By Maoshing Ni, L.Ac., D.O.M., ABAAHP, Ph.D.

Welcome to the Chinese New Year of the Ox. According to the Chinese lunar calendar, the new year begins on January 26, 2009.

Many people who paid attention to last year’s forecast told me that they benefited by avoiding some of the pitfalls I warned about. The system of forecasting that I have used for many years is based on ancient Taoist energy science that looks at the dynamics of elemental and cosmic influences. Its usefulness lies in the guidance that helps us avoid negative impacts while encouraging us to make the most out of positive trends.

It is my hope that in this particular time of turmoil and instability, this forecast will be helpful to you and your family as you weather the storm. Like all storms, though destructive and fearsome, this one shall eventually pass, and peace and contentment will be restored once again. The key is to cultivate your strong roots to withstand the tempest. 2009, the Year of the Ox, is represented by two elements—double Earth. The energetic characteristic of the Earth element is one of patience, harmony and charity. Like in a garden, the symbol of the Earth element, hard work, persistence, and patience shall yield dividends in harvest.

Similarly, an ox steadily and methodically plows the field, sharing what the earth produces with those less fortunate are the features of the year. My advice this year is for us to return to the basics, and literally and figuratively, reconnect and take care of our planet Earth. It is a time to heal and rebuild from natural and man-made disasters and breakdowns. We must peacefully bridge international, cultural, religious, and political divisions. It will require enlightened world leaders to come together to accomplish the difficult tasks ahead as global warming and the financial storm have touched every part of the world and affected every person. With cooperation, dedication, and commitment, there is nothing that is impossible, although we need to temper our expectations with patience.

On the health front, the Earth element is represented by our digestive and metabolic systems. In 2009, pay special attention to your stomach, spleen, pancreas, and intestines by reducing alcohol, caffeine, refined sugar, excessive dairy intake, heavy meats, and processed foods. We have gotten far removed and disconnected from the sources of our food because of modern agricultural techniques, factory processing, and distribution that begins thousands of miles away. Consequently, our state of health has suffered, including increased incidences of heart disease, diabetes, and cancer. Look out for conditions like gastric reflux, gastritis, ulcers, small bowel bacterial overgrowth, irritable bowel syndrome, constipation, diarrhea, polyps or cancers of the digestive track, diabetes, obesity or anorexia, and muscular problems.

A return to Earth literally means eating more wholesome foods like whole grains, vegetables, fruits, beans, legumes, nuts, and seeds that are locally and organically grown. Special emphasis should be placed on antioxidant-rich foods that lower your risk of cancer such as broccoli, cauliflower, brussels sprouts, cabbage, shitake and maitake mushrooms, berries, yams, sweet potato, asparagus, beets, carrots, avocado, and seaweed. Cook with herbs like dill, oregano, cilantro, rosemary, sage, bay, anise, fennel, cardamom, basil, and coriander. Digestive enzymes and high-potency probiotics can also be added to your diet to enhance your digestive and immune functions.

On the financial front, 2009 will continue its cooling trend but with more calm and steadiness in the financial markets. There will be more pain and sacrifices as the unemployment rate rises and consumers pull back on spending. The housing market will slump but should reach stability later in the year. The Earth energy of the year favors agriculture, food commodities, forestry, selective property development associated with infrastructure building, earth preservation, and global warming initiatives like environmental conservation, alternative energy, and “green” industry. Shipping, transportation, media, banking, and technology will slow down.

In summary, the year 2009 is a “back to the basics” year of taking care of ourselves, our family and our environment. Seek to resolve conflicts, and promote peace and harmony in relationships. Work diligently and consistently to rebuild financially, and cultivate spiritually by doing charitable acts and service to the less fortunate. Help restore universal values of respect, compassion, moderation, harmony and self-responsibility in our lives and in our communities.

These are the attributes that are the basis for a happy and constructive life outlined in the books, Path of Constructive Life and Love of Mother Universe written by my father, Hua-Ching Ni, and me. We invite you to read these and other of our published works as they will help you achieve your true life.

May You Live Long, Live Strong and Live Happy!