The 'Rat' will offend the Grand Duke, and face more challenges

Those born in the Year of the Rat are said to offend the Grand Duke (Fan Tai Sui in Cantonese). Illustration: FOO CHERN HWAN/The Star

This year, people born in the Year of the Rat (1912, 1924, 1936, 1948, 1960, 1972, 1984, 1996, 2008) are said to offend the Grand Duke (Fan Tai Sui in Cantonese). It means that the Rat people will face more challenges and obstacles in business, relationships, health and other matters, said Hong Kong feng shui master Raymond Lo.

In Chinese astrology, the Grand Duke is an energy force that you should not disturb or you may be afflicted with severe loss, illness and bad luck.

But whether it is serious or not very much depends on whether the person has good luck as shown in their Four Pillars of Destiny (BaZi). But not all Rats will suffer from bad luck. Some will be affected mildly, others severely.

People born in the Year of the Rabbit (1915, 1927, 1939, 1951, 1963, 1975, 1987, 1999, 2011) will have “a penalty relationship” with the Rat. This means the Rabbit will experience (penalties such as) hidden danger or be affected by matters that make him/her worry, hate or dislike other people in a relationship. There will be trouble in relationships (scandals, extra-marital affairs, and betrayals) with people including friends, family members and colleagues.

According to Lo, Rabbit people who encounter Rat people, however, will not have such a penalty. The Rabbit should carry a jade pendant amulet of the Ox to reduce the negative effects or clashes.

Red alert and guardian angels

The animal sign that is most unfavourable to the Rat is the Horse.

“If you were born in the Year of the Horse (1918, 1930, 1942, 1954, 1966, 1978, 1990, 2002, 2014), you are in direct clash with the year, ” said Lo.

“Clashes will bring turbulence, movements, accidents or big changes. You can anticipate more travel opportunities. However, it is a good year to change job or move office or house, ” he said.

In 2020, generally, Rat people will face more challenges and obstacles in business, relationships, health, and other matters, says Lo. — RAYMOND LO

Like the Rabbit, the Horse is advised to carry the Ox pendant for protection.

Lo said that although travelling is ideal to "satisfy" the clash, it is not recommended to travel directly in the direction of the Grand Duke (the North) this year.

Exercise caution and avoid risky sports such as driving fast cars, piloting airplanes, skydiving and parachuting.

Further, Lo said that a person can experience a clash even if he/she is not born in the Horse Year but born on the Horse Day.

He said: “This clash is even more severe and you can face a challenging year ahead. This clash can also adversely impact your relationship with a spouse or member of the opposite sex. So take extra precaution.”

If you were born on the Rabbit Day, you may suffer from people-trouble where you will have worries and irritation related to your spouse or family member.

"The celestial animals that combine with the Rat are the Ox, Monkey and Dragon. These animals will enjoy a year of harmony," Lo said.

Nevertheless, Lo does not recommend relying on this kind of astrological scheme because it is not based on the formal fortune-telling system. Instead, he suggested using the Four Pillars of Destiny (BaZi) for a more reliable assessment of one’s fortune.

The Rat is a Nobleman year for those born on the Day or Year of Yin Earth or Yin Wood or if you were born in years ending in 5 and 9, such as 1955,1959,1965,1969,1975 and 1979, said Lo.

“Nobleman means angels are coming from Heaven to offer rescue and support. The Nobleman star often brings a solution to obstacles and dangers, helping to make the year more comfortable and smooth. If 2020 is your Nobleman year, go ahead and take the chance to develop new projects, ” Lo said.