According to Chinese Astrology the sign of the Monkey ruled the most of 2004. It started sometime in February last year and will end February of this year, when the Rooster heralds the start of the new Lunar Year on February 9th. I remember some businessmen were wary of the Monkey, and astrologers said the year was bad for big, established businesses. Those that would benefit the most, they said, were the (relatively) newer and smaller ventures.
I haven't reflected much on what has happened to me in the past year, but I know I haven't performed as well as I should have. Eventhough I earned a lot in terms of (often humiliating) experience(s) I feel I slacked off most of the time.
The following is a passage describing a typical Monkey Year. It's a basically a guide, or an amusing bit of Chinese wisdom at the least, and is best taken with a grain of salt.
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Everything will be workable this year. At least the agile Monkey will not give up before trying every angle. There will be success even in impossible ventures, there will be inventions and improvisations galore. Politics, diplomacy, high finance and business will be engaged in one big poker game with everyone trying to outbluff each other. A rather amusing and exciting time in which everyone will be given the opportunity to try his hand at the game. No direct confrontation here, as the Monkey is one who can laugh off his mistakes and improve his bargaining prowess in the next round.
This is a year that will find us all trying to get a better deal by outsmarting the other man. It is hard to keep track of who is winning, as the right hand has no idea of what the left hand is up to. One thing is for sure, this will be an extremely progressive time. We will all steam ahead, and even if we do not apply ourselves to the outmost, we will be carried forward by the surging tide of the Monkey's natural talent for learning and advancement.
The lucky imp of a Monkey who rules this year will urge us to gamble, speculate and exploit risky but ingenious options. If you are quick on the draw, this year will yield huge dividends. It is definitely not a year for the faint-hearted or slow-witted. The Monkey gives no concessions and asks none in return. If there is a recession, the year of the Monkey will quickly put an end to it. Business will skyrocket under his optimistic and shrewd influence. The Monkey's resourcefulness will amaze and confound everyone.
It is said that the Monkey's year will bring many new and unconventional ways of doing things. The motto of this year should be: "Don't take No for an answer!"
The Handbook of Chinese Horoscopes, Theodora Lau
