265 - Year of the Snake πππ
Hey there, !
ζεηΌθ²‘! 𧧠Happy Lunar New Year!
Today's the first day of the new year, so make sure you do all the lucky things: i.e. don't clean or sweep (away your luck), don't wash your hair (where the luck will fall on), don't cut your hair (which also gets rid of your luck), wear some lucky red clothes (to bring greater fortune), go ask married people for red packets if you're single (huehuehue - I mean, wish them good fortune), put on a big smile, and eat some good food!
AND YOU KNOW WHAT TIME IT IS - It's the year of the Wooden Snake! My favourite post of the year, the one I spend the most time on translating the year's predictions; I really do hope y'all enjoy it - I think it's the thing that people talk to me most about , and for good reason! Anyway, it's a bit less crazy this year, but it's still fun <3
Make sure to check your luck from last year here and see if it was accurate!
How's your luck goin' anyway? Let's find out :) - note: there's some bonus content at the end about what you should eat this year - so check it out after you've gone through your Zodiac!!
TL;DR Lunar New Year 2025 Tier List:
S tierΒ - π Dog, π Rooster (me), π Monkey
A tierΒ - π Dragon, π Ox, πHorse, π Sheep
B tierΒ - π Snake, π Rat, π Tiger
C tierΒ - π Pig, π Rabbit
The Glossary
As usual, a few glossary terms:
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A βname yearβ is usually aΒ year of changeΒ - and often that is seen as a 'bad' thing. However, most of the advice that you'll get is more about how you can take control of that change; so don't worry if it's a name year, it might not all be bad!
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Any time I mention a βsponsorβ it means that thereβs someone who will appear in your life as a benefactor of some sort. It doesnβt mean theyβre literally rich or will give you money, it means theyβll be valuableΒ to your life. They are used as support for different parts of your life, so where and when they appear is important to understand.
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A βcrisisβ of any type means that there could be an incident relating to that particular thing. So for example, a βblood crisisβ means youβll have an incident relating to blood. But that could be you donating blood, or a blood test, so usually the advice is, again, to take control of that crisis and e.g. get your blood tested (which is really just a healthy annual thing to doβ¦).
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This year I've tried to highlight more names of the [stars] as I think they're quite poetic and descriptive in themselves. Chinese people are really good at marketing (chicken feet anybody?) and so some of these stars are very descriptive of whether they're good or bad, but others...not so much. It's hard to translate the feeling you get when you read something like [Drowning] which in Chinese has other connotations...but I'm trying to get it as close to that feeling as I can :)
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There are also month-by-month fortunes that are in the book, so if you're curious I can delve deeper into them, but bear with me as I do it because there's just so much to read!
The Zodiac Predictions
πΒ Snake - The Year of Becoming First Brother/Sister Through Some Growing Pains: Last year was (apparently) easy, breezy and beautiful (Covergirl) based on the [Five Fortunes] and [Sky Happiness] stars that brought sponsors and lots of good relationship energy into your life. Though this year is your name year, the bad luck that usually comes from it is going to be challenged by some lucky stars that are going to join your cause and help you sail on through. Snakes are usually down-to-earth and have solid foundations; this year, taking charge in life and at work is the name of the game. Are you ready for the challenge?
π° This year, the [Eight Thrones] star comes up in your Zodiac, which is the number one career star. Your power grows by the day, and you'll rise quickly in your organisation (in terms of position). The stars predict that you will become the '1st brother' or '1st sister' (translator's note: this is a literal translation which means you'll get to the top level of wherever you are), gaining great respect amongst your peers and bosses. You also have the [Sky Solve] and [Solve God] stars protection, which helps you get rid of obstacles in your way, and solve a variety of problems with ease. The [Gold Carriage Fortune] star means that the returns on your effort will be disproportionately large, implying that it's the right time to make your move and smash all your career goals.
- '89 Snakes need to keep a lid on this career success - even though they're going to have a great year in terms of career, they need to keep it low-key otherwise the rumors will spring up around them and they'll have a whole bunch of opps spreading lies. It might be best to keep your fortune and luck hidden from people this year.
β But, look, it's a name year, so you still have a host of unlucky stars. This year features a host of bad stars: [Sharp Sword], [Blood Spear], [Drowning], [Poking Back] (as in, literally your back) and [Weapon Corpse] - which I've tried to translate as ominously as they sound in Chinese. They predict disasters and crises of various types - blood crises, blade crises, and well, health in general. Because Snakes are going to go well in their careers this year by expending a lot of effort, health is going to form a major part of what they need to keep an eye on. Don't do dangerous shit this year, and care for the elders in your family as well (as this bad luck might rub off on them!).
Snakes are good at adapting to change though, and though a name year will throw everything at you, treat change as opportunities for growth! Make sure at the start of the year to do everything you can to dispel some of this name year energy to avoid crises (e.g. blood tests, donating blood, going to temple to pray etc.) - (translator's note: I've taken out his sales pitch here, where he's like 'BUY ALL THE FORTUNE ITEMS FROM MEEEEE'. If you really want to know, message me and I'll send you the catalogue π)
β€οΈ Romance-wise, it's gonna be a sucky year for Snakes - there's no lucky stars that shine on you. In a name year, it's better to lower your expecations in this realm, and focus on other things (e.g. work lol). Your focus should be on making sure that all relationships in your life are harmonious, and try to reduce the number of arguments you have with people - otherwise you might say something you'll regret that will have long lasting consequences. In addition, for Male Snakes, the luck is even worse - it's likely that there will be a lot of annoyances in their love life - so be warned.
π₯Health-wise...yikes. Based on the [Sharp Sword] and [Blood Spear] stars, you have to look out for bladed crises and accidents. It's best to either get a blood test or donate blood early in the year; for pregnant Snakes, if you do a C-section, this will also satisfy the requirements of the 'bladed crisis' in a safe way. This year, Snakes will have a lot of emotional stress and pressure, so it will be necessary to learn how to 'let go' of things and not get into unnecessary arguments. Avoid all kinds of dangerous activities.
In summary:Β All growing comes with a bit of pain, right? It's a name year, so it'll be full of ups and downs. In your career / education, you're likely to do well, and have lots of opportunities to grow, take leadership positions, and see ample returns. On the other hand, it's a year where health and relationships are at risk. Focus on your own health, live a bit of a calmer life and establish a more natural routine. There'll be a lot of resistance in your relationships, so you have to use your hard work to fight through and get to a harmonious outcome for everyone. The aim of the game this year is to take advantage of that top notch career energy and use it to create a bright, fortunate future for yourself.
