On February 4th, 2011 we will enter the year of the Metal Rabbit or Xin Mao.  Some also call it the year of the Golden Rabbit. It’s fun to talk about the Chinese Zodiac and what animal represents your birth year, but did you know that the animals of the Chinese Zodiac are actually terms that were assigned to describe a particular type of energy?  It’s true. Darn, there go those generalizations about people born in the year of (your least favorite animal here).

During the Metal Rabbit year the Tai Sui is, of course, Mao or Rabbit. The Sui Po is You or Rooster. They are directly opposed to each other with Mao representing a Wood type of qi and You representing a Metal type of qi. In terms of five elements their interaction will break down the wood energy and weaken the metal qi. In this particular combination, we will see events similar to those of 2010 such as unusual and unpredictable weather and natural events, bankruptcies and civil unrest. Whatever you do, don’t use these predictions as an excuse to give up on 2011. Keep studying and working and you will be fine in the long run.

Now, for all you gardeners out there here’s the most important stuff:

For 2011 you need to avoid digging in the following areas: E, W, SW and NW. Disturbing the earth energy in these areas will bring bad luck and problems to the household.

Imagine a grid superimposed on your lot that divides the lot into 9 sectors. Use a compass to determine which sector corresponds with the compass directions, i.e. N, NW, W, SW, S, SE, E, NE. You don’t have to be exact, you just need to know where the areas are in general so that you know what to avoid. It’s okay to keep these areas weeded and cleaned up but don’t dig.

Don’t kid yourself that you can have someone else do the work and avoid the effects of awakening the sleeping gods. The person who creates the energetic disturbance will be most affected but there will be consequences for any residents of the house as well.

Each area on the grid represents a type of energy but also a family member. For example the outdoor position of Rabbit or Mao (E) represents the middle daughter, so if that area is disturbed it will have the strongest effect on the middle daughter, females, tween/teen females, or anyone born in a Rabbit year (1939, 1951, 1963, 1975, 1987, 1999, 2011, 2023).