Happy Chinese New Year of the Green Rooster

Dear Friends, February 9, 2005 will usher in the year of the Green Rooster. It is Year 4,703 since the beginning of the Yellow Emperor’s reign. The year of the Rooster follows on the heel of the Monkey year. Let’s take a moment and reflect back on my last year’s forecast and see how we did for 2004. I predicted that the Monkey year, because of the metal and wood energetic conflicts, would be filled with clashes, constant changes and unpredictability. We saw continued clashes both abroad in Iraq and at home with the presidential election. I predicted that the economy would see an up tick. The Economy grew by an estimated 39% and both the stock and real estate markets finished strong at year-end. I cautioned to watch out for diseases of the nervous and cardiovascular systems and gave advice on taking preventive care of these systems. Many patients have voiced their thanks throughout the year because they have had to contend with these very problems.

So what is in store for the Year of the Green Rooster in 2005? Firstly, it’s “green” to represent the color corresponding to the year’s energetic element of Wood. Generally, the “cocky” nature of the rooster arouses us from the suspicious and pessimistic Monkey year and brings a great sense of confident optimism and cheerfulness. Similar to last year, the elements of wood and metal are again present, except that the conflicts are more show and less substance, therefore, the hope for compromise and resolution is increased. However, the rooster can’t help himself in being argumentative and provocative still. The year will bring more order and organization, and the emphasis will be on appearance and presentation. Entertainment, fashion and glamour will be hot. Be on the look out for more “Apprentice” style, strong-personality reality show crowding the airwaves.

On the business front, this will be a year of deal making as corporations go on a merger and acquisition binge, emboldened by the cash-hordes built up over the last several years and the improving economy. Speculative fervor will return, influenced by the optimistic rooster, though it will not be as indulgent as the late 90’s. Industries that will benefit from the year of the rooster include: real estate, commodities, energy, transportation, travel and health care.

On the personal health front, people are more prone to developing problems of the spine such as neck and back pain as well as neurological diseases such as MS, Parkinson’s and neuropathy. Furthermore, look out for liver, gall bladder and respiratory diseases.

It would be very appropriate to follow my advice from last year as both 2004 and 2005 share similar elemental energies of metal and wood.

Diet should consist of “green” color foods as this corresponds to the Wood Elemental Energy. Diet should be abundant in leafy green vegetables like parsley, kale, mustard greens, spinach, collards, chard, beets and beet greens, supplements containing rich chlorophyll such as Spirulina, Chlorella and Blue-Green algae, and herbs including dandelion, milk thistle, peppermint and chrysanthemum should be consumed to help the liver. Additionally, including daikon radish, seaweed, persimmon, dill, oregano, cilantro, rosemary, sage, bay leaf, cinnamon, ginger, mustard seed, and garlic will benefit the respiratory system, I strongly recommend our Internal Cleanse Tea to support your healthy liver function and Perpetual Shield to strengthen your lungs.

You should also undertake a regular exercise program that includes stretching and strengthening of the spine such as Dao-In, Eight Treasures or Yoga. A daily relaxation and stress management practice is also important to support your nervous system such as practicing Stress Release Meditation or Five Clouds Meditation. Seek treatment at the earliest opportunity when confronted with any of the conditions mentioned above to prevent unnecessary exacerbation and magnifying your illness.

Finally, the best way to benefit and avoid the pitfalls in the Year of the Green Rooster is to avoid speculation, temper your ego, do the homework and get to the truth beneath all the glamour and show, minimize confrontations, keep good posture, stay calm, eat well, cleanse your liver, boost your immune and respiratory systems, smile a lot and move forward with your endeavors with confidence and poise. Don’t forget to stay flexible and adapt to all changes. You will find that success is within your grasp.

We wish you a Happy, Healthy and Peaceful New Year!