Happy Chinese New Year to all! According to Chinese Astrology, the year of the Silver Ox begins on February 12, and ends on January 31, 2022. The year of the Silver Ox and Feng Shui of our homes: how to harmonize the astral energies of the new solar cycle.
Keywords for the Silver Ox: justice, independence, willpower, intensity, righteousness, determination and ability to concentrate. Equivalent zodiac sign: Capricorn.
Symbol: kettle or cauldron
2021, The Year of the Ox
Under the combination Ox + Metal element (Silver Ox) are those born between February 15, 1961 and February 4, 1962.
Those born in 1973, 1985, 1997 and 2009 also belong to the sign of Ox, but their combination with the Earthly Branches is different and they are subject to other energies of the cycle of the 5 elements or 5 phases.
The corresponding sign of the zodiac is Capricorn (Western astrology).
The Ox and all cattle are blessed by the compassionate Chinese goddess Kwan Yin for their gentle and peaceful nature. The Taoists harnessed the Ox, which they reputed a hard-worker animal, but they did not milk their cows, because all bovins were sacred for them. The mythical golden-furred ox king named Niu Wang protected cattle from epidemics. In the Buddhist tradition, the White Ox symbolizes wisdom and contemplation. In some translations, the Chinese term 牛 is translated water buffalo, bull or cow.
According to an ancient Taoist legend, humans have a special relationship with the Ox. The early rural communities often suffered from hunger and feared famine. To help humanity, the gods took the Ox from Heaven, where iy was a star, to send it to Earth. The deities instructed the Ox to explain humans that with its help they would avoid famine and eat once every three days. The Ox got it wrong and told humans that they would eat three times a day. To turn its words into truth, the Ox had to work hard and bear many burdens without complaining.
The Silver Ox
The most favoured signs in 2021 along with the Ox are the Snake (1929, 1941, 1953, 1965, 1977, 1989, 2001, 2013) and the Rooster (1932, 1944, 1956, 1968, 1980, 1992, 2004, 2016), which in the Western tradition correspond respectively to Taurus and Virgo.
The most disadvantaged sign in 2021 is the Sheep (1931, 1943, 1955, 1967, 1979, 1991, 2003, 2015) but the Hare and the Boar can also encounter some difficulties.
The year of the Ox is the right time to work hard. As the Ox plows the fields, so we must toil to achieve results, through diligent work and conscientious effort. You have to put your affairs in order, starting at home and immerse yourself in a routine, proven methods and conservative actions. New and crazy ideas will not be welcome and are to be kept aside for the following year of the Tiger. It is not the time for the lazy, those who do not work, do not eat. But if you refrain from rebellion, follow the rules and try to obey the rules, there will be a bountiful harvest. Conservative policies are to be envisaged.
HOW TO HARMONIZE THE YEAR OF THE OX AND FENG SHUI AT HOME?
The Terrestrial Branch corresponding to the Ox is the second, chǒu (丑), its azimuthal direction is 30 ° and the corresponding element in Wuxing is Water. This means that, whatever our sign, in order to prepare well our home for the energies of the Chinese new year we must favour the direction (30 °) and the reference element (Water), even if, being the combination of the year 2021 with the 12 Terrestrial Branches corresponding to Metal, we will have to pay attention to this element, which, compared to Water, is in the role of generator in the cycle of the 5 elements or phases (Wuxing).
Going into more detail, the 30 ° direction should be interpretated as an angle of 30 ° between 15 ° and 45 ° within the Ba Gua of the Chinese Compass; therefore our 2021 direction will be north-northeast.
Taking into account that a positive combination between Metal and Water is created, we will have to take care of the Earth-Metal-Water-Wood energy chain with attention to the Wood which will be the outlet of the Water if this is too abundant under the pressure of the Metal of the Silver Ox.
We then identify on the Ba Gua which areas of our home fall in the directions of Water (north) and Metal (west and northwest) and we check if colours, materials and shapes follow harmoniously the sequence of the 5 elements cycle, by strengthening it where we realize that there are shortcomings.
In the west and northwest let us not miss objects of oval or round shape, or interior design elements in the shape of an arch, using materials of fake silver or gold. In the north, on the other hand, let’s try to use soft, curvilinear shapes, without obvious symmetries, letting the imagination expand as does the water which takes always the shape of its containers.
For the Chinese New Year 2021 in particular, we are going to “load” the north-northeast sector with the classic symbols of the Silver Ox: the kettle or the cauldron.
Black ceramic Fenghsui cauldron with lucky coin
Chinese kettle
These are general indications, but, as already indicated in other sections of the site, specific cures should be taken, suited to the characteristics of the environment and its inhabitants.