Feng Shui expert sees turbulent year for gov't

A FENG Shui consultant and expert on Chinese charms warned that the Year of the Water Dragon may usher in a turbulent period for the government. They said the last half of 2012 may be wrought with accusations of and retribution for widespread corruption. Since the dragon symbolizes luck for the Chinese, local fortunetellers agree that the new year would be generally trouble-free for the country, which has been hounded by disasters. Maxie Tiu, proprietress of the Charme general merchandise in Binondo, Manila, told the Inquirer that the dragon's attributes of stubbornness, hard-headedness, and quick, fiery temper may influence the disposition of government officials. "I think the government will be chaotic next year. The dragon is hard-headed, we can see that from its horns. It always gets what it wants because of its persistence. It is also an animal with a temper, from there we can see more conflict," she said. Generally, she pointed out, the dragon's being the luckiest animal sign in the Chinese zodiac would bring fortune and good tidings for the country, which has fallen victim to a barrage of disasters. "We cannot foretell calamity. It is the will of God. We have to think positive. You have to thank God, thank the heavens that we are not poor or that there is still something good in our lives. We just have to wish, we have to pray that we have no calamities or if there are, that there are only few casualties," Tiu said. She clarified that although 2012 is the year of the water dragon, it did not mean that it would bring more floods, adding, "We have floods every year." Filipinos, she said, are naturally positive thinkers, which would help greatly in bringing good fortune to the country this year. "Amid calamities, bad business, we are still happy. People with little or no money still laugh." Tiu said that the Chinese look forward to the year of the dragon because they perceive the mythical animal to be the luckiest. "You can expect more mothers next year and more pregnant women because people want to have children born in the dragon year." Tiu said that people who should be extra careful in 2012 are those born in the years of the dog (1922; 1934; 1946; 1958;1970;1982; 1994; 2006) since the dog is the natural enemy of the dragon. People born in the year of the dog would be ill-advised to purchase dragon charms. She said those born in the year of the dragon (1928; 1940; 1952; 1964; 1976; 1988; 2000) should also be careful this year because they would be envied by others. /INQUIRER