It’s time to bid farewell to the Year of the Yi Hai Pig (己亥) and welcome in the Year of the Geng Zi Rat (庚子) or the Metal Rat Year 2020. Therefore it’s wise to make those Feng Shui changes around your home or business to ensure that you and your loved ones continue to be surrounded with beneficial ch’i and good fortune.
As we all know, invisible energies exist in our environment and they can be positive and enhance our well-being and prosperity, or they can be problematic and cause misfortune, illness and financial loss.
These energies are dynamic and change over time in a cyclical manner. So to ensure that things remain harmonious, it is necessary to locate and attend to the annual energies at the beginning of every year.
In 2020 the Lunar New Year falls on the 25th January, but the shift of annual Feng Shui energies is always based on the Chinese Solar calendar and thus the Year of the Metal Rat arrives at 5.18 pm (LST) on the 4th of February.
Annual Energies for 2020
Each year there are four big Sha (煞氣 bad energy) and four lucky Stars which we should pay particular attention to. These four Sha have the power to over-ride any Flying Stars, regardless of how good the Natal Chart of your home or business is.
The three Sha are called the Grand Duke or Tai Sui (太歲), the Three-Killings or San Sha (三煞), the Year Breaker or Sui Po and the 5 Yellow Star (五黃).
On the other hand, the four positive energies to support and activate are the Lucky Stars 8, 9, 1 and 6. So if you avoid the big Sha ch’i, activate the Star 6 (power), Star 1 (promotion) and Stars 8 and 9 (money), you will increase your potential for the coming year. Here are the positions for the good and bad energies in the Year of the Metal Rat.
Lo Shu Chart for 2020
When implementing your annual remedies or activating the auspicious influences, please remember that it is not always necessary to address every area of your home or business.
Firstly take care of the Grand Duke (太歲), Three-Killings (三煞), Sui Po and 5 Yellow Star (五黃) and then focus on supporting or activating those aspects of your life that are most important to you.
You should also be mindful of the Flying Star energies which are present in each Palace, according to the Natal Chart of your home or business. These are considered to be the Host energies and each one has a relationship with the annual Guest energies which must be considered.
Furthermore the Annual and Monthly energies double up from the 5th March to the 3rd April, which means that the effects are magnified accordingly. As such it would be wise to move out of a bedroom during this time if it is located in the South or East Palaces.
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- Star 3 is located in the North Palace and can bring quarrels, conflict, legal problems and theft
- Place a lamp or red object in this location
- You can also burn a candle or incense here
- Star 4 is located in the South West Palace and brings the potential for romance and academic success
- Place a healthy, vibrant plant in this location
- Star 5 is located in the East Palace and can bring misfortune, financial problems, accidents, sickness and sudden disruptions
- Keep this area tidy and remove any active objects such as an aquarium or water feature
- Make sure this area is not dark or cluttered and check that it is well ventilated in order to disperse the bad energy
- If your bedroom is located in the East Palace then you may wish to sleep in another room if possible during 2020
- To weaken this bad energy place a large metal object in this area of your home or business
- Alternately you can place a salt water remedy. This can be done by sitting a glass bowl or jar onto a ceramic, terracotta or glass saucer
- Pour rock salt in the bowl until it reaches around 1/3 full and then carefully place 6 Chinese coins on top of the salt in a circle
- Fill the glass bowl to the top with water, making sure that the coins are fully submerged
- Replenish the water regularly as it evaporates, but be careful not to disturb the coins or salt crystals that have formed
- Star 6 is located in the South East Palace and represents power and promotion
- This star may also bring travel, especially for the father of the house
- To activate this area place six Chinese coins with the heads facing upwards
- Star 7 is located in the Central Palace and can bring gossip, sex scandal, robbery and fire hazard
- To combat this troublesome energy place a glass vase of fresh flowers or 3 pieces of Chinese Water Bamboo here
- Star 8 is located in the North West Palace and this auspicious energy brings wealth and prosperity
- Keep this area clean and place a lamp, red object, candle or wealth vase here to boost your career and money luck
- You can also place a water feature here if you have a timely energy in the Natal Chart of your home or business
- Star 9 is located in the West Palace and is another auspicious star for wealth and happiness
- Place a lamp, red object, candles or incense in this location
- You can also place a water feature here if you have a timely energy in the Natal Chart of your home or business
The Grand Duke – Tai Sui
2020 is the Year of the Rat (子) which means that the annual energy comes to our homes and businesses from the North. Therefore this year the energy known as the Grand Duke or Tai Sui is located in the Mountain of North 2 (352.5° – 7.5°).
