2021 is the year of the yin metal ox, which highlights solutions and recovery. Discover how the ox will impact your sign and explore which compass directions need attention in 2021.

The year of the Yin Metal Ox starts on the Lunar New Year, 12 February 2021. 2020 saw the metal element drained by the Rat, however the Ox has the opposite effect on metal, making it bright and shiny. Global markets should stabilise by August.

Yin Metal is inward looking and represents intelligence that has wisdom, but while the energy of Yin Metal is excellent at details, it has difficulty seeing the big picture. This indicates that there will be finger pointing and blame for the problems of 2020, without long-term solutions.

The Oxen’s main element is Yin Earth, but hidden within is Yin Water and Yin Metal. The Ox represents richly abundant soil. Oxen are steadfast, methodical and practical. Success comes through hard work and sheer tenacity.

Solutions and recovery

The Oxen’s earth is Yin Metal’s resource element, and has the effect of making metal shiny. This means that you’ll need to be careful of only looking at the surface of things. 2020 was tough on most people, and there will be a tendency to be distracted by shiny things rather than utilising the energy to create lasting stability and security. 2021 will be the “year of the spin” in politics. That said, the resource perspective brings virtue, tolerance, love and ethics. I urge everyone to not tolerate selfish behaviour from those in power and push for a better future that values compassion over profits.

Yung is a straight-shooter, so be clear in what you want this year.

In 2020 the water element was over-energised, which can drain the lungs (metal) and attack the blood (fire). This year there is a strong metal element, indicating a solution to the coronavirus and the potential for an amazing recovery for the financial system and markets. But the real economy that most of us rely on is earth, so property and other real markets will languish by giving too much to the banks and financial system. For health, eat simple home prepared meals that support the digestive system and start filtering your drinking water.

The lifecycle for 2021 is Yung. Lifecycles show where Yin Metal is in relation to the cycle of the Branches (Ox). Yung is positive but a bit naïve. This energy loves learning new things for curiosity’s sake and hopefully will see a big push towards better education. Yung is a straight-shooter, so be clear in what you want this year.

Sign combinations for 2021

If you are new to Chinese Astrology, you may not know that you are more than just the animal sign of your birth year. There is a system of Chinese Astrology called BaZi based on your birth date and time that maps out your life. The most important part of this system is the Stem of the day you were born, the Day Master.

Yin Metal combines with Yang Fire, and is fire’s wealth. If you were born in a Yang Fire year (eg 1936 and 1996 are Yang Fire Rat years) or have a Yang Fire Day Master, then you will get many opportunities in 2021. Ladies with a Yang Fire Day Master will have great money luck, but not in love.

The Ox and Goat are an earth clash — things will seem difficult for Goats this year, then some big drama will happen and everything will settle down, becoming better than before. This can be trying, but earth clashes can create long-term good luck (called “breaking open the vault”).

The Rat and Ox together form a Six Harmony Combination. This brings the Rat good luck during 2021, especially if there are two on your chart.

The Ox combines with the Rooster and/or Snake to form metal, aligning with the Yin Metal Stem of the year. If you have this formation on your BaZi chart then your luck comes through metal — being direct with others and focusing on your personal finances.

Similarly, a Seasonal Water Combination will occur if you have both the Pig and Rat on your BaZi chart. Water is supported by the Yin Metal of the year, but water energy brings good luck via creativity, the arts and nurturing others.

Rat (1948, 1960, 1972, 1984, 1996, 2008)

The Rat and Ox combine to form earth. Rats will receive kudos for their efforts and may have the opportunity to relocate for a better life. Romance and love are almost there for you, so it’s a great time to find your significant other or to deepen an existing relationship.

Ox (1949, 1961, 1973, 1985, 1997, 2009)

The Ox has a mirror reflecting back at them in 2021. This can be positive or negative depending on your attitude towards self-analysis and change. As a determined and stoic Ox you’re generally at peace with who you are. You may find that others come to you for advice. There is an improvement in love, but no fireworks. Your best life comes through being truly yourself and making deeper connections.

