SNAKE YEAR PAGE

The Chinese Zodiac has a 12- year cycle. Each year is named after a different animal that imparts distinct characteristics to the year, and those born in it. Resident clairvoyant, Elizabeth, takes a closer look at what's in store for 2001 - the Year of the Snake.

The Chinese calendar is the longest chronological record in history dating from 263BC. This calendar is lunar based. There are 12 moons in a lunar cycle plus an extra moon every 13 moons. The extra is a blue moon, which is why the Chinese New Year never falls on the same day. This lunar year starts late January or early February.

A custom followed by many in the East just prior to the New Yea say it is considered unlucky to sweep the front entrance to your home three days prior to the New Year.

This will have the effect of sweeping out the good luck that could befall you in the coming New Year.

The New Year of the Snake commences its reign on January 24, 2001.

Reflection, long-term planning, searching for solutions are the key essentials for everyone in the year ahead. Solutions and compromises can be realized, but not without mutual suspicion at first.

The year will be constantly marked by major changes in world leadership. Politics, high finance and business will be engaged in one big poker game, with everyone trying to outbluff each other. Those politicians who finally win the right to govern, either by force or the ballot box, will do so with a rod of iron.

Looking back, the year of the Snake has never been tranquil. It is the strongest negative force in the cycle and it follows the Dragon year, which is the strongest positive one. Disasters commencing in the year of the Dragon culminated in the year of the Snake. The two signs are closely aligned; calamities of the Snake years often resulting from excesses occurring during the Dragon's reign.

This an exciting time for romance, courtship and scandals of all sorts! Fashion will become more elegant and fluid in line; music and the theatre will flourish. Everyone will emulate a more sophisticated life-style. Notable contributions will be produced through commerce, industry, science and technology.

Tread lightly and be more cautious this year. Gambling and speculation are strictly taboo; the consequences will prove overwhelming. The motto should be to check out facts and figures before making unprecedented moves. You may not grow rich, but you may well grow to respect the importance of straight dealing.

Gong Hee Fot Choy"(greeting of riches).