by BERNAMA / pic credit: goodfengshui.com

KUALA LUMPUR In the Chinese zodiac, 2021 is the Year of the Golden Bull and local feng shui expert Kenny Hoo has predicted the emergence of an abundance of good and new opportunities for the business community.

Hoo said this year could be a turning point for companies and individuals wishing to improve their services, products and quality of life.

The keyword for this year is turnaround. A lot of businesses and social activities will gradually awaken and people will be seen kick-starting their engines and putting their focus on their businesses after a year of sluggish growth due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

This will create more innovative opportunities and new technologies, as well as greater collaborations among various fields, he said during a recent online media conference.

For those wishing to do some spring cleaning before Chinese New Year kicks in on Feb 12, Hoo advised them to do it on an auspicious date in accordance with their zodiac animal sign.

This will remove the old, unwanted and stagnant energy and welcome fresh new energy into your home or office. It will clear the negative qi (vibes) and create more space for positive qi for greater health, wealth and prosperity in the upcoming new year, he said.

To ensure bountiful business in the coming year, Hoo said it is vital to pick a good day to reopen the office or restart a business after the Chinese New Year (CNY) break.

This is to attract good luck and prosperity for your business and work so that you can remain successful the whole year.

If you cannot restart (your business or work) on an auspicious date, then pick an average day. Try to avoid returning to work on a day that is in conflict with your zodiac sign, he said, adding that the fourth day of CNY would be the best time for most people to return to work, except for those born in the Year of the Rat.

He said according to Chinese tradition, people would also choose the right date to deposit money into their bank accounts. This years right date or Li Chun was Feb 3.

Li Chun is a date in the Chinese calendar that signifies the beginning of spring and often falls just before or after CNY.

We believe that depositing money into our account on this day will attract more money to us over the coming year, depending on the zodiac animal sign we belong to. One can also deposit money into their account via online banking as the symbolism is the same, he added.

Hoo also said that based on the yearly Ba Zi (an ancient Chinese practice of analysing a persons destiny) chart, 2021 will be a positive year with the auspicious months being February, May, July, September and October.

This years challenging months would be June, August and December and, as Hoo advised, try to avoid making major decisions during these months.

For those born under the zodiac animal sign of the Rat, Tiger, Dragon, Monkey, Rooster or Dog, this year will be a good year for them as it will be filled with good luck and opportunities, especially in terms of career, health and wealth.

However, he warned those with the Bull, Horse, Rabbit, Snake, Goat or Boar zodiac sign to be more cautious and conservative in all their undertakings.

They should avoid making any drastic change or major decision especially in July and October this year and in January 2022, he added.

He said those born in the year of the Rat, Dragon, Horse and Monkey should be on the lookout for minor health issues throughout the year and are advised to visit a dentist for dental scaling or do a health check or blood test or donate blood.

Meanwhile, students born in the year of the Rat, Dragon, Horse and Monkey will do well in their academic pursuits because the scholar star will be shining on them.

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Feng shui master expects turnaround this year - The Malaysian Reserve

As we prepare to usher in the Lunar New Year of the Ox, now is the perfect time for a refresh of your home to bring abundance and prosperity for the coming year.

Feng Shui is an age-old Chinese belief that our homes are a reflection of ourselves, and a practise which aligns your environment with who you are and where you are going, according to Nicheliving Property Advisor Leah Xia.

In Feng Shui, it is believed everything even inanimate objects carries energy, or chi, she said.

Arranging your home according to its principles helps balance those energies and ensures it flows freely throughout your home.

These energies are present across five elements wood, fire, earth, metal and water.

Ms Xia offered some easy ways to Feng Shui your home.

Keep things clean and tidy, she said. Having too much clutter around is probably not going to do your mental clarity any favours.

In Feng Shui, clutter is believed to take up valuable space which new, incoming energy needs.

We recommend making a habit of cleaning up each day. Not only will it make you feel less stressed out, itll also create a sense of order in chaotic times.

Another simple trick to bring good energy into your home is adding some greenery.

Ms Xia said plants embodied life energy, so could add freshness and vitality to your home.

Go for some easy-care plants like ivy and other indoor plants that are both low-cost, yet visually impressive, she said.

Ms Xia said building a home presented the perfect opportunity to lay the right foundations for adopting Feng Shui.

The front door is the most important part of the home when considering Feng Shui, she said. It represents how chi enters your home and life.

The front door should be clearly defined and have a presence from the outside. It shouldnt be facing a bathroom or storage door, and never have stairs facing the front door, as the good energy will flow out.

Have a welcoming entryway that promotes a good flow of energy, providing a proper transition between the outside world and inside your home have a place to sit down, leave belongings and catch your breath before proceeding inside.

Other floor plan considerations include the location of the master bedroom and kitchen.

Ms Xia said a master bedroom should be kept away from the front door, while the kitchen should not be seen directly from the entrance.

One of the most popular ways to incorporate Feng Shui into a home is through the addition of a fountain, according to Ms Xia.

