Chinese Zodiac for 2018: Year of the Earth Dog

Happy New Year! The Chinese New Year is also coming up, and Beth Grace, of Beth Grace Design, is here again to share this year's horoscopes for the Chinese zodiac! In almost one month exactly, we will say goodbye to the Year of the Fire Rooster and hello to the Year of the Earth Dog. Peek below for some insight into what's in store for your sign in the year ahead!

Remember, BTB Feng Shui always recommends carrying a three-dimensional rabbit charm (regardless of your sign) to welcome good luck and protection in 2018, since the Rabbit is the Dog's best friend. As usual, you can grab a charm in your favorite color in the Holistic Spaces store! Don't forget to check out our 2018 Chinese New Year Kit as well for a rabbit charm, custom aromastick and Happy Mist!

*Please note, if your birthday is in January or February, your animal sign may be the preceding year.  If you were born on the cusp, we we recommend you find your natal chart online .
**In addition to your year animal, you can see which animals are in your chart based on the month of your birth by simply following the date guidelines listed for each animal. Calculating your day animal requires assistance of either software or a Chinese astrology consultant, but it is easily obtained so just ask!

Dog 戌

Years: 1922, 1934, 1946, 1958, 1970, 1982, 1994, 2006
Month: October 8 - November 6

Dog people, this is your year, literally. All eyes are on you, and your hard efforts are more likely to be noticed this year, no more hiding in the shadows. This is also an excellent year to hone your skills or add new skills to your CV, as you have the ability to attain mastery if you apply yourself. Just don’t overbook or over schedule yourself, as you are more prone to health issues this year. Taking care of yourself should be a priority. While there may be some bumps along the way, you are generally in sync with the energy of this year, which puts you in the flow to accomplish your goals.

Pig 亥

Years: 1923, 1935, 1947, 1959, 1971, 1983, 1995, 2007
Month: November 7 - December 6

Pig, you are one of the luckiest animals this year, and the stars are on your side. While you may find your star rising and the center of attention don’t overlook those around you who may need your help. You should share your good fortune this year and make helping others a priority; what you give will come back to you many times over. In general, this is a year of happy events and celebrations. Pig people, if you are looking for love you may find a life partner this year if you are willing to take the chance. Those already committed may hear the pitter patter of little feet as babies and grandchildren may add to your joy. The only thing stopping you this year is you - make sure you put your words into action and there is very little you can’t do.

Rat 子

Years: 1924, 1936, 1948, 1960, 1972, 1984, 1996, 2008
Month: December 7 - January 6

Rat people can expect a pretty lucky year overall. If you are not on social media already you really should consider setting up an account. If you have social media accounts that are rather dormant, it's time to dust them off and make them work for you. A little social media effort can go a long way for you this year, as you are more likely to be seen and you may even find posts going viral. Show the world what you have to offer! If you feel like you need to polish yourself before putting yourself out there, this year is a great year to hone your skills or learn some new things. Time spent learning and improving yourself is never wasted, and this year you will be able to learn more than usual. Just make sure to schedule time for self care and well being amidst your other activities, as this year as you may be more challenged by health issues. So make maintaining yours a priority.

Ox 丑

Years: 1925, 1937, 1949, 1961 1973, 1985, 1997, 2009
Month: January 7 - February 3

Ox, you are one of the lucky ones this year. This year will empower you for career growth and wealth creation. Your employer is likely to notice your value to the company with a raise or promotion. Those who work for themselves are also likely to have great success this year, especially when it comes to connecting to the right people. If you find yourself struggling at any point this year, make sure to ask for help, as you will receive it so be sure to speak up and ask! Just be sure not to get too carried away by your success this year; pace yourself and be sure to invest some of your extra earnings for the future. 

Tiger 寅

Years: 1914, 1926, 1938, 1950, 1962, 1974, 1986, 1998, 2010
Month: February 4- March 5

Tigers, you generally enjoy the energy of the Dog, but this year may not be all smooth sailing. You may find petty people and gossip surround you, but issues and obstacles can be overcome by with the help of noblemen  - you should look to your greater social network for the right people to get you out of sticky situations. If you are willing to put in the right amount of effort, you can make good strides in your career and with your finances this year. With the right attitude and hard work you could see yourself rewarded with a promotion so hang tough!

Rabbit 卯

Years: 1927, 1939, 1951, 1963, 1975, 1987, 1999, 2011
Month: March 6 - April 4

Rabbits and Dogs get on like peanut butter and jelly, so this should be a good year for you and a welcome respite after the challenges that the Rooster year likely brought to you. You should find things coming to you more easily this year. If the Rooster year changes included an end to your relationship, never fear, as you may find yourself on the receiving end of romantic attention this year. You may find yourself feeling flirty and ready for fun, so don’t stay home; get out there and enjoy the attention. The only thing you may have to watch out for is your health, so make sure to take care of you too.

