Tuesday, February 27, 2007 Malig: Fire pig year By Jun A. Malig Cognition
WHAT do 3rd US President Thomas Jefferson, 7th US President Andrew Jackson, California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, 1st Taiwanese President Chiang Kai-Shek, 1st Singapore President, and 40th US President Ronald Reagan have in common?
Well, apart from the fact that they were all politicians, they were also all born in the Year of the Pig.
For Hong Kong-based Feng Shui master Raymond Lo, the Year of the Pig under the Chinese calendar (Feb. 18, 2007 to Feb. 8, 2008) "will not be very peaceful."
He said a Pig year can be turbulent because it is dominated by fire and water -- two conflicting elements that tend to cause havoc. "Fire sitting on water is a symbol of conflict and skirmish," he said.
As an example, Lo cited the fact that the AK-47 rifle, a weapon of choice among insurgents around the world, was invented during a (Fire) Pig year. He said it will not be surprising to see "more gun battles, murder with guns, and bombing attacks in 2007."
Some astrologers say that the Fire Pig year will be a year of drama and change in politics. As the fire and water combination means clashes of values, violence, arguments, and political disputes, 2007 is expected to be a year of sudden changes in leadership and the defeat of those who tackle political issues in violent and aggressive ways.
As fire and water are natural enemies, experts say lots of scalding hot steam and explosions should be expected this year. The last Fire Pig year (1947) was the year when the "cold war" between Western countries led by the US and the east led by the Soviet Union started. It was the year when India and Pakistan were separated. It was the year when Burma's Aung San (father of Aung San Suu Kyi) was assassinated.
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It may be ironic but some Feng Shui experts say that 2007 is not favorable to Pigs (people born in the Year of the Pig). They are advised not to take "undue risks." Pigs who are keen gamblers should not expect much from gambling. Financial and legal matters would be issues for them. They ought to "keep on the right side of the law" and "avoid any form of risks."
Pigs are advised not to raise their expectations too high, or they would be badly disappointed. Karma can also be on catch up time as the seeds they planted over the last few years -- whether good or bad -- can come back to haunt or reward them. Of course, Pigs who believe in Chinese astrology and have Feng Shui consultants would somehow be able to find remedies to their situations.
And the good news is, good-natured Pigs are expected to have prosperous and satisfying year in 2007, according to some astrologers.
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Although the pig enjoys an unpleasant reputation in the West and is being treated as "unclean" animal in Islam countries, Chinese astrology considers the animal as an intelligent creature. It is also considered to have peaceful and tolerant character.
People born in the Pig year are normally honest, straightforward and patient. They are conservative and want to do everything according to social norms. Even though not vengeful, Pigs are willing to defend themselves or their loved ones if situation forces them to fight.
