Australian Academy of Feng Shui - Articles

About the Australian Academy of Feng Shui - 27/10/2008

The college was founded in 2001 by Vic Ketis, who after extensive years of training started teaching due to the demands of prospective students. The college has evolved every year presenting more extensive and comprehensive programs to meet student and educational demands.

Vic Ketis also travels extensively to conferences and education seminars locally and overseas, as a lecturer and also integrating new evolving information from the local and world stage into the current programs. Students can be assured of the most up to date information and developments in these expanding fields.

The Feng Shui course is now entering its eighth year of being offered.
Interest in Feng Shui has increased exponentially over the last few years. Training has developed the required sophistication and academic depth relevant to meeting the needs of building dynamics and the architectural demands of design. No longer a quick fix using Chinese remedies, this ancient principled science has now developed to a point where it has the professionalism required to be integrated into any building analysis or development process.

The Feng Shui course offered by the Australian Academy of Feng Shui is a high quality, dynamic and enlightening course that has developed to meet the professionalism and expertise required to meet the often complex building demands of clients requiring work in existing buildings, or right through to the design of a new building. The applications can be at the domestic right up to commercial and substantial property development. The excitement of the possibilities of this profession is increasing.

Nowhere is this more evident in that 2008 saw the first consultant’s only Feng Shui conference in Australia advancing our work under the auspices of a Professional Feng Shui Association. Many of the college graduates have become successful and leading consultants.

Our college is privileged to collaborate with the Australian College of Environmental Studies in Box Hill in presenting the Chinese Astrology program. It is a one year, four part certificate course. However 8 further parts are offered over a further 2 years if students wish to continue their study.

The Chinese Astrology program has extensively developed over the last 8 years, and is finding increasing interest and relevance in understanding personal energy dynamics and understanding our relationship to the changing world circumstances. Understanding of current and relevant global themes from an astrological perspective greatly enhances our ability to negotiate our personal and collective challenges as we move through our lives.

The Chinese Astrology program is available in 2009 in Melbourne and as a series of weekend modules in Sydney. Prospective students (and friends) considering the program are invited to attend the first night of the course which also doubles as a free introduction to Chinese Astrology and the dynamics of the upcoming Year, 2009 being the Chinese Year of the Ox.

2009 also sees the introduction of an ongoing Chinese Astrology study class where past and present students can discuss charts, case studies, and explore in more detail astrological topics and themes, thereby developing and integrating their knowledge.

Study of the I Ching offers the student the depth of understanding of the ancient Chinese Philosophy that can be studied for its own interest or used to enhance knowledge in other fields. Its theoretical understanding is vast and complex and can also be used as a divinatory tool to give clarity and understanding in life direction and decision making.

Full details of each of the programs are in the course guide. Feng Shui is in the first section of white pages, Chinese Astrology in the green and the I Ching in the yellow.

2009 will also see the introduction of a Western Planetary Astrology program. Again run in conjunction with the Australian College of Environmental studies, this course is aimed at the beginner to explore the relevance and dynamics of this ancient time honored system. Each student will have the opportunity to examine the dynamics of their own personal chart as the course proceeds. As this course is still being developed please check our website for full details of course structure and topics, dates and costs.

All courses are held at various venues including Box Hill, Port Melbourne and Sandringham. Please check with the college for specific venues for each program.

We attract students from a diversity of backgrounds. They undertake the programs for their own interest or for the purpose of becoming consultants.
However we also attract students who study these courses and integrate them into their personal professional fields. This includes practitioners of Naturopathy, Chinese Medicine, Counsellors, Interior designers and Architects etc.

Prospective students are also welcome to call the College to have their questions answered and/or meet the Principal of the College to familiarise themselves with the courses, content, and teaching style before making a commitment.

Please visit our websites for updates and information.

We look forward to hearing from you as the momentum of knowledge, its relevance and applications advances in the current era.

The difference between Chinese Solar & Chinese Lunar Astrology - 05/01/2008

Introduction to Chinese Astrology

The difference between Chinese Solar Astrology & Chinese Lunar Astrology

There are two forms of Chinese Astrology, Lunar Astrology and Solar Astrology. In the west we have been more familiar with Chinese Lunar astrology which is based upon the cycle of the Moon. It is sometimes called ‘‘animal astrology'', with each year is represented by an animal. A person is born in a certain year will embrace the qualities of this animal. However this system is quite limited, in that information about a person is obtained from one quality and this does not reflect the diversity and complexity of human psychological makeup. The interpretation of the animal qualities often comes from deep within the Chinese cultural psyche and also can be superstitious. This may not apply in the west. For example to be born in the Year of the Dragon is considered very auspicious auguring good fortune. But to be born in the Year of the Goat less so to the extent that women in China try to avoid giving birth in that year.

