new year

2020 Year of the Metal Rat Forecast

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The year of 2019, the year of the Earth Pig, was a difficult one for many. It was a year of inner work and reflection and also a pulling together of things, which for many was  preceded by a falling apart of things.

This new year of 2020 not only boasts a new decade, but it’s also fresh positive energy from the Chinese zodiac perspective. Opportunities abound this year and it will be a great year for businesses and promoting yourself! It’s time to reap the benefits of the work you have done over the past several years and also to plant new seeds for the next decade and new 12 year cycle. It’s a year for planning and for taking action on those plans. The possibility of experiencing abundance is available to everyone this year!

The 12 animals of the Chinese zodiac cycle through each of the 5 elements so there is a 60 year full cycle.  With the year of the RAT in 2020 we begin a brand new sign cycle. This is an opportunity for a fresh start. The actions and decisions you make this year set the tone for the next 12 years! From the Chinese zodiac perspective the 2020 “vision” year fits in perfectly with the fresh energy of the Metal Rat (metal being about focus and clarity and the rat bringing a fresh beginning.)

Each animal is naturally connected to an element and the RAT’s element is Water. This particular year we have a METAL RAT. Since metal produces water (think of the condensation on a metal water bottle that is not insulated), we have the metal energy feeding the rat’s natural element, which could mean a more peaceful year. However, 2020 is not a year to be lazy energy since the element of metal is about focus, discipline, refinement, structure, logic and honesty.

Looking at the personality of the Rat helps give us a glimpse of what’s in store for the coming year. Rats have a split personality. They are both Yin and Yang, having front paws with four fingers (yin) and back paws with five toes (yang). Further, each Chinese animal is associated with two hours of the day and the Rat’s energy is split since their hours span two days, going from 11pm – 1am.

Rats are introverts but also need to be around people. They can be bossy (they are the #1 animal in the Chinese zodiac after all…like Aries in the traditional zodiac). Rats aren’t given handouts – they have to scrounge for their food, which means you will need to put yourself out there and go after what you want this year. Rats tend to live in the moment and are devoted to their family. They are very detail-oriented, but they don’t like to work too hard so their success results from using their minds. They are quite adaptable and their best friend is the Ox with other friends being Dragons and Monkeys (this gives you a hint about who has a good year in store!)

Numerology Connects with Metal Rat Year Energy

It’s interesting, though not all that surprising that the numerology for 2020 echoes the energy of the Chinese zodiac year of the Metal Rat. This year is a 22/4 year which is quite powerful.  According to Louise Hay’s book, Colors and Numbers, 22/4 relates to greatness and the 4 by itself is about being practical, which connects very strongly with the energy of metal.  We haven’t had this powerful double energy in a year since 1919.

Things to do this year:

  • Work with others, in your community and focus on projects that benefit many
  • Build something, especially foundations
  • Be constructive (also means being positive and happy as you do your work)
  • Be productive and organized
  • Focus and pay attention to details
  • Work on big projects and follow a schedule for completion
  • Focus on self-discipline and using your mind
  • “Weed” and declutter your space, your mind, your life
  • Organize and care for your things: home, clothes, finances, etc.
  • Wear white, gold and metallics to tap into the energy of Metal
  • Be in harmony with the earth (spending more time outside, using eco-friendly products, giving back by cleaning up the planet)

Industries that will perform well in 2020 include:

Computers              Banking/Financial    Power Generation
Restaurants            Entertainment         Real Estate             Construction
Mining                    Insurance               Technology             Machinery

Challenged Industries in 2020 include:

Fashion                  Media                     Communication       Books
Shipping                Transport               Environment


To determine your Chinese Animal and best hours of the day, use this chart!

Your Year – How it looks for you in 2020

Nobleman: A gift this year for those born in years ending in 5 or 9!!
This brings more support, protection, guidance, solutions and assistance this year – an added boost which will make this year a more comfortable one for you. This offsets a challenging year. It’s a great time to move, write a book, start something new or travel.

The energies described below are general energies. You can ALWAYS have a good year and this year of 2020 is ripe with opportunities for everyone!

Extremely Good Year:   Ox      Dragon      Monkey
It’s a good year for you to be more fearless… start a business, write a book,
make a move, start a new career/job as you have good energy behind you!

Neutral Year:       Rat      Tiger      Snake      Rooster      Dog      Pig
*Challenging Year:        Horse (this is your clash year)   Rabbit      Sheep     
This is a year to be more cautious, move more slowly, step back, don’t take
risks, lay low. You may still have a good year if you follow this guidance!

* Those having a challenging year will benefit from having an OX talisman
This can be a stone figurine, a necklace, a stuffed animal etc. and it is used to run interference between you and the rat this year. Ox are friends with the Rat and they will calm down the energy for you.  à Keep this talisman somewhere you will see it daily, like your dresser, bathroom counter, or desk.

