Chinese New Year 2007
4 Predictions for Year of the
Pig
By Jude Buglewicz
From the Million Dollar Body Club - Join Today and Workout to
Win!
 Happy New Year! Chinese New Year, that is. It's the Year
of the Pig, which you might think would imply 12 months of unbridled gluttony,
but no. Because in Chinese astrology, while Pigs are indeed known for pursuing
the good life, they're also organized, diligent, and strong willed. Ronald
Reagan was born in the Year of the Pig, as was Arnold Schwarzenegger, Hillary
Clinton, and Henry Kissinger. No party animals in that bunch! So what does the
Pig Year mean for us - especially in terms of diet and fitness?
 First, a
super-crash course in Chinese astrology so you'll have a better understanding
of the symbolism to follow. It's based on the lunar calendar, and dates back to
2637 BC, when the first cycle was introduced by Emperor Huang Ti. A full cycle
is 60 years, made up of five 12-year sequences. We are now in the 78th 60-year
cycle. There are 12 animal names (with the Pig being the 12th, or last animal
in the cycle), and five elements (Metal, Water, Wood, Fire, and Earth). The
animals are further divided into yin and yang (or passive and active). The Pig
is a yin animal. Every 12 years there is a different animal "element" - a Metal
Pig, Water Pig, Wood Pig, Fire Pig, and Earth Pig, so it takes 60 years to
cycle back to the same animal and element.
This year is the Year of the Yin
Fire Pig, or "Red Pig," also celebrated as the "Golden Pig." It's believed that
a child born in the Year of the Golden Pig will be prosperous and wealthy,
which has demographers in China and Korea predicting a 10 percent rise in the
average birthrates for this year. In many cultures, pigs symbolize fertility,
abundance, and good luck. One fortune-teller, Lee Sing-tong, maintains that a
very talented and intelligent person (a future prime minister perhaps) will be
born in the east or south of China on June 30th.
 Now, whether or not you "believe" in this view of the world and our
place in it, or you're just curious, for what it's worth, here's what the
soothsayers are predicting - accompanied by a few of our own suggestions for
what it means in terms of your diet and fitness goals! (Always working the
healthy lifestyle angles here!)
 Optimism. This is the good
news. Expansive feelings, openness, and warmth predominate all qualities
associated with the generous, sociable Pig. You may even be inspired to buy
those advanced workouts and start tackling your challenging fitness goals. Go
for it! Just proceed with reasonable caution, as "fire standing on water,"
which is the elemental composition of this Pig Year, could also mean explosions
and fires. Yikes.
 Tumultuous economy. This is closely
related to optimism, which inspires people to spend money and bet against the
odds with more abandon. Consequently, the stock market is predicted to be very
active for the first half of the year, and then less so in the autumn and
winter months. No lingering crashes are expected, however, as the "Wood"
element in the Pig will continue to fuel the fire, ensuring we'll bounce back.
Look out next year, though - the Year of the Rat is expected to be a different
story. Meanwhile, stock up on workout programs and high-grade equipment now
while the money is flowing!
 Disharmony. Not so good news. "Fire
standing on water" isn't pleasant. Water extinguishes fire, or "conquers" it,
symbolizing turbulence and conflict. Trouble can be expected in all the usual
hot spots of the world and natural disasters are predicted. But out of all the
trouble good is expected to prevail and problems resolved. Getting strong and
fit certainly wouldn't hurt this year, as we all know how exercise reduces
stress and tension and so is a good way to reduce the disharmony in our own
lives at least.
 Heart
watch. Each of the fire Chinese astrological elements
is also associated with parts of the body. Fire is associated with blood, its
circulation, and the heart. Raymond Lo, a Chinese astrologer and feng shui
practitioner recommends taking extra care of the health of your heart in this
year of the Fire Pig and getting plenty of exercise and eating fresh fruits and
vegetables and heart-healthy fats to ward off cardiovascular disease. Of
course, that's excellent advice any time, but an extra incentive to exercise
and eat right is always welcome!
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