The legend says that Lao Tse, tired from the court gossips and confusion, left for the hills in western China riding an ox.

At that time, the ox was not exactly used for activities in need of speed and agility. It was instead reaponsible for carrying the heavy charges, and resisting the hard tests of the difficult path, never losing it strenght, and always keeping the final goal in sight.

This sign's main quality is the capacity to endure probations with patience and tenacity, always reaching its goal.

In most eastern and western cultures, the Ox is known as a symbol of prosperity, although one acquired after much toil and sacrifice, and for this very reason always kept safe and well cared for.

In this point of view a resemblance is found to the sign of Capricorn, famous for its great capacity to work and its extreme financial conservativeness.

Like Capricorn, the Ox (Chou) sign is the faithfull representative of hard and tireless work.

This slow and enduring animal doesn't let itself down, and despite its pacific nature will not hesitate for a minute before aggressively using its horns in defense of everybody and anything that it cares for.

Wise executors of the species preservation instincts, the Ox natives skillfully use their administrative talent, don't let things slip by easily, being conservative by excellence, in a very literal sense.

They will hardly expose themselves unnecessarily in speculations or financial risks, unless other factors from the horoscope play an influence.

It's importante to note that just like in western astrology, we cannot analyse any influence only from an individual, isolated point. The chinese signs ruling and influences are mostly evidenced by collective, not individual manifestations, except in very specific instances.

Generally speaking, during this year we should observe financial tendencies with caution before we invest our money.

In many classic texts from the eastern literature, this is the archetype of one who bears the burden of responsability with rightfullness, in this way writing his own destiny.

"One who has true gold in his hands must hold it firmly and avoid losses, when talking about it he must either measure the words carefully, or remain silent".

With a great pragmatism in gestures and words, the Ox natives don't have much talent with communication and self-expression, and that's their biggest challenge: communication. Normally, they will prefer to use actions to express their feelings, which run very deep.

This January 26th, 2009 we will officialy enter the chinese year 4706 of JI / CHOU, or Yin Earth Ox. From a certain perspective, we will have all the Ox main qualities reinforced by the earth reaching its maximum potency. The 2009 Ox is even more practical, pragmatical, and hard-working then the others, but at the same time also more creative.

China was reconstructed in 1949, the last time a year ruled by the Yin Earth Ox occurred, and because of this I have reason to believe this can be a very significative year for this country, with great returns, or better said, many changes and transformations.

In the world scenario the year promises financial oscillations, with the possibility of stabilisation at the end of the year. Conservative investiments are recommended.

This can be a very fruitful year for all matters involving earth, for this reason investing in agriculture and livestock can be a good option.

Another sector receiving good infuences is real estate, where Brazil will do specially well, with the best chances lying in the old properties instead of new, and the best period for investiments is the first half of the year.

This will be also a good year for retail, with focus in the field of sports activities, especially those involving water.

The communication between nations is improved and deals enabling international cooperation will be in the spotlight.

From an individual standpoint, all the persons born in an Ox year will have the conclusion of a cycle.

In a lesser scale, 3 other signs, which have a direct realtion to the Ox in the zodiac, can also experience a remarkable and conclusive year. They are the Goat, the Snake and the Rooster.

Until April the Snake is in evidence, and it signals few collective changes.

From April to August comes the turn of the Goat, these three months will be quite tense, and precipitated actions should be avoided, touchy issues should be dealt with in the most political way.

From August to November the Rooster is at the peak, with professional and financial opportunities getting better.

From November on we have the Yin Earth Ox fully ruling, and these promise to be the most important months of the year, especially for those born under the Ox sign, who will be able to reap the fruits from the whole year efforts, and take to a conclusion anything that was still left pending in their lifes. The end of the year will possibly be its most peacefull and productive phase for all of us.

In the shaman tradition the Ox is considered an animal of prosperity, peace, wisdom and prayer. According to those North American healers, this totem can bring much for the ones who tune into its vibration. So my advice for this Chinese New Year is to join us in faith and prayer, and help spread this vibration of peace and prosperity to the whole planet.

Happy New Year!

Erica Poonam