Also certain animals may have compatibility with other animals which may or may not be true. People have worryingly inquired that they and their spouse's animal sign are not compatible. It is difficult to ascertain the complexity of human qualities and compatibilities from just one sign, and to make conclusions about this is not recommended.

The Chinese Lunar calender is used for festivals as it is used in many culture where celebrations and festivals fall on the new or full moon often closest to the Solstices or the Equinoxes. Similar to Easter which is the new moon every year closest to the Spring Equinox (In the Northern Hemisphere) or Autumnal Equinox (in the Southern Hemisphere). This is why it falls on a different day every year as the cycle of the moon. The 29 1/2 day orbit of the earth does not divide equally into 365 days hence the irregularities in celebratory dates every year.

This year the Chinese Lunar New Year of the Rat falls on February 7th. Again much Chinese Astrology literature and newspaper articles will refer to the characteristics of an animal in looking at the upcoming year and the trends that may ensue. This will become very evident in late January and February especially in the news media.
Importantly this Lunar New Year coincides with an eclipse. Eclipses catalyse much change and this ramification of this is discussed in the year of the Rat article.

Chinese Solar Astrology

In contrast to Lunar astrology is Chinese Solar Astrology which is based upon the cycle of the Sun, or more exactly the cycle of the earth around the Sun. This cycle has a yearly regularity and exactness, which produces the seasons. The Solstices and the Equinoxes are always exact in their timing.

The Chinese system of Solar Astrology is called the ''Four Pillars of Destiny''. At each moment of time there is a configuration of energy influences based upon the Chinese system of the five elements (Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal and Water). A chart of this energy configuration can be drawn up and is the birth chart of a person

The birth chart is a configuration of 8 characters, representing the year, month, day and hour of birth. All aspects of a persons birth time are considered not just the Year. There are 4 combinations of 2 characters, thus it is called the Four Pillars. Each Pillar of information contains 2 characters. These characters are interpreted singly, and in relationship to each other.

Four Pillars Astrology can interpret many qualities and themes in a person's energetic make up and characteristics, such as relationships, creativity, status, resources, money, career preferences, health, strengths and weaknesses etc. It is therefore is more complex and insightful than what is often expressed in most Chinese animal Astrology literature.

The cycles that are encountered over the course of a lifetime, or transiting energies, can also be listed out and illuminate which cycles are more favorable and which more difficult, and the prevalent themes of these time periods. With this information of the Luck Pillars we know potential energy situations and how to negotiate these time periods. Are they times of growth where we can proceed confidently, or are they more challenging where more care, caution and discretion is appropriate in certain areas of our life.

The influence of each year can also be deduced. The past year, 2007 was the Chinese year of the Pig and 2008, the Chinese year of the Rat etc. Again the elemental energy of the animal sign is considered compared with the characteristics of the animal. This yearly information is also woven into the matrix of analysis highlighting what aspect in our lives will be highlighted and where we may expect change or challenges.

The Chinese Solar New Year begins on February 4 every Year. The Lunar New Year is the first new moon closest to this date. This is also the beginning of the month of the Tiger. Each of the months is also an animal sign, the animals reflecting the cycle of the seasons. The first months of the year are wood element, then the fire element months etc.

Happy Chinese Year of the Rat!

People of 2008 and Health considerations - 28/12/2007

People of 2008

The following people could be in the news for various reasons or experience difficulty as they have a Horse inside their Four Pillars, or the Rat manifests in a challenging way
Muhammed Ali
Ang San Suu Kyu (could the Rat bring her relaease from house arrest!
Ben Bernanke
George Bush
Ben Cousins
Tom Cruise
Princess Diana
Dalai Lama
John Edwards
Roger Federer
Rahul Ghandi
Martina Hingis
Nicole Kidman
Paul Mc Cartney
Prince William

Also the element is unfavorable/ challenging for
David Hicks
Elle Mc Pherson
Natasha Ryan
Britney Spears

Health
As the year is the combination of the elements of strong water, the area that will be illuminated this year is the heart and the Kidneys. The heart seems particularly susceptible as it fire element is under attack from the water element