There is a strong association of the energy of water with wealth, she said.

Fountains are the most popular Feng Shui for wealth cure, so if you love fountains, find one or more good-quality fountains and place them in the best Feng Shui areas of your home.

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Energy in harmony through Feng Shui - The West Australian

February 12, 2021 is the Lunar New Year, per the lunisolar calendars traditional in many Asian countries including China, Vietnam, and South Korea. The holiday of new beginnings, reunion dinners with loved ones, and Spring Festival celebrations in China also introduces the Year of the Metal Ox, marking the end of the Year of the Metal Rat. Those with an interest in Chinese zodiac animals may already know that some 2020 Rat predictions were just as unfortunate as the year turned out to be, and now, a new question looms: Will this Year of the Ox be lucky?

That can depend on a variety of individual factors. The compatibility of your personality with the traits of the Ox is affected by your own zodiac animal, according to Susan Levitt, professional astrologer, feng shui consultant, and author of Taoist Astrology. 2021 is also impacted by the fact that it's a metal year (metal is one of the five elements of the Chinese zodiac; more on this later). Also, you may want to nail down what "lucky" means to you.

What is the goal, what are you trying to do? Levitt says. And, does the energy of the Ox match with your personality or your energy?

Still, the Year of the Ox will impact us all in a few generally similar ways, according to both Levitt and Pocket Chinese Almanac authors and translators Joanna C. Lee and Ken Smith. Here's what they have to say about the meaning of the Year of the Ox, and a few predictions for what it has in store.

While Levitt is an astrologer and student of feng shui, Lee and Smith get their almanac predictions from a Hong Kong-based geomancer named Warwick Wong. Long practiced in his family, Wong's style of Chinese geomancy is a form of divination, or forecasting the future, that observes astronomical movements and what Smith describes as other atmospheric conditions. Wong then interprets how these impact our lives down on earth, and his daily readings offer whats lucky or unlucky to undertake (February 12 will be good for engagements or starting a business, but bad for rituals and paying out money). But Wong also gives Lee and Smith a general trajectory for what a given year will be like.

Basically, Lee says, "it's a holding pattern." Keep calm and carry on as best you can in 2021, but hold off on major moves if you're able. And in a note worth taking whether you believe in the zodiac or not, Lee relays that Wong says to "try not to be obsessive about following the news, because so much information is in the air." Essentially, preserve your energy and your spirit.

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Even to a skeptic, some of Wongs past predictions have felt eerily prescient. On the night before last years Lunar New Year EveJanuary 23, 2020New York Citys Museum of Chinese in America (MOCA) welcomed Lee and Smith for their annual talk on what the Metal Rat year would bring. MOCA president Nancy Yao Maasbach told OprahMag.com the prognosis was that by consensus, it was going to be a horrible year. Lee and Smith told the audience that Wong had two pieces of advice to share: Dont be argumentative and try to change anyones minds on matters, and find a safe place, and hide.

Given that the novel coronavirus had gripped Wuhan, China by late January, Maasbach realized that plenty of people in the Chinese-American community were already casting a concerned eye toward how both the lunar year and Gregorian calendar year would pan out in 2020. So she remembers shaking their words off. I am not superstitious, though I was growing up, Maasbach says. Im a God-fearing Christian woman, though it is such a Chinese thing thats in the back of my mind.

After the talk, Maasbach joined Lee and Smith for dinner three blocks from the museum. Barely an hour later, Nancy got a phone call, and we just lost her, Smith remembers. Shes saying, oh my god! Oh my god! and she ran out.

I threw the dinner money on the table and ran down the street in 3-inch heels, Maasbach recounts.

The Museum of the Chinese in America had been destroyed in a five-alarm fire.

Everyone was like, thats a harbinger, Maasbach says, and then it just proceeded to be this insane year.

It's not surprising that by both Maasbach and Smith's accounts, she avoided Lee and Smith's phone calls about their Year of the Ox predictions for awhile. Fortunately, it's set to be better than the lastor, at least, different. In this year's virtual MOCA talk, Smith said that according to Wong, planetary aspects have caused a "murkiness in the universe" that's clouding his ability to forecast more specifically. "2021 is the year to be prudent," Lee added.

How you'll feel about this steadfast Year of the Ox depends on how you relate to the Ox energy, Levitt says. "Hard work, duty, disciplinethats the ox, she says. Levitt says the theme of 2021's lunar year will be "build, build, build," following through on whatever projects you began in the Rat year. Stick to routines, and shy away from wild new methods and ideas.

"I'm happy to be solid and stable, plow the field and work diligently," says Levitt, who was born in the Year of the Sheep. "If you're a horse or a monkey, this isn't your kind of energy. Or if you're a tiger, you want to pounce on the new." Read Levitt's Year of the Metal Ox forecast for each zodiac animal on her website.

