INTO 2005 -- the year of the rooster Well, we are well and truly into the Year of the Rooster (2005), and for the more sensitive souls out there, you have probably noticed a difference in the ethers. I certainly have. Ever since the Year of the Rooster began, I have noticed a dramatic change in my life, and this change basically relates to BECOMING DOMESTIC and laying the foundations for a domestic life. It doesn't surprise me at all that Chinese astrologers predict that this unfolding Rooster Year will be all about family and the domestic life, as well as fertility (plenty new children on the way this year!) While I am no astrology expert, I have been trawling Google a lot recently picking up trains of thought regarding how the Year of the Rooster 2005 will manifest. Read on to see what the year has in store, and if you are interested, check out my threads on how to use this information to manifest ever more splendid conditions in your life! THE GREEN ROOSTER YEAR ---- Family Comes First. In Chinese astrology there are five elements (wood, fire, earth, metal and water) and 12 animals (rat, ox, tiger, rabbit, dragon, snake, horse, sheep, monkey, rooster, dog an boar) creating 60 possible combinations of the two. This means there are five different types of Rooster year: wood rooster, fire rooster, earth rooster, metal rooster and water rooster. So what sort of qi (energy) will the wood rooster year bring for us? Let's consider: the rooster is the first creature to awake in the morning and wakes up the others with crowing. Time to get up and get on with it, the rooster personality is up-front and focused. Their forthright nature will not make Roosters the best diplomats, however, you can count on their thorough approach and attention to detail to get the job done. We associate the qualities of sharpness and precision with the qi (energy) of the rooster, as its essence is the metal element. In a Rooster year, we will hear more cutting criticisms of those in the public life and feathers might well fly as prides are dented, nevertheless all will benefit from the rude awakening. Despite a fuss and a flap we can expect to prudence to be the key in economic matters for the Rooster is a good money manager. According to the Russian newspaper Pravda: According to the Eastern Zodiac the upcoming year of 2005 will be the year of the Rooster; the year of Green Wooden Rooster to be exact. Everyone is probably aware of the fact that green is the color of hope and spring. So in order to attract the love of your life and loads of money in the year to come, one must wear something green, advises astrologer Valery Ledovsky. Green is also the color of youth. In China, this color is regarded as the color of the young generation. The following year will be exceptionally good for the application of scientific achievements to production. The year 2005 will also be a great period for creative works; great time for the emergence of new talents. As far as its substance [i.e. wood] is concerned, it symbolizes family. Family values will be essential; they will constitute an integral part of everyone"s life in the year to come, notes the astrologer. Practicality, business attitude and diligence will be valued the most next year. Those who pay attention to even the slightest details will achieve remarkable heights in the upcoming year. Rooster is a very fertile bird. Therefore, the upcoming year 2005 prophesizes to be just as such. You can expect a pleasant addition to your household. In case you are still single, this will be the best time to find the love of your life and form a family of your own, writes Valery Ledovsky. There will be an abundance of romantic dates in the upcoming year of the Rooster. Roosters are also communal birds. That is why 2005 promises to be a lucky one for joint ventures, notes the astrologer. He suggests signing as many business contracts as possible and form new partnerships in the upcoming year. Your circle of friends will definitely expand next year. However, no matter the business, family interests should always come first! Another note of interest, courtesy of The Chinese Astrology Website: "The year of the Yin Rooster teaches the lessons of order, scrutiny and strategic planning. The sage advice of Sun-Zi which is still taught in modern military circles, advises one to "achieve psychological advantage over the adversary and use force only as a last resort." I think we can all take heart of that advice in 2005, the year when diplomacy wins! Some more quotes from the same website: "The Esoteric in 2005 The 16th hexagram of the I-Ching YU "Enthusiasm" represents preparation and contains the wisdom for the first 4 months of 2005 (February, March, April, May). It is the picture of a farmer sowing seeds and planting saplings into moist soil. Planning for the future, reviewing one's resources and taking decisive action bring best results now. Carefully scrutinize all options but DO "Make a plan." Take actual steps and watch your groundwork bloom. The 9th hexagram SHIAO CH'U "The humble power of the smallest" This represents gradual accumulation and is the astral signature of the second 4 months of 2005 (June, July, August, September) It is an image of a small trickle of water flowing from the rock as the container below slowly accumulates the flow. The harvest is not quite ripe, developing slowly but surely. Your own power is yet to be mastered, spend time in meditation, self-evaluation and continue to accumulate resources. Resist burning your bridges behind you no matter how extreme are differences. Document everything this year! Keep all verifications, proofs and receipts." CONFLICT IN THE AIR ---- Wood Chi Clashes With Metal This Year. As I stated above, the rooster is the first creature to awake in the morning and wakes up the others with crowing. Time to get up and get on with it, the rooster personality is up-front and focused. Their forthright nature will not make Roosters the best diplomats, however, you can count on their thorough approach and attention to detail to get the job done. We associate the qualities of sharpness and precision with the qi (energy) of the rooster, as its essence is the metal element. In a Rooster year, we will hear more cutting criticisms of those in the public life and feathers might well fly as prides are dented, nevertheless all will benefit from the rude awakening. Despite a fuss and a flap we can expect to prudence to be the key in economic matters for the Rooster is a good money manager. In 2005, the year animal is the Rooster, but we also have the prevailing qi of the wood element to make this year, the Wood Rooster. A flowering shrub is a good metaphor for the wood qi (energy), new growth reaching upwards and outwards. The wood brings us new hope and optimism. However, in a wood rooster year, the wood clashes with the metal in the rooster, we can expect conflicts, yet these can be bridged with water qi, which means communication with wisdom. 2005 ---- A Basic Overview. General confidence may lead to new and daring ventures. The year of the Rooster heralds happiness, color and drama, but this has to be balanced with good old fashioned common sense and tried and tested values. Otherwise it could end up becoming a wild goose chase. Conflicts may come up but will dissipate if we put ourselves in each other’s shoes, otherwise, the administrator can turn dictator, which may not go over very well in the barnyard. The motto for this year should be ‘KISS’ – Keep It Simple (let’s leave the last ‘S’ out, as stupidity is not an option here) and don’t take offense at the slightest provocation. There’s a Chinese saying, “If you take a step back, you will find the sea and the sky is boundless.” Remember, good values never go out of style, no matter how hard it may seem to apply them. He who dares will have plenty to crow about in the end, with the pockets none too light at that - a perfect challenge for the rooster in all of us. NATURE OF THE ROOSTER YEAR ---- Another Explanation. The optimism of the Rooster year overlaps the Year of the Rooster, but the Rooster tends to be overconfident and is prone to come up with nonsensical plans. While the colorful Rooster brings bright and happy days, he also dissipates energy. Better stick to practical and well-proven paths. Forget about that controversial best seller you were going to write. No get rich quick schemes this year, please!" It may require a great deal of effort this year to resist going off on wild goose chases. Refrains from making speculative ventures. Disappointments and conflicts will result. The Rooster likes to flaunt his authority and a lot of trouble can come from his domineering attitude. But since he also symbolizes the good administrator and conscientious overseer of justice in the barnyard, the peace wil still be kept. Everything will be precariously balanced in the Rooster's year, as his dramatic personality can set off all kinds of petty disputes. This year we may have to expend maximum effort for minimum gain. Try not to fuss too much. Details do need looking into, but don't forget to view the whole picture. Be cautious. Do not aim too high. One is liable to get shot down.