Tiger (1950, 1962, 1974, 1986, 1998, 2010)

The Ox and Tiger are neighbours in the sequence of signs, so if you are a Tiger and you have the Rabbit and Rat or Rabbit and Dragon on your BaZi chart, then 2021 can be an amazing year, incredibly smooth. Tigers in general will need to put more energy into family relationships, and you may feel the urge to get away from it all. The strongest Qi for Tigers this year is justice and karma balance. This is a good year for good deeds.

Rabbit (1951, 1963, 1975, 1987, 1999, 2011)

You may struggle with your finances this year, or find you need to rely on others to get by. It is not a year for investing, but for protecting your wealth. The best investments come from property as long they are in a stable area. Your health is improving — stick to eating well, and you may find meditation especially helpful to reduce stress and stay positive.

Dragon (1952, 1964, 1976, 1988, 2000)

Hopefully Dragons who read last year’s article have made efforts to establish themselves in a stable environment, as the Ox has the potential to damage any efforts this year, especially when it comes to health. Interestingly, the Ox brings plenty of work and boosts to career, but you will need to weigh up the costs of working too hard.

Snake (1953, 1965, 1977, 1989, 2001)

The Snake combines with the Ox to form Metal, and in general this combination can make life easy. This can work against you if you are complacent or lazy as your health will suffer, but there can be big benefits when you apply yourself. Your big three in 2021 are love, sex and money — not necessarily in that order. With even a small amount of effort and focus, you can have what you want this year.

Horse (1954, 1966, 1978, 1990, 2002)

The clashing and drama from the Rat in 2020 has gone, but now the Ox puts stumbling blocks in your way. These aren’t big life-changing problems, but small everyday frustrations, mainly to do with children and work. The good news is that the Ox rewards ethical and honest Horses.

Sheep/Goat (1955, 1967, 1979, 1991, 2003)

The Ox and Goat clash with each other, but as mentioned before, there is potential for good financial luck following the drama. If you are in a relationship you will need to put effort into your spouse’s happiness or you may find yourself alone. Single Goats are better to stay single unless they have a Yang Wood, Earth or Metal Day Master on their BaZi chart, even then it is unlikely to last the distance. Goats that focus on developing themselves and getting out to meet people will have the best year and be able to make use of the clash with the Ox to get ahead.

Monkey (1956, 1968, 1980, 1992, 2004)

The Monkey is metal and well supported by the Yin Metal Ox. Money should continue to improve as it did in 2020 and many Monkeys may find themselves saying no to accepting more work. This will keep your mind off your love life, which is poorly aspected. You might also need to put more energy into your children’s lives. Any inequities that you have experienced over the last 5-10 years can balance out in your favour this year.

Rooster (1957, 1969, 1981, 1993, 2005)

Roosters will continue their lucky financial run in 2021 and just like last year, the majority of your relationships will be happy and joyful. Roosters do need to avoid legal problems this year, as you have a higher likelihood of losing, even if you are in the right. Health has been improving rapidly, but if you’re not careful there could be a relapse. Work on keeping those good habits going.

Dog (1958, 1970, 1982, 1994, 2006)

The Ox and Dog penalise each other. While good luck can come for the Goat through clashing with the Ox, Dogs will generally feel that 2021 is drab and uninteresting. This particular penalty is called “upperhand bullying” and you may find yourself in situations where others put you down. The year brings hard work for the Dog, adding to dreary feelings and you may find your health gradually declines as a result. 2021 is a year to focus on your own wellbeing instead of everyone else like usual. Do the things that make you happy, avoid negative people and take time to relax.

Pig (1959, 1971, 1983, 1995, 2007)

The Pig and Ox are acquaintances, and the Rat is the mutual friend that brings them together. As such, you might find support in strange places that you wouldn’t have thought to look. In fact, make a point of finding some Rat friends (they’ll be a year younger than you) to bring that hidden support out. You may work hard this year and having that support will make that effort worthwhile.

Feng Shui for 2021

The following recommendations are based on two main schools of Feng Shui: San He and San Yuan. For San He, shown in the outer ring, close off and keep quiet the negative formations (red) and open or activate any positive formations that are available (blue). The Flying Stars are analysed below.

