Before we get into the potential events of
the Year of the horse, let’s have a look about how the calendar was formatted
in the first place. This has some important bearing upon how each year
unravels.
Each year is symbolized by a specific
animal within the Chinese calendar. How did each year become associated with one
particular animal?
Before the beginning of time, the God of
the heavens asked all the animals to assemble. The animals heard a specific
place and time to gather. The cow was smart, but slow, so started the journey
early. However the lazy rat decided to get a free ride on the back of the cow,
and just before arriving to assemble before the God, jumped off the cow and
arrived first. This is why the rat is a deceiving creature. The rat told the
cat to come a day late. The cat realizing the rat had lied to him, has ever
since had a very strained relationship with the rat, where cats will also chase
rats.
Last year was the year of the snake. The
snake is Number 6 in the Chinese calendar. As I mentioned last year in the
article this time before the year of the snake, the snake never moves in any
straight direction. So as we saw last year, very few conclusions to any events
actually occurred. Most issues have flowed onto the this year without being
resolved.
The snake closes off the first six years,
while the horse signifies a change for the second six years. The year of the horse is a year of change.
Some changes will be good, and some changes may be for the worse.
This means that during the year of the
horse we must think deeply about what we should do. Making short term
decisions, can very easily lead to long term consequences.
Consequently one must think long term
during this year. For example thinking about short term profit, could lead to
long term consequences. You may buy a nice property with a view to capital
gain, but the future market may go in a way that makes the investment bad. Remember
next year will be the year of the sheep, where there is likely to be much
suffering. Think about the sheep’s major asset, the wool on his back.
Therefore you must think this year for the
coming hard times. Our actions must be focused on avoiding future suffering.
On the positive side, horses are an animal
which lives and works in harmony with humankind. This means that you must look
for sources of harmony. Metaphorically, the horse could be our employer,
spouse, teacher, or any other person who may be important to us. We must focus
on these relationships. There could well be some form of turning point in any
of these relationships.
The year of the horse will also be very
paradoxical. What happens during the first 6 months, will be different to what
happens during the second 6 months. So one must not be under any illusions that
things if fine during the first 6 months will be fine during the second 6
months, and vice versa.
So let’s have a quick look at world events.
The Chinese economy already started slowing
down last year, and this will be expected to continue, where a turning point
will be reached. Korean exports are down and will have to look at new
strategies to keep their economy buoyant. Thailand is undergoing political
change, and the Australian economy is under threat through industry shutdown.
Even in Malaysia, we are already seeing a changeover in leadership. President
Obama may be under much more personal scrutiny this year, while the EU may have
to come to new views about what it exists for.
However on the positive side, there may be
a resolution in Syria, a breakthrough in Palestine, and even an understanding
reached with Iran.
We can get some further insights into the
coming year through the lifecycle of a horse. A young horse is wild and
untamed, and thus rough and unpredictable, but once tamed and broken in can be
in harmony with those around it. Thus in the second half of the year, many
issues and problems may become manageable, just like a jockey rides a horse.
And remember here the horse is very
powerful, and if this power can be harnessed, many wonderful and inspiring
things can be achieved later on this year.
If you ride the horse very fast, it may transform
into Pegasus and take off, leading very little time to think. If however, one
restrains this rush, the horse may become a unicorn sleeping among beautiful
ladies in delusion.
So how should we think and operate during
the coming year?
This year is a year of preparation. The
coming years will be tough. Build up your assets, consolidate your
relationships, and know where you want to go in the future. If you start
something new, you may have very few problems in the future, but if you don’t
get prepared for hard times ahead.
So remember this year can be seen as a long
horse race where jockey and horse must work together.
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