A
s the Snake slithers from
sight and the Horse gallops
onto the horizon, what
should parents who are
expecting a baby during the next
Chinese calendar year expect? Will
junior be hot to trot or hard to harness?
Beginning on 31 January 2014 and
ending on 18 February 2015, the Horse
is the seventh sign of the Chinese
Zodiac. Those born under this sign
tend to be smart cookies, with a flair
for communicating and connecting
with people, whilst being independent
and happy.
Horses are born to show off and
perform for their public – they’ll like
to dress sharply, so go easy on those
hand-me-downs! It’s no surprise that
they are strong and sporty, so keep
these kids active from day one, with
lots of outdoor fun.
Raymond Lo is an acclaimed
local feng shui master who lectures
and consults internationally to help
people create harmony with their
environment. According to Master
Lo, you need a person’s animal
year, month, day and hour to fully
determine his or her character and
potential, but he can make some
general predictions (including that
babies born in March, July and
November will be charming and
charismatic). The Year of the Horse, he
says, is symbolised by two elements:
wood sitting on top of fire. He doesn’t
reckon 2014 will be a peaceful year,
meaning we should keep cool and
compromise – words of wisdom for
new parents!
With a strong fire element, the
Year of the Horse will be bustling and
busy with travel. Master Lo advises
that the Fire Horse will also spark the
“flower of romance”. Might we see lots
of babies born next year? Since Horses
– fire or no fire – already fall into and
out of love easily, prepare for future
teenage heartache.
Emma Bibby, who is soon to
become a first-time mum, is excited
about having a Horse, which she’s
read are known for their passion for
work, positive outlook, cheerfulness
and talent. But she also hopes
she can gallop to keep up! Whilst
acknowledging that Horses have
some weaknesses (for example,
being fast learners but with short
attention spans) she thinks that these
can become strengths and lead to
independence. Thankfully, Horses’
outbursts tend to be short, even if
they are prone to being stubborn and
impulsive, so be ready for a battle of
wills as your wee one exerts his or her
personality.
Niki Ho’s imminently expected
Horse will be the first grandchild for
both sides of the family. Whilst she
and her husband didn’t plan this
pregnancy according to the lunar
calendar, they’re happy about their
equine baby. Her husband, more
knowledgeable about the lunar
calendar and feng shui, believes a
Horse goes well with his own zodiac
sign and can bring him luck! Generally
speaking, foals are most compatible
with the Tiger, Goat or Dog, and worst
with the Rat, Ox or Rabbit.
Personality-wise, Niki reckons
Horses are funny, have lots of friends
(hopefully including their family cat
Whiskers, who is a Dragon) and are
the life and soul of a party, though are
often full of contradictions.
Given Hong Kong’s fiercely
competitive school system, Niki
hopes that her little one will face less
competition as a Horse compared to
the high number of Dragons born two
years ago. Horses don’t tend to obsess
about money, preferring to spend it
when they have it on fun things for
sharing rather than saving for a rainy
day. Perhaps a piggy bank might instil
good saving habits?
Saddle up, mums and dads, to
harness your Horse and embark on
what is sure to be an interesting ride!
What can you expect when you’re expecting a Horse baby?
Gillian Johnston
finds out.
Harnessing the horse
24
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