2020 Year of The Metal Rat

The Year of the Earth Pig is ending and the year of the METAL RAT is right here. The lunar year started on January 25 and the solar year starts on February 4. Although the Lunar year is more celebrated, we use the solar New Year for proper analysis in classical Feng Shui.
The Rat is the first of the Chinese animal zodiac. According to Chinese folklore, the Jade Emperor decided that the order of the animals would be based on the order they arrive at his party. The Rat arrived before anyone else.
The Rat is smart, quick-witted, industrious, and able to accumulate wealth effortlessly. The Rat has a Yang energy and symbolizes the beginning of a new day. 
The Year of the Metal Rat happens once every 60 years. The last time was in 1960 and before that in 1900. This year, it will begin February 4, 2020 at 5:18pm, Universal Time – time at the Greenwich Meridian. 

Every year new energies visit the eight cardinal and inter-cardinal directions that are felt by the occupants. According to the energy in that sector, it will have an auspicious or inauspicious impact on you and your life if your home or business faces that direction, if you sleep with your head to it, work or spend long periods of time facing it, if you cook regularly and the stove knobs face the direction, or if you often use a door opening to the direction.

If I have already Feng Shui-ed your space, the information below does not apply since I used more advanced formulae and analysis. 

These new annual energies can affect you in many ways as described below:

In the NORTH the annual Energy of Arguments visits. Act, react and behave with caution since it indicates gossips, misunderstanding, fighting, arguments, and legal issues – even divorce. If your bedroom is located in this sector, you and your partner may end up arguing a lot. Minimize activities in the North this year.

In the NORTHEAST the Nobleman Energy is visiting. It is superb for money, sales, and self- improvement. If your front door faces Northeast between 22.6 and 37.5 degrees, if you sleep to it, work or spend long periods of time facing it, this year may offer great opportunities. If your home faces Northeast between 37.6 and 67.5 degrees, you may not be as lucky and may experience issues with water such as plumbing issues. Hang metal bells at your front door to mitigate the negative effects.

In the EAST, the “5” Yellow Star Energy or Wu Wang in Chinese, is visiting. It is a major troublemaker in all areas including money, relationships and health. Keep this sector as calm as possible, avoid sleeping with your head to it or sitting facing it. Hold off any renovations, remodeling, drilling, hammering, and digging until next year. 

In the SOUTHEAST, the Energy of Power and Recognition is visiting this year. It indicates working hard for your money, a good year for your career and receiving needed support, more business and opportunities, recognition, money, authority, and power at work. This is benevolent energy. If the main door of your office is located in this sector, use it frequently and watch your status and influence grow.

In the SOUTH, the Energy of Health visits and makes you prone to health issues, mostly in the reproductive organs, stomach, and digestive system as well as having difficulty becoming pregnant. You may also suffer from depression. If your home faces South between 157.6 and 172.5 degrees, hang metal bells or wind chimes at the front door to weaken this energy.
In the SOUTHWEST the Romance and Travel Energy visits and brings loving energy, which may rekindle and strengthen your relationship or attract a partner if you are single. It may bring publicity and recognition at work, stimulate your creativity and book writing and take you on trips.  Avoid water features (fountain, swimming pool…) in this sector, if you are in a relationship.

In the WEST, the Long Term Prosperity Energy indicates future wealth, such as return on investments, promotions, as well as success in your career and overall happiness including marriage and celebrations.

In the NORTHWEST, the Wealth & Finance Energy visits this year.  This is the main wealth sector and could bring money, income, honor, and loyalty too. If your front door is in this sector, you will benefit from these positive energies. If not, you may still harness its benefits with a water feature such as a fish tank or a water fountain or with Yang objects such as a TV, a large clock or a grandfather clock. Try to use this sector more. 

The CENTER PALACE is governed by the Energy of Robbers and Thieves. If the sector is activated, it may make your life and business difficult with deals falling through, people who owe you money not reimbursing you, as well as people sweet-talking and stealing from you. If your front door is located in the Center Palace, there is a higher risk of being burglarized; lock the door and turn on the alarm system. This energy can also affect your physical and emotional well-being. 

Remember that if the overall Feng Shui of your home is good, you’ll be less or little affected by the negative visiting energies.
This year can be very positive depending on what energy is being activated in your home and business. New energy is needed to clean out the old and manifest new opportunities to take us to the next level.
The Year of The Metal Rat will be what you make of it, so make it an amazing year!