Your Chinese Horoscope 2014: What the year of the horse holds in store for you

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The Ox (#uf87c2375-b3df-5eb2-9024-169f2c601578)

Water Ox 6 February 1913 to 25 January 1914

Wood Ox 24 January 1925 to 12 February 1926

Fire Ox 11 February 1937 to 30 January 1938

Earth Ox 29 January 1949 to 16 February 1950

Metal Ox 15 February 1961 to 4 February 1962

Water Ox 3 February 1973 to 22 January 1974

Wood Ox 20 February 1985 to 8 February 1986

Fire Ox 7 February 1997 to 27 January 1998

Earth Ox 26 January 2009 to 13 February 2010

The Personality of the Ox

The more considered the way,

the more considerable the journey.

The Ox is born under the signs of equilibrium and tenacity. He is a hard and conscientious worker and sets about everything he does in a resolute, methodical and determined manner. He has considerable leadership qualities and is often admired for his tough and uncompromising nature. He knows what he wants to achieve in life and, as far as possible, will not be deflected from his ultimate objective.

The Ox takes his responsibilities and duties very seriously. He is decisive and quick to take advantage of any opportunity that comes his way. He is also sincere and places a great deal of trust in his friends and colleagues. He is, nevertheless, something of a loner. He is a quiet and private individual and often keeps his thoughts to himself. He also cherishes his independence and prefers to set about things in his own way rather than be bound by the dictates of others or influenced by outside pressures.

The Ox tends to have a calm and tranquil nature, but if something angers him or he feels that someone has let him down, he can have a fearsome temper. He can also be stubborn and obstinate and this can lead him into conflict with others. Usually he will succeed in getting his own way, but should things go against him he is a poor loser and will take any defeat or setback extremely badly.

The Ox is often a deep thinker and rather studious. He is not particularly renowned for his sense of humour and does not take kindly to new gimmicks or anything too innovative. He is too solid and traditional for that and prefers to stick to the more conventional norm.

His home is very important to him and in some respects he treats it as a private sanctuary. His family tends to be closely knit and the Ox will make sure that each member does their fair share around the house. He tends to be a hoarder, but he is always well organized and neat. He also places great importance on punctuality and there is nothing that infuriates him more than to be kept waiting, particularly if it is due to someone’s inefficiency. The Ox can be a hard taskmaster!

Once settled in a job or house the Ox will quite happily remain there for many years. He does not like change and he is also not particularly keen on travel. He does, however, enjoy gardening and other outdoor pursuits and he will often spend much of his spare time out of doors. He is usually an excellent gardener and whenever possible will make sure he has a large area of ground to maintain. He usually prefers to live in the country rather than the town.

Due to his dedicated and dependable nature the Ox will usually do well in his chosen career, providing he is given enough freedom to act on his own initiative. He invariably does well in politics, agriculture and careers that need specialized training. He is also very gifted artistically and many Oxen have enjoyed considerable success as musicians or composers.

The Ox is not as outgoing as some and it often takes him a long time to establish friendships and feel relaxed in another person’s company. His courtships are likely to be long, but once he is settled he will remain devoted and loyal to his partner. He is particularly well suited to those born under the signs of the Rat, Rabbit, Snake and Rooster. He can also establish a good relationship with the Monkey, Dog, Pig and another Ox, but he will find that he has little in common with the whimsical and sensitive Goat. He will also find it difficult to get on with the Horse, Dragon and Tiger – the Ox prefers a quiet and peaceful existence and those born under these three signs tend to be a little too lively and impulsive for his liking.

The female Ox has a kind and caring nature and her home and family are very much her pride and joy. She always tries to do her best for her partner and can be a most conscientious and loving parent. She is an excellent organizer and a very determined person who will often succeed in getting what she wants in life. She usually has a deep interest in the arts and is often a talented artist or musician.

The Ox is a very down-to-earth character. He is sincere, loyal and unpretentious. He can, however, be rather reserved and to some he may appear distant and aloof. He has a quiet nature, but underneath he is very strong-willed and ambitious. He has the courage of his convictions and is often prepared to stand up for what he believes to be right, regardless of the consequences. He inspires confidence and trust and throughout his life he will rarely be short of people who are ready to support him.

The Five Different Types of Ox

In addition to the 12 signs of the Chinese zodiac there are five elements and these have a strengthening or moderating influence on the signs. The effects of the five elements on the Ox are described below, together with the years in which they were