In Chinese mythology the Tai Sui （太岁）is actually a position in the celestial heavens which determines the annual fortunes of all mortal beings for a particular year.
A person’s happiness, health, luck and fortune are all under the jurisdiction of the Grand Duke or Tai Sui and hence he serves to remind us all to avoid misdeeds, carry out charitable activities and take care of our health.
General Lu Mi is the Tai Sui or Grand Duke for the Rat year and it is he who gives trials to the afflicted Zodiac signs. Therefore each year it pays to heed the location of the annual Tai Sui so as not to disturb or offend him, as this can bring misfortune and problems. It is also not advisable to move into a house that faces towards the Grand Duke, which for 2020 is of course the North.
Recommendations:
- Avoid renovations or major changes in the North Palace. If this area is disturbed then you are likely to experience problems including arguments and illness. If you must renovate or repair your home, then ensure that you commence and finish all work in the adjoining sectors
- A special date and time should also be selected for groundbreaking, renovation or moving in, but this requires the skill of an experienced Feng Shui Master
- Never sit facing the Grand Duke or sleep with your head pointing towards his direction, as this is said to be confronting him and may lead to misfortune and problems
- Appease the Grand Duke by placing his pet, the Pi Xiu in the affected sector or by wearing the Pi Xiu pendant as an amulet
- Alternately you can also place the figurine of an Ox or Dragon Tortoise in the North sector and face it towards the Grand Duke, as this is another simple way to harmonize the influence and ensure his support
San Sha – Three Killings
The Three Killings or San Sha is one of the major annual afflictions in Feng Shui and is a very challenging combination of three energies – namely the Year Sha (Sui Sha), the Robbery Sha (Jie Sha) and the Disaster Sha (Zai Sha).
Obstacles that set you back may be caused by the Year Sha; wealth losses may be due to the Robbery Sha and frequent mishaps and misfortunes could be brought on by the Disaster Sha. Hence it is good practice to find out the location of this incoming energy each year and treat it accordingly.
During 2020 the San Sha is located in the South Palace between 157.5° to 202.5°. Therefore it is very important that the ground or location in which this energy resides should not be disturbed. Do not undertake any renovations in this part of the house or garden; avoid drilling or hammering and try not to sit with your back towards the South.
If San Sha is disturbed then consequences may include accidents, health issues, lawsuit, financial disaster, mishaps and possibly a string of hidden problems which bring trouble all year long.
So keep the South Palace undisturbed and place three Celestial Guardians in this location to repress any misfortune. These can be 3 small golden Dragon Horse (known as Chi Lin) or a set of Fu Dog, Chi Lin and Pi Yao. Please note that Celestial Gaurdians are available at www.fengshuistyle.com
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Sui Po – Year Breaker Star
The Year Breaker Star or Sui Po is always located in the position directly opposite the Grand Duke.
As such it is known as the Star which clashes with the Grand Duke and should be treated with the same degree of caution.
Therefore once again groundbreaking and renovation should be avoided in the South sector of your home or business during 2020. Most specifically this should not be done in the Mountain of South 2 or Horse (午), which lies between 172.5 º to 187.5 º degrees.
So it’s time to get started with your Chinese New Year preparations, make those changes and embrace the new beginnings that the Year of the Metal Rat will bring on the 4th of February. Gong Xi Fa Cai and I hope that 2020 brings you much happiness, health and prosperity!
All enquiries regarding annual Feng Shui or Chinese Astrology updates please contact me on janene@shengchi.com.au or +61402 688 888