If you were born in the Year of the Ox, know that some Chinese superstition holds that it's not a lucky year for you. According to Lee, "It might not be the worst year, but its not the best." Though Smith adds, "Good things can happen with twice the intensity, and bad things will happen to you with twice the intensity as well." To attract good fortune, they recommend wearing red, traditionally considered a lucky color in China, keep a plant in your room, and try to maintain a positive mindset.

"2021 is a metal year of the five Taoist elements fire, earth, metal, water, and wood," Levitt writes in her guide. "In feng shui, the metal environment is clean, pristine, pared down, and shiny like metal." If you want to best prepare your home for the Year of the Metal Ox, she adds, "begin by cleaning your home, reduce clutter, and maintain tidiness all year round. The main focus is on the bedroom as hard-working oxen do best after peaceful sleep."

Notably, in traditional Chinese medicine, the metal element rules the lungsa body part that's been particularly vulnerable during the COVID-19 pandemic that rose in the Year of the Metal Rat. As such, Levitt says she'd advised clients to take care of their lungs when making her 2020 predictions back in 2019, and recommends quitting smoking if this year if you partake. "The big change for COVID will be on the new Moon in Leo that begins Fire Monkey lunar month on August 8," she writes on her site.

Overall, there's no bad news for the Year of the Ox. It's more like...less than exciting news, given that Levitt and Wong both see it as a time to take care of yourself and stay drama-free. But know that 2022's Year of the Tiger may bear out predictions of a new roaring '20s on the way.

"Tiger year is time to leap into the new," Levitt says. Until then, avoid impulsively pouncing on anything.

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What the 2021 Year of the Ox Has In Store for You - Oprah Mag

Ready to ring in the Lunar New Year with fun and entertainingeventideas? Take your Lunar New Year Celebration and spruce it up in time for the 2021Year of theOx. Thelong-timecelebrated occasion is a time to commemorate prosperity, health, and good fortune with friends and family.

2021 isthe year of the Ox,officially starting onFebruary 12, 2021. The Year of the Ox is the second zodiac sign in theChinese zodiaccycle.The Ox symbolizes hard work, discipline, strength, and an indomitable spirit.

Inthe United States, the growth of the Asian population is on the rise, which also increases events marketed towards the Asian community.

Manybrands have tapped into this Asian holiday to either introduce and/or expand their sales to the Asian market.However, for 2021, as virtual events take center stage, how can you celebrate this years Lunar New Yearvirtually?

From thevirtualtea ceremonies,the art of dumplings,incorporating a decluttering master, toFeng Shui, these activitiesaresuretoget your guestsexcitedand engagedeven virtually.

Take your Lunar New Year Celebration to a whole new level with these fun and festive ideas. Merging tradition, fun, and festivity, these Lunar New Year event ideas will surely delight all guests and add a unique touch to yourvirtualevent.

The year 2021is the Year of the Ox, from Feb. 12, 2021, until Jan. 31, 2022.Use the chart below to discover your Zodiac Animal and correspondingpersonality traits based on the year you were born:

Rat:1924, 1936, 1948, 1960, 1972, 1984, 1996, 2008, 2020Quick-witted, resourceful, versatile, kind

Ox:1925, 1937, 1949, 1961, 1973, 1985, 1997, 2009, 2021Diligent, dependable, strong, determined

Tiger:1926, 1938, 1950, 1962, 1974, 1986, 1998, 2010, 2022Brave, confident, competitive

Rabbit:1927, 1939, 1951, 1963, 1975, 1987, 1999, 2011, 2023Quiet, elegant, kind, responsible

Dragon:1928, 1940, 1952, 1964, 1976, 1988, 2000, 2012, 2024Confident, intelligent, enthusiastic

Snake:1929, 1941, 1953, 1965, 1977, 1989, 2001, 2013, 2025Enigmatic, intelligent, wise

Horse:1930, 1942, 1954, 1966, 1978, 1990, 2002, 2014, 2026Animated, active, energetic

Goat:1931, 1943, 1955, 1967, 1979, 1991, 2003, 2015, 2027Calm, gentle, sympathetic

Monkey:1932, 1944, 1956, 1968, 1980, 1992, 2004, 2016, 2028Sharp, smart, curious

Rooster:1933, 1945, 1957, 1969, 1981, 1993, 2005, 2017, 2029Observant, hardworking, courageous

Dog:1934, 1946, 1958, 1970, 1982, 1994, 2006, 2018, 2030Lovely, honest, prudent

Pig:1935, 1947, 1959, 1971, 1983, 1995, 2007, 2019, 2031Compassionate, generous, diligent

Chartcourtesy ofChina Highlights

Link:
Lunar New Year: Celebrating the Year of The Ox - Special Events

Paying respect to the deities is another customary practice among Hong Kong locals. During CNY, thousands of locals visitone or more famous temples, such as the Che Kung Temple, Wong Tai Sin Temple and Man Mo Temple, to pray for health and prosperity in the coming year. These temples are architecturally beautiful, with brightly decorated shrines, all making the spiritual excursions the perfect way to ring in CNY.

