As the Year of the Metal Rat is set to roll around, feng shui experts say the year will be filled with uncertainty, but advise seeing the glass as half full.

Yulius Fang, a feng shui expert from Feng Shui Consulting Indonesia, said the answers to the question of whether the new year would be better than the last may vary, as both positive and negative energy will come.

Jakarta-based feng shui expert Suhu Yo struck a more optimistic tone, acknowledging better infrastructure for businesses but cautioned against not staying with the times.

Personal

Those with the rat sign can expect a great year for their finances and career. However, a disconnect between their thoughts and reality — delusions, as he calls it — will be something to note, as will be procrastination.

“This year, overthinking can lead to slowness in decision making. Energy associated with the planet Jupiter will also bring extremes to the rat’s life, either extremely good or extremely bad,” Yulius said.

“So, to recap: They shouldn’t overthink, but instead seize the moment, as they will have favorable opportunities in making money and in wherever they work.”

However, five signs will not be as lucky this year: horse, goat, rooster, rabbit, as well as rat with the latter’s extremes.

The “unluckiest” sign will be the horse. Energy from Jupiter will experience a chiong (clash) with the horse, which will result in changes in their life.

According to Yulius, chiong can also be interpreted as changes or instability.

Because of this, those thinking of a change in direction, whether it’s moving careers or houses, should really think things through, as the outcome will depend on their decision and preparation.

“A chiong won’t necessarily mean it’s unlucky, but it’s in how they react to that change. [...] The problem isn’t necessarily in the change, but rather in their reaction.”

Politics and society

“Last year was the Year of the Earth Pig, which has the character of tenang tapi menghanyutkan (silent but deadly). The Year of the Metal Rat is different, where it will be a year of uncertainty,” he said.

The major element of metal is likened to a blade, with its positive aspects including its sense of heroism, leadership, dependability and strong desire for justice. 

However, its negative traits include inflexibility, rashness and bluntness, all of which are the antithesis of the water element present in the rat sign.

“As the major element is metal, it will take precedence over the rat, so what will be observable are the aspects of metal. The combination with the minor water element will result in an excess of cold or yin,” Yulius said, adding that a balance of yin and yang was preferred.

Yulius likens the water element also present in the sign to the mist: you can see it, but not touch it. This indicates a negative aspect of the element, which manifests as a feeling of constant anxiety, pessimism and a tendency to keep secrets.

Skepticism will also abound, as will fear of the unknown in turbulent times. As Chinese New Year inches closer, these anxieties can be seen in how people react to the ongoing trade war between China and the United States, along with fears over armed conflict in the Middle East.

One thing that is for sure, Yulius says, is that it is a year of changes. These changes will naturally be reckless at first due to influence from the metal element, while the water element will manifest in underhand tactics.

Environment and disasters

Yulius noted the early period of 2020 was still under the influence of 2019’s Earth Pig, with an imbalance between the elements of earth and water. Earth brought with it potential landslides and earthquakes, and water bringing flooding and extreme rain.

“Jakarta in the first half of the year is still dominated by the water element, so I’m sure that if there is no intervention in the form of weather modification efforts, Jakarta will be flooded again by the time Chinese New Year comes in,” he said.

In the second half of 2020, the characteristics of the Metal Rat will be more dominant, and it will bring the unlucky elements of fire. Flammable locations like fireworks factories and dense neighborhoods should be on the lookout, while forest fires will also be a potential issue.

Extreme ends of the weather spectrum should also be noted, with long heatwaves followed by long rainfall.

Suhu Yo also predicted constant heavy rainfall, noting that it would continue until March followed by dry weather until the end of the year.

As for the heavy rains at the start of the year, he said that rain usually marked the coming of spring and Chinese New Year.

“Even if you hold back the rain, it will still fall in the end. It’s also fairly well known that it will always rain whenever Chinese New Year comes.”

Business and the economy

As for the economy, Yulius predicts that in the second half of the year — fully inside the Year of the Metal Rat — businesses related to the fire element will have great prospects. These businesses include those in advertising, entertainment and food.

Suhu Yo also highlighted the culinary sector as one on the rise, acknowledging the trend for coffee shops all over the capital.

However, Yulius also predicts that the second half of 2020 will not be kind to some fire-related sectors that depend on speculation, such as the stock market and the oil and gas industry. Instead, they will experience extremes, either faring very well or very poorly.

Earth element-related businesses will flourish, such as real estate, banking and agriculture. On the flip side, sectors with the water element such as tourism, transportation and shipping will not do as well.

Suhu Yo predicted that metal-related industries would be in a slump, something he attributed to a slowing market for apartments and automobiles. 

However, he expects Earth-related businesses to be booming, especially in agriculture.

“Our country is an agricultural nation, so farming will be on the rise as consumer goods will always be needed in the strong domestic market, though a long dry spell will affect crops,” he said.

Consumer goods in the water element such as seafood will turn out great, as Suhu Yo noted that fish prices were well over the price of chicken.

For 2020, he also said that 20 to 45-year-olds would have strong personal development this year, while 45 to 60-year-olds would see a slump in their businesses if they didn’t keep up with the times.

“Everyone has to keep up with the times. If everything is online, then go online. If vehicles are going electric, then invest in electric.”

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