πΒ Horse - The Year of a Shining Sun Causing You To Grow Wings: Last year, there were a lot of lucky stars to help support your year; if you had the heart for it, 'your hands could do it'. Horses increased the number of fans and sponsors that they had, and had much luck at work. Going into the Year of the Snake, Horse's spirits will soar, and a new chapter of life will begin.
π° This year, Horses are gifted with the energising [Sun Star], which shines on a number of areas of life in a very positive, and lucky, way. Not only does it dissolve the unluckiness from other stars, but it also helps with romantic fate, science (?), creativity, and career from all angles possible (literally, 'from all the four winds'). For Horses who like to 'charge into battle', this is a perfect year to flex their muscles and flourish. Female Horses fortune lies 'far away', either through traveling somewhere far, or something psychologically far. More esoterically, as the years move into something called the Lucky Nine, Horses are uniquely blessed with luck that transcends imagination - like 'a tiger that grows wings' (translator's note: there was no more elaboration with this so I guess it's just one of the many Chinese metaphors I still don't understand shrugs. Wings are good, right? You could FLY).
With the [Writing Karma] star in tow, Horses are particularly clever this year, and are well suited to making choices that help them gallop forward (huehue) with their ideas and what they want to do. They know when to push forward, they know when to steer, they know when to change, and are likely to make big breakthroughs in their life and work. With the [Tai Chi] and [Sky Chef] sponsor stars, Horses specifically in the creative arts or in the food industry will do very well. In addition, Horses who go traveling far and wide (with or without their sponsor's help) will be able to take that next step in their life, whatever that might look like!
- For '90 Horses who have a [Justice Wealth] star and [Shadow Fortune] star, there is a lot of luck to be created from any work that's related to needing to speak to people (like sales). There'll be good returns from the energy you put out into the world - but apparently the main thing is to make sure your romantic relationships don't bankrupt you with the investment they need from your time and energy.
β Unlucky stars are aplenty - with the [Sickness Symbol] star ensuring that your primary focus for the year should be your health. This means no overworking yourself, and no putting in too much effort to tax your body at work! The [Empty Sky] and [Sighing] stars make it hard for Horses to make decisions, or understand why things are happening, which (in addition to other things) may lead to them being more likely to be scammed.
Another important unlucky star - the [Salty Lakes] star - pushes your romantic bar all the way up. Sounds good, right? But the way that he says it is that if you don't disperse this romantic energy in the form of having babies (I assume this is if you're married), you'll need to find some way of doing it - otherwise it will lead to temptation. Unmarried Horses need to be vigilant - though you'll be lucky in terms of meeting people and getting into relationships, don't get too drunk on nights out, lest you end up with regrets (translator's note: ominous).
β€οΈ To continue on the romance angle, the [Sun Star] helps to keep you energised and full of spirit to be attractive to everyone around you. Since it's so strong, unmarried Horses are going to have a great 'double Spring' of romance to open a new chapter of love in their life. As stated above, for married Horses, he recommends having babies, going on a second honeymoon, or doing a vow renewal ceremony to capitalise on the romantic energy from the year. This relationship energy will also spillover to sponsors and partners at work in the form of great partnerships that help to push your career to the next level.
π₯ Health-wise, Horses are STRONG. The [Sun Star] helps to dispel any major issues, as well as any intense competitions or fights that you'll need to get into for your health. As the romance star is flaring up, it's important to try and dodge any 'romance-related sicknesses' (translator's note: I assume STDs here?). Summer-born Horses will have heightened danger; the classic advice is to get a blood test at the start of the year for a full body checkup, but also to make sure you put some chinese coins in the middle of your house / the North East to dispel some of this negative energy. (translator's note: don't ask me why, it just works)
In summary:Β The sun'll come out...tomorrow? No, today! Horses are having a great year to go out and open up new opportunities for their future. Charge forward and head towards your high-set goals. It's a year to be curious about your own passions as well, whether that's cooking, wellness, yoga, philosophy - pursue your hobbies that might unexpectedly help you on your main path as well, and get really obsessed with them to achieve success (whatever that might mean for your hobby). Remember that your health is number one this year - say 'sorry' to the unhealthy things in your life and miracles will occur to cure them! (translator's note: I genuinely got so confused in the literal translation of this so good luck deciphering it!).
πΒ Sheep - The Year of Frolicking Forward with Momentum To Find Luck in Far Places: Last year, Sheep had five lucky stars that shone on them, and were in the top 3 of luck in the Zodiac, helping them push forward and progress with their plans. Going into the Year of the Snake, Sheep have a variety of lucky stars that shine on them, and will be galloping forward like a horse, opening up new opportunities left, right and centre!
π° Sheep are under the influence of the [Sky B Sponsor] star and the [Gold Carriage Fortune] star. These suggest major new opportunities in their business / career - especially those in the cultural or movie/tv businesses. Sheep can feel confident to push as hard as they can with their unique view on the world, as well as their cleverness, and should expect some GREAT returns. The literal translation of the [Gold Carriage Fortune] star, in olden times, was a carriage that would bring a shit-ton of gold straight to your front door (translator's note: I think sent by the emperor?); in modern times, it represents that you will have money 'flow straight to your door', or you'll find a lot of opportunities to make money during the year; move aside Jason and the Argonauts because we found the golden SHEEP!
The aptly-named [Relay Horse] star means there will be opportunities to travel far accompanied by a change in lifestyle - i.e. traveling for a vacation, migrating, or going to a 'far place' to progress in your education, or moving house, or moving jobs. Also, though on the outside, Sheep are warm and friendly, on the inside, Sheep have a strength that is fueled by a continuous need to win; this year, Sheep will use this strength to continue to increase their influence and power, which will come to them like an overflowing basin of luck.
When Sheep encounter Snakes (in the Zodiac), there is some Chinese astrology that is too esoteric for me to translate, but essentially results in a strong convergent energy that brings with it a correspondingly strong momentum for life. With the help of the Snake, Sheep are able to make big changes in their life that are, on the whole, good changes. However, Sheep and Snakes are also likely to create 'fire situations' - so those Sheep who are born in Summer should be careful of brain, heart and blood diseases.
