A Chinese boy plays with fireworks in Jinzhai county in China's eastern province of Anhui, on Chinese Lunar New Year's Eve, Wednesday. Chinese worldwide celebrated the New Year of the Monkey last Thursday. - Reuters
EVERYTHING WILL be workable this year. At least the agile Monkey will not give up before trying every angle. There will be success even in impossible ventures, there will be inventions and improvisations galore.
Politics, diplomacy, high finance and business will be engaged in one big poker game with everyone trying to out-bluff each other. A rather amusing and exciting time in which everyone will be given the opportunity to try his hand at the game. No direct confrontation here, as the Monkey is one who can laugh off his mistakes and improve his bargaining prowess in the next round.
This is a year that will find us all trying to get a better deal by outsmarting the other man. It is hard to keep track of who is winning, as the right hand has no idea of what the left hand is up to. One thing is for sure, this will be an extremely progressive time. We will all steam ahead, and even if we do not apply ourselves to the utmost, we will be carried forward by the surging tide of the Monkey's natural talent for learning and advancement.
The lucky imp of a Monkey who rules this year will urge us to gamble, speculate and exploit risky but ingenious options. If you are quick on the draw, this year will yield huge dividends. It is definitely not a year for the faint-hearted or slow-witted. The Monkey gives no concessions and asks none in return. If there is a recession, the Year of the Monkey will quickly put an end to it. Business will skyrocket under his optimistic and shrewd influence. The Monkey's resourcefulness will amaze and confound everyone.
It is very interesting to note that America was born in the year of the Fire Monkey, 1776. Perhaps this explains her phenomenal growth and fantastic achievements within such a short span of time.
It is said that the Monkey's year will bring many new and unconventional ways of doing things. The motto of this year should be: "Don't take no for an answer!"
WHAT'S MORE FOR THE YEAR
There will be more new invention's in science and technology; more bold innovations in fashion; and advancements in the field of communication.
The year is also characterised as full of challenge. People will be dissatisfied and will seek greener pastures. Hence, the number of migrants will be very high.
Worldwide, the economy will be unstable due to the wars in the Middle East and even in the Pacific. There will be an unusual quiet in the first half of the year. Then, towards the last quarter, war may escalate through rampant terrorism.
Earthquakes, freak weather disturbances and road mishaps will be very frequent. Forest fires will further aggravate the worsening climatic condition. More endangered species of animals and plants will be extinct.
Though scientists will discover cures for incurable diseases like cancer, there will be an outbreak of a new disease that will begin to show up in the Pacific and IndoChina.
A prominent world leader will be assassinated and two or three Hollywood figures will die and another will meet an accident. These will occur towards the second half of the year.
Marriages in the Year of the Monkey might not last long or could result in strained relationships. A rise in the number of abortions and separations will be noted in the second and third quarter.
Drought will be widespread and would cause heavy damage to agriculture. This will result in worldwide famine
and unrest.
MORE ABOUT MONKEY PEOPLE
The monkey personality
Of all the animals in the lunar cycle, the Monkey bears the closest resemblance to the Naked Ape himself, Man. It is therefore no wonder that it should be he who will inherit most of man's intelligence as well as his capacity for deceit.
The Monkey is the sign of the inventor, the improviser, and the motivator in the Chinese zodiac; a charlatan capable of drawing everyone to him with his inimitable guile and charm. Being the quick-witted genius of the cycle, he is clever, flexible and innovative. The Monkey can solve intricate problems with ease and will be a very fast learner. He can master anything under the sun and usually has the aptitude for being a good linguist. A person born during this year will be successful at whatever he chooses to do. No challenge will be too great for him.
On the negative side, the Monkey person has an inborn superiority, complex. He doesn't have enough respect for others. Or rather, from his point of view, he has too much for himself. He can be extremely selfish, egoistic and vain. There is also a jealous streak in him that surfaces every time someone gets a promotion or something that he does not have. He is extremely competitive, but good at concealing his feelings and planning his cunning moves. In his pursuit of money, success or power, the Monkey's prowess is unbeatable.