Some ideas for Ox talismans:

Handmade Chinese 12 Zodiac Amulets Lucky charm (wood)
Chinese Zodiac Amulet Metal Coin Horoscope Lucky Charms (Ox) 
Chinese Ox Golden Resin Collectible Figurines Table Decor Statue  
Feng Shui 4″ Gold Money Bull ~ Ox Wealth Statue  

On the actual Chinese Lunar New Year (January 25th) and the Chinese Solar New  Year (February 4th) it is best…

NOT to:

  • Use knives or scissors
  • Cut or wash your hair
  • Clean your house or sweep
  • Gossip
  • Use negative words (complain or focus on what you don’t want)

Can DO these things:

  • Perform a blessing or ritual to bring positive energy into your space
  • Eat long noodles, like rice noodles, to promote longevity
  • Celebrate with friends and family
  • Do things you really love to do

Things to do BEFORE the Chinese New Year:
January 25th (Lunar New Year) or  February 4th (Solar New Year)

  • Energy clearing of your home and workplace with sage or bells
  • Complete any unfinished business (carrying this over into the new year hinders forward movement)
  • Clean your house
  • Sweep your home to sweep out last year’s energy
  • Complete repairs needed in the home, esp clocks & electronics that can stall you
  • Wash windows
  • Empty garbage and recycling containers
  • Make sure your front door can open fully, clean it and the handles
  • Replace the front door mat and put the new one in place on Feb. 3rd
  • Clear all clutter, keeping only things that Spark JOY. Donate/Sell/Discard the rest
  • Organize paper and digital files, calendars and schedules
  • Organize your home including closets and drawers
  • Clean out your refrigerators and pantry. Toss expired food, medication & makeup
  • Replace any burnt out light bulbs
  • Clean mirrors, crystals and glass to bring clarity in 2020
  • Freshen or recreate dream boards, altars, meditation areas with new intentions
  • Have your car serviced and clean it to allow easy flow in the new year
  • Pay debts and balance bank statements to create a fresh slate for 2020
  • Make amends with friends/family/colleagues to facilitate new beginnings
  • Need a haircut? Do so before the Feb 4th to prevent cutting into good luck.
  • Put Flying Star adjustments for 2020 in place before Feb. 4th. If you haven’t had a Flying Star consult, book yours here!

Feng Shui can be confusing. Do you need help figuring out your Bagua? Do you want help determining what to do within your home to boost the power of your intentions for Health, Career, Finances and Relationships?

Let’s chat! I offer a FREE 20 minute Virtual Coffee Chat.  

Kim Julen
Feng Shui Intuitive Coach
WWS Certified Feng Shui Practitioner
Certified Angel Card Reader Life
www.FindingYourFiji.com
651-230-7361
Kim@FindingYourFiji.com

Intentional Goal Setting

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Have you ever set a goal and not attained it?

What held you back? You were excited when you set the goal, anticipating how good it would feel when you achieved it, right? Maybe you even created a step by step plan and started on it. Yet, something held you back. You stopped working on it. You gave up. You may have even kicked yourself for not following through. You wouldn’t do that to your best friend, but you’re hard on yourself when you don’t accomplish the things you set out to do.

Intentional goal setting will change all of that. By owning your goals, you will find yourself excited to work on them and make progress faster than you ever have before. Excited now?! Let’s get this party started!!

What does it mean to be intentional?

InŸtenŸtion is defined by Merriam Webster as:

  • The thing that you plan to do or achieve
  • An aim or purpose
  • A determination to act in a certain way
  • Import, significance
  • What one intends to do or bring about

Intent suggests clarity and is more deliberate and purposeful. It also connects your actions with your mind and heart. Goals are simply targets and without intention, it’s difficult to accurately aim or even take an interest in moving towards that target. Intention involves forming a clearer picture about your outcome and getting at the reasons why you want it and how you’ll feel when you get it.

OWN your goals

Owning your goals helps you become invested in them. And when you are invested, you have a stake. This creates built in accountability – to yourself! (Need more accountability – I offer private coaching!)

There are 3 steps to OWNing your goals:

1)  O = Outcome  Determining what it is that you really want
2) W = Why   Understanding why you want this. What’s the point?
3)  N = Now    Taking action. Doing something to get the energy moving.

The 3rd step, “Now taking action” is often misconstrued as the most important piece of goal achievement. In reality, action is only 1% of the equation. 99% of goal achievement is knowing your Outcome (what you want) and Why you want it.

OUTCOME

To determine what you really want for your life, it’s helpful to look at your current circumstance (where you are) to decide where it is you want to go. Being a Feng Shui expert, I like to use the life areas that correlate to the Feng Shui Bagua.

Think about the following 9 areas of your life and where you are on the happiness scale of 0 – 10 with 0 being completely unsatisfied and 10 being overjoyed and loving this area of your life.

