Good riddance Rat, Welcome the Ox

It’s almost time to usher in another Chinese New Year. On February 12 we bid farewell (and good riddance) to the 2020 Rat Year and welcome the Year of the Ox.

As always we like to prognosticate on what this means for our gambling fortunes, according to the wisdom of the Chinese Zodiac and those experts professing to know how to interpret it.

To be sure, it’s not an exact science. No need to look much further than predictions from a year ago to find strong evidence of this.

“Rat years are generally prosperous all round…”

Those managing to catch the surprisingly strong share market recovery would agree. Holders of Bitcoin likewise. But most of us would be disappointed in the prosperity delivered by the Rat.

Will the Ox share the wealth a little wider?

About the Ox

The Ox’s position in the Shēngxiāo and how it got there tells us a little about this creature.

The Jade Emperor thought a good old fashioned running race would be a good way to decide the order of 12 zodiacal signs. Some of the key characteristics of the Ox had it powering to the front of the race: strength, dependability and diligence.

What the Ox failed to realise as it motored to the finish line was that the crafty Rat had hitched a ride on its back. Approaching the line the Rat jumped across first to take the honours, and reveal another characteristic of the Ox. It’s as dumb as a hammer.

Nevertheless, strength and persistence usually hold the Ox in good stead. They are planners and have a dogged determination to eventually succeed. And they usually do. Unless that dogged determination is applied to something like taking down the house playing Martingale roulette, or trying to hit a progressive slots jackpot.

Will the Ox year bring you fortune?

For those born in Ox years (1937, 1949, 1961, 1973, 1985, 1997 and 2000)…

If there’s one thing all the experts agree on, its that your zodiacal year brings bad tidings. This applies to all the signs.

If you’re an Ox, this is not your year to shine unfortunately.

There are some things you can do to limit your losses. Not gambling would be the obvious one. But if that’s not an option on the table try observing some rules supposed to bring luck to Oxen.

• stick with your lucky colours: yellow, green and blue
• avoid your unlucky colours: red, brown and blue (there are mixed messages on blue)
• stick with your lucky numbers (and combinations thereof): 1 and 4
• avoid your unlucky numbers (and combinations thereof): 3, 5 and 6
• your luck directions are: North, South, East, North West, South East (good luck observing this one)
• your unlucky direction: South West

You can also try wearing your ‘Harmony Compatible Pair‘ sign as a piece of jewellery. The Ox’s compatible pair is the Rat. A nice rat bracelet or necklace may help you navigate an otherwise choppy year.

For the rest of us…

The experts agree that Rats (1948, 1960, 1972, 1984, 1996, 2008) and Snakes (1941, 1953, 1965, 1977, 1989, 2001) will enjoy good fortune this year. Depending on who you listen to Roosters (1945, 1957, 1969, 1981, 1993, 2005) or Monkeys (1944, 1956, 1968, 1980, 1992, 2004) are also in favour.

Not in favour are Goats (1943, 1955, 1967, 1979, 1991, 2003), Horses (1942, 1954, 1966, 1978, 1990, 2002) and Dogs (1946, 1958, 1970, 1982, 1994, 2006). Perhaps try and lay low and don’t get too adventurous. Easy to do these days.

Here are the six harmony compatible pairs in case you want to get boost your luck with some bling.

• Rat & Ox
• Tiger & Pig
• Rabbit & Dog
• Dragon & Rooster
• Snake & Monkey
• Horse & Goat