However each chart must be considered on its own merits and configuration of energy to see how it will affected. The influence of the Luck pillar must also be considered. At the time of writing numerous people in the public eye have reported heart problems or died from this

The fire element is under clash and may manifest in health concerns in the following ways
- Fire- Heart, eye, Nervous system including the brain

- Fire problems- heart disease, inflammation (heat), heart attack, stroke
- Heart rules our spirit and mind- It houses the spirit or the ''Shen'', the mind, controls consciousness, memory and sleep. Therefore there can be problems of anxiety, depression and insomnia

Food that strengthens the fire element is recommended such as corn, polenta, and bitter food. Cooked foods are also recommended as they are easier for the body to digest and also are warm which helps to balance an energetically cold year.

Fire opens into the tongue, therefore important in governing speech. It governs the ability to speak from the heart and to experience love and unity. The fire element rules the ability to be compassionate, the willingness to open up to another person, the ability to love and be vulnerable. Healthy fire relates to a balanced spirit and the ability to express love and joy, to experience the feeling of wellbeing and connectedness. The nature of a Fire element person is they like to feel connected, a sense of fusion

We are going to be tested by this year. Our ability to remain centered and not lose our emotion nerve and balance despite being under pressure. Looking after the heart physically as well as psychologically will be the challenge this year.
Fire has an intimate relationship with the water element, for although ''opposite'' elements they keep each other in balance.
As water dominates the year the challenge of this year is about being able to maintain compassion when we are under stress, personally, socially, globally

Chinese Astrology dynamics and the impact of the upcoming eclipses - 28/12/2007

Four Pillars Specifics
Specific elemental dynamics of the Year of the Rat of how you may be affected

Manifestation and dynamics of the elements in 2007

1. Metal
Metal will be active/ busy. Wherever metal is in the Four Pillars chart it will be active because of the need to produce the water. If the metal is strong this is favorable, if the metal or self-element is weak then this will be more challenging. People who have weak lungs are vulnerable this year as Lungs fall into the metal element

2. Water
Water in the chart will be reinforced. This is favorable, however can create challenges if the water is already strong in the chart. Water is by nature a cold element and this will be particularly stronger during in the second half of the year during the metal and the water. A chart that has no wood to absorb the water could be particularly challenged as the water has no natural flow and the feeling could be one of being blocked.

3. Wood
The wood element will be strengthened. This is favorable for a chart in which the wood is weak but not if the wood is strong. However all wood needs the influence of water to keep it alive, flexible and vibrant

4. Fire
Weak fire is more vulnerable to being destroyed by water. This will be buffered if the chart has the wood to help absorb the impact of the water. However strong fire will be activated or stimulated and this can prove beneficial. The circumstances may not be smooth but the outcome will be activation.

5. Earth
The strongest challenge during a water cycle could be for a weak earth person, or a person who depends upon the support and stability of earth for balance in the chart. This is because the earth will have to conquer the water and importantly the water will destroy the fire, the element upon which the earth depends for support
Earth element by nature has to conquer the water. This will be challenging as the water is strong and the water, like sandbags in a flood could become overwhelmed and not be able to contain the water.

During a water year the earth element can be weakened as the fire upon which it depends for support is under clash. Therefore proper diet and looking after the digestive organs of the stomach and spleen become important. It is very important always to eat well and follow a good diet, but it is particularly emphasised this year. Less heavy food which can place burdens on the digestive system are best avoided. Food of an Asian style quality, lighter cooking and plenty of fresh vegetables and fruits are recommended.

Relationship to the Stems and branches
Clash with Horse
If you are born in the year, month (Approx June 6- July 7) day or hour (11am-1pm) of the Horse this could be a year where you can experience challenges and changes in circumstances and is a year of psychological and spiritual development. It is quite a strong dynamic, what in astrology is called a clash, so anyone with a Horse in their chart can expect change and instability this year. The change may come internally such as having the impulse to move on, but in a way that may not be so smooth.

If the Horse is in the Day Pillar it’s particularly a signal of change as the day Pillar is representative of the self. There may be changes in the relationship and/or a partner/spouse may go through a lot of change

Finding your Day of Birth:
Consultation of the 10,000 Year calender and looking for your day of birth in the body of the text for the Year of Birth. Look for the character g in the body of the text. If this character is the character of your day of birth then you are born on the day of the Horse, and changes will be occurring this year. Some of them may be quite challenging.