Rate 0 – 10    Life Areas
Wealth  (Money you inherit, win, earn, feeling abundant, gifts)
Family   (Relatives, siblings, extended family, close friends)
Knowledge (Education, inner wisdom, spirituality)
Career   (Job, journey in life or passions, activities you love)
Helpful People & Travel (Feeling supported, travel, treated fairly)  Creativity & Children   (Children/kids, pets, creative endeavors)Partnership (with significant other, biz partner, self, God, Source)
Fame & Reputation (How you’re perceived, good name, integrity)
Health  (Physical, mental, emotional and spiritual well being) 

Now, circle the area with the lowest score. That is the one we’re going to focus on to create our first Intentional Goal. You’ll be able to go through this process with all the rest of your life areas or simply pick the 2-3 areas that you want to focus on this year.

You are not completely happy with this area of your life, so you know what you don’t want, right? Take a piece of paper and make a list of the things that aren’t going well in this particular area along the left hand side. Think about what’s really bothering you. If it’s your Wealth area, for instance, your list may look like left hand column below.

To determine what it is that you DO want, turn each statement in the left column around to state in the positive and present tense what you would prefer to be happening in that area of your life instead.

Things I don’t want
Debt accumulating
Not enough money coming in
Too many expenses
Feel out of control with spending
Don’t know how to budget
More month than money
No money for fun stuff I want to do
Can’t help others (tithing)
& so on… you get the idea.

What do I want?
Debt paid off
Plenty of money/income
Bills paid easily and effortlessly
Feel good about finances
Established budget
Pay all bills on time monthly
Money for fun activities w/o guilt
Donating to my favorite charities

Remember to state what you want in the present tense and positive. This helps the Universe/God/Source clearly hear what you really want and will magnetize it to you so much faster!

WHY
The second part of OWNing your goals is determining your why. Think about why you want the things in the right hand column. Would you be able to relax and have less stress? Would you be able to take care of your family’s needs? Would you have more fun? Be able to work less and enjoy life more? Would you be able to help those less fortunate or have more time to volunteer? Would you buy a new house? A new car? Take a vacation?

How will you feel when you reach that goal or have the outcome that you want? This is the most important piece of the Why puzzle. Your goals carry an energetic vibration and in order to set goals with intention, it’s vital that you line up with that energy.

Everything is Energy
Objects certainly carry a vibration. They may make you feel good or bring your down or be neutral. Environments have an energetic vibration, too. You know how when you go into a room that’s cluttered and it just doesn’t feel good to be there, right? And when you walk into a garden filled with beautiful flowers and green grass and running water, you feel at ease. People have an energetic vibration as well. When you are around someone who’s vibration is high, they are happy and make you want to smile. You’ve also been around Eeyore types for whom nothing ever seems to go well. They make you doubt what in the world there is to be happy about.

Your goals and dreams have an energetic vibration, too, and you need to be vibrating at the same energy level as your dream to draw it in and sustain it. This is part of the reason why so many lottery winners are broke after the first year. Their vibration doesn’t match their money and so they are unable to keep it.

Strive to consistently feel how you will feel when you’ve achieved or accomplished this goal, as if it’s already a reality and it’s only a matter of when it will happen. When you get into the feeling place of your outcome, then taking actions and the right actions comes naturally.

NOW
You’ve determined your OUTCOME (what you want) and got into the feeling place of your WHY. So NOW it’s time to take action. When are you going to take action? Right NOW! The sooner you begin taking action once you’ve set your outcome/goal, the more likely you are to continue working towards it and achieve it. What steps would you need to take to achieve this goal? Decide on one baby step you can take today!  

It’s time to get your goals down on paper. There is nothing more powerful than writing out exactly what you want for the New Year and creating a plan to achieve it. 

Intentional Goal Setting Guidelines

1) State your Outcome in the positive (avoid using don’t, not or no)
2) State it in the present tense
3) Use “I am” or “Now that I am” statements

Remember to include your OUTCOME (what you really want) and your WHY (why you want it and how you will feel when you get it). The NOW (baby step you will take to get started on your goal today!) will be part of your planning process.

An example of an Intentional Goal using the Wealth area above would be:
“I am so excited and grateful now that I am paying off all of my debt and creating a steady stream of $10,000 a month net income. I love the feeling of paying all my bills in full every month and having money left over to take my family on a cruise this summer and donate monthly to my favorite charity.”

An Idea to Anchor Your Intentional Goals

Dream Boards are a powerful way to anchor your goals and intentions. The creative act of cutting out pictures and words and placing them on a board that you can look at day after day engages your right brain and “gets you out of your head”. It’s also a way to increase your FUN LOAD and enjoy dreaming.

~~~

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Kim Julen
Feng Shui Intuitive Coach
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Watch for the online version being released soon!

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Kim Julen is a WWS Certified Feng Shui Practitioner and a  Certified Angel Card Reader. www.FindingYourFiji.com  651-230-7361

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