It’s Chinese New Year (Feb 3). This time around, it’s not about resolutions—it’s all about predictions! (If your really new to all this, read Chinese Astrology for Dummies, first.) We spoke to feng shui master Visit Techakasem about what this means for you, and if it’s the right year to start your restaurant or continue to blame your spouse for their bad habits.

Compatible signs

Dog: Those born in a year of the dog, especially in 1946 and 2006, will have the best luck this year.

Incompatible signs

Rooster. The most incompatible sign this year, roosters should be ready for struggles, accidents, and illnesses. Tough luck!
Dragon. People born in the Dragon years might be abused and obstructed by anonymous persons. There’s also a chance of becoming involved with crime and losing money.
Rat. Rats will feel frustrated and uncomfortable as a result of other people’s behavior. You might also face obstructions that seem unfair.
Horse. Major disagreements could happen with close partners, spouses and parents.

SCREWED? NOW WHAT

Visit sacred places. Those at risk of experiencing bad luck should go pay respect and make offerings to the god of the Rabbit years (sim bao) and the god of the dog years (bia suk) at your nearest Chinese shrines. The popular places are Leng Nei Yee or Mangkorn Kamalawat Temple located in Yaowarat and Naja Shrine in Chonburi. To make sure all that bad luck is swept away, find a Chinese monk and let him use a piece of gold/silver paper to wipe you from head to toe 12 times.
Ask for help from those with good luck. Become best friends with those born in 1946 and 2006 as they can help give you better luck. Simply ask the people in those two dog years to offer some gifts to you. The gift doesn’t need to be precious or valuable but should be small as you need to carry it with you throughout the year. Don’t forget to give them back a small gift. It’s a good way to make merit, and don’t worry, they won’t absorb any bad luck from your wretched self.

What about me?

If you’re neither a dog, rooster, dragon, rat or horse, know that years of the rabbit tend to be harsh years, though not as bad as tiger years (last year), according to many fortune tellers. Anyway, as the element of this year is gold (metal), we can still expect growth in finance, banking and the jewelry businesses. Well, the heavens work in mysterious ways. To one and all, happy new year and good luck.

Chinese Astrology for Dummies

1. Find your sign based on the year you were born.

2. The sign opposite yours, on the above chart, is the sign you’re least compatible with. So if, for example, you’re a pig, make sure your boss is not a snake. Or if you’re a rooster, you’re in for a really bad year as you sit opposite the rabbit. (See main story.)

3. The two signs flanking your opposite sign are your compatible signs. So, for example, the year of the rabbit should be good for dogs and monkeys.

Check out these lucky charms to ward off bad luck.

Now that you've got the technical side of it down, here's a quick round-up of where to celebrate the New Year.