Fai chun, a traditional decoration in doorways and on walls, is also an essential item to create a joyful festive atmosphere and to bring good luck and prosperity.

CNY in Hong KongAlthough there will be no physical events because of Covid-19, the Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB) is turning the CNY celebrations up a notch by infusing the cherished traditions with online, innovative elements, sending festive blessings in a whole new fashion. A three-week "Fortunes in Hong Kong" CNY campaign will be held at http://www.discoverhongkong.com/CNY from February 8-26, featuring an online market that offers CNY delicacies and specialties, alongside games, lucky feng shui tips and festive e-cards send festive vibes around the world to loved ones.

At the online market, a collection of products created by traditional local and trend-setting brands are available for those who are hoping to enjoy the CNY celebrations in style. A not-to-be-missed item is a collaboration between the 73-year-old Kung Lee Sugar Cane Drink and chic candy brand Papabubble. Together they collaborated to create new handmade candies with different herbal tea flavors that bring these old-fashioned, sometimes bitter drinks to a new level. In collaboration, traditional snack store Yiu Fung partnered with creative printing company Papery to pack its most popular classic snacks into a beautifully designed CNY candy box. The box features a pop-up tangerine plant, which is a symbol of good luck in Chinese tradition.

With all the festive activities in town, Hong Kong is ready to welcome the Year of the Ox with joy and blessings.

SOURCE Hong Kong Tourism Board

http://www.hktb.com

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Celebrating Chinese New Year the Hong Kong Way - PRNewswire

Learn what the Year of the Ox will bring to you (Photo: Courtesy of Unsplash) By Doris Lam February 08, 2021

Wondering what the Year of the Ox will bring to your health, love and career? We spoke with a Chinese astrology expert to find out

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2021 marks the Year of the Ox in Chinese astrology and begins from February 12, the first day of Chinese New Year. As the second animal in the Chinese Zodiac, the ox is known for their strength, determination, diligence and dependability.

To learn what the Year of the Ox will bring to us in health, career and relationships, we spoke with Jupiter Lai, a Hong Kong-based professional astrologer, tarot-card reader and feng shui master who co-founded The Academy of Astrology, an astrology training centre that is recognised by The Association of Professional Astrologers International (APAI).

(Related: Astrology Tips for The Year of The Rat)

Oxes are known for being hardworking, practical, gentle, loyal and grounded, says Jupiter Lai. However, she adds that sometimes the ox could be a bit introverted, or even quite stubborn.

The Ox energy is quite slow, and sometimes even stagnant. Plans may go slowly and dont be hasty to get the desired result. Patience is the keyword for this year.

(Related: 5 Expert Tips on How to Create Good Feng Shui in the Year of the Ox)

If you were born in the Year of the Ox and trying to make new friends or start a relationship, try and find people who were born in the Year of the Rat as the two zodiacs are able to balance each other out perfectly. According to Yin and Yang, the Ox and the Rat signs complement each other as the Ox is more passive (Yin) while the Rat is more active (Yang), Lai explains.

To learn who youre not compatible with this year, refer to Liu Hai, a Chinese zodiac concept where where the twelve zodiacs are paired up with the sign that they are the most incompatible with romantically.

If two signs are in the same group together, the two can unintentionally harm each other and bring bad luck, she explains. The Ox is grouped with the Horse, which means the Ox and the Horse are the most unlucky pairing and their relationship would likely end in a breakup. However, another zodiac sign that the Ox should look out for is the Sheep. The Sheep is the least compatible with the Ox as they are on opposing ends of the zodiac wheel. They may easily clash with each other, creating conflict and disagreement.

Of the five elements, the Ox is a Yin Earth, which is more receptive and stable. This means relationships tend to be more stable, and the Ox is more patient and gentle with their partners, making it good for strengthening and maintaining relationships, Lai explains.

Those who are single and looking for a relationship, remember to take notes: The Ox is quite shy and passive. If youre single and looking for a new relationship, you may need to put in extra effort to ask for dates or pursue those you are interested in.

Or, if youve been in a committed relationship for a while, marriage might be on the table. The Ox is not a year for romance and passion, but for commitment and stabilitywhich is suitable for those who want to tie the knot.

The Ox is an animal of strength, but its strength comes from working hard in the field. To stay healthy and strong, the Ox has to work out regularly to strengthen the muscles, says Lai. While gyms are closed at the moment, consider investing in some of the best at-home workout gear to build muscle and to stay healthy this year.

From the Feng Shui perspective, the star of illness/misfortune is located in the South-East. To avoid activating this area of your home or office, Lai recommends placing six coins in that area to weaken the negative energy to maintain better health.

(Related: Chinese New Year 2021: Covid-19 Restrictions to Take Note of in Singapore)

The Ox is a hard-working animal and we need to stay diligent at work. It may take a longer time to reach goals or gain success, but similar to growing crops, there is no fast track to success and continuous effort is required. Dont let the slow progress discourage you though, as Lai explains success will be fair and youll reap what you sow.

