Welcoming the Water Snake

CEBU, Philippines - Come February 10, the Chinese all over the world will celebrate the Chinese New Year or the Lunar New Year. The year 2013 is designated as the Year of the Black Water Snake. The Snake, the sixth sign in the Chinese Zodiac, is considered enigmatic, intuitive and refined among the 12 Animal Signs. The Chinese even consider having a snake in the house as a good omen, which means that the family will not starve.

The Water Snake year will be a touchstone in financial history worldwide, according to FengShui expert Aldric Dalumpines. Water in fengshui, he said, connotes money and finances and the Year of the Water Snake will improve on the gains of last year's Water Dragon Year.

"Already financial recovery signs are stabilizing worldwide, in the United States and more so in Europe, which faced debt crises in the past. In the Philippines, economic growth is on the road to the top!" Dalumpines added.

He, however, warned that the Water Snake Year will literally bring lots of water in the form of floods and rains, as well as a flood of moneymaking opportunities. "There will be more opportunities to earn for everyone. Even in crises, one will see income opportunities. This has started last year with the Year of the Water Dragon as evidenced by the devastating typhoons that hit the country. But we can easily recover. This will be an epic Black Water Snake Year that will be remembered and cherished by the enterprising ones," he said.

The Year of the Water Snake will bring luck and good fortune to those who were born in the year of the Rooster, Dog, Sheep, Horse, Ox, Rabbit, Monkey and Rat, said Dalumpines. The Dragon born will be experiencing challenges this year while worst fortunes will befall on those born in the year of the Pig, Snake and Tiger, he added.

How does one prepare for the Chinese New Year? Dalumpines said that the most important preparation would be cleaning the house.

The Chinese believe that cleaning the house, as in thoroughly cleaning it days before the New Year, will get rid of bad luck and invite good luck in.

Dalumpines, however, warned that the mothers of the house should be guarded against ill health this year. "The southwest or the place of mothers is challenged by viral winds or bad chi. You should consult expert guidance from a fengshui master about this. But be careful of people who will claim that they are fengshui experts when they are actually not because consulting with these fakes may cause problems," he said.

To bring in luck for the New Year, Dalumpines suggests the preparation of eight round sweet fruits and a pineapple on the dinner table on the eve of the New Year. This, he said, will signify double prosperity for the year.

The Chinese New Year celebrations last for 15 days and Dalumpines said that during the entire length of the festivities, oysters, clams and mussel dishes should be served as these foods are considered as "wealth producing" foods in fengshui.

The lucky color for the Year of the Snake is green and Dalumpines suggests one should wear green to attract good luck, good health and prosperity. (FREEMAN)