Every year is a new set of energies and challenges. These are often characterized by the element and the animal sign of the year. In 2021, that animal is the ox.
The sign teaches us about what will help us be more successful in the year ahead, and by adapting the qualities of the animal, we can make the year go more smoothly.
Take 2020, the Year of the Rat.
This is a sign that is adaptable and industrious, and if there’s anything we had to be in the year of a global pandemic with the coronavirus, it was adaptable and industrious.
There are lessons for us this year, too, that the ox has for us.
Here is an excerpt from the 2021 Year of the Ox Feng Shui Forecast about the ox sign and what we can learn from its characteristics and how to put its qualities to work for us this year no matter what sign we are.
Excerpted from “2021 Year of the Ox Feng Shui Forecast”
The second sign of the Chinese Zodiac, the ox is a symbol of endurance and hard work. Those born in the sign of the ox are often looked upon as great leaders, but they can sometimes be introverted and insecure.
This will sometimes make them feel lonely.
A sign of commitment, the noble ox epitomizes faith and diligence. They are committed spouses and love their parents and siblings.
Devoted and stable, their personal and work ethic makes them lead secure lives that focus on practicality and seeing things through to the end.
Did you know? Every country has a zodiac sign. The ox country in the world? China, and their ability to work and endure, like the ox, is legendary. The United States is a monkey, a metal sign that is ever busy, improving, and innovating, like its metal element.
As you might imagine, the saying “stubborn as an ox” didn’t come about because the ox is a wishy-washy kind of character. Sometimes an ox is so set in his ways, an opportunity will come, but the ox doesn’t want to get out of his comfort zone to pursue it. That’s the cautionary tale.
The ox is the last of the winter animals that consist of the boar, rat, and ox.
Another endearing quality is his personal fortitude and a lack of complaint. An ox is persistent, and never whiny.
The ox has a friend in the rat, who helps the ox come out his shell and be more sociable. In his friendship circle, the Ox can rely on the snake, rooster and his secret friend, the rat.
The Ox has an enemy in the sheep and doesn’t like the sheep’s lack of directness and tendency toward insincerity. He’s also not fond of the sheep’s neighbor, the monkey, and views him with suspicion.
Famous oxes include:
Emperor Hirohito, Sammy Davis, Jr., Margaret Thatcher, Dustin Hoffman, Vincent Van Gogh, Charlie Chaplin, Jawaharlal Nehru, Meryl Streep, Bruce Springsteen, Richard Nixon, Caitlyn Jenner, Napoleon Bonaparte, and Adolph Hitler.
Ox Qualities to Adopt in Your Life this Year
Each year, we can take an energetic lesson from the zodiac sign of the year. The ox has many wonderful qualities that we can use to help us in the year ahead — and that help us manage better and more effectively.
The rat is always looking for opportunities, but the ox is a thinker.
The ox considers all possibilities and errs on the side of safety and security, something we must all work on in this topsy-turvy pandemic world we still live in.
OX & CAREER.
At work, keep your nose affixed to the work in front of you and don’t get embroiled in gossip or office dalliances. Manage your temper and be devoted to your family and your love relationship, partnership or marriage. It was in the past year when there was a major re-alignment of the importance of family and those tender ties that keep us close. Stay the course there. If things get strained, seek counseling to help you manage emotions.
OX & MONEY.
The ox is not a shrewd card shark. Gambling just isn’t compatible with the ox nature, and for that reason, it’s best not to jeopardize your nest egg with anything risky.
Do watch your investments and don’t invest in anything you are uncomfortable with or that feels like a gamble to you. This is the year when you could find that even small risks can create mounting losses.
OX & HEALTH.
In health, watch overconsumption of sweets. Treat your stomach gingerly and work at creating a diet that supports your health. Watch grazing because this is “mindless eating” that can pack on the pounds.
Overly rich or excessive fried food could cause stomach upset and lower your immunity. Fresh foods, leafy greens,and healthy fibers will keep your stomach feeling good and your immunity high.
In fact, one study showed that varying the fiber in your diet did more for promoting healthy bacteria levels in your gut’s biome than taking probiotics or eating yogurt. As always, a varied diet is the best way to get all your vitamins and minerals.
OX & LOVE.
In relationships, work on communicating and doing things that strengthen your relationship mentally.
This could be through working a puzzle, playing board games or cards together, or working with your hands by doing household or gardening projects with your sweetheart. This will keep the two of you close and with your most important sex organ — your brain — stimulated.
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