Happy (Chinese) New Year!

The Chinese New Year began on Jan. 26. We welcomed in the Year of the Ox. Three days later (Jan. 29th) we welcomed our second grandson into the world! His Chinese Zodiac sign is an Earth Ox. Steadfast and true. Wonderful things await him. He is destined to achieve great things. He has good company - others born in a year of the Earth Ox are Barak Obama, Abraham Lincoln, Leonardo DaVinci, Donald Trump, Charles Darwin and Sigmund Freund. 

And what does the Ox Year hold for all of us? It will be a year of hard work. There will be no room for free rides or skating through. Hard workers will be rewarded. Laziness will not. This is the year to lay the foundation for the future. Get papers in order, your life back on track, make and follow a budget, plan your financial future. The stock market will continue to cool off, but will slowly gain more stability. Investors will be more cautious and practical. Frivolous or impractical items will not sell well, but useful and necessary items will.  It will be a year of more harmony and peace, healing and recovering from turbulent times. It is a time for rebuilding from damage brought by war and natural disasters. There will be hands across the table of different cultures, religious beliefs and beginning to care for one another. There will be some achievement in solving environmental issues. This is the year to care for our planet earth. It is a Yin Earth Year, representing a field or garden. There will be more attention paid to earth aspects of the world - housing, rebuilding, and agriculture. There will continue to be trouble in the airline industry and more airline accidents. The same could be associated with automobile industries and traffic accidents on the road. Industries that will perform well are fashion, textile, publications, furniture and environmental protection. 

The Five basic elements represent different parts of the body. Earth is associated with the stomach, pancreas, muscle and cells. Sicknesses caused by Earth element imbalance are obesity, diabetes and cancers. Stomach and heart problems will be more serious in 2009. It is more important to take extra anti-oxidants, omega 3 oils or Co-Enzyme Q10 as a preventative measure.  It is a time to rest, calm down to replenish our energies, reflect on the past and plan for our futures. Meditation will bring stability. Look before you leap. Think before you act. 

There are 12 Chinese Zodiac animals. Two are in direct conflict with the energies of the Year - those born in the Years of the Sheep and the Dog. Such conflict results in disharmony, irritation, worries (especially over financial issues) and frustrations, as well as health issues.   It is then necessary to carry the pendant of the Rat for protection and to minimize bad effects. It is vital to pay close attention to diet, nutrition and health. Those born under the signs of the Sheep and the Dog need to pay very close attention to traffic and road rules, as well as mountain climbing, skiing and traveling through tunnels. 

Clearly, 2009 will be a challenging Year of the Ox. However, hard work pays off in the end. Honesty has its own rewards. Nose to the grindstone and just wait until it all pays off!

We already got our reward - our baby grandson, Christopher!