- For those born in '91, there is the [Country Seal Sponsor] and the [Lucky Star Sponsor] that shine on you - which means that sponsors will appear that will help you become an important person at work, help you be recognised for great work that you do, and rise quickly through the ranks. In addition, there are opportunities for you to make good investments during the year! (translator's note: please don't pour it ALL into TrumpCoin though...)
β The year sounds great, sure, but unlucky stars should not be underestimated - the [Sky Dog] and [Tiger Tail] stars represent issues and changes with existing relationships in your life - be wary in how you approach any arguments in your life. The [Sky Dog] in particular means that it is likely you'll lose money in an event somehow; it's not something easily mitigated, but you should try to find ways you can control this (i.e. buy something expensive for yourself which also satisfies this star ;)). Also, the [Death Door] and [Hanging Guest] stars predict there will be issues with people in far places, but apparently this shouldn't be too big of an impact to Sheep.
β€οΈ Relationships-wise, you've got good sponsor stars for your daily life and meeting people in the world, as you're able to make them feel safe and warm. For unmarried Sheep who want to find their other half, go out more into the world - travel for your vacations and find some new love opportunities. There's a 'double spring' this year, which can help you achieve this goal. Unfortunately, Sheep are also vulnerable to scams and being betrayed this year - so you need to make sure you are careful in who you interact with, as they may bring issues into your relationships. (translator's note: SPICYYYYY drama)
π₯ From a health perspective, the [Relay Horse] predicts that you'll be running all over the place, which means that you're likely to have a lot of stress in your life. Be careful of accidents related to transportation, driving, and any time you're out of the house. For those born in Summer, it's important this year to try and reduce the 'fire' in your life, so one thing you could do is put a basin of water near the head of your bed, or grow 4 sticks of lucky bamboo that uses water to grow - these will help you wash away any brain fog and emotional impacts that arise in the year.
In summary:Β This year, Sheep should use the strong foundations built from previous years, and embrace the [change] and [momentum] from the Year of the Snake to try new things, and look outwards to find bigger and better opportunities. As long as Sheep are willing to work hard, there will be a great return - like 'mining gold from a stone'. This is not a year to just think about the future, it's a year to take new steps and boldly create the future you want to see.
πΒ Monkey - The Year of a Lucky (?!) Name Year: Monkeys have had it good for the last two years, so it's time for them to have a name year, right? Have a bit of bad luck to balance out the good? But wait...what's that? The stars shine upon them and have put them in the top 3 of the Zodiac this year???
π° The reason for this stems from the fact that Monkeys and Snakes are pretty much best friends and have the Six Unities (better than Three Unities!) which helps them with their relationship luck, and finding good partners in work and life to fight shoulder to shoulder with. This is contested by the name year which looks like it will bring about a lot of people talking shit behind your back, leading to your relationships only being so-so. Luckily, this is mostly washed away by three strong lucky stars ([Sky Karma], [Lucky Star], [Lucky Karma]) that allow you to course correct and turn bad things into good things - literally 'if you want wind, you got wind; if you want rain, you got rain' - changing your fortune towards the positive!
Two other lucky stars help with meeting people and creating good relationships. The [Sky B] star is just generically a good sponsor star, but the [Tai Yin] star helps Female Monkeys especially. If they work in industries related to female products (such as makeup, fashion or jewelry), there is a greater likelihood that they'll make some great returns.
- As an additional note, it's a year for '92 Monkeys to have a lot of innovative ideas that they can make come true through the help of their sponsors so...get creating!
The [Red Karma] star brings about lots of new romantic relationships, which is good for our single Monkeys, but for married Monkeys it's important not to let the eye wander or stray outside of the marriage. It's going to be very easy to get into those relationship issues but very hard to get out of them - so try to keep a level head!
β Monkeys have (apparently) tongues like knives, or like swords, and can easily say things that hurt others without knowing it (translator's note: this is not my experience at ALL but it's what the feng shui master says). This year, with the added unlucky star of [Rolling Tongue], it's even easier to say something that will offend a sponsor and push them away - even at the height of your success! It's important to make sure you are harmonious this year, making sure that you smooth things over with people and ensure that you make your enemies your friends.
β€οΈ Relationship-wise, there are a few headwinds of the unlucky stars as outlined above, as well as a name year - if Monkeys don't prepare well or do anything about it, they'll have a whole bunch of worries to come. It might be better to focus on career and put your relationships a bit more to the side...or at least try not to get stuck in any traps that will dismantle all the good luck you're going to have this year.
π₯ Health-wise, name years are never good - you're more vulnerable to accidents from falling over or losing blood. The best way to dispel this bad luck is to go to temple at the start of the year and pray for your lucky stars to shine your way. Other things you can do is just...be more careful I guess? He's not very clear on this (though he does recommend you buy stuff from him so...let me know and I'll send you the catalogue π). For those born in winter, there's a higher chance of danger, so he recommends you wear more red clothes, keep the kitchen light on overnight (??) and use an electric blanket when you sleep. (translator's note: I think this has something to do with making sure you get enough 'fire' in your life, but I'm not sure).
In summary:Β I ain't seen something like this before for animals in a name year - it's a year of Lucky Stars! Though it's a name year, which creates some resistance to your good luck, the whole of the year is going to be smooth sailing. It's a year to use the innovative, cunning minds you have to create something new and lay the foundations for the next few years. Your relationships will be put to the test, so be careful how you come across when you speak to people, and you'll fly through :)
πRooster (me!) - The Year of Being So Successful That People Start Talking Shit About You: Last year, Roosters went full steam ahead in their careers and were able to achieve their dreams (translator's note: somewhat true? It was a good year π). This year, Roosters have Three Unities with Snakes, which means great reputation, great fortune, and a very solid position in the top of the Zodiac this year!
π° A strong career star, the [Three Stages], helps to support both promotions and salary increases at work, and represents the 'taking of power'. If you're in a government position, you are likely to rise to one of the top 3 levels of your department / section; if you're an artist or have a unique view on arts, you're likely to make something amazing. You'll be great at meeting lots of people this year, and have a lot of success at work because of it.
In terms of wealth, the two stars [Gold Cabinet] and [General Star] (translator's note: general as in general of an army, rather than just like...an average star) are major fortune stars. The [Gold Cabinet] represents an olden-day safe or vault of sorts, and is supposed to help shine on your investments (stocks, property, bonds - all of it!) - especially for Female Roosters who will succeed even MORE. The [General Star] means that if you're a boss, you'll be a great general and find awesome people to work with and help out; if you're not, you'll have opportunities with those around you to take a leading role. With all these career stars shining on you - it's really up to you put your head down, keep your eye on the prize, and absolutely kill it at work!