A clash with the year of birth is also considered challenging as often the year of birth is considered as representing the self. As the year of birth is also the first Pillar that a transiting energy will interact with, its effects will be impactfull.
Reducing the clash
Wear a Ox to reduce the clash, if the Ox/ earth is a favorable element
Wear a Monkey and a Dragon as these two elements combine with the Rat if the Ox is not a favorable animal

Penalty
The Rat forms a Penalty combination with the Rabbit. A penalty is not considered a harmonious combination and anyone born in the year of the rabbit or has a rabbit somewhere inside their Four Pillars can expect change. Be careful of decisions made, not act impulsively, be careful in relationship and health. If these animals are present in the Four Pillars challenges can be expected. Penalties particularly relate to health considerations. Good health and care are recommended, especially in the area of the kidneys, lower back, adrenals and heart.

Penalty month: This combination also occurs in March this year which could have global affects such as major crisis of some kind or environmental impact

Rat and relationship
If someone was born in the Year (or Day) of the Pig, Rabbit or Goat then this year is called a Flower of Romance. This is a relationship signal and can indicate a chance of relationship especially if water is a favourable element in the Four Pillars
It can also stimulate marriage but this will depend upon other factors in the Four Pillars

Rat stimulates the Travelling Star of the Tiger
The other effect of the Rat is that it can trigger the Tiger. Someone born in the Year of the Tiger or having one in their Four Pillars will be restless this Year as the Tiger is considered a travelling animal and this means travel, movement, changes, or moving house.

''Offending the Year''
Often it is said that because a person is born in a certain year, when that year comes around, that it will be a good year. However this may not be the necessarily true and in this form of astrology it is considered challenging as you are ''offending the year'', opposing it if you like. It can be likened to an opposition of same planets in Western Astrology, whenever the same energy opposes each other. This is true this year for anyone born in the year of the Rat as this is not considered such as a favorable year and caution in circumstances is recommended as the person is considered to be ''offending the Year''. The effect will be stronger when a person is young and the clash effect will wane as you get older as the influence of the year pillar gets weaker as we age.
This is in contradiction too much other forms of Chinese astrology which considers when you enter the year of your birth the influence is quite fortuitous.

Chinese Lunar New Year & Yearly Eclipses
The Lunar New Year falls on February 7 this Year. The Chinese Lunar New Year is the date of the New Moon closest to February 4. This is the time when the Chinese celebrate the New Year.

The Chinese Lunar New Year date is the very first date on every page of the 10,000 Chinese calender. February the 4th is the start of the Solar Year which is the halfway point between the solstice and the equinox.

''In the western system of Astrology this midway point is known in ancient times as cross quarter day- an extra potent time for prayers and ceremony. It is also in the time of when the sun is moving through the sign of Aquarius, a time of when daylight grows in the Northern Hemisphere, associating this sign and the time of year with hope and progress. Aquarius is the third air sign in the Zodiac, concerned with ideals and innovations affecting the collective''

Austin, Stephanie (2006). Aquarius New Moon- Jan 29. The Mountain Astrologer. 124 111

Most Chinse Astrology books indicate the dates the Year begins. However if you are born in late January or in February before the 4th, the year is still the previous Chinese Year. The energy changes on Feb 4th every year when the sun goes into the constellation of the Tiger.

Interestingly this Year the new moon also coincides with an eclipse. Eclipses bring change, insight, sometimes something sudden happening that awakens you to a new journey or something that need to be addressed.
Eclipses can also trigger separation & change from something that you have got stuck in, something can be let go, if something has happened you can begin to let it go. Having a strong Lunar component they involve letting go of something that is no longer an appropriate aspect in life.

Often there is a significant global event or the loss of a prominent person around the time of an eclipse. During the last eclipse series in late August and September 07, Luciano Pavarotti died, Steve Fossett went missing, and numerous global leaders either resigned or were ousted including the Prime Minister of Japan and Russia.

