** 2004, The Wood Monkey **

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January 22, 2004 ushers in the Year of the Wood/Green Monkey "Jia Shen". A Year of Movement, discussion and the exchange of ideas. A year highlighting: Politicians, diplomats, ambassadors, writers, spokesmen, storytellers, orators, salesmen, and confidence games. Welcome to the "Riverboat Gambler" year of the Chinese zodiac - the Irrepressible Monkey.

A year of sidestepping problems and clever manipulations, backed by intelligence and guile. Short-lived, transitory projects and the open exchange of ideas filters our emotions through an agile and razor sharp intelligence. Using a great sense of humor (and sarcasm) Monkey years, hold out bright prospects of a fascinating future, rich in the unexpected. A year of "transformations." A year to give full rein to your imagination, but also be wary of over-optimism, allowing tolerance of the intolerable. Do not let your garden be over-run with weeds (destructive factions could bring trouble if allowed to propagate). Riots, revolutions and the overthrow of rulers, keep everyone on their toes! Monkey years spin everyone's concept of "normal." Bluffs, tricks, ruses and deceptions abound during Monkey years; Those who enjoy risk and novelty, thrive; Those who prefer predictability and convention, wince.

The peak point in a Wood Monkey year is the Springtime, a period of growth and prosperity. The Wood element represents the first 12 years of life, the time of rapid development, idealism and youthful innocence. Wood element years are prime to begin sizable enterprises, expansions and major cooperation's. Where there is recession, this Monkey year will tend to halt it in it's tracks. Business should shoot up under this years optimistic and cunning influence. The resourcefulness in solving complex dilemmas should be a pleasant surprise.

While each sign repeats every 12 years, the specific combination of Sign (earthly branch) and element (heavenly stem) occur only once every 60 years.

60 years ago, 1944's Wood Monkey brought a climactic year of the second world war, when the threat of disaster brought allied forces together. Cooperation out of necessity.

Monkey years have also brought their share of natural disasters, as the high-strung Yang+ Monkey ushers in it's naughty mix of deception and environmental temper-tantrums.

Hurricanes
1992 (water monkey) hurricane ANDREW roars ashore with a Category 5 pounding the SE Florida & Louisiana coast causing $26,500,000,000 in damage.
1992 hurricane INIKI devastates Kaua'i, Hawaii causing $1,800,000,000 in damages.

Tsunami Events
1992 Nicaragua extensive damage.
1992 Flores Region, Indonesia extreme damage.

Volcanic Activity
1980 MOUNT ST. HELEN'S, Washington, USA erupts At 8:32 Sunday morning, May 18, 1980 (metal monkey) as an earthquake measuring 5.1 on the Richter scale collapses the north face of the mountain, causing a massive rock debris avalanche. 230 square miles of forest was destroyed, as a mushroom-shaped column of ash rose thousands of feet skyward and drifted downwind, turning day into night over eastern Washington and beyond. The eruption lasted 9 hours.

The Frugal Rat - The "Concealed Charmer"
A much better year ahead in 2004 as the Rat and Monkey are the best of friends. Unstable but dynamic, the Monkey year emboldens Rats and this year's journey may resemble more of a hazardous adventure rather than a picnic. The eclectic Rat's imagination (both positive and negative) runs wild during Monkey years and moderation is critical. All in all, a great year.

The Durable Ox - The "Head Honcho"
A less exasperating year where gains outweigh losses. Oxen appreciate a year devoid of jealous scenes, emotional displays and foolish declarations of love, and Monkeys appreciate the Oxen's stability and reasonable nature. However, "topsy-turvy" never has set well with Ox souls, and the helter-skelter of Monkey years tend to unnerve them. Continue to keep both feet on the floor.