- Note, for '93 Roosters (because that's me), the [Sky B] and [Tai Chi] stars bring sponsors to help support what you want to do this year - feel free to take risks and push hard for building new businesses, or investing in property, or just trying something new at work. Female Roosters should make sure that they look after their health - there's a risk of 'one blade' ruining it all. His advice is to do a C-section (?) to get away from this (lol sorry if you're not pregnant), and do more big celebrations which will help to offset this bad juju.
β It's not all shiny and gold though - with the good comes the bad, and some of these bad stars are annoying to deal with. The [White Tiger] star means that you'll come across many annoyances with women from a romantic standpoint (translator's note: seriously? goddammit whatever I don't even care π‘π). In addition, any women 'on your right hand' (i.e. people close to you or who you're close to that you work with) will bring about a lot of problems as well. Female Roosters should make sure to look after their pregnancies.
In addition, a combination of rumor-mongering stars ([Admin Star], [Five Ghosts] and [Poking Back]) means that there will be a lot of people talking shit behind your back, making mountains out of molehills, causing you a lot of stress. You have been warned.
- To dispel this, you need to put a red-colored crocodile-shaped light in the North-West of your house, and ensure that there are no empty birdcages in that area. (translator's note: he says this because he can sell you that light, but rest assured, I'm gonna be on the case to create a 3d-printed model that can actually light up and dispel this bad luck!!)
β€οΈ In terms of relationships, the Three Unities with the Snake mean that you're going to be great at meeting people in the world, but taking into account those bad stars, you gotta be careful of people talking behind your back, and getting into complicated relationship situations. The literal translation is 'don't get into relationships with many corners' which I think means 'don't date too many people at the same time' but I mean...it could also mean 'don't be polyamorous'? (We should really modernise this Zodiac...) Honestly, it's hard to tell. Regardless, the advice is to stay focused and clear, keep your head on straight, and don't fall for any romance scams. Okay?! Okay.
π₯ From a health perspective, it's all about reproductive systems for some reason. Female Roosters gotta look after their womb, Male Roosters gotta look out for STD's. Since there are a lot of rumor-mongerers in the background, Roosters are gonna have a turbulent emotional time / mental health issues. Don't let it get to you!!
- You'll be vulnerable to hand / leg injuries if you're born in the Autumn / Winter months, but to dispel this (translator's note: and this is my absolute favourite part of the fortune) make sure you either are looking after a cat (!!!) or get a cat plushie to put around the house, wear more red and green. GANDALF GANG RISE UP πββ¬πββ¬πββ¬π»π»π»
In summary:Β People really just do be jealous of you sometimes. Brush that off and take charge of your career to lead your people to great success; especially in a year where you have Three Unities with the Snake. Try to compromise and seek peace in everything you do; do great things, but keep a low profile.
πΒ Dog - The Year of Your Dreams Coming True (If You Put In the Hard Work): Last year, Dog's had a name year, and "they know whether they had a good or bad year" themselves (translator's note: I assume it wasn't great?). This year though, their value has skyrocketed from the bottom to the top, taking them to the top of the Zodiac charts - with the best luck of all the animals! WOOF WOOF!!
π° The two ultra-lucky stars, [Purple Beauty] and [Dragon Karma], mean that your dreams become reality - you have the reality-warping, Scarlet Witch-like power of making whatever you want happen happen, gain the respect of your enemies, make great leaps in terms of your reputation and wealth, and, curiously, due to a [Shadowy Prosperity] star which sounds sus but is actually good - no-one will be clear about where the source of all your wealth comes from (it's seeeeeecret). The [Tang Charm] star adds to the above, making all your success go well recognised and respected by everyone around you, and the [Red Fairy] star means that all your romantic dreams will come true as well. Honestly, it's just all looking up - after a few years of shit luck, this is the one where you shake all that bad luck off and be reborn into a new person altogether - may the stars shine brightly on your future!
- Random note: '94 Dogs have the [Sky Chef] and [Studious Nature] stars, which means that if you're in the food business, there'll be great leaps and strides in your fortunes, and for others - innovation, continued learning opportunities, creativity, and great strides in new and novel things when hard work is applied.
β In more sobering news, you do have a few evil stars - the [Explosion Loss] and [Sky Danger] stars point to difficulties with the government / law, and sudden accidents that you can't forsee. In addition, the scarily-named [Death Sign] and [Flying Dagger] stars bring more omens of accidents and sudden emergencies in your future. The [Little Harvest] star means that you might lose a lot of money - so it's important to try and ration / budget your funds. Lastly, the [Leaking Luck Omen] portends danger if you have a wandering eye / get into affairs this year.
Especially for Dogs this year, it's important to be humble. There's a concept in Chinese called 'easy to be second, but not first', which means that when people think you're top, you should always be saying that you're second...without saying who's first. (translator's note: I think what he's trying to say here is that you should never outwardly brag that you're number 1, and that being number 2 shows more humility, which is a virtue and makes it so you'll get into less issues with others). I guess just stay winning, but quietly?
β€οΈ Relationships-wise, the [Red Fairy] means you'll be hot to trot and have a year filled with romance. It's so overwhelming that he writes 'if you're not having a baby this year you're at risk of affairs' that's how much ROMANCE you'll have in your life. The [Leaking Luck Omen] portends that there will unfortunately be many romantic prospects with bad intentions, so you need to be wary. In addition, your relationships in the community will lead to many sponsors, which might lead you to your Prince / Princess Charming as well!
π₯ Health-wise, older Dogs should ensure they are wary of diseases and sicknesses around their private areas. There are accidents and sudden emergencies on the way (as stated before), so it is good to be as careful as possible in your actions and activities. For Dogs born in summer, these health problems may arise more than others - especially in the heart and blood. Make sure you get your annual check-ups and try not to be too impatient or angry, as those might cause more problems.
In summary:Β DREAMS CAN COME TRUE - this year is the year to go all out and achieve all the things you've ever wanted. Your hard work will lead you to win everything in your life, whatever it is you want. It's the time to rebuild from a run of not-as-good years, and lay the foundations for even more future success. At the same time, keep your eyes clear for those trying to bring you down and cause relationship issues - just stay on course with your goals and you'll create a golden year!