If an eclipse falls on a planet or angle in your Western Astrology birth chart or close to your birthday, you can expect change, loss
awakening in the area of life that it falls in the chart or movement into a new direction

Where the eclipse falls in the chart is the area of the new direction

The eclipses for February are
Solar Eclipse (New Moon) February 7
17 Degrees Aquarius

Lunar Eclipse (Full Moon) February 21
Sun 1 Degree Pisces, Moon 1 Degree Virgo

The eclipses for August are:
Solar Eclipse (New Moon) August 1
9 Degrees Leo

Lunar Eclipse (Full Moon) August 16
Sun 24 Degrees Leo, Moon 24 Degrees Aquarius

Year of the Rat - 13/12/2007

2008 the Chinese Year of the Rat
By Vic Ketis

The Chinese year of the Rat begins on February 4 2008. This is the beginning of the Solar year in the Chinese calender.
The Lunar new year however falls on a different date every year.
The influences of the Rat year however have been felt since the month of August 07 and are intensifying in their impact.

Introduction and Global Trends

The Year of the Pig, a busy year comes to a completion. In the Chinese 5-element system, the Pig is the first element of the water cycle and the first element of any cycle brings the impulse of a new energy. This may manifest favourably or be challenging depending upon the qualities of ones personal energy or Four Pillars of Destiny chart.
The Pig is also a travel and movement influence we have had a lot of movement, travelling and change.

We now go forth in the Year of the Rat.

Traditionally the Rat is the first animal of the twelve year cycle of animal of the Chinese Zodiacal system. Therefore it represents birth of the new, or rebirth from the remains of the old.

The Year of the Rat is one of two midpoints of the Yin Yang cycle. We have reached the darkest point of the cycle, the place where Yin energy reaches its height the intense concentration of internality. As a global consciousness we have moved through a dark night where we have confronted aspects in the shadow. How they have been dealt with and integrated will form the foundation of the new cycle, which comes at a critical time period, the time of completion reflected by the theme of the Age we are in called the Age of 8.

We are now preparing for rebirth into the Yang part of the cycle where after having distilled and incubated deep psychological change we are now ready to take action and project ourselves into the world based on renewed personal authentic values and goals.

This is also consistent with the 20 year social theme of the current time period we are in what is called the Age of 8. This is the last trigram in the series of 9 where there is a time of ending and rebirth. The last age of 8 saw the period of the reformation.

2008 is also the Uranus opposition to the Pluto Uranus conjunction of the 1966. 1966 was the middle of the era of the 60's and early seventies that saw tremendous social, psychological and political change across the globe. Are we reflecting on that time era and noticing that there is the urge for change present in the collective and personal psyche. This is reflected by the demands the people are now placing on governments with emphasis on addressing environmental and humanitarian issues such as climate change, reduction of war conservation and sustainable energy to name but a few.

No where was this more evident in the change of Government here in Australia. The new Rudd Labor government's platform was the environment and education overriding the old era of the Howard government. We have also had governmental and leadership changes in many countries this year including Japan, Croatia, England, Argentina and France. The pivotal point will be the major upcoming election in 08 in USA, which will see the Democrats led by either Hilary Clinton, Barack Obama or John Edwards, pitted against Republican Jonh Mc Cain. The theme of the times is the ''new'' and seems that Obama has the edge, especially recently with the backing of Oprah Winfrey. Obama is young & inexperienced, yet fresh and charismatic having been compered to John F. Kennedy in his approach. Obama, being black, faces similar obstacles to Kennedy who was Catholic, and up until his election, USA had never had a catholic president. He had to overcome this prejudice

Therefore with the upcoming presidential election, America and the world is faced for the first time in the history of the modern world with the prospect of a woman or black man as president. A huge shift in consciousness that reflects the revolutionary shifts of the time and this will bring up any issues in the shadow.

Similar prejudices may surface, to the one America was confronted with Kennedy. However this will give the opportunity to confront and deal with any issues and in the shadow.

Australia it seems has no prejudices with the possibility of a woman Prime minister as the rise of Julia Gillard being almost unnoticed.

The 60's also saw huge change in government leadership and policy and changes in the collective psyche. JFK was elected President in 1960 and quickly formed many enemies for his radical approach and innovative policy. His policies were not consistent with the foreign policy of the time such as the Vietnam War and the situation with Cuba. He was assassinated in 1963, and his bother Bobby who was to run for the presidency in 1968 was killed in this year, as was Martin Luther King.

Interestingly the pivotal year of the 60's was 1966, the Year of the Horse. The upcoming Year is the astrologically significant 42-year opposition of this year, and being the Rat the themes of the times are very similar. America was confronted with pulling troops out of Vietnam and ending the war there. The theme is the same with the situation in Iraq. The opposition in the 60's was the communists, the current era, the Muslim extremists (or so we are led to believe).

