2009 - Year of the Earth Ox: A Time of Hard Work and Lasting Accomplishments
(January 26, 2009 through February 13, 2010)
What can you expect from the Year of the Earth Ox (year 4706 in the Chinese lunar calendar, also known as the Year of the Brown Cow)?
The Ox, like its predecessor of last year, the Rat, signifies new beginnings. The main difference is that the Ox is associated with building to last and being slow but confident. Consistency and consolidation are key to this year, as this is a time when hard work pays off. However, you must work hard to reap the rewards. Discipline is required to forge ahead.
Even more so than last year you must make good choices, as what is begun this year is likely to have long-term consequences. With enthusiasm and a desire to act, individuals and organizations will create enduring benefits for themselves and the world. The year 2009 will be a period of lasting accomplishments.
This year’s ox is ruled by the element Earth. As an Earth year, it will require lots of energy to make the earth move. This implies the extra efforts needed to make changes in 2009. As Earth is also related to land, the major focus in 2009 will be land-related issues. Thus markets continue to grow and businesses connected with agriculture and real estate do well.
Unfortunately Earth has a destructive relationship with the Ox’s fixed element, Water. This the fourth in a run of six years governed by an unlucky conflict of elements. This is evident in the continuing troubles in the American and world financial markets and the ongoing conflict in Iraq.
The combination of Earth and Ox, however, is not at all a negative combination. Its primary characteristic is resilience. It suggests an environment dominated by guarded practicality rather than idealistic dreaming. It is best to do things the conventional way this year and to not try tricky shortcuts.
Projects will generally be successful if done in harmony with the spirit of the Earth Ox. This applies both to the nature and quantity of new projects, as well as to the approach to accomplishing them. That means focusing on just a few, select long-term projects. It also suggests proceeding in a cautious yet determined manner. Avoid taking unnecessary risks and yielding to the temptation to seek short-term gains.
Philosophical and intellectual truths are pursued, improvements to mankind are encouraged, and great scientific advances are made. Laws regulating contracts and agreements are likely to be implemented and a desire to compromise will underscore international politics.
On a personal level, better results are more likely to be achieved by reacting to circumstances and going with the flow rather than aggressively charging forward and initiating a lot of action.
All years ending in an odd number are Yin so are likely to be less turbulent. The Ox years so far have been 1901, 1913, 1925, 1937, 1949, 1961, 1973, 1985, 1997 and now 2009 followed by 2021 (according to the 12 year cycle).
For a list of the resources used for this article, see More on the Chinese Zodiac.
For more specific predictions for your sign, see the article on The Animal That Hides in Your Heart: Your Animal Sign.
For more on the Chinese New Year, see our article, Chinese New Year History and Legends.
