Will there be enough light in the year ahead to dispel the gloom that's gripping the world?

Amidst reports of deepening recession and increasing unemployment globally, people are bracing for hard times. But is it all gloom and doom? What do our feng shui masters have to say about the new lunar year?

According to feng shui grandmaster Yap Cheng Hai, the Year of the Earth Ox (Jan 26, 2009 - Feb 13, 2010) is generally not a good year.

"However, no year is entirely good or bad. With the downfall of some businessmen who become bankrupt, new tycoons are born," says Yap.

"The outlook for the first half of the year is bearable. However, folks will feel the pinch during the second half when money runs short. The effects of the global recession will be more keenly felt towards the later part of the year, and this will stretch on for the next three to four years.

"So we should hold on tightly to our money. Spend wisely and carefully," Yap advises. "Companies with a weak financial base are likely to close down. Some may restructure to face the challenges. It's time to take stock of expenses and strategise."

Yap foresees that prices of properties and raw materials will dip too. This will be a golden opportunity for investors, and they can strike it rich if they move in at the right time.

Yap points out that we are still in Period Eight (2004-2024) which is a time for young men to develop their careers, whereas Period Seven (1984-2003) favoured young women.

As Period Eight symbolises a mountain, one needs strength, stamina and spunk to go far up the career ladder.

Period Eight favours Earth-related businesses such as farming, plantation and construction.

This year, Yap says, the auspicious day to go back to work or open for business, falls on the fifth day of the lunar new year (Jan 30); the auspicious times are from 7.30am to 9.30am.

For those who pray for good fortune, prayers can start on Jan 26 from 3.30am to 7.30am. If you pray to Kwai Sun (God of Nobility) for prosperity, face South. If you pray to Choy Sun (God of Wealth or Money God), face East.

The auspicious colours for people who belong to the five different elements are as follows:

Metal: gold, silver, white and yellow.
Wood: green, blue, black and yellow.
Water: blue, black, dark grey, gold and silver.
Fire: pink, red, maroon, purple and orange.
Earth: yellow, red, pink and maroon.

Ray of hope

Feng shui master Wong Keen Ming predicts a brighter outlook from August onwards as the country heads towards recovery.

Wong, who is also president of the Malaysia Feng Shui Association, says Malaysia is better insulated despite the global recession. The market is still stable and businesses are manageable, he adds.

The food and beverage industry will still enjoy brisk business, but performance in the entertainment sector is average. Tourism will do well and the printing industry, including the newspaper sector, will rake in profits. However, the share market is a mixed bag of fortunes.

In the Year of the Earth Ox, folks should put their feet firmly on the ground. Employees should not change jobs this year as it would be an unwise move. Those planning to do so should rethink their decision.

In many countries, workers are left jobless when they are retrenched or when their companies close down, Wong warns that there will be natural disasters all over the world. There will be more rain, earthquakes and landslides as the Water element clashes with the Earth element.

Datuk David Hew concurs with Wong.

"I don't intend to sound pessimistic about the year ahead but just look at the media coverage and what's happening around us. We can't ignore the facts. But if we put our heads together and work towards changing this negative scenario, there will still be light at the end of the tunnel," says Hew, the co-founder of Visiber Sdn Bhd. (Visiber is a method of forecast for the future based on numbers or birth date),

Hew says August is the month to watch out for, to see if the country's economy will turn around or take a turn for the worst.

To avoid a disastrous year, Hew advises people to make wise decisions on financial matters.

Feng shui master Gan Wai Kwang predicts that the Year of the Ox will have a challenging start but end on a sweet note. Local stocks will see bulls charging in and pushing stock prices up in February, March, September and December. The market, however, will turn bearish in June, July, August, October and November, says Gan.

Although various businesses will face challenges, Gan is confident that the country's economy will not collapse.

Based on an analysis of the Five Elements in the Ox Year, Gan says businesses and professions linked to the Earth element (real estate, agriculture and mining) will fare well, followed by businesses related to the Wood element (advertising, computer software, wood, plastics, office stationery).

Gan predicts that agriculture-related businesses will enjoy bounty, while construction and real estate sectors may see some improvement. The advertising industry will also experience a boom as advertising expenses will rise in a bid to generate more sales during hard times.

Average performers are businesses related to the Fire element, such as hotels, restaurants, cinemas, live performances and the computer industry. Water-related businesses (stock broking, refrigeration, logistics and transportation, shipping, and travel and tours) will be the worst-hit, cautions Gan.

Feng shui master Louis Loh sees 2009 as a year when the Metal element is overshadowed by the Earth element. Hence Metal-related industries (iron, steel and automobile) and the financial sector will face numerous challenges and difficulties.

"This year will favour Earth-related industries although the economic situation does not look favourable.

Loh advises investors to think hard before investing. "Small amounts of investment on a regular basis are encouraged as risks can be minimised. However, do not be misled by false indications about the prospects and performance of stock markets as the worst is yet to come."

The arrival of Two Black Illness Star will gravely affect the US economy, says Loh. As an economic leader, the financial crisis in the United States is no longer a domestic problem, but impacts financial markets around the world, Loh adds.

The United States might also encounter inauspicious energies brought by the Illness Star which brings serious diseases that could pose a global threat, Loh cautions.

He also predicts that the appearance of the Seven Killing Star will create unrest and political turbulence.

"The Burglary star over China will plague the country's economy, while the Three Killing star will bring natural disasters to China," says Loh.

Take heart that South-East Asia will fare better economically as the presence of the Wealth star will ensure steady growth, Loh adds.