Barack Obama is also the representative of the theme of the current and upcoming era. He is young, seen as the rising star of American politics, and whose emphasis is humanitarian. The tide of the times could run in his favor. The current time era runs from 2004 -2024 and is called the Age of 8'' in Feng Shui. Its major themes are the rise of the young men with vision, integrity and spirituality and humanitarian values. It also indicates the end of a major era and the rebirth into the next.

The I Ching definition of the age of 8 is that things are bought to completion: " He brings things to perfection in the sign of Keeping Still'' Any completion is followed by rebirth. Interestingly the end of an era is also signalled by the Mayan calender, which indicated 2012 as the critical year. This is almost the midpoint of the age of 8.

Politics aside, central to the chances of any candidate from an astrological standpoint is does the person have the potential to be president. Do they have the ''Pillars of a President''? A candidate may appear strong however do they have the astrology. Unfortunately John Kerry in 2004 did not, nor does Al Gore, who has been so successful recently with his film and global campaign highlighting the issue of climate change and Global warming, (also Age of 8 themes!)

Also importantly do the energies/planets line up for them at the time of the election? The astrology and chances of all the candidates will be examined closer to the time of the election once the nominees for each of the parties are known.

The relationship of elements for the year

Chinese Astrology, as with all systems of astrology, is based upon the cyclical nature of the change and transition of energy. The basis of the Chinese system of understanding energy is based upon the 5 elements, these being Wood, Fire Earth Metal and Water. Their complete system of philosophy and medicine is based upon the understanding of the dynamics and interactions of these elements. It can also be applied to Astrology.

Much Chinese Astrology literature refers to the characteristics of an animal in looking at the upcoming year and the trends that may ensue. This will become very evident in January where much will be written, much of the information of a superstitious nature. Human characteristics and psychology is of course much more complex. Each moment of time is represented by two characters a Heavenly Stem and an Earthly Branch. Therefor at each moment of time there are 4 combinations of 2 characters, thus it is called the Four Pillars. They represent your year, month, day and hour of birth. These characters are interpreted singly, and in relationship to each other. The interpretation however is much more complex than what is often expressed in most Chinese Astrology literature.

As each year is represented by 2 characters which reflect elements. This can give a general idea as to what sort of energetic influences we can expect and how they may manifest an all levels, from the global to the personal. This year is the Year of the Rat and the accompanying Stem is Earth.

2007 was the year of the Pig and was the first element of the water cycle of elements. In the Year of the Rat we reach the Peak of the water cycle before the transitional year of the Earth element Ox and then we move into the wood season. The last year has been dominated by discussion of water, its scarcity, the possibility of rising sea levels, and its conservation. With the year of the Rat we can expect this to continue as many governments are adopting policy changes in this area. The emphasis globally as David Suzuki indicated in his National Press Club Address (Oct 06) is ''water, water, water'' and this is consistent with the year being a water year.

However this year being the peak of water season can also bring water problems around the globe such as floods and landslides, torrential rains etc.
The consequence of the Earth heating up is that heat creates energy and this then makes for a more dynamic atmosphere and as such we can expect more weather extremes and intense weather such as storms etc.

The Stem of the Year being (Yang) Earth. This represents the stability and coherency of the physical earth. As this element is associated with strong water we can expect the earth to be weakened and unstable. Changes a plenty can be expected this year as we experience instability of the earth element. But because it is associated with the strong water of the Rat in 2008, the earth will be weakened and unstable bring many changes, perhaps via crisis and instability. This is especially evident in the second half of the year as we move into strong metal and water months.

Earth represents houses and buildings in general and the collapse of the subprime mortgage market tips America into a recession and it seems this may very much be the case as the earth element is unstable. The Federal Reserve Governor Ben Bernanke also has a huge challenge in his chart so his year will not be stable and he will be challenged to keep America's economy on an even keel. If America does in fact head into a recession then this of course will filter down to all levels. George Bush in his last year in office, and having a horse in his Four Pillars so it is expected that his year also will be unstable. It doesn’t seem that the incoming President will have an easy task and most challenging issue will be the health of the economy.

A country's fortune and destiny always follows the astrology of the Prime Minister or President. The Destiny of Australia seems smooth for 2008 with Kevin Rudd at the helm. However he comes into change and instability in 2009 and especially 2011. We can expect the stability and growth bought by the Howard years to change markedly in the coming years. John Howard has a very stable and coherent chart. Kevin Rudds chart is much more challenging and we will wait to see how he manages the country coming into its challenging years.