Dragon 辰

Years: 1928, 1940, 1952, 1964, 1976, 1988, 2000
Month: April 5 - May 5

Dragon people, this is your clash year, and before you go into fear mode just remember that clashes bring change, not necessarily doom and gloom. Change is inevitable, so embrace it and direct the force of change if possible. External circumstances could bring challenges and curve balls, but you get to decide what to do about it and how you want to handle it. If you are feeling like you are stuck or stagnating, then change can be a welcome force that brings something new and wonderful into your life. So be on the lookout for happy surprises as well. One change that is common during a clash year is moving. If you find you are not happy where you are, then this is a great time to pick somewhere more supportive to you and go. Remember, Fate is what happens to us; Destiny is what we make of it. Your challenge this year is not to be a victim of fate but a person who charts their own destiny. You can do it!

Snake 巳

Years: 1929, 1941, 1953, 1965, 1977, 1989, 2001, 2013
Month: May 6 - June 5

Snake people, last year was likely full of ups and downs, but this year should be calmer waters and smooth sailing ahead. Heaven is smiling on you now, and any troubles you have lingering from last year can be overcome with relative ease this year. You will have no shortage of people working with you and helping you to achieve your goals this year. You will also have access to more resources this year, so its a great year to raise capital and kick off a new venture, as you will also have greater access to powerful people who can help you realize your plans. Single Snakes will also be lucky with relationships this year; you may even find love at first sight. There seems to be no shortage of heavenly blessings coming your way this year, so be grateful for each one.

Horse 午

Years: 1918, 1930, 1942, 1954, 1966, 1978, 1990, 2002
Month: June 6 - July 6

Horse people, get ready to take charge this year. New opportunities could arise for leadership positions, so be ready to step up to the challenge. Increased responsibility and leadership could also come with financial rewards, and you may also see your assets increase in value as well. If you are thinking of cashing in on the increased value of property, this should be a great time to sell for a good price. You are one of the luckiest animals of the year, but don’t get too cocky or to take on dangerous activities, as you are more prone to accidents. This is a good year to skip the skydiving and make sure you have good insurance instead.

Goat 未

Years: 1919, 1931, 1943, 1955, 1967, 1979, 1991, 2003
Month: July 7 - August 7

You are one of the lucky ones this year, Goat folks. In general, this will be a year of fun times, and you will likely find yourself with a full social calendar. You may find yourself enjoying many parties and events this year. However, all those parties may add to your waistline, as you are more prone to weight gain this year - remember all things in moderation. In general, you will find plenty of people at your side helping you to reach your goals and overcome any challenges that come your way. It should be a fun and prosperous year for you, so enjoy it!

Monkey 申

Years: 1920, 1932, 1944, 1956, 1968, 1980, 1992, 2004
Month: August 8 - September 7

Monkey people, you may feel a bit out of sync this year. Some of the ups and downs of the Rooster year may continue into this year; some new challenges pop up as well but, with the right frame of mind you should be able to overcome them. What is working for you this year is the Intelligence Star, which gives you great ideas and a boost to any course of study you undertake. This is an excellent year to challenge yourself and learn new things. It’s also a good year for you to travel, as there is always so much to learn from new people and places - all in all it's a great year to expand your horizons!

Rooster 酉

Years: 1921, 1933, 1945, 1957, 1969, 1981, 1993, 2005
Month: September 8 - October 7

Rooster, as your year comes to a close you may feel let down after riding such a high, but it is also a good time to get off the ride and take a time out. You are likely coming into this year a bit tired and run down. This year it is really important to recharge physically and take care of yourself, as you are more vulnerable to illness. Your focus should be on rest, good diet, mental health and spiritual cultivation. It's a good year to make healthy eating and more exercise your resolutions for this year and stick to them to ensure you come out of the Dog year strong and ready to tackle the Pig year in 2019.

As always, thank you, Beth for sharing your suggestions for the Year of the Earth Dog. If you're interested in more personal, in-depth predictions, please reach out to Beth for a consultation! Also remember, feng shui recommends a three-dimensional rabbit charm this year, no matter what your animal signs. Grab one in your choice of six colors on Holistic Spaces!


Beth is the founder of Beth Grace Design, launched in 2008 to use love of textiles and experience in Decorative Arts to help clients create beauty within their homes. Over the past 8 years, Beth and her work have evolved to include feng shui, design, space clearing, water dowsing, and Chinese astrology. Her training as a certified feng shui practitioner and space clearer has deepened her awareness of space and informs her decisions as a designer. Using feng shui principles of balance and harmony, Beth is able to create spaces that not only look good, but feel good as well. She is passionate about creating healthy, supportive spaces and believes in using natural materials and sustainable practices whenever possible. For more information about Beth, her astrology readings or feng shui, please visit her website, Beth Grace Design and sign up for her newsletter!