πPig - The Year of Painful Change, and honestly, Shit Luck: Last year, Pigs were running hot - both in attractiveness, as well as wealth. This year, however, is a pretty bad name year, with many challenges and resistance to face into - so, be warned for 2025.
This particular type of name year arises when animals are directly 'opposite' each other in the Chinese Zodiac cycle. The optimistic way of looking at it is that it's a year of change and rebirth - chucking out the old to become new (literal translation 'changing from the cellular level'). He explains that it is necessary for there to be a 'purge' before there is a 'change', and this year is traditionally the time for that to occur as a prelude to greater things to come in the future. You can't have a rainbow without a little rain π
π° This year, the [Relay Horse] star signals that there will be change in the form of moving house, moving jobs, migrating, the type of work you do, or even living environment. Pigs are at a crossroads in their life, and will find it difficult to decide which way to go - forward or back, left or right. Luckily, Pig's are born with an innate sense of adaptability and can deal with this kind of adversity, finding opportunity in change and staying optimistic.
Pigs have the [Country Seal Sponsor] star, which points to success at work, having more authority in their voice, and compliments / praise for anything to do with public speaking / quick wit in their work. Other than this though, there are no big lucky stars that you can count on, so it's going to be rough this year. You'll need to pray for small wins, rather than big fortunes, and be mentally prepared.
β So with that in mind, let's look at some unlucky stars shall we? The [Big Harvest] star sounds good, but actually means you'll likely lose big at something to do with money, and potentially have money / economic concerns on the horizon. Try to budget and save what you can before this occurs, and don't invest in stuff you don't understand. The [Fenced In] star means that you will have significant resistance at work which won't be easy to overcome. Soz, not great for your fortunes...
- For '95 Pigs, there is a [Gold Carriage Fortune] star that points to international fortune - though not necessarily large. There'll be a lot of competition within your industry, and so be careful not to let your friends bring you down / become a burden to you at work.
β€οΈ Romance-wise, change is still the name of the game. This may be accompanied by separations, or divorces, or breakups - turbulence in relationships from all quarters! It's probably not a good idea to try to propose or talk about marriage this year, unfortunately. Know when things need to end, clarify your position at all times, and make sure you don't get into any unnecessarily stressful situations with relationships. Married Pigs will get into arguments (translator's note: that's all he has to say about Married Pigs which is pretty fun).
π₯ Health-wise, the name year brings with it blade crises, blood being shed, falling over lots, and accidents left right and centre. There'll be lots of changes in your body (apparently), so you should make sure you have your annual checkup. Remember to go to the temple at the start of the year to try and mitigate this unluckiness, and do everything you can to dispel this bad energy. Don't do anything dangerous this year - especially when related to travel or driving!
In summary: It's not all bad - it's a year of change, but could also be a chance to start a new chapter in your life. As with any change, you have to go through the pain of it first, which means that at the start, your efforts aren't necessarily going to be recognised, and if they are, they aren't going to lead to major good things. Don't have too many high hopes for things this year - just go with the flow; go travel, watch the world pass by, and cruise along with life as it comes. He mentions that since you're going to lose a bunch of money anyway, go spend it on something you like, rather than get scammed, so you have at least a little control. Good luck, Pigs!
πΒ Rat - The Year of Narrowly Avoiding Danger Through Great Sponsors and...The Moon?: Last year, Rats were in the top 3 for luck, with big breakthroughs at work, and a happy year of life. With great sponsor stars to support you this year, you'll be able to preserve your position with some effort.
π° Of these stars, each relates to a sponsor within a specific field or benefit - namely:
- The [Sky B Sponsor] star relates to someone who will be able to help you build something new, innovative and exciting. This extends to setting up a business as happily as having a family.
- The [Tai Chi Sponsor] star relates to curiosity and learning - specifically, those that deal with wellness, yoga, numerology and other cultural pursuits. Rats this year will find sponsors and talent within these areas to help them out.
- The [Moon Karma] star is a generally good star (as we will see later as well), serving as to uplift you as a person, helping to support meeting new people, starting new relationships, getting married and having kids. It's a great year for Rats who are looking for happy times.
Career-wise, '96 rats specifically have a [Sky Admin] and [Justice Symbol] star which increases the number of sponsors that will be encountered. You'll be praised by your bosses, and have higher chance to be promoted or see an increase in salary. You might also be given the chance to open up new categories in your job, leading to even greater success.
β From an unlucky star perspective, the [Explosion Loss] and [Sky Danger] stars are two that essentially represent unblockable crises from heaven / Acts of God that cannot be stopped. This is exacerbated by the [Death Symbol] Star which relates to these crises being very sudden and happen out of nowhere. It's really important to be careful of your body, ensure no old injuries flareup, and that you get a scheduled checkup early in the year. The [Little Harvest] star also predicts that there will be loss of money somewhere in the year. However, you do have a [Moon Karma] star which helps to smooth out unlucky stars to some extent; apparently, it will help to give you an equivalent of a 'get of jail free card' for this unluckiness - even if there are bad things that happen, someone will help take the responsibility for it and help you through.
β€οΈ Romance-wise, again, this [Moon Karma] star is shouldering a lot of the luck of your life this year. There will be a lot of love from all corners this year, helping you feel safe and warm and comfortable in life. This year, you'll have a higher chance to get married, have kids; or if you've already done those, then a second honeymoon of some sort or a vow renewal to re-ignite a great relationship. Rats need to ensure they don't get into any affairs that will bring unnecessary issues into their life.
π₯ Health-wise, the [Death Symbol], [Explosion Loss] and [Sky Danger] stars mean you're at higher risk of getting sick. Seriously, get a full body check up at the start of the year! Luckily there aren't many blood or blade crises specifically, but he does recommend that you do as many wellness and relaxation exercises that you can to try and prevent any major health issues that might arise.
In summary:Β It's not only the stars, but also the loving Moon that shines on you this year. It's a bit of a balance - you'll be great in meeting people, getting into good relationships with people, and have lots of opportunities to grow at work. It's a year to focus on your personal brand and what you can uniquely do in the world - you don't want to be number 1, you want to be the only one. It might be good to turn to the internet to find these opportunities (translator's note: how forward thinking of him!) and build your wealth. Sponsors will pop up left and right, and as long as you're willing to put in the effort, there should be a reward. One thought to leave with: "Life isn't a competition, so don't make yourself too stressed!" (translator's note: this is the literal translation, so I don't know if it's really coming across well...hope you get something out of it though?)
