Bad signs in happy times? 26th Jan

[Monkey]

On January 26th two significant events will happen in Asia:
1. The end of the rat year and in comes the Ox year.
2. An annular solar eclipse lasting a grand total of 7m54s will happen.

Is this an ominous sign for more bad times?

Financially, they say we have seen the worst of the crisis in the final quarter of 2008 and everything should start looking up (as long as we spend and the banks allow money to be borrowed)

Historically many cultures saw eclipses as signs for bad times ahead.

In Chinese mythology, a celestial dragon is devouring the sun and so the people used to bang drums, pots or anything that made a loud sound to frighten the dragon away.

In the third series of heroes, all the heroes lost their powers.

What do you think will happen?

[surrealillusions]

I reckon giant 30 foot mushrooms will grow out of the ground all over the world. Out of these mushrooms will come hoards of killer sheep on the back of dragons, causing havoc across the world. Seas will flood the low lieing countries and cities on the coasts, the polar ice caps will melt, polar bears will sprout wings and fly around battling the dragons in the sky with 10 foot spears with penguins that have been speared on them. The human race will be forced back into the oceans where we will all be eaten by sharks, killer whales and killer hamsters who have bred gills and flippers in the past few months. Thus the human race will be gone. Sheep, dragons and flying polar bears will rule the earth and the landmasses will join together once again.

Or something like that

:)

[grandpa]

more bad times?

Bad times for whom? From my subjective and insular position, the times are great. I have no utility or credit card bills, no mortgage payment and no car note or insurance. There's a roof over my head, I eat daily, and have some good friends. When the stock markets plummeted, I gave thanks for already being broke.

Historically many cultures saw eclipses as signs for bad times ahead.

Many of those cultures either no longer exist or have come to accept an eclipse for what it is, an astronomical event. People still refer to the dragon devouring the sun, just like they still talk about the Tooth Fairy. Show me an average adult that actually believes in either one.

bang drums

Now you're talking. I can bang my drum for days on end (with sufficient periods of rest and meals). 2008 saw me help in the formation of a musical group (I play a doumbek in the band) and locals like us enough to come to every show.

third series of heroes

Is this a reference to that television program? Maybe the writers lost all their powers. Actually, since I don't have a television, the issue is lost on me.

What do you think will happen?

Mostly, the normal course of events. People who are dependent upon others for their happiness will find themselves less happy than before. Men will continue to wage war because that is historically what men have done, with or without the Blessing of a Higher Power.

On a personal level, I will continue to be broke - that is my decision. I anticipate that our little musical group will write a hit song, which all of you will find yourselves humming constantly for days or weeks at a time. I think I might find a client that is willing to actually pay for the work that I've performed - this is based solely on the odds that it has to happen eventually. I think 2009 will go by more quickly than 2008 - there is one less day on the calendar.

[wheel]

The more things change, the more they stay the same. No change for 2009. As for the eclipse, I predict things will be dark in some areas of the world for about 8 minutes, then back to normal.

[AdWordsAdvisor]

<off-topic>

[...] As for the eclipse, I predict things will be dark in some areas of the world for about 8 minutes, then back to normal.

Funny. :)

Funny, too, that over the weekend I bought a tatty used copy of "A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court" (Mark Twain - published 1889) just because I wanted to re-read a brilliant scene involving eclipse prediction that I still recall from when I first read the book back in the sixth grade!

</off-topic>

AWA

[LifeinAsia]

Is this an ominous sign for more bad times?

It depends on your own specific animal (according to the Oriental zodiac). In general-
good for: Oxen, Pigs, Rats, Rabbits, Dragons, Snakes, and Roosters
bad for: Tigers, Sheep, and Dogs
mediocre/both good & bad for: Horses and Monkeys

There will be opportunities for most, but you need to jump at the chance- those who hesitate will lose out.

[Fortune Hunter]

bad for: Tigers, Sheep, and Dogs

Darn my luck! I am a dog, I knew the world was going to hell in a hand basket! I guess I better start investing in can goods and shot guns :)