(Related: Singapores Most Influential Leaders Reveal Their Top Career Tips)

Usually, people returning to their own animal sign year is called Fan Tai Sui, which means offending the God of the year. Thus, people born in the Year of the Ox will experience Fan Tai Sui, says Lai.

It is believed when bad luck strikes and more turbulent times happen in your life and show up in work, relationships or health, it could be because youve angered or offended one of the Tai Sui Gods and they have condemned you with a series of misfortunes as punishment.

Other zodiac signs who will also go through Fan Tai Sui this year are the Sheep and the Dog. The Sheeps position in the zodiac opposes the Ox while the Dog squares with the Ox, which regards as offending Tai Sui. Dont worry if youre one of the three zodiac signs, as there are ways to offset the bad luck. The Rat, being the Oxs perfect match, is the animal who can bring harmony to the Ox. One can wear an accessory with a mouse charm or place a figure of the rat at the North-East of the home or office. You can also go to temples such as Wong Tai Sin to worship the Tai Sui as a way to build a good relationship with him, concludes Lai.

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Chinese New Year 2021: An Expert's Astrology Tips for the Year of the Ox - Tatler Singapore

Dear Gossips,

Just three more sleeps until Lunar New Year and the Year of the Ox, beginning on Friday, February 12. My ma, the Chinese Squawking Chicken, will have some thoughts to share in the coming days. They wont be as extensive as they were in years past, but if youre interested, there are a couple of takeaways that might be worth your while.

Lunar New Year is celebrated around the world in East Asian communities and, obviously, its typically a festive time. My ma has been prepping almost a month for this. Shes been buying sweets and pastries, shes been gathering ingredients for her annual Lunar New Year Buddhas Delight, a traditional dish that includes at least ten different ingredients and is usually served at the start of the year to symbolise purification and a fresh start. Mas making a two huge pots of it, Im getting one, and shell be making deliveries to a few friends. But of course what sucks is that usually wed be eating it together, because a major part of Lunar New Year is the gathering. Were big on feng shui in Chinese culture which means accumulating and protecting positive energy, and amplified in celebratory group settings. This year, in many homes, coming together is not possible. And even though my husband and I dont go anywhere and are confident that we arent a threat to them, my parents are in and out of the hospital for appointments all the time and ma does not want to see me indoors, or in close proximity, just in case. Our visits, then, are limited to her weekly soup and herbal tea drop-offs. I imagine its the same for so many other families, Asian or otherwise.

So while were trying, and ma is doing all she can to inject as much celebration and spirit into Lunar New Year this year, it wont be quite the same, and for some of us theres now an additional, even urgent, worry: anti-Asian racism. The United States is seeing a massive spike in anti-Asian hate crimes. Just last week, actors Daniel Dae Kim and Daniel Wu offered a $25,000 reward for information about this heinous act. Please note, as DDK writes on Instagram, its a disturbing and heartbreaking video. But its also the truth about whats been happening:

And its not just in the US. Here in Canada, where I live, theres also been a spike in anti-Asian racism. Just yesterday, in Toronto, our countrys largest city:

Two organizations are launching an educational resource on Tuesday to equip teachers with tools to help them address anti-Asian racism in Torontoduring the pandemic.

The Toronto District School Board (TDSB) and Elementary Teachers' Federation of Ontario (ETFO) produced the document, "Addressing Anti-Asian Racism: A Resource for Educators." It provides public school teachers with tips and suggestions on how to deal with the issue in virtual or physical classrooms.

More than 47 per cent of students identify as Asian in the TDSB.

Both the school board and the union said in a news release on Tuesday that there has been an increase in anti-Asian racism in Ontario, including violence, since the pandemic hit the province in last March after originating in China's Hubeiprovince late in 2019.

"Acts of anti-Asian discrimination are unacceptable and cause harm to the health, well-being and safety of educators, students, families and communities,"Karen Falconer, the TDSB director of education, said in the release

"This much-needed resource offers new approaches to learning and innovative actions to identify, name and address anti-Asian racism in partnership with families and communities."

On the other side of Canada, Vancouver reported a surge in anti-Asian hate crimes in 2020. Last week in Saskatoon, after refusing to wear a mask inside a Vietnamese restaurant, an enraged customer hurled racist slurs at staff before leaving. The victims of these crimes are often East Asian owned businesses and the elderly.

I worry every day about my parents, who are relatively independent and can still run errands on their own, and while dad isnt 91 years old like the man in Daniel Dae Kims video, it could have been him a spry little guy in a blue face mask. See?

Theyre at risk for COVID and theyre at risk for racism. And the same is true for so many others out there. Hopefully the Year of the Ox, which is not usually one of the more volatile signs of the Chinese zodiac, will bring more kindness and peace. On that note though

Get cleaning! In Chinese culture, ahead of Lunar New Year, we sweep the old year away to welcome the good luck of the new year. Clean until Thursday night. And then on Friday, no cleaning, as the new energy has arrived, its time to kick back and enjoy it.

