Marking the beginning of the Chinese New Year, prominent astrologer and feng shui master Y.C. Sun last week shared his forecast for 2018, the Year of the Earth Dog, with members of the Silicon Valley Association of Realtors. Sun said this is going to be a year of highs and lows.
Sun explained that the earth dog can produce a combined energy of fire and metal, which were carried over from the 2017 Year of the Fire Rooster. He said this combination will lead to intensive arm races and nuclear competition, military action, terrorist attacks, gun shootings, explosive fires, riots and domestic violence in 2018.
Protectionism will be on the rise this year, a "classic pullback and comeback story," said Sun. There will be violent ground movement - earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, mudslides, rebuilding of aging infrastructure like roads, levees, bridges rails, and in line with dry earth, drought, flooding, fire, traffic and accidents.
The year will also be characterized by market volatility, economic and political chaos, but expect a comeback by Labor Day, said Sun. The country's GDP will rise to 4 percent by year-end, but there will be lots of chaos before that.
Be careful in April, particularly April 5 through May 4, warned Sun. It is going to be a bad and disaster-ridden month because the karma between the month of the Fire Dragon and Year of the Earth Dog will be in big conflict.
The President was born in the Year of the Fire Dog. The fire dog does not get along with the earth dog, so expect him to face a lot of trouble and challenges this year - in health and in politics. He will encounter chaotic issues in March, in the second half of April, two weeks in June and in October.
As for real estate, Sun said business will be good, but will slow down. It will be tough because of so much competition due to the housing shortage and low affordability. Realtors need to be active, said Sun. Young professionals, while paid well, lack the down payment for a home, but they will soon be receiving their stock options and will need help and guidance from Realtors down the road.
Dallas, San Antonio, Stockton, Las Vegas, Orlando, Colorado Springs, Salt Lake City, Charlotte, Tulsa, Nashville, Houston, Tampa will be the top U.S. markets this year. In the Bay Area, top markets are San Jose, South San Francisco, Daly City, San Bruno, Hayward, Concord, Vallejo, Santa Cruz and Santa Rosa.
As for feng shui and the home, Sun said good locations are the center (happiness, celebration, always keep the middle of your home clean, free from clutter), southeast (money/fame), south (best energy for writing, studying, research), northwest (tender loving care, family values, promotes romance), southwest (change, travel, relocation). "Bad" locations are the north (disaster, misfortune), northeast (arguments), east (decline of energy, loss of money, robbery), west (sickness).
If your house faces any of these "bad" locations, Sun suggests placing six copper coins under a mat or placing a copper bell by the entrance. You can also add a peace lily. For homes that face east, add a large glass of water or blue decoration. For homes that face northeast, add a red decoration.
In closing, the feng shui master shared this advice for the year: "Time for meeting real people to get connected, getting in shape, eating healthier food, spending less time on social media/games, learning a new skill, be kind, be proactive, or becoming the barking dogs (that) seldom bite!"
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