Q&A Sunday: Laying a Bagua with Unusual Door Placement

I'm an interior designer just starting to learn about Feng Shui - I just discovered your podcast and I love it! Thank you for sharing your knowledge about this. I popped the floor plan of my apartment into Autocad - It's attached here. I have no idea how you would impose the bagua on this layout, because the entrance is in a strangely shaped corridor in the middle of the space. I would love your opinion on the right way to look at the space. 

Laura K.H., Brooklyn, NY

Hi Laura,

Happy New Year! Thank you so much for your email, and I’m glad you like the podcast! 😃 Hopefully I’ll bring it back one day!

Laying a Bagua with Unusual Door Placement - Floor Plan.png

It's great that you have a nice floor plan drawn of your home. You’ve labeled that the front door of your apartment, the door by the kitchen, is the “main entrance”. I’ve graphically place a big red arrow there for reference. If that is indeed the main entrance, you would lay out your bagua as shown on my sketch here in solid red lines, with the Path in Life/Career area as shown. This arrangement leaves your entire dining room, living room and office outside of the bagua area, as extensions of the bagua areas adjacent. For instance, Career extends to part of the dining room and the sofa area of the living room, as shown with the dashed red lines. The dashed blue area could be considered part of the Career extension creating a boot like shape. 

I would strongly advise that you rethink the “main entrance” to your space and start using the door in the living room, which would place the bathroom, bedroom and office as extensions. In addition to switching up and using the living room door, you can also use the first step when you reach the landing of your hallway as the “yin” door and lay a second bagua. It looks like you may be on the top floor of this building, so you could claim that hall area as part of your bagua. This would give you the most balanced bagua. And it’s slightly better to walk into the living room first than the kitchen and bedroom area.

You can claim the hallway as part of your second bagua layout with energy, or with color or rugs or other visual ways

Let us know what you think! 

by Anjie Cho 


Thanks for reading our "Q&A Sunday".  We will be answering questions submitted by our readers. Click here to submit any Feng Shui or Green Design questions!


Essential Oils and Aromatherapy

My sister gave me an aromatherapy diffuser from Christmas and I've been obsessed!  My recent favorite essential oil combination is frankincense with sweet orange oil.  My friend Andrea Giordano specializes in essential oils and aromatherapy, so I interviewed her about them!

AC:  What brought you to study essential oils?

AG:  I have always had a great love for plants and their healing properties.  Essential oils are just one area of study for me. While studying feng shui and my background of study in ornamental horticulture I thought it would be SO great to put the two together. And I have! The aromas and energetics of essential oils are very powerful.

Can you tell us about the powers of essential oils?

The energetics of the plant are present in all forms of plant medicine - flower essences, herbal tinctures, dried herbs, essential oils, etc. Depending on what you are treating - physical vs. emotional, internal or external and the potency you want to use, you have all of these different choices of preparation. The human sense of smell is very powerful.   We relate happy, sad, and different periods in our lives with smell. Just think what you could do to change that with different aromas.

What essential oil do you recommend for space clearing, and why?

I find White Sage to be very powerful in clearing all negative forces followed by some Orange to brighten and lighten (uplifting) the area.

What essential oil do you recommend for relaxation and bedrooms, and why?

There are many essential oils to chose from depending on what mood you want to achieve. For relaxation I recommend Lavender mixed with some Sandalwood and a bit of Orange.  For a romantic bedroom, try Jasmine, Ylang Ylang, Neroli or Rose mixed with some Sandalwood. Sandalwood grounds the spirit.

What essential oil do you recommend for focus, such as at the desk and workspace, and why?

For me, I love Rosemary, Basil (for getting my brain working) Clary Sage (calms the nerves) and a touch of Peppermint (uplifting) 

What essential oil do you recommend for entertaining, such as at the living room area, and why?

Once again I love Orange (lifts the sprits) refreshes and relaxes.  I call Orange “The happy oil"!

OOh!  I can't wait to try these different combinations throughout my home to create a truly holistic space that supports my needs!  Thanks Andrea.

Are there any special essential oil combinations you want to share with us?

by Anjie Cho


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Aroma - The Scent     Thera - The Healing     Chi - The Energy

AromatheraChi was created from a lifetime interest in plants combined with a devotion to natural and organic products.  These interests led AromatheraChi owner, Andrea Giordano, to pursue a degree in Ornamental Horticulture and begin exploring natural applications for health and beauty.  Ten years ago, she began making and selling all-natural soaps.  It is important to her to make sure that she always delivers the highest quality products.

While there is much to love about the essential oils themselves, the true passion and focus of AromatheraChi is the science behind the oils.  Scientific studies have shown that different scents have positive impacts on well being.

Aromatherachi was born out of the desire to wish for everyone to have access to fantastic essential oils, GC/MS tested, at a fraction of the price typically found elsewhere. 

You can read Andrea's AromatheraChi blog here!


If you’d like to learn more about feng shui, check out Mindful Design Feng Shui School at: www.mindfuldesignschool.com