Yours in gossip,

Lainey

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Daniel Dae Kim speaks out against anti-Asian racism as crimes surge in the US and Canada and Intro for Februar - LaineyGossip

For more than a billion people around the world, Chinese New Year or Lunar New Year is their single most important annual celebration. In 2021, festivities begin on 12 February. On God Forbid, James and the panel take a moment to celebrate and delve into Chinese history in Australia since the gold rush.

In this episode:

Lunar New Year also known as the Spring festivaldates back thousands of years, with customs steeped in tradition and myth. Some of them arepretty standard like eating and spending time with loved ones.Othersaredistinctive,likedragon processions andflocking to the temple at midnight.

Didyou knowthat proportionally,Australia has more people of Chinese ancestry than any othercountryoutside Asia? During the gold rushesofthe 1850s, thousands of Chinese people immigrated to Australia,and have played asignificantroleinAustralianhistory ever since.

When you think about philosophy,what springs to mind? Perhaps arguments about logic,or Ancient Greeks pondering the meaning of life.You might also draw on Eastern philosophical traditions like Daoism,which hasroots in ancient China.Sowhat do Daoists believe, and why is Daoism sometimesregarded as a religion or form of spirituality?

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Celebrating the Lunar New Year - God Forbid - ABC News

As we are already in our second month of 2021 and MCO is probably here to stay if the current Covid-19 numbers are anything to go by, we have all by now adapted to what we call the new norm. With Chinese New Year just round the corner and theres nothing much left to keep us all entertained, it would be most beneficial to invest all our time and energy into an early spring cleaning to usher in the Year of the Ox (and hopefully to have better luck turned around!). And there is no time like the present to clean our water pond / aquarium to ensure a smooth new year and the fishes happily swimming to welcome in good Feng Shui for the home!

Although having a water pond at home with fishes especially Kois symbolises wealth, positive energy and renewal for the household, maintaining and cleaning the pond water can be a huge struggle! Similar to how we need to live in a clean environment that makes us feel safe, loved, and comfortable, so do our aquatic friends who require clean and chemically-balanced water to survive and thrive. Now with MCO, having a maintenance person to come in to maintain the pond will be quite a hassle.

However, it is not to say that we are unable to achieve a good clean pond on our own! With these simple tips from our Koi fish and water pond experts, here are some of the easier ways on how you can maintain the living environment of your aquatic friends to ensure they thrive and have good Feng Shui to always flourish in the home.

Maintaining a clean environment for our water pond is important for our aquatic friends to thrive while good flow of yin and yang can flourish in our homes

Dont overpopulate

Firstly, the major rule is not to overpopulate the pond! When there are more fishes involved, theres naturally more waste that would also clog the filters. Mr Andy Gan, a Koi specialist from Atarashi Koi said that overpopulation of a pond can lead to various hazardous effects such as sickness within the pond or deterioration.

Avoid overpopulation of fishes as it can lead to various hazardouseffects for both the fishes and their water environment

It is natural to fall in love with the gracefulness of the fishes when they are swimming and we love to see more of the colourful motions; however, it is just as common to have an overpopulated water pond. It is very important to not overpopulate Kois, or any fishes for that matter, as it can lead to decreased dissolved oxygen and a lowered oxygen-carrying capacity, as well as toxic ammonia and nitrite levels to rise to dangerous and even lethal levels, said Mr. Andy.

If you have any prosperous aquatic animals such as goldfish or Kois in your home, keep to the essential Feng Shui principle of nine fishes in the pond: eight brightly coloured fishes and one black to neutralise negative energy. If we keep to this number, we not only ensure the balance of positive energy to come, but also maintain the happiness of the fishes in their space and environment.

Feed your aquatic friends a balanced diet

As to how we need a balanced diet, so do our aquatic friends - but they only need to be fed once a day! Fishes generally have a very small appetite and if we feed them more than what they are able to stomach, the uneaten food will eventually be left to decay in the aquarium or pond. Apart from its appetite, the type of food that we feed them matters just as much too! Mr Mah Chin Chye, a Koi expert from Yamakoshi Koi expressed that the food we serve to our aquatic friends will eventually show in their growth rate and the way they look, especially for Kois.

Feed your fishes with a suitable amount of high-quality foodfor healthier and thriving aquatic environment

The colour and growth of your Kois are subjected to the quality of the food. In order for Kois to grow beautifully and healthily, it is important to invest in high quality koi food that provides essential nutrients and vitamins, as well as a balanced source of protein, carbohydrates and minerals. Not only does the type of food can directly influence the Kois health and growth rate, it also affects the water quality as a whole, added Mr Mah.

Detailed research has to be done on the food that the specific breed of fish consumes, as some fishes may be carnivorous, omnivores, or herbivorous. For example, as Kois are omnivorous and they eat just about anything, good ingredients such as high-quality spirulina has to be included in the Kois diet for them to grow into the beautiful champions that they are meant to be!

Have the right-size pump

Fun fact, did you know that the air we breathe contains about 21% oxygen, while our aquatic friends breathe less than one-thousandth of 1% oxygen?

