Year of the Water Snake: More of the same or a welcome turnaround?

MANILA, Philippines - The year of the Water Dragon is nearing its home stretch, and the next animal zodiac sign is all set to rule. Feb. 10 to Jan. 30, 2014 is designated as the Year of the Water Snake, which creates questions in people’s minds, especially the feng shui believers among us. The dragon and the snake are both serpents after all — both are considered lucky symbols in Asia, but are also regarded as unpredictable beings.

In a recent media briefing, international feng shui consultant Marites Allen, president and CEO of World of Feng Shui (WOFS) Philippines, said that some of the world’s most significant events happened in previous years of the Snake. The year 1941, for example, is a most infamous period in history with the bombing of Pearl Harbor. In 1953, Queen Mary of England died and was succeeded by Queen Elizabeth. The Tiananmen Square Massacre in China happened in 1989, another Snake year. Then there was the World Trade Center attack in the US in 2001. In the Philippines we recall the Dos Palmas kidnapping in the South and the EDSA III revolution that led to the ouster of then President Estrada. “This is not to say that similar catastrophic events are indicated in 2013, but to be forewarned is to be forearmed, and feng shui is basically about understanding the prospects of any given year and aligning our activities with the ruling elements to suit our best intentions,” advises Ms. Allen.

An international feng shui consultant who is also the president and CEO of World of Feng Shui (WOFS) Philippines, Allen has committed to sharing her general forecasts for the country and various industries, as well as individual luck indications for each Chinese zodiac sign through her annual feng shui updates.

This year’s event to usher in the Year of the Water Snake is scheduled on Jan. 19 at the Infinity Ballroom, Best Western Premiere F1 Hotel, Fort Bonifacio Global City.

The choice of the new venue is likewise guided by feng shui principles. “F1 Hotel is a period of 8 building. It faces South and thus offers lots of positive opportunities especially in the year of the Snake. This year, South-facing properties will enjoy the luck of the prosperity star 9 so F1 Hotel is the ideal venue for the 2013 Feng Shui Updates.” The much-awaited event is expected to bring together personalities in various fields, loyal WOFS clients, and other supporters from nearby Asian countries who make time each year to listen and learn from Allen’s expertise.

So what prospects will the Water Snake bring for Filipinos everywhere in the world and what can we do to attract more wealth, career opportunities, better health luck, or more favorable relationships next year? As a lead-in to what’s in store for 2013, Allen says that the Dragon and the Snake are closely related. “Whatever good things were started last year have a good chance of being carried over to 2013 and could mean better prospects for us who are prepared to make the most of what the feng shui elements indicate,” she shares. “The key is to continue to update our knowledge and have the proper cures and enhancers in place where they are needed.” She briefly noted that 2013 will be a good year for those born under the signs of Ox, Rooster and Dragon, but could be challenging for Boars. The Dog, which was one of the afflicted signs last year, will be in for a better year.

The 2013 convention will also provide new and exciting opportunities for feng shui practice, including beauty and fashion. It will be noted that Allen recently rolled out Frigga, her own brand of luck-enhancing fashion and accessories, in well-attended launches in Manila, London, and Tokyo. She likewise hinted that valuable feng shui information will soon be available to the public through mobile apps that she’s working on with an IT group.

Co-hosting the Jan. 19 event is Asia’s “King of Talk,” Boy Abunda.

For information, call 0920-950-9390, visit any WOFS boutique, or email wofsphilippines@gmail.com.