Year of the Metal Rat

The Year of the Metal RAT – 4717

January 25, 2020 – February 1, 2021

The following information is compiled from a large group of resources and there are many (sometimes conflicting) interpretations on the year ahead. Yet sometimes differing interpretations can help us better understand the year.

For those of us less familiar with the Chinese Zodiac, it is made up of 12 animal signs and 5 elements, comprising a 60 year cycle. The first day of Chinese New Year begins on the new moon that appears between January 21st and February. 20th. In 2020, the first day of the Lunar New Year will be on Saturday, January 25th, initiating the Year of the Metal RAT which ends February 11th, 2021.

Ancient lore says, the Jade Emperor invited all of the animals in the world to join him for the New Year celebration, but only 12 animals bothered to turn up. As a great reward, he named a year after each one of them and they run in the order that the animals arrived to celebrate. The Rat tricked the Ox into giving him a ride. Then, just as they arrived at the finish line, the Rat jumped down and landed ahead of Ox, becoming first. This parable should start to offer you some insight of the charm and entrepreneurial spirit of the Rat.

Crystal Chu Rinpoche says in her yearly almanac, “According to Black Sect Esoteric Buddhism’s perspective on the study of folk culture, ‘Bees collect nectar from myriads of flowers and humans eat the honey; oxen till the field and rats chew on the grain.’

The Rat has the good luck of achieving results without having to work for them, thus we must take advantage of the Rat’s good fortune to prevent any adverse circumstances that may arise this year.”

As you’ll read below and in your individual forecast, our own efforts and actions will ultimately create the foundation for our protection and success.

General Indicators for this Year

• This year’s heavenly stem is Metal and the earthly branch is Water in the 60 year cycle. As Metal creates Water, on the surface 2020 should be a smooth year. (Read about the qualities of the 5 Elements – Water, Wood, Fire, Earth and Metal here SacredCurrents.com/about-feng-shui/about-elements).
• In Chinese culture, Rats were seen as a sign of wealth and surplus. Because of their reproduction rate, married couples prayed to them for children.
• Rats have a ‘split personality’ because the hours of the Rat encompass both Yin and Yang (11PM-1AM). They also have four front fingers (Yin) and their back paws have five toes (Yang), making them versatile and adaptive.
• As the first of the zodiac animals, the Rat ushers in a cycle of renewal. As Water is the natural element of the Rat, it can purport pessimism and fear. Hence, there may be uncertainty for global investors in 2020 in what may become a bearish market.
• As the elements of Fire and Earth are not represented by this year’s zodiac they will be the ones to be in demand and succeed. This is because Fire conquers Metal, and Earth overcomes Water. Thus industries represented by Fire and Earth, including energy, entertainment, real estate, land development, mining, insurance and technology, will have the greatest chance to profit.
• The industries represented Water and Wood elements have less fortunate luck. These include the Water industries of shipping, transportation, and communication and the Wood industries of fashion, media, books, and the environment.
• Conditions between countries may not improve much this year. In fact, some of the world’s most offensive leaders, as well as areas of conflict and natural disasters, may unfortunately worsen during 2020.

Prior to the Lunar New Year, it is a good idea for all of us to ‘clear house’ both physically and metaphorically.

• In other words clean up outstanding debts, issues and generally complete things before the lunar New Year. The Chinese literally sweep their homes clean, taking out all the bad karma from the year out the door.
• All signs will do well to perform the ‘Golden Cicada Sheds Its Shell’ ritual, along with ‘Welcoming in the Wealth God’ and ‘Changing the Chi of the Environment.’
• I have suggested the zodiac signs that will benefit the most from performing the Golden Cicada Ritual for protection and shedding karma, in the thumbnail predictions below. But all signs do well to perform it.

Individual adjustments can be acquired through Sacred Currents by sending 9 Red Envelopes with $2 in each – $18 in total, & a self addressed white envelop to:

Sacred Currents
c/o Judith Wendell
11 East 88th Street 7D
NYC, NY 10128

Please note: The “Golden Cicada Sheds Its Shell” requires cinnabar. Please include an additional $9 ($27 total) if you want it sent with the ritual.

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Each zodiac animal has its own qualities that are consistent year to year, yet every sign will be influenced by the Rat’s energy this year.Below are some insights for each zodiac animal in 2020.Please note that fortunes can be reduced or enhanced with Feng Shui, rituals, meditations and transcendental adjustments and that all people have their own karma to consider. Remember too that even the luckiest signs (the Ox, Monkey and Dragon this year), have their cautions and the unluckiest (the Horse, Ram and Rabbit) have their bright spots.A 3-dimensional OX, RAT, MONKEY, or DRAGON (the luck animals for the year depending on your year of birth – see below) can be acquired through Sacred Currents.Send $9 for each animal ordered and $6 for priority postage (regardless of the number of animals you order.) Again, send your address and check to the address above.