πΒ Ox - The Year of Good Community Vibes But Many Opps: Although last year was a name year, apparently you had a a lot of celebratory things that helped you enjoy your year. This year, you have Three Unities with both Snakes and Roosters, which means that you'll be popular in the community, you'll have a lot of fans, and you'll have lots of opportunities to grow to the next level at work.
π° The [Three Stages] star shines on the Ox, which is a strong career star that portends taking control and creating new breakthroughs at work. Ox have had some less good years with career, but this is the time where their hard work will successfully break through. They'll finally be able to call the shots, make their own plans, and influence others to get shit done.
Because it's a Three Unities year with Snakes, it'll be relatively easy to meet new people in the community, and due to the [Lucky Sponsor] star that shines upon you, sponsors will appear that will be able to help change bad events into good ones. By spending time with people with Three and Six Unities (i.e. Snakes, Roosters and Rats), you'll be able to find good support, and flourish at work.
- Those born in '97 are able to enjoy themselves at work, and being shone on by a [Sky Chef Star] which means there is fortune in being clothed and fed, as well as being great at talking to others.
β In terms of unlucky stars, there are a number of them - [Sky Tiger], [Admin Symbol], [Five Ghosts], [Poking Back] - which all sound like funny ones but are all related to screwing up relationships with others. Unfortunately, this means you'll be surrounded by people who are trying to start rumours about you or talk shit. You'll have opps no matter what, and no matter how hard you try you won't be able to get rid of them. In addition, you'll be vulnerable to scams, both with money and romance - so it's important to keep a level head.
β€οΈ Relationship-wise, it's a bit weird - it's a Three Unities year, which means you'll be meeting lots of people in the community and apparently have a lot of opportunities for crushes, but all your unlucky stars mean that it might lead to relationship issues. If you're not married, you'll get into a lot of sticky situations; if you are married, then you are vulnerable to falling into affairs. It might be a better year to not go after romance after all, and focus on work instead.
π₯ Health-wise, it's not a good year for Female Oxes (Oxen?). who are more likely to have knife-related wounds, romance-related diseases and pregnancy issues - it's better to have less nights out (apparently). Emotionally, all these opps are gonna weigh on you. If you were born in Autumn or Winter, there's a higher chance of hand and leg injuries, as well as lung and liver issues. To dispel this, put little chinese coins in the centre of your house, or in the North East of your house, which will keep you focused and less prone to making mistakes.
In summary:Β It's a year of ups and downs for Oxes - you'll be good at meeting lots of new people in the community and feel very welcome, so it's a good opportunity to spend time finding good partners for work and romance in order to ready yourself for the future, but there will be a lot of resistance to come even through your success. That resistance may lead to emotional stress and cause you to lose control, making good things into shit situations. Just be careful and make sure you remember 'if you're not happy, it's not worth it!'
π Β Tiger - The Year of Yin and Yang, Friends to Enemies, Arguments to Harmony: Last year, apart from doing well at work, Tigers got a good monetary return from their year. However, as they enter a name year, it is important to be on guard, as it is easy to fall into some unlucky situations.
π° Tigers encounter the [Tai Yin] star this year, which is a star of harmony and serenity. Tigers usually don't listen to people (lol), but with this star in tow, you'll become much warmer and easier to talk with others, and seek compromise and harmony rather than attack; male Tigers are less likely to be angry, and female Tigers are less likely to scold others. The [Tai Yin] star is also a strong female sponsor star, which points to industries that have lots of women, or are helped by women primarily (either at work or are their customers) that will do very well and have opportunities for money to flow in. The star also represents the slow drip of fortune, which means that investments with a longer timescale are better to invest into (translator's note: ETF's anybody?).
In more work-related joy, the [Lucky King] star shines upon you, helping you get to the luckiest environment with your work possible. Fortune and luck should come easily to you as long as you put your heart into your work. In addition, the [Speaking House] star helps you with your speaking powers, helping to persuade others more easily and be more witty / coherent in how you present to others.
- For '98 Tigers, this year there are two additional stars - [Righteous Judge] and [Fortune God] - which means it is likely that you will do very well at work, in promotions and salary specifically. You should be able to raise your flag and do some really good work and get along with people really well. Based on some esoteric chinese astrology positioning, you should celebrate your birthday well this year, so that you can disperse some of the name year energy. If you have any scars, you might consider getting some cosmetic surgery to get rid of them as they will bring about bad luck.
β Interestingly, when Tigers encounter Snakes, trouble abounds - in the Chinese Zodiac, this is considered a name year. These two zodiac signs are always against each other, and create a lot of opposition / fighting energy against each other. In reality, what this means is that Tigers are prone to lots of arguments and butting heads with other people this year. Fortunately, the [Fortune Star] and [Tai Chi] stars will help to reduce the impact of this energy, but it'll still be around.
From an unlucky star perspective, there are a few. With the [Lonely Hour], Tigers will enjoy more time alone ruminating on their own things, but this isolation might not be good for married Tigers. Also, the [Rolling Tongue] star means that people are likely to talk behind your back, which will anger you and significantly impact your emotions and mood. As it is a name year, it's going to be hard to avoid accidents related to falling over or blood crises. Reduce the number of arguments you have with people that you try to 'win', otherwise, in severe cases, they may lead to legal repercussions. The [Tai Yin] star should serve to reduce the severity of some of this energy, but still, be warned.
β€οΈ Romance-wise, the [Tai Yin] star is good for wedding / marriage energy, but is countered by both the name year energy, as well as the [Lonely Hour] star, which will lead to arguments and very oppositional energy; male Tigers especially will feel stress from their relationships. Apparently, if you're religious, this oppositional energy can be countered (translator's note: may the power of Christ compel you!)! From a holistic level, Tigers should focus on work this year anyway - any excessive 'trying for love' in the romance sphere is going to spiral out of control...so try not to get too hung up on what's happening in the romance world. If there are any ways to resolve resentments and let go of frustrations with people, Tigers should try to aim towards those as much as possible.
π₯ From a health perspective, it's a name year, so at the start of the year go to temple and pray, get a blood test / donate blood so that you can disperse your blood crisis. From a mental health perspective, this year a lot of your worries will come from work, so it's best to take on a calm approach to life, and seek harmony in all you do.
