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It's a new year, the dawning of a new political era, and on Monday your calendar should be marked for the most important shift of all: the start of the Chinese lunar year! The Year of the Ox, according to Feng Shui gurus, won't bring an end to the world's woes, nor an easy ride for Barack Obama's first months in office, even though he was born in the Year of the Ox, which apparently means he's patient, hardworking, stable and tenacious. Then again, other Ox leaders have included Richard Nixon and Margaret Thatcher, so make of that what you will.

"The Year of the Ox will be a number nine fire year," says Raymond Lai. "And the color is purple, so the fire energy will be very intense... this could bring fire disasters or war, racial conflicts and things like that." Scary! But hold on, Raymond Lo begs to differ, pointing out that fire isn't associated with the Year of the Ox, and fire "is the driving force behind economic growth. Without it, the market lacks momentum."

OK, leaving the tricky question of fire/not fire aside, any tips on how to weather the stock market turbulence? Banking, shipping, tourism, and trade stocks are the ones to bet on now, advises Peter So, while general caution with investments is counseled by astrologer Tan Khoon Yong: "Chances of boosting one's wealth in the 'year of the ox' are slim as the fluctuations brought about by the ox are huge and fast."

Are there any comforting words at all before we go back to bed until 2010? Just a few from Alion Yeo: "In August there could be some good news. I'm pretty confident that things will start stabilizing by year-end." Bear in mind that this is coming from a man who foresees the future by tossing coins on the ground, which probably makes his wisdom marginally more reliable than your broker's right now.

Feng Shui masters say Ox year likely full of burden [Reuters]
'Year of The Ox' Signals Drop for Asian Stocks, Astrologers Say [BN]
Year of the Ox looking very un-bullish, seers say [IHT]