Читать книгу Your Chinese Horoscope 2015: What the year of the goat holds in store for you - Neil Somerville, Neil Somerville - Страница 10

Whether clambering over mountain rocks or grazing in lush green fields, there is an air of contentment about the goat. Unless troubled by some threat, he is generally at ease with himself and his genial nature will have a bearing on events in his own year.

On the world stage, the emphasis will be on reconciliation. Some troubled and warring nations will now take steps to seek peace and adopt measures that will allow them to be more accepted by the world community. Important settlements will be reached and this will be a year for dialogue, diplomacy and greater understanding. It was, for instance, in the last Goat year, 2003, that India and Pakistan restored full diplomatic ties and brought to an end years of conflict in Kashmir, and other Goat years have seen the historic Camp David peace talks, the signing of the SALT II nuclear weapons agreement and the abolition of apartheid in South Africa. The stated reason for the 2003 invasion of Iraq was to rid the nation of weapons of mass destruction and so make the world a safer place. This drive for security – and understanding – will be very evident this year.

In addition to the many high-level meetings that will characterize the year, industrialists and political leaders will be keen to stimulate trade, and significant agreements are likely to be made between countries and other trading communities. Many governments will invest heavily in infrastructure programmes to attract investment and create jobs as well as improve conditions. The accent will be on growth and moving forward, and the economies of many countries will benefit as a result.

Much attention will also be focused on environmental matters, particularly on protecting the world’s resources, and there will be a corresponding increase in the use of renewable energy, with many authorities promoting a cleaner and greener message. Indeed, the theme of Expo 2015, which will be held in Milan, will be ‘Feeding the Planet, Energy for Life’ and the focus will be on the availability of food and water and the state of nutrition and health in years to come.

There is also likely to be significant growth in the organic food industry, with many people paying greater attention to their diet and making positive changes to their lifestyle. Humanitarian issues, too, will feature prominently, with international bodies launching major initiatives as well as increasing awareness of the suffering of some of the peoples of the world. Again, some remarkable achievements can ensue, and the year will see some regions transformed as a result. Interestingly, it was in the previous Goat year that the World Health Organisation was alerted to the threat of the SARS virus and what followed was the most effective response to an epidemic in history.

This will also be an election year in Britain. Over the long campaign, considerable volatility will be seen as the issues are hotly debated. It will be a searching campaign, too, with much attention focused on considering alternative ways forward. The result may not be as clear-cut as some may wish.

Goat individuals are born under the sign of art, and the arts can look forward to an exciting and innovative year. In many countries, major exhibitions and cultural events will capture the imagination. New artists, with their own distinctive styles, will come to prominence, and in the theatre and cinema major productions that enthral many.

The fashion industry will also see the emergence of new trends, with some distinctive styles and even some bizarre embellishments being introduced. The Goat year is all for style, colour and experimentation.

Goat years can be groundbreaking; it was in a Goat year that the Beatles released their concept album Sgt Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band, which not only featured songs destined to become classics but was famed for its iconic cover. Goat years are times of self-expression and creativity, and a feel-good factor is likely to be evident in much that is produced this year.

The Goat year will also bring excitement. On the sports field, new records will be created and some particularly competitive tournaments will take place. For the sports enthusiast, the year will contain many delights, with the Rugby World Cup, for example, generating great interest not only in the competing nations but also beyond.

And the beyond too will be significant this year, as the NASA space probe Dawn is scheduled to explore the dwarf planet Ceres and New Horizons, another spacecraft, to fly by and study Pluto. During the year outer space will reveal yet of its more secrets.

Another aspect of the Goat year is that it favours relationships and the family. It is a time when many people will spend more time with others and appreciate what they have in their lives. Many people in love will also come together, cement relationships, marry and start a family.

Overall, Goat years offer hope, although, as is always the way, there will also be flashpoints, tragedy and disasters. During this year, certain territories could be affected by heatwaves and there will also be moments of volatility – goats can, after all, be fickle! – but the underlying trend will be one of consensus, growth and moving forward. Over the year not only will historic agreements be forged and solutions found to some of the world’s concerns, but the individual will enjoy a more balanced lifestyle and realize inner potential.

For us all, the Goat year offers possibility and I hope that by using your strengths, you will prosper as well as find contentment.

I wish you good luck and good fortune.