This article first appeared in Capital, The Edge Malaysia Weekly on February 12, 2024 - February 18, 2024
JUST before 4.30pm on Feb 4, the Rabbit disappeared into her burrow and the green wood Dragon emerged from his lair. Featuring a volcano behind fertile plains, our cover represents the shift into a new celestial cycle, with fire replacing earth as the guiding element for the next 20 years. The busy nature of the zodiac animals on the cover reflects the frequently dramatic characteristics of a dragon year, as captured in the Chinese idiom ˜Ò—´‹Ž–¬. Literally, it means “rising dragon and falling water in the ravine”, referencing the path between the highest and lowest points in a landscape, representing the cause and effect of all matters. The stars thus predict an activity-filled year.
Our annual guide combines the mysterious workings of earthly forces and heavenly bodies to predict the Hang Seng Index’s relative movements, general industry performance and auspicious compass directions. Our alternative forecast methodology is based on the interplay of the bazi, or destiny chart, with the Nov 24, 1969 launch date of the HSI, our favourite Earth Rooster. We chart the index’s relative pattern, direction and size using a monthly fortune scale. To divine the murky future by industry and make the most of your real estate, we use five elements theory and the flying stars.
Dragons have a natural relationship with roosters in the Chinese zodiac, as the earth of the dragon produces the metal of the rooster. In addition, the fire in this year’s bazi directly augments the HSI’s birth chart, which lacks the sizzling element. In contrast, water’s absence from 2024’s bazi mostly indicates trade blockages. Our Earth Rooster cannot entirely undo that tendency, but its bazi brings enough water to the relationship to keep channels open. According to Feng Shui, the Hong Kong market will have a slow start, falling significantly before turning around, breaking even in July/August, and then going up and up, reaching new heights.
As we transition into the next flying star cycle, fire will become the new underlying element after earth, suggesting that industries aligned with fire will experience prosperity over the next two decades. Combining five elements theory with this year’s bazi, we discern the auspicious placement of earth-related industries such as real estate and construction. Sectors associated with fire, such as tech and oil and gas; and wood, such as healthcare, clothing and arts, will also flourish. Water will be the weakest element of the year and although industries like shipping and trade may struggle, they are likely to remain busy.
In the real estate realm, east and southwest will be the best directions, bringing luck, love and celebrations. Avoid the south, which will host both the Seven Red and Three Killings, and the west, as it will be home to the troublesome Five Yellow star. With the transition into the next 20-year cycle, most of the remaining directions will be in a state of flux: north will see wealth and disputes; success and struggle will dance hand in hand in the northeast; small misfortunes are present in the centre and scientific progress with a side of danger lurks in the northwest. We also advise caution in the southeast, the residence of this year’s Tai Sui, or Grand Duke.
With the dragon ascendant, most signs will enjoy a neutral to excellent year. In addition to the lucky Rooster, the Snake has slithered to the top of the chart. Waddling in next is the Pig. Down the other end, despite having just escaped the direct attentions of the Tai Sui, the Rabbit is possibly due for an even more miserable year, taking the Dog down with her. The other seven signs will likely have a mixed year — once again very much like the Dragon, repeatedly up and down.
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