World Forecast 2009

Forecast for 2009: the Chinese year of the Yin Earth Ox - 26th January 2009 to the 13th February 2010.

Following the year of the Pig (when we spent too much) and the year of the Rat (when we spend too little) the year of the Ox ushers in a period of methodical, patient hard work.  After the market turmoil that characterised the year of the Rat, life will become more stable, steady and predictable.  It is the year of the accountant.

The Ox is dedicated to long term success.  But this will be an Earth Ox year where creative ideas take second place to practical, industrious pursuits.  Two men born in a previous Earth Ox year exemplify the extremes of dedication to success that are the characteristics of the Earth Ox: - Adolf Hitler and Charlie Chapman.  Who can doubt their respective determination and patience to achieve their goals, even though one was loved and the other hated

Integrity will be valued, and patience the virtue that will drive people in 2009.  Do not expect immediate gains, but steady progress towards the fulfillment of ambition.

Unlike the Rat, the Ox is not a party animal.  Hard work and long hours will prepare us all for the tumultous and unpredictable year of the Tiger that begins on the 14th February 2010.

Property prices will remain flat, and although the stock market will start the year with optimism the uncertainties (and perceived opportunities) of 2010 will soon create more volatile market conditions.  Many commentators believe that property prices (in the UK) will fall by around 35% from their peak in early 2008, but after a 15% drop in 2008, the remainder of that fall will occur in the latter part of the year of the Yang Metal Tiger, and the early part of the year of the Yin Metal Hare (or Rabbit).

Expect international co-operation to try and tighten the regulatory framework to prevent a re-occurance of the banking crisis that started in 2008.

To see how you (and your Chinese animal) will fare in the year of the Yin Earth Ox select the 'Your Future' program.

And to see how birth numbers will affect individuals, use the 'Character analysis' program with both Chinese and Western revealing interpretations.

To understand future trends you need only consult with your friends and relations, and gauge their optimism or pessimism.  Although the above paragraphs were written in 2007, right now (November 2008) you will quickly discern a level of pessimism that you would never have guessed possible in 2007.  That pessimism was first shared with the financial world in 2007 when the banking and stock market professionals came to realise that we were spending far too much for our own good.  As some corrected their positions, others followed suit and by 2008 that pessimism had spread across the globe, and finally reached our political masters.  In a reaction that was designed to keep the world economy on an even keel they have once again reduced interest rates - in an attempt to inflate our way out of the debts created by the property boom.

Throughout the year of the Yin earth Ox you, your friends and relations will be pessimistic of future prospects, and eventually, in early 2010, the consequences of government policy will become clearer.