As every pump has its flow limitations, it is essential for us to choose the right size of pump to facilitate a proper circulation of water in the aquarium or pond through your filter in order to keep the water sufficiently clean for the fish to live and breathe comfortably. By not installing the right pump, this will prove very difficult for delicate fishes such as Kois to survive in the pond without proper circulation and aeration, as fishes like Koi require specific care and need near-to-perfect water quality to maintain and achieve a stunning and healthy Koi with minimal problems.

With a suitable pump installed, our water pond inhabitants can live and breathecomfortably and easily

That said, having the right-sized pump is not enough. To ensure good flow for the year, we ourselves need to make sure we enable good flow, and by that we mean to ensure that our pumps flow isnt restricted by debris in the skimmer and to be careful with the pressure of the pump (dont want our fishes to think they are in a whirlpool!). This brings us to our next point:

Clean debris before it decays!

The combination of decaying debris, fish waste and uneaten fish food can all lead to the ammonia levels to spike in the fishs living space. Although the skimmer would remove most of the debris, it is also better to use a pond or aquarium net to skim the leftover debris out before they have a chance to descend to the bottom where theyll decay. In a balanced natural ecosystem, Nitrogen Cycle is one of the processes that holds all these in check.

To put it in layman terms, Nitrogen is essential to all living cells, and the nitrogen cycle in a Koi pond is responsible for biological filtration to keep the water at safe levels to support aquatic life including fish and plants. By recreating the Nitrogen Cycle - be it in the aquarium or the water pond - using the proper filter, the water will remain clean and healthy at a certain standard enough for the fish to live in.

The Nitrogen Cycle maintains water levels at a safe level to support aquatic life including fish and plants.

Grow more pond plants

More than just a beautiful aesthetic to any pond, in order for the pond to be a successful habitat for the fishes, aquatic plants are needed to be introduced in order to maintain a balanced aquatic ecosystem. There are many different types of plants that you can use in your pond: floating plants, deep-water emergent plants, or submerged plants -- all of which serve a large role in providing oxygen, food and shelter for our aquatic friends.

Introducing water plants into the water pond can maintaina balanced aquatic ecosystem

Pre-filtration and proper filtration are a must to regulate Nitrogen Cycle!

Are you thinking of rearing Koi fishes in your home but do not have a pond? Good news all, as rearing Kois is not limited to only in Koi ponds, you can still keep your aqua friends in a properly-built pool (yes, we mean the pool that you swim in)! Although both swimming pool and koi pond filtrations are very dissimilar as they are used in two very different environments for different purposes, eventually what both these two needs are pre-filtration and biological filters.

Installing a suitable pre-filter can assure maintenance of a smooth flow in the koi pond

The larger the pond, the more debris will be produced. Pre-filters are not only a cost-effective way to protect pond pumps and to prevent clogs, it also helps to prevent pond fish and other inhabitants such as our stunning aquatic plants being drawn into the pump. For additional safeguarding on the pumps, fish owners can build an extra mesh net to deter the particles from going into the plumbing system - otherwise, there are pumps available that are built-in with a strainer basket to take out large and stringy matters too!

Filtration, on the other hand, is also essential for fishes no matter which living space we put them in - whether it is an aquarium, pond or a specially-built pool. Especially for delicate fishes such as Kois, if home-owners or builders do not understand the technicalities involved in maintaining the pond, the consequences can be enormous and, at worst, resulting in fish deaths and / or infections.

Mr Koo Zao Cheong, Regional Business Development Manager of Waterco (leading one-stop solution provider for safe and healthy water environment company) said that after numerous times developing water ponds for their customers, proper research has to be done by home-owners before they embark on using just any products for their Koi pond.

A koi ponds main aim is to create and maintain a large volume of water which is well-oxygenated and filtered. Therefore, choosing the right filters such as biofilters are the most crucial for Koi ponds as it functions to remove bad Nitrogen compound, i.e. Ammonia and Nitrite, opined Mr Koo.

Biofilters provides suitable bed surface for beneficial bacteria to grow which provides assistance to the Nitrogen Cycle. If research is not done correctly and sand filters are being utilised instead, they will not be able to remove the build-up nutrients from faeces and uneaten fish food which can cause the Kois to be unhealthy or worse.

To put it in the simplest terms, for any types of (home-reared) fish(es) to be at their happiest and healthiest, they need to be living in clean and well-oxygenated water. Just like how a house requires proper plumbing and electricity to provide great comfort for its tenants to rest in, the same logic can be said for a water pond. More so, filtration devices also help us to efficiently maximise the water flow and filtration, while saving time and water which us Malaysians should start practicing too!

By following these few simple tips and getting the proper devices to work, there is no doubt that the water pond will flourish and the aquatic beings will thrive in a home pond. Now we can all attend to our spring-cleaning tasks with ease, bringing in all the good for a prosperous Chinese New Year by providing our beloved aqua friends the best, the healthiest, cleanest and safest living environment they deserve.

