horse, Lim said they need to take extra care with their health because they are more prone to accidents.
They are also more vulnerable to backstabbing and will easily lose their temper. It is best to work on conflict management skills to attract more luck and prosperity.
The Goat sign, especially those seeking educational endeavors, are looking good in 2011. They should remember that learning need not be limited to formal schooling.
Lim urged them to exert more effort and be more motivated. It will be a better year especially for children born under the year of the Goat.
The old saying "Sometimes you're up, sometimes you're down" is fit for the Monkey signs.
Luck climbs back for them and love is definitely on the air. This is the good time for single Monkeys to find their perfect match.
But Lim asked them to be cautious because playing around might lead to separation from loved ones.
This is also a good year for the Monkeys who are still in school and seeking to achieve higher education, but wealth is still not on top of their wheel.
If 2010 is the best year for Rooster, 2011 proves to be the opposite. The three killings, believed to bring three types of misfortune, move to their corner.
The Rooster signs, said Lim, are at risk of experiencing losses such as in love, wealth, and reputation. They need to take extra care of their health and might be afflicted with natural disasters or accident.
The stroke of luck will still continue for the Dog. A good financial year is indicated, but they have to remember to continue exerting effort and strive for success.
For the year of the Pig, luck continues in 2011 too. It is also a good financial year for them and they need to take advantage of opportunities.
Those who are in the business can tweak more business strategies while those who are trying to boost their careers may get promotions.
Though 2011 is a Golden Rabbit, it would be an unlucky year for those born under this sign.
Tragedy or disaster may occur because of the presence of the feared five killings.
Lim urged the Rabbit signs not to lose hope against all the adversities they are yet to face and not to give up because 2012 indicates a better year for them.
Compass directions
Every year, Feng Shui experts give high importance on the location of Tai Sui.
Lim explained that Tai Sui or otherwise known as the Grand Duke of Jupiter is like king of all kings and carries with it all misfortunes. Thus, the location of Tai Sui must be left undisturbed.
In 2011, Tai Sui is going to the East.
With this as basis, Lim said the general Feng Shui tip next year is "avoid the East and West".
She further said that even as Tai Sui is in the East, the three killings will be in the West direction in 2011.
"Because the negative energy is very strong in the East due to the presence of Tai Sui, the West direction is somehow affected. Since the parallel of East is the West, there is possibility that the West absorbs the negative energy coming from the East."
For Filipinos to be guided on this, Lim enumerates the compass directions of all animal signs for 2011.
* Snake - Southeast
* Dragon - Southeast
* Ox - Northeast
* Tiger - Northeast
* Rat - North
* Horse - South
* Monkey - Southwest
* Goat - Southwest
* Pig - Northwest
* Rooster - West
* Dog - Northwest
* Rabbit - East
Based on these compass directions, it is obvious why 2011 is not a good year for the Rabbit. This is because their direction is the East, which is the location of Tai Sui next year.
Same is true with the Rooster. Their direction is the West where the three killings are present.
On the contrary, it is safe to say that the lucky direction for 2011 is the Southeast. This explains why those born under the year of the Snake and the Dragon will get unexpected blessings.
Lim also shared the lucky directions for 2011.
Travel luck is in the Northwest. Lim said if you wish to go to places next year, you could put a globe or print out flags of countries you want to visit in the Northwest part of your house.
Money luck, on the other hand, is in the Southeast. Placing waterfalls in this direction of the house will be lucky too.
Fame luck next year is in the South while luck for good education is in the Northeast.
Welcoming the New Year
New Year celebration is something every Filipino looks forward to planning and that it has become a tradition to prepare "pampasuwerte" in the house before the clock strikes 12.
Sun.Star asked Lim what are her Top 5 must-do in marking the New Year. Below is her list.
1) If you went through a lot this year, write all your misfortunes in a paper and turn or make it into a paper boat. After doing so, sail your paper boat in a river. A boat shape symbolizes protections if you are going through a lot. It is believed that boat will sail you to a better life.
2) Forgiveness is important. Forgive to be forgiven. It is good to start a light life.
3) Have a sack of rice in the house. This symbolizes abundance and good food for the family.
4) Have money in your pocket.
5) On the first day of the year, go to Church.
As for the number of fruits to be prepared on the table, Lim said it does not matter how many fruits. But she noted it is important to make sure that the fruits do not have black seeds as "black seeds mean black omen."
It is observed that Filipino families vary in the number of fruits they serve during the Media Noche. Some prefer 12 fruits while others go for 13.
When sought for her comment, Lim said 12 represents the number of months in a year. Others add one making it 13, but she admitted she does not favor 13 since it is not a good number in Feng Shui.
For Lim, it is best to prepare oranges or kiat-kiat. As to how many, she said 12 will do and if you wish to have more then make it 24 or 36.
The Feng Shui consultant also said having garlic in the house is good for abundance.
The popular throwing of candies and chocolates could be done. This represents harmonious and loving relationship inside the house.
All homes, said Lim, should stock water as the country will still experience problems on water supply just like in 2010.
As for the lucky color, anything near gold is good and Lim said purple is the best and luckiest color in 2011.
Her words
Wrapping up the interview, Lim said Feng Shui is all about maintaining a good and positive life.
She added that though things are not looking good for some signs, hard work and optimism will matter in the end.
"Wala namang mawawala sa atin if we practice all these stuff eh... For me I always define life as half destined and half is how we make it."
She named three secrets to success -- faith in God, hard work, and the practice of Feng Shui.
According to Lim, if you have faith in God and works hard and yet you are still not successful, then it is when Feng Shui enters the picture.
She clarified Feng Shui does not contradict religion and that it is in fact an art and science.
"If you really practice it (Feng Shui) right, overwhelming yung swerte kaya you should always share because babalik din yun sayo."
Lim has been in the Feng Shui business for 15 year now. Among her clients are established names in the entertainment business like Boy Abunda and Kris Aquino.
As a parting message, she said: "Thank you for trusting our forecasts... better na may charms na magagamit... always prayers and effort." (Glaiza Jarloc/Joy Flores-Ablanida/Sunnex)
