Your Chinese Horoscope 2010. Neil Somerville

can be of great help. Tiger years are active ones and it is important that quality time is preserved for home life. If the Metal Ox has any ideas for shared activities, including home or garden improvements, he should put them forward, as they will often be appreciated. By being aware and open he will play a central and valued role in his domestic life.

      As far as financial matters are concerned, this is a year for vigilance. Not only should the Metal Ox keep a close watch on his budget and make allowance for forthcoming expenses, but he should also be thorough with paperwork. This includes checking any forms he may be required to complete and the terms of any agreements he may enter into, as well as making sure essential policies are kept up to date. The Tiger year is not one for carelessness or risk.

      Overall, this will be a demanding and sometimes disruptive year for the Metal Ox. Changes may suddenly arise and he could feel buffeted by events or situations outside his control. However, by being willing to adapt, he can often learn from them. And while the Tiger year may not be an easy one, the Metal Ox’s hard-fought achievements will be something that he can build on and enjoy more fully in following years.

      TIP FOR THE YEAR

      Pay attention to your relations with others. Listen to their views and be open and communicative. Also, spend time on your interests. They can do you a lot of good as well as keep your lifestyle in balance.

       The Water Ox

      This will be a mixed year for the Water Ox. He may well find himself under increased pressure and certain plans may be more difficult to realize than he had hoped. However, while there will be times of disappointment and sometimes despair, there will also be some very special moments and personal successes. This may not be an easy year, but it can be an important and illuminating one.

      At work this will be a demanding year and while the conscientious Water Ox will often want to be left to carry out his own duties, distractions and delays are likely to arise. In addition he could find his work is not made any easier by the attitude of some colleagues or a lack of resources or other support. Some of the year will test his forbearance. However, one of his qualities is that he is no quitter. He is prepared to work hard, and by doing what he can, he will not only overcome some of the year’s obstacles but also have the opportunity to learn new skills. In addition his fortitude will often impress others and when opportunities arise many Water Oxen will find themselves well positioned to benefit. ‘Problems are opportunities in disguise,’ as the saying goes, and this will hold very true for the Water Ox this year.

      Water Oxen who are anxious to change their job or who are seeking work could find it particularly helpful to consult those in a position to help. These could be career advisers, employment agencies or professional organizations, but by drawing on the advice available and widening their options, these Water Oxen may be offered an interesting new challenge. The Tiger year may be demanding, but the chances will be there. March, April, September and November could see some interesting possibilities.

      Throughout the year, though, the Water Ox will need to be careful in financial matters. He could face some additional expenses, including costs for repairing and replacing equipment as well as helping with the activities of others. As a result he will need to keep a close watch on his spending and whenever possible save in advance. He should also check forms and financial agreements thoroughly and follow up anything that is unclear. This is no year for risk.

      One of the most satisfying areas of the year will be the personal projects the Water Ox decides to set himself. For more creative Water Oxen, these could involve making items or using their skills in new ways, but whatever the Water Ox chooses to do, in this often busy year it is important he preserves time for activities he enjoys. Any Water Oxen who have let their interests lapse in recent times would do well to consider rectifying this. Also, Tiger years do favour the new and it could be that a pursuit that has recently become popular could be very suitable.

      The Water Ox’s domestic life will also see a lot of activity over the year and he will do much to assist others. Younger relations in particular could be facing academic pressures and here the Water Ox’s encouragement and understanding will be particularly valued. Sometimes more senior relations will also look to the Water Ox for assistance and while he will again do much to help, there will be times when he will be torn in several directions and have to rush from one matter to another. There could also be some situations that concern him and add to the pressure. When this happens, or he has decisions preying on his mind, or is worried about the attitudes of others, it is important that he is forthcoming. With discussion, problems can often be resolved, tensions eased and decisions made. In this demanding year, openness and co-operation are essential.

      While there will be some particularly busy times during the year, there will, however, also be some occasions which will mean a great deal to the Water Ox. An academic success, some progress made or a holiday or break can all bring a great deal of pleasure as well as be good for domestic rapport and understanding.

      It is also important that the Water Ox does not feel so busy that he has to cut back on his socializing over the year. This not only helps keep his lifestyle in balance but can also give him the opportunity to get to know others. The unattached and those hoping for a more fulfilling social life will find that by going out and giving themselves the chance to meet others, their positive actions can lead to an improvement in their situation. March, April, June and August to early September could see the most social activity.

      Overall, the Tiger year will be fast-moving and there will be times when the Water Ox will feel concerned about developments or under pressure. However, by doing what he can and rising to the challenges of the year he will gain important experience which he will be able to build on in the future. This is a time to remain alert, be prepared to adapt and remain mindful of others.

      TIP FOR THE YEAR

      Although you will have many demands on your time, do not let these prevent you from developing your interests. These can bring balance to your lifestyle as well as offer much personal satisfaction. Also, at busy or worrying times, do draw on the assistance of others. This can help you in many ways.

       The Wood Ox

      There are two words that it would be helpful for the Wood Ox to keep in mind this year: ‘awareness’ and ‘flexibility’. This will be a busy year and throughout the Wood Ox will need to remain alert and be prepared to adapt. He may have firm ideas and objectives, but to stay too wedded to these could hinder his progress.

      One area which will see change will be work. Those Wood Oxen who have been in the same position for some time may well feel ready for a change at some point during the year. For many, this will be with their present employer and their in-house knowledge will make them strong candidates for promotion. Others will choose to look for greater responsibilities elsewhere, but whatever the Wood Ox does, this is a year favouring progress and personal development. Many Wood Oxen will be successful in securing a new position and taking on a more fulfilling role, and a lot will be expected of them, including learning new duties and, for some, altering their routine. The early days could be daunting and tiring. However, by having faith in their abilities and rising to the challenge, these Wood Oxen will often find their new role allows them to discover strengths which will become part of their onward development. Progress made this year can have important long-term benefits. Even those Wood Oxen who decide to remain in their existing role will find that developments will often require them to adapt and this will help prepare them for future possibilities.

      For Wood Oxen seeking work, the Tiger year will not be easy. Patience and persistence will be required and there will be times when these Wood Oxen will feel despondent, especially when certain applications do not go their way. However, by drawing on the advice available, widening their options and showing initiative at interview, many will find their tenacity rewarded by the offer of a job that may be different from what they have done before, and this can be of great future value. Late February to the end of April, September and November could see some interesting openings, but opportunities