Read more here:
New Year, New Flow: How to keep good and clear water flowing in your pond - Malaysiakini

Note: Shelter Island Public Library Programs are online; visit silibrary.org to register.

Art/Rich Poetry Roundtable: Tuesday, 4 p.m., Library.

CoreSyn with Trent: Tuesdays and Saturdays, at 8 a.m. at Fiske Field basketball courts. In bad weather, at the Legion Hall.

English as a second language: Thursdays, 7 p.m. with Teri Piccozzi, Library.

Functional Fitness with Susan on Zoom: Tuesdays and Thursdays at 9 a.m. Email [emailprotected] to sign up and receive zoom link.

Intermediate French Conversation: Thursdays, 4 p.m., Library, Zoom.

Music Trivia & Light Movement: Mondays, 11-11:45 a.m., Senior Center via Zoom, [emailprotected]

Out of school fun zone for grades pre-K to 4: Shelter Island Youth Center, from 2:45-5 p.m. Monday-Wednesday, $10 per child, per day. 631-749-0309.

Seated Functional Fitness: Thursdays, 11-11:45 a.m., Zoom, Senior Center, [emailprotected]

Seated Zumba Gold: Wednesdays, 11-11:45 a.m. on Zoom, [emailprotected]

Silver Circle: Wednesdays, Senior Activity Center, Zoom, [emailprotected]

Social Circle Club, crafts, games: 10 a.m. Tuesdays, Zoom, [emailprotected]

Sylvester Manor Farmstand: Open Saturdays in the winter from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Tai Chi with Denise Gillies: 5 p.m., Wednesdays, Library, Zoom.

Yoga with Dawn: Thursdays, 5:30 p.m., Sundays, 8 a.m. at the Legion Hall

Zumba with Susan on Zoom: Mondays and Wednesdays, 8 a.m. and 10 a.m., Saturdays, 9 a.m. Email [emailprotected] to sign up and receive zoom link.

For events on Zoom below, register at least 30 minutes in advance.

FRIDAY, FEB. 5

CELEBRATING THE CHINESE NEW YEAR WITH FENG SHUI, 7 p.m. Laura Cerrano, a certified Feng Shui Expert, will talk about tools and techniques you can use to enhance your lifestyle and improve the energy in your space as you welcome the Chinese New Year of the Metal Ox. Register for Zoom at silibrary.org.

SATURDAY, FEB. 6

TRIVIA WITH BOB DE STEFANO, 5 p.m. Quizmaster Bob De Stefano is back with a new set of thought-provoking and challenging questions. Zoom, register at silibrary.org.

TUESDAY, FEB. 9

SHELTER ISLAND BOOK CLUB, 4:30 p.m. Team of Rivals Discussion, Part 2. Zoom.

LIBRARY PROGRAMS FOR KIDS: CACTUS HEART CARD, Ages: 2-5. Pick Up Between: Tuesday, Feb. 9, and Saturday, Feb. 13. Design your own cactus heart card, perfect for Valentines Day or just to say I love you.

DIY PAWS WITH CLAWS, Ages: 2-5. Pick Up Between: Tuesday, Feb. 16 and Saturday, Feb. 20.

Feeling wild? Design your own paws to let out your inner animal and show off your claws. Great for imagination and understanding different textures.

SCHOOL AGE KIDS: FELT GROUNDHOG, Pick Up Between: Tuesday, Feb. 2 and Saturday, Feb. 6.

Grab your kit and create your very own groundhog, complete with a burrow that it can pop in and out of. Do you think this groundhog will see its shadow?

CHINESE DRAGON: Pick Up Between: Tuesday, Feb. 9 and Saturday, Feb. 13. Bring this Chinese dragon to life just in time for Chinese New Year on the 12th. Use the kit and instructions provided to breathe life into your very own dragon and do your own dragon dance.

FRIDAY, FEB. 12

MY COUNTRY TIS OF ? With Jules Feiffer and Reporter columnist Robert Lipsyte, 7 p.m. on Zoom. From the perspective of 65 years as an Oscar-winning screenwriter, Pulitzer Prize-winning political cartoonist and social commentator, Jules Feiffer reflects on changes in the world today. Zoom, register at silibrary.org.

TOWN MEETINGS

Contact Town Clerks Office at 631-749-1166 or [emailprotected] for Zoom invites.

Water Quality Advisory Board, Thursday, Feb. 4, 6 to 7 p.m.

Town Board Meeting, Friday, Feb. 5, 4:30 to 5:30 p.m.

Community Land Preservation Fund Advisory Board, Monday, Feb. 8, 8:30 to 9:30 a.m.

Conservation Advisory Council, Monday, Feb. 8, 7:30 to 9 p.m.

Town Board Work Session, Tuesday, Feb. 9, 1 to 3 p.m.

Planning Board, Tuesday, Feb. 9, 7 to 8 p.m.

See original here:
Calendar of events of what's going on around Shelter Island - Shelter Island - Shelter Island Reporter