Are you expecting or planning to have a Monkey baby? A master geomancer forecasts how the child will fare and shares tips on how you can improve his luck. By ELISA CHIA
What are the typical characteristics of a Monkey child?
Chances are, you’ll find traits of shrewdness, creativity, humour and good social skills in your child. He is also a fast learner who’s not afraid to take on challenges. Now, 2016 is the Year of the Fire Monkey (bing shen), so you can expect him to be proactive, highly enthusiastic and full of drive, as well.
Is it true that the Year of the Monkey begins even before Feb 8, the first day of Chinese New Year?
You’re right. Babies who are born between Feb 4, 2016, at 6pm and Feb 3, 2017, at 11.49pm fall under the Fire Monkey zodiac sign. That’s because in the study of fengshui, ba zi (eight characters derived from date and time of birth) and astrology, a baby’s zodiac sign is determined by the day of the Spring Festival (li chun) on the solar calendar – not the Chinese New Year date on the lunar calendar, which is typically used to mark the commencement of a new zodiac year.
How can I enhance my nursery’s fengshui?
Use blue, red, orange and black – yes, black – in the decor. You’ll have fun since these bold hues are trending and there are plenty of furnishings and accessories that will fit the modern feel of your home. But it’s best to have a geomancer to analyse your child’s ba zi to determine his auspicious colours.
What are the auspicious months to give birth?
The best months to deliver a baby in 2016 are the fourth and 11th lunar months (that’s May 7 to June 4, and Nov 29 to Dec 28). Your child will enjoy better fortune than his peers of the same age. If you’re having a planned C-section delivery, avoid the first and seventh lunar months (Feb 8 to March 8, and Aug 3 to 31). These dates collide with Grand Duke, the commanding star of the year and would reflect a lacklustre luck cycle.
Will I get along with my little Monkey?
If you’re born in the Year of the Rat, Dragon and Snake, you’re likely to have a natural affinity for each other. That said, relationships between individuals vary according to their ba zi. That will provide a more accurate and detailed reading.
Can you share tips on how best to raise a Monkey child?
Although he is friendly and gifted in many areas, the sharp-witted Monkey child can be temperamental and has a short attention span. Be very patient with him. You should also be strict about discipline. Set the rules and stick by them. When he is of school-going age, encourage him to join a uniformed group or team sports to build discipline and patience.
What are suitable careers for him?
Considering his personality traits, he can pursue a career in the creative or finance sector, or any industry that deals with numbers. He also has the makings of a successful entrepreneur.
Famous monkeys
• DIRECTOR/FILM-MAKER George Lucas (1944)
• MUSICIAN Dick Lee (1956)
• ACTOR Tom Hanks (1956)
• ACTING MINISTER FOR EDUCATION (SCHOOLS) Ng Chee Meng (1968)
• ACTOR/FILM-MAKER Mark Lee (1968)
• FORMER FOOTBALL STAR Ronaldinho (1980)
• FORMER BASKETBALL STAR Yao Ming (1980)
• SOCIAL-MEDIA STAR Kim Kardashian (1980)
• SINGER Jolin Tsai (1980)
• SINGER Demi Lovato (1992)
• ACTRESS Julie Tan (1992)
OUR EXPERT
Grand Master Tan Khoon Yong is a geomancer from fengshui consultancy Way Onnet Group.