You can have good results from following this advice, but these general tips won’t be a substitute for having a trained local Feng Shui practitioner assess the energy of your house.

The luo pan compass has the annual formations for 2021 arranged around the degrees of a compass. The Chinese representation of the compass always has South at the top.

The centre has the 6 Yang Metal star, aligning with the Yin Metal Ox. The 6 star represents Heaven, and the centre is called “Heaven’s Heart”, the implication being good luck straight from heaven. The 6 star represents the father or oldest male in the house, so they will be the luckiest this year when activating the centre using earth and metal, such as crystals and coins.

The south has the annual 1 Water star visiting the 9 Fire palace — a meeting of the middle son and daughter. Very prosperous when together, but are better at the back of the house. Facing south or a front door in the south can bring affairs but the overall Qi is very positive. Place Wood in the south — plants and flowers are the easiest but bamboo with four shoots will boost intelligence and luck in exams. The first subdivision of the South is Yang Fire, which combines with the Yin Metal of 2021, and will be great to open up to invite money into the house.

The southwest is the 2 Earth palace which is clashing with the annual 3 Wood. This configuration is called “bullfight sha” and will mainly affect Monkeys, Goats and the mother or oldest female in the house. It is best to avoid using this direction as an entrance to the house, and sleeping here will create stress. Fire is the best element to use — some red in the décor, a candle or two, or some red envelopes will help reduce the potential for arguments.

The west is metal in the Ba Gua and has the best annual star, 8 Earth, to support it. Young women and girls as well as Roosters will be especially blessed in 2021 if their bedroom is located here. Open this direction, particularly the middle 15 degrees that has the San He “good income” formation. If you have an entry or lounge room here, then a water feature will bring prosperity to the whole family.

The annual 7 star moves to the northwest, visiting the Ba Gua 6 Metal. It is easy to assume that this is positive, however when the 6 and 7 are together it indicates sparks flying (think clashing swords). The Northwest represents the father, so despite the great Qi in the centre, there is potential for the father (as well as Dogs and Pigs) to be involved in arguments. Reduce the sparks by using water and wood together. Any plant that grows in water like reeds, lilies and bamboo, will help and have the added bonus of also improving wealth luck. Avoid using this area too much in 2021, as the annual Oppression (roadblocks) and Broken Luck (plans tend to fail) are active.

The annual 2 Earth star is in the north, inhibiting the Ba Gua 1 Water. The 2 is generally associated with illness, but can also indicate gossip and bullying. A front door or bedroom in the north indicates weight gain and digestion problems for males, especially so for boys. Use metal objects and colours as much as possible, and avoid all fire in this area. A calabash (gourd) will help to improve the illness aspect, a metal one is better than wood for 2021.

The northeast’s 8 Yang Earth is very well supported by the arrival of the 9 Fire star and indicates good luck in property, construction and government. If you are a builder or real estate agent, then activate this area with wood, fire and earth; and possibly a water feature if you can avoid the Tai Sui (Ox direction) and San Sha 1 (Tiger direction). This will work for you if you are thinking of selling your home in 2021.

The east has settled down this year, with the 4 Wood star replacing the 5 Earth. The East is 3 Wood in the Ba Gua and doesn’t really like the 4 star. It indicates problems for women, mainly prompted by men. This will be most noticeable in February and November if your bedroom or front door are here. The cure here depends on the base Flying Stars chart. If there is a 2 or 5 star present, then the remedy is metal (coins, metal objects and colours). Everyone else can use fire (either colours or real fire) to boost the creative side of this combination. Keep the San Sha 2 portion of the east closed and locked tight.

The southeast has the annual 5 Earth visiting the 4 Yin Wood palace, wood does control earth, but it is also the most negative of all the stars and will affect the skin, legs and digestive system. Girls, young women, Dragons and Snakes should avoid sleeping in this area. The best remedy here is water combined with metal, or saltwater cures. Place a small piece of copper into a clean jar along with a tablespoon or two of salt. Fill with water and place in the east, two or three of these will bring relief.