Predictions: 2016, Year of the Monkey

By Jennie L. Ilustre

The Asian lunar year of 2016 begins on February 8 and ends on January 27, 2017. Known as The Year of the Fire Monkey, it is supposed to be filled with mischief, clashes and success in the workplace and at home.

“The monkey always finds its way out of tight situations,” international feng shui master Marites Allen said in an interview with a top Philippine newspaper. If so, isn’t that wonderful for people of goodwill, as well as planet earth? (Chinese seers note that the year takes on the characteristics of its ruling animal.) Ms. Allen added there are two things we should learn from the monkey: Be alert “and dare to be different.”

She predicted in the Manila Standard article that for those born in the Year of the Monkey, “The ‘Ta Sui’ or god of the year is on your side. Simply put, luck will be on your side.” Based on the Chinese astrology’s 12-year cycle, Monkey Years are 1944, 1956, 1968, 1980, 1992, 2004 and 2016.

Feng shui (pronounced fong schway), refers to the Chinese philosophy of attracting auspicious energy (good luck) and offsetting the negative energy through harmonious placement or design of buildings and objects. (For instance, experts advise cream or pastel colors for a restful bedroom. Avoid big prints on bed sheets and curtains, especially in a child’s room.)

Misty Kuceris, a Virginia-based astrologer, Reiki Master, corporate and personal consultant and international lecturer and author, spoke of this year’s trends in an email interview. She said the economy would remain “sluggish during the Year 2016 with oil prices continuing on the low end and gold prices vacillating.”

She pointed out that on February 3, Mercury will form its third sextile to Chiron and on February 6, Mercury will form its third trine to Jupiter retrograde. These are beneficial aspects in general. “You will find opportunities to move on with your life and set goals that bring more support into your environment,” she noted. “You’ll be able to heal from some old pain and move on. You’ll even finally understand how to balance your responsibilities with your personal needs.”

Recently, Asia Society Executive Vice President Tom Nagorski announced his “Sixteen For ‘16” predictions in its website. Apparently, his predictions are based on his news savvy–Nagorski served as ABC News Managing Editor for International Coverage before moving to Asia Society. Excerpts are included here because 2016 is an election year. Also, Nagorski gazed at the crystal ball without a safety net and with a sense of fun, which is a nice way to deal with predictions.

Indeed, he went out “on the proverbial limb” in predicting that: 1) “Marco Rubio snags the GOP nomination,” 2) “Hillary Clinton is elected” as the nation’s first woman president, and 3) Vice President Jejomar Binay “wins the Presidency in the Philippines.”

With an admirable dose of humility and humor, he admitted that he nailed 6 out of his 15 predictions for 2015, adding, “Not bad.” Will his batting average improve in 2016? As some broadcast journalists like to sagely intone at the end of their reports, “Only time will tell.”

2016 Trends

Here are the specific predictions by the three experts, who are all respected in their fields. Following is The Summary of 2016 Trends, as emailed by Ms. Kuceris.

One of the largest economic trends during the Year 2016 will be the emphasis on increasing trade between the Asia Pacific countries and the United States. With concerns over China’s expansion into its neighboring countries, the United States will attempt to increase trade opportunities with many of those same countries. As a result, some form of trade agreement, such as the Trans-Pacific Partnership, will be signed even if the name of the agreement changes. Meanwhile, China will make every effort to become a global economic leader.

The economy will remain sluggish during the Year 2016 with oil prices continuing on the low end and gold prices vacillating. While the United States will start improving, it will continue to have a trade deficit. Meanwhile, other countries, such as those located in Asia and Europe will continue to see their economies slow down.

Environmentally, ground ozone becomes a major concern. This ozone is responsible for smog and acid rain which is a serious health problem for various populations. While corporations may try to push back some of the required product changes to decrease ground ozone, many countries, especially Asian countries, will see the economic value of increasing air quality standards.

Unfortunately, mass migration will continue to be a global problem, especially in European countries. This mass migration will lead to increased fears that cultures will change and new migrants will be unwilling to assimilate into the current population. There is a danger throughout the world, not only in Europe, that government officials may not tolerate individuals with different perspectives and may start creating laws that either force people to assimilate, or attempt to keep them out of the countries.

Wearable technology will increase for people who want to monitor their heart rates and body responses to various exercise programs. While still a fad, this technology will actually help people with health problems that need monitoring but live in regions where they don’t have access to doctors, or other medical professionals. In addition, wearable technology will also increase the use of prosthetics. These prosthetics will give people will missing limbs a better sense of their environment. They will have a better sense of touch and feeling using these prosthetics.

Toys will involve more cloud computing and Internet access. Some of these will be dolls with artificial intelligence which upload information from the child and generate responses to that information. Other toys will be action video games that involve moving throughout a room to deflect the enemy while receiving information from a wireless connection as to the next move to make in order to win the game. This form of video game will also require the use of wearable technology for the game player.