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Feng Shui

• According to Flying Star Feng Shui, the Northwest is where the wealth star (the 8 star) is residing in 2020. This area will be enhanced with activity, a Water element or something moving like a kinetic sculpture or wind chimes. This will active the area which represents our ‘benefactors’ and is a Metal element (Metal produces Water i.e. movement).
• Other stars that are significant in Flying Star methodology is the 5 Yellow Earth Star, which can be the cause of instability and misfortune and is located in the East this year.I put a ‘salt cure’there but others hang a 6 rod metal wind chime to dissolve the energy (Metal depletes Earth).When analyzing an environment with Flying Star Feng Shui there are always two other 5 star positions that are permanent to every floor plan, and where I also put salt cures.In general these areas should be keep calm and quiet.
• The 2 star, symbolizes sickness, and is in the South in 2020. The traditional method to dissolve this 2 star is to hang a string of six metal coins in the South. A metal sculpture will do too.
• The “Grand Duke” is in the Northwest this year and it’s recommended that no substantial construction work be done in this direction.
• The “Three Killings” is in the South this year and it’s best not to sit with your back in that direction. Subdue any negative vibes by hanging 3 metal bells in the South.
• The 3 star representing conflict and misunderstand is in the North in 2020. Perhaps a peace plant would work well there or a picture of a benevolent person or deity. North is also home to ‘the Grand Duke’ this year and it is recommended that no substantial construction work be done in this direction.
• The 7 star representing scandals and robbery is in the center of the environment or the Tai Chi this year.9 pieces of bamboo in water will help to protect the center of your home which represents physical, emotional and spiritual well being.

For more specific adjustments and/or personalized recommendations for your astrology and floor plan, call or email for more information about a phone or onsite consultation.

Rats are charming creatures with a large dose of intelligence.They are independent and have a sharp eye for detail, making them well suited to the fields of art and writing, as well as engineering and architecture. They are warm-hearted and opportunistic and at times stubborn perfectionist. Rats have a great ability to be adaptive problem solvers.

Although one’s own zodiac year is traditionally the most unfortunate (due to the fact that you’re ‘sitting atop of the year god’), 2020 will go reasonably well for the Metal Rat. Keep a low profile knowing that success will come to your career. Yet, your health and relationships will prove to have challenges. Take a preemptive approach with your health and establish an open environment for all of your relationships. The year will have its issues, but doing the Golden Cicada Ritual on 3 consecutive nights starting on New Year’s Eve – the 24th of January, will turn misfortune into auspiciousness.

Carrying either your best friend the Ox or your 3 harmony companions the Monkey & Dragon talismans, will help support your good fortunes this year. All three are your most compatible signs.

The Ox is dependable, earnest & conservative. They work logically and hard to accomplish the goal. They generally don’t form many close relationships but are reliable, loving partners.They can be conservative, logical, yet sometimes display tempers.

This is a good year to develop better communication skills to benefit all of your professional and personal relationships. Being in six harmony with and the closest friend to the Rat, brings good professional opportunities in 2020, as well as financial gains and unexpected gifts. However, be mindful of your health as to not become exhausted.

You’re also compatible with the Rooster and Snake. Carrying a talisman of your best friend the Rat, will keep you in good stead in 2020.

The wonderfully intense vitality of the Tiger makes you both passionate and optimistic.Tigers can easily sway a crowd but its best if they avoid extremes.They are born leaders but need to listen as much as take charge.

The year of the Rat should be mostly auspicious for your career and finances by keeping impulses and temper under control. Paying careful attention to your communications, will bode well for both interpersonal and business relationships. Take especially good care of your health and wellbeing. Carrying a talisman of an Ox – the Rat’s best friend – will keep you in his good graces. The most compatible signs for the Tiger are the Pig, Dog and Horse.

Rabbits are kind, graceful and sensitive.Sometimes overly sensitive to criticism.They have good judgment in business and in general.

In 2020, there may be some confrontation from what the Chinese refer to as ‘scoundrels’. The luck of female rabbits is better then their male counterparts. Avoid risks, gossip and rumors to guard your reputation. Overall, it could be a good year for social interactions and new love, but be watchful of emotional stressors.

The best partners for the Rabbit are the Rams, Dogs and Pigs. It is suggested you carry a Ox to be in the good graces of the Rat this year.