In summary:Β Tigers and Snakes man - it's bound to be a fight. This particular name year is one of dis-harmony - where your interactions with others are like oil and water, of competition and hard-fought battles. Luckily, the [Tai Yin] star brings harmony to counteract this energy, helping you to seek harmony in these relationships and turn enemies into friends. Better not to hope for too much this year - keep steady this year so that you accelerate your growth next year!
πΒ Rabbit - The Year of Hopping Around at a Lonely Crossroads: Last year, Rabbits had a 50-50 split of lucky and unlucky stars, and hopefully got through relatively unscathed, especially at work. Going into the Year of the Snake, there will unfortunately be new challenges and choices to make, testing the adaptability of Rabbits.
π° The primary star for Rabbits is the [Relay Horse] this year, which signifies a crossroads in all aspects of life - whether that be in your job, migrating overseas, vacationing in far away places, moving away, or going to get education elsewhere. Rabbits will be hopping left and right, east and west, and there won't be success without having to grind for it - those challenges are unavoidable. It's a year to lean into that challenge rather than try to dodge it.
The [Delayed Judge] star, contrary to it's name, means that Rabbits will be full of energy and momentum to GO GO GO in all aspects of their life. Rabbits, apparently, have personalities that need others to push them to do things - but this year, they're their own motivating energy to get things going. They also have a [Fortune Star Sponsor] star which helps to push through and open up new opportunities at work. The [Fortune God] star also helps to encourage fortune to come find you instead of the other way around; these lucky stars can be relied upon this year to gather fortune and wealth.
- For those born in '99, it's important to do everything at work responsibly and honestly - if not, you'll bring some big disasters on yourself. Better to be a quiet achiever than a loud fool.
β Your unlucky stars this year are not small; the [Sky Dog] star means that you'll be surrounded by 'thieves' (both from a literal standpoint as well as those who might be stealing your time or energy), so stay alert. Your relationships with others will also be at risk, so try not to make assumptions about things lest you get into difficult situations and / or lose money and / or, in some more extreme cases, get into issues with the law. The [Hanging Guest] and [Death Door] stars bring about 'events that cause you to cry' (but in a serious way); the [Fortune Star Sponsor], however, will help you through. Lastly, the [Lonely Hour] star means that you'll enjoy ruminating on your own shit perhaps a bit too much, causing cold wars with your partner (if partnered up). Those with religious beliefs may be able to stave this off a bit (translator's note: weird that Chinese superstition crosses over with other religions but we stan a diverse feng shui master :D)
β€οΈ Romance-wise, there's actually no stars that come to your aid. On the contrary, the aforementioned [Lonely Hour] star will cause your relationships to ice out into a cold war. Be mentally prepared for a bad romance year. If you're married, focus more on your work. If you aren't, then try to force yourself to go out; apparently, you'll have to stumble into accidental romances instead, rather than be able to pursue them by yourself.
π₯ For your health, since you'll be running around all over the place this year, your health is at risk. Whenever you're out and about, be careful of automotive and driving accidents, and stabbings (yikes). The [Hanging Guest] and [Death Door] stars bring about a very heavy mood that impacts your day to day life - it's important to look after your body and health by keep calm and looking after your own wellbeing, otherwise your immune system won't be able to cope - causing your smaller sicknesses to evolve into big ones.
In summary:Β Rabbits aren't going to have the greatest of years, so it's one where cruising through will be enough. Go overseas and travel to get away from it all. Make sure you can adapt to the changes that are coming, and be mentally ready to take them on. Focus on yourself, your hobbies, your interests, and try to work out more about yourself (while keeping afloat with your current relationships where possible). Health is a priority for you, as well as regulating your own mood to keep a fresh mind. Understand where the year is headed and just do your best to let go and smile on through!
πDragon - The Year of Smiling Through Your Sickness With The Help Of The Sun: Last year, Dragons were the main character of the year (duh, it was the Year of the Dragon), and were luckily able to get through a name year relatively unscathed. This year, it's time to kick it up to the next gear, as both romance-wise and career-wise, you're going to flourish - a year to laugh on through!
π° This luck is due to the [Sun Star] and the [Sky Happiness] stars, which are ultra-great lucky stars and pretty much do what they say on the tin. The [Sun Star] shines on all of the 'worse' luck that come from other stars, burning away all the bad luck, and allowing you to use all of your energy to achieve your goals this year. This also helps you have a great family life and year in general. Male Dragons will have full energy to face the year, their spirits will be high, and those who love their jobs will have the greatest success. Single Dragons will find their...princess? prince? - and this year is very much lucky for marriages, since there is a 'double spring' month of love. For some reason he also says that Female Dragons will have 'male energy' through the year...which I guess...is a good thing? (translator's note: down with the patriarchy but also maybe the stars are patriarchal? down with the stars!).
The [Sky Happiness] star, the [Supreme Bringer] star, and the [Sky Sponsor] star work together to bring about happy occasions, and signal you moving into a more mature phase of your life. This is a great encouragement for younger Dragons who will be given more responsibility in their life and work, and may also herald the introduction of a great sponsor who can help grease the wheels of government and the law in service of growing your wealth.
- For '88 Dragons, a [Fortune God] star shines brightly on you, which signifies promotions or salary increases, and a colorful and happy relationship as well (one of the best amongst all Dragons). However, you need to know when to stop or quit things in your life, otherwise you'll feel the aftereffects of this on your hip pocket and your body.
β With a little sun there must also come rain - there are a considerable number of unlucky stars this year, unfortunately. The [Sickness Symbol] star and [Goat Knife] star means you have to look out for accidents, blades, blood crises and transport accidents. The [Stranger] and [Open Sky] stars are ones which will impact your mental health and emotional state the most, so try not to get into too many situations which will trigger these sorts of issues. Probably best to get a full body checkup as soon as possible. Lastly, the [Lonely Hour] star will cause you to spend nights worrying and wondering about life by yourself, which can be counteracted by spending more time in your religious teachings (if you have them) or meditating on philosophy. Overall, it's important to conduct more 'happy' events this year to help dispel this negativity (translator's note: this is usually about having celebratory events like birthdays, weddings, hosting fun gatherings etc.).
