All over the world, the energies are changing dramatically as we enter a new decade in the Western calendar and a new 60-year cycle in the Chinese zodiac. 2020 will be the year of the White Metal Rat. Intelligent and opportunistic, the rat won the race of the twelve animals that rode on top of the Ox. Legend has it that the rat wanted so much to win the race of the twelve animals that she mounted triumphantly on the back of the Ox, afraid that they would not see her if she was not elevated.

Speed, both good and bad, is the dominant energy of this new cycle in energy patterns. Quantum speed, often incomprehensible in its minutiae, prevails in all aspects of life on a global scale. 5G technology will change the way we work, live and play. We now live in a digital world and have entered an era where the feng shui winds and waters are blowing stronger and faster than ever before. Keeping up with the yang of rapid change will be the new art of feng shui, while counteracting the stress of speed with the yin of rest and contemplation. Maintaining good health is difficult but mandatory to meet the demands of the new digital lifestyle. Quantum speed will drain personal energy faster than ever. Healthy eating habits and exercise with good sleep patterns are imperative to maintaining a strong constitution and resistant immunity to disease.

Poor health is one of the adverse indications in the Chinese birth charts for the year, while another indication foretells a quarrelsome year with intolerance, discord and conflict. However, none of the five elements are missing, so the graphics are well balanced and show a tendency towards strong leadership and logical minds who will resolve conflicts with a renewed respect for intelligence.

With the right balance, we can benefit from the many opportunities that arise in the new year. The metallic energy of the rat is conducive to completing pending projects as long as the proper rules and protocols are followed. Building a solid base of operations is the platform from which to jump when opportunities to create wealth present themselves.

The rat likes the finer things in life, therefore the home base should be neat and aesthetically pleasing. It has to be the refuge where you can recharge your batteries in a yin environment of rest and relaxation. Activities should be gentle and uplifting. Fully recharged and fully engaged, you will find it easier to move forward and meet the demands of a digital world where awareness, focus and attention are prerequisites for success by taking advantage of the opportunities detected and presented by White Metal Rat.