The Noble Tiger - The "Go-Getter"
Much less supple and adaptable than Monkey's, Tigers prefer clear-cut situations. This makes cloaked Monkey years difficult for the forthright Tiger. The Monkeys tricks and guile cause set-backs for Tigers, bringing criticism, and pointing out weaknesses. However, the formidable Tiger combines their proud-bearing with the wizardry of Money year transforming the Tiger into a fearless tightrope walker.

The Detached Rabbit - The "Artful Dodger"
A year of "looking for love in all the wrong places" teaches the lesson of contentment, and that the grass is not always greener on the other side of the fence. Discreet Rabbits, so attached to their principles, may feel scandalized by the Monkey's tactics and wiles used to escape difficult situations. Rabbits must be calculating, have continual "presence of mind" and leave nothing to chance this year.

The Unpredictable Dragon - The "Theatrical Visionary"
Whew! Finally a brighter and more prosperous time for robust Dragons. The Monkey, who seeks constant sources of excitement, compliments the Dragon soul bringing confidence, charm and mutual success. While collaboration, and assistance are offered, beware of rash acts, and immoderate pride this year as anything may happen! (both positive and negative)

The Intuitive Snake - The "Learned One"
The Snake and Monkey are soulmates, and Monkey years stimulate the Snake's keen mind and free-flow of ideas. An excellent year for Snakes filled with superb intellectual exchanges, professional alliances, ideas and possibilities. As one of the few intellectual equals, Monkey years fascinate the common-sense Snake. Ability and subtlety are the Snakes major trump cards this year.

The Decisive Horse - The "Happy Hedonist"
A year resembling an extended race-course. The Monkey tricks the Horse into thinking that life with them will be different and seduces the Horse by stroking their ego. Horses are dominated by emotion, passion and intense commitment to projects and causes. Monkey years upset the equilibrium of the Horse with it's about-faces, and unexpected occurrences. Vague distrust and superficiality prevail.

The Creative Goat - The "Good Samaritan"
An extremely restless year of gaiety and fantasy, but events in Monkey years happen too quickly for the Goat. While Goats and Monkeys are essentially good friends, the self-assured Monkey tweaks insecurity in the Goat and tends to leave them feeling left in the background. A high risk of throwing out the baby with the bathwater, as Goat souls risk excesses and emotional problems with their immediate family.

The Entertaining Monkey - The "Merry Mercurial"
While a lively year of good times, good friends, and lack of boredom, only rarely are your own Monkey years constructive and capable of permanent development. Monkeys have difficulty staying on a straight and narrow course, tempted to take detours and short-cuts for the pure pleasure of discovery and novelty. However, you do find the year's prevalent upheaval amusing, and will have a strong desire for travel.

The Perfectionist Rooster - The "I can do better" inspirer.
After the initial entertainment and novelty of the year has worn-off, Roosters find Monkey years superficial. The Monkey's taste for socializing and parties, will greatly please the Rooster, but the frank and honest Rooster will not appreciate the Monkeys form of criticism and attitude of superiority and their motto remains "I know better." Sit this one out, and put everything back into order another time.

The Watchful Dog - The "Vanquishing Vigilante."
Dogs have a tendency to complicate matters in Monkey years. Years ruled by the Monkey can bring the culmination of family disturbances, accusations, and losing face. The Dogs reputation may be on the line this year, do not act with haste, but carefully deliberate your options. Even though Dogs resent the carefree attitude and lack of perceived scruples during Monkey years, any vigilante-like rushing into chaos, could bring disastrous results. Take a deep breath and let it be...

The Tolerant Pig - The "Accommodating Pacifist."
Reconciliation and reunion with former loves, as romance takes a more positive course. The Pigs profound honesty and childlike trust is the only thing that can disarm the manipulative instincts of the Monkey year. It is the Pig who will transform this Monkey year, not the other way around. However, the highs are high and the lows are low. The Pig has the last word this year - a karmic reward for their lack of self-seeking and unconditional love.

Wishing you the 5 traditional Chinese blessings of, Longevity, Wealth, Love of virtue, Vital Health, and a Natural Ending.

Shelly Wu