β€οΈ Romance-wise, it's a good year for Dragons. It's going to be flowing all around you; if you're looking for your better half, it's the best time for it this year to achieve success. If you're already married, and you're not trying to have kids, then you may be susceptible to straying outside of the marriage (apparently). The alternative is to try and make sure you focus on work relationships and meeting people there, to dispel some of that 'meeting people' energy.
π₯ Health-wise, the [Sun Star] helps to dispel a lot of sicknesses. This year, you'll be full of energy, and even if you somehow DO get sick, you'll smile and laugh through the sickness. He then says 'you won't even need medicine to get better from your sicknesses!' (translator's note: please take your medicine. Like, seriously. Don't take direct medical advice from feng shui masters that tell you you won't even need medicine to get better...SMH).
In summary:Β It's a year where the sun shines on you, your work can only go up, and your relationship and family life will go swimmingly. It's a year where staying on an even keel will lead to great things, and where all the hard things in life will be easily solved. Remember to keep your health in good check - take the stressors of your days, throw them away, and enjoy your happy romantic and family life as it comes.
Lots of bonus content this time around, because I had a bit more time and my Canto has leveled up so...
What should you eat and drink this year!? (Note: I could not find any rhyme or reason for these - it's just the Chinese astrology / Ba Zi that says this stuff is lucky, so go ahead and make of it what you will :D)
- If you're a guy looking to increase your opportunities with girls, you should eat more prawns this year - the less flavoured, the better (i.e. just boil 'em to eat) π¦π¦π¦
- If you're a girl looking to increase your romantic luck / hope to get engaged, make sure you eat more crab, and lamb chops; apparently, B12 supplements will also do the trick (translator's note: LOL WHAT this guy is straying into some weird medical advice) π¦
- If you want to increase your luck while traveling, make sure you eat snake soup or onions ππ§
- Eating beef will help you win promotions at work (translator's note: is this because you should be taking your bosses out to steakhouses or something?) ππ
- If you eat more Hainanese chicken rice, you'll increase your 'people' luck - i.e. you'll meet more people in the year, and your relationships with those people will be good πππ
- If you're born in Autumn, eating pig intestines or goose intestines will help attract more lucky stars to you
- "Sole fish" or basa fish will help you have lots of celebratory events in your year, and bring brightness to your year. Omega 3 fish oil supplements will do the same thing as well. πππ
- To bring fortune, eat a lot of hotpot this year! Make sure that when you do, you bring at least 5 different types of meat - beef, pork, fish, chicken and Iberico ham are a good combination, or even 5 different types of beef. π²
- Women should try to eat more egg tarts to help with presentation skills this year - as in, talking and presenting to other people!
- Chiu Chow dishes will help with wealth and fortune, Szechuan cuisine reduces your luck, and Thai food will bring new opportunities and innovation to your life.
- If you're looking for richer foods, Peking duck and roast goose are things that will help match with the cycle of years (I'm not getting into this weird Chinese astrology because he starts talking about the colour of the year and I ain't about that). Squab or quail is a good choice this year as well, increasing the quality of your sponsors this year. π¦πͺΏ
Another feature of this year in the book was an article on '88 advices for a happier life' which was a bit of scam because he only put in 20 of them, and then said 'go buy my other books to get the rest!'. But what he put in was good enough for our purposes - here's a fun selection of the weird and wonderful world of Lee Kui Ming:
- The more safes you buy at home, the more wealth you're going to attract in your life. HOWEVER, don't gift safes to other people, because that signifies / represents that you're going to have to look after them for the rest of your life!
- Don't celebrate your parents 60th's this year, nor your grandparents ones. If you wish them a happy birthday, it will wash away their luck, and is completely taboo. The most you should do is eat birthday cake. (translator's note: what the fuck LOL WHAT DOES THIS MEAN??)
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If your house is full of arguments, you should write the words 'Peace' and 'Harmony' in the following areas of the house:
- East, to make your son obedient
- South-East, to make your daughter listen to you
- North-West, for your husband to argue less
- South-West, for your wife to stop nagging
- If you've got 10 wives, then make sure you write up 10 'Peace' signs! (translator's note: I think this is a joke, but you can never be sure with this guy)
- In your shoe cabinet, your dad's shoes should be on top, and your mum's shoes on the bottom. This is a universal law! (translator's note: goddammit the stars are patriarchal π‘π‘π‘)
- Things not to grow this year: Don't grow melons in your garden; if you do, your family will grow cysts / lumps / tumors. If you grow papaya, you'll get breast cancer. If you grow zucchini you'll get hygromas (essentially, a fluid-filled bump or lump in your head), if you grow mangos, your thighs will grow sores / pimples, if you grow gourds, you'll increase the risk of uterine cancer for the women in your family. DO YOU GET IT? DON'T GROW THESE FRUITS OR THEY'LL GET CANCER.
- If you want to have good luck this year, don't wear clothes with big crosses on them. βββ
- If you wear rings, you're more likely to get married. This advice relates mainly to people who are unmarried - i.e. if you're male and you don't wear a ring, you ain't gonna progress in your romantic life. The more extreme the ring, the more romantic fortune you'll bring to yourself! If you're female and you haven't married, it's because you aren't wearing enough awesome rings in your daily life!
- Don't dig holes / bunkers at home - this is representative of 'digging your own grave'. If you dig holes in your North-West, the males in your family are in imminent danger - with extreme cases causing them to pass away! If you dig holes in the South-West, the females will be in danger.
- Don't put your coffee table or big tables in the direct middle of the room as the superstition says it will "attract the spirit world" to you. (translator's note: unclear if this is a good or a bad thing tbh, but usually we don't want spirits around so...I guess it's bad?)
- If you have five people at home, don't put out six sets of chopsticks (i.e. don't set another place at the table), as this is essentially saying that someone who has passed away is still eating with you, or that someone from the outside is blocking your fortunes. π» Chopsticks should not be stuck into the rice in a bowl, because this is what you usually do to share a meal with dead people (it's a Chinese thing when you go to visit graves). Also, make sure your chopsticks don't fall on the floor - if they do, quickly say 'Happy happy!' to make sure you don't have bad luck.
Last but not least, APP PLACEMENT FOR GREAT LUCK THIS YEAR (red is good, black is bad!):
looks like this year i'm meal-prepping hainanese chicken rice, and as a '96 rat i'll be sure to get my annual checkup π
this was seriously awesome and put a huge smile on my face. appreciate you and love your work.