The Year of the Golden Pig:

The lunar calendar is based on the cycles of the moon and associates each of the 12 years forming a partial cycle with an animal. The pig is the last in the zodiac sequence that begins with the rat, followed by the ox, tiger, rabbit, dragon, snake, horse, goat, monkey, rooster and dog.

Pig years are known for their ease, calm and balance, but also for indulgence and sensuality. As the last sign of the zodiac, the Pig represents "resignation" accepting human nature as it is - content to live and let live. The greatest risk will be naivity, so avoid e schemes and being fooled or duped throughout 2007.

Watch for lost or stolen items and keep all business dealings scrupulously honest and above board. Self-promotion gains little in 2007 as the Pig is not interested in pushing ahead at the cost of another. Sales and marketing ventures advance only if they are sincere and completely legitimate.

All things that occur this year can be looked on as closing or final conclusions in some way. An auspicious year to complete projects, bring projects to fruition or arrive safely after completing a long life journey.

Fire is in harmony with Earth, produced by Wood, destructive to Metal and is conquered by Water. Elementally, 2007's Yin Fire brings "happiness and contentment" to those born into Yang Earth years (Earth Rat, Earth Tiger, Earth Dragon, Earth Horse, Earth Monkey, Earth Dog).

It brings "unexpected fortune" and good luck to those born into Yin Water years (Water Ox, Water Rabbit, Water Snake, Water Goat, Water Rooster, Water Pig)...while bringing luck with "earned wealth" to those born into Yang Water years (Water Rat, Water Tiger, Water Dragon, Water Horse, Water Monkey, Water Dog).

Yin Fire brings opportunities to make beneficial changes to those born into Yang Metal years (Metal Rat, Metal Tiger, Metal Dragon, Metal Horse, Metal Monkey, Metal Dog)...while bringing life changing or challenging events to those born into Yin Metal years (Metal Ox, Metal Rabbit, Metal Snake, Metal Goat, Metal Rooster, Metal Pig).

Pace yourself during this Fire year to avoid burnout and try not to keep such a hurried pace. Add the Earth element to your life and home to sooth frazzled nerves, slow down and facilitate relaxation. Gardening, working with clay or pottery, sharing time with your animals and all manner of worship/church/temple or meditative practices will increase the Earth element in your life.

The Year of the Pig is symbolised by two elements -- fire sitting on top of water. It is anticipated that there will be more international conflicts and disharmony, which will even lead to regional warfare, uprising and unrest, or the overthrow of governments in certain countries.

The elemental arrangement for 2007, with fire standing on top, could represent openness, optimism and warmth, but it can also bring fire disasters and huge explosions. Religious wars will turn intense. There will be large-scale warfare or explosions, global unrest, but a mediator will come in to balance the tense situation between conflicting countries.

It is not only the year of the Pig, it is the Year of the Golden Pig. According to Chinese Folklore, this is an event that occurs once in every 600 years and will ensure that a baby born on this year will experience a prosperous and wealthy life.

Shanghai is enjoying a baby boom thanks to the golden Year of the Pig, considered an auspicious time to have children. By the end of 2007, 160,000 babies will have been born in the city, a 20 percent increase from 2006, according to a report issued by Shanghai family planners.

"We expect the birth rate in Shanghai to continue to increase up until 2015, but the overall growth in the population will not be that significant," the China Daily quoted a senior family planning official as saying.

China enforces a strict one-child policy on most families, but this year is considered particularly auspicious for having children. According to the Chinese zodiac and fortune tellers, it is a "golden pig" year that falls once every 60 years.

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