Health becomes an even more important aspect of society during the year. Many countries will evaluate the use of pesticides in both the personal and commercial marketplaces. People will turn to the use of more organic products in gardening. Produce imported from other countries will be scrutinized more. And, more people in the U.S. will attempt to purchase either organic or local foods in order to improve their health.

If you’re thinking of decorating your home, you’ll find that the colors are more muted and juxtaposed with blues, greens, and oranges. Images will be less chaotic. Furniture will focus on straight lines as opposed to curves. There’s a more structured approach to design.

(Visit www.mistykuceris.com for monthly predictions by Ms. Kuceris and her schedule of classes. Email her at misty@enhanceoneself.com for personal consulting in coaching and goal setting, or for corporate consulting, where the tools of astrology “are used for strategic planning, marketing, organizational development, and organizational restructuring.”)

Year of the Monkey

Feng shui master Marites Allen said that people born under the Monkey sign (1920, 1932, 1944, 1956, 1968, 1980, 1992, 2004, 2016), are “ambitious, wise and successful but also shrewd, egotistic, and vain.” Highlights of her predictions, based on the article in the Manila Standard, follow.

Year of the Rat: People born in 1936, 1948, 1960, 1972, 1984, 1996, 2008. “General outlook: Whatever you failed to accomplish in 2015 will finally be accomplished this year.” Guard against being betrayed by following your instincts. Protect your money and property. Earning potentials are high, but be cautious in lending and investing.

Year of the Ox: 1937, 1949, 1961, 1973, 1985, 1997, 2009. You will face challenges that will test your resolve. Obstacles will tempt you to give up “something you have long been dreaming about.” Don’t give up and don’t give in.

Year of the Tiger: 1938, 1950, 1962, 1974, 1986, 1998, 2010. Learn how to manage stress. Health is a key priority this year. You will gain a friend who will support you in things that you do. But don’t mistake this for romantic love.

Year of the Rabbit: 1939, 1951, 1963, 1975, 1987, 1999, 2011.

Positive changes will happen this year, although they might be difficult to accept in the beginning. Your Wealth Luck is fantastic this year.

Year of the Dragon: 1940, 1952, 1964, 1976, 1988, 2000, 2012. You will succeed in tackling challenges, and this will be a fulfilling year. You will overcome problems. Avoid gambling, though, as you’ll have more losses than wins.

Year of the Serpent: 1941, 1953, 1965, 1977, 1989, 2001, 2013. Situations that may seem hopeless in the beginning will turn into wonderful opportunities. You will have new opportunities and gain income through creativity and perseverance.

Year of the Horse: 1942, 1954, 1966, 1978, 1990, 2002, 2014. Follow your conscience and intuition and you will make the right decisions. You’ll always find a way to solve a problem. Save, don’t spend.

Year of the Sheep: 1943, 1955, 1967, 1979, 1991, 2003, 2015.

You’ll have lots of opportunities this year, so be sure to know what you want. There will be competition, but your drive will make you stand out.

Year of the Monkey: 1944, 1956, 1968, 1980, 1992, 2004, 2016. Luck will be on your side all year. Everything you do has the potential to become successful. Focus on helping others, and blessings will come.

Year of the Rooster: 1945, 1957, 1969, 1981, 1993, 2005. Practice the power of positive thinking and attracting good things, and you will be successful. Be frugal and careful about your spending.

Year of the Dog: 1946, 1958, 1970, 1982, 1994, 2006. Be nice to people born under the sign of the Rooster and Boar, who will be there to support you when you need it. Try to control your temper. You’ll tend to be more short-fused than usual this year.

Year of the Boar: 1947, 1959, 1971, 1983, 1995, 2007, 2019.

Lots of opportunities are headed your way. Don’t forget to pray and be thankful for them, and more blessings will come your way.

Excerpts from 16 Predictions

Here are excerpts from Asia Society Executive VP Nagorski’s predictions. For a complete list, please visit the website.

“1. China’s GDP falls below the 6 percent mark.

“2. India finishes north of 7 percent…

“At the Ballot Box

“4. Riding heavy support from the ‘Metro Manila’ vote, Vice President Jejomar Binay wins the Presidency in the Philippines.

“5. In Australia, there is no early vote–and in late 2016 Malcolm Turnbull” stays as prime minister.

“6. In Myanmar, 2016 proves a good year for stability and democratic transition, as Aung San Suu Kyi and her victorious NLD party selects a new president and mends fences with the former military rulers…

“The 2016 Vote–And Asia

“12. Hillary Clinton is the Democratic Party nominee for president (I know, going out on a big limb there), and, taking advantage of an early-primary standoff between Ted Cruz and Donald Trump, Marco Rubio snags the GOP nomination.

“13. Asian leaders–keen to embrace the “known commodity”–breathe a collective sigh of relief as Hillary Clinton is elected the 45th President of the United States…

“Lighter Fare

“16. The Great Wall, an epic China-U.S. co-production starring Matt Damon and Andy Lau and directed by Zhang Yimou, has a better-than-expected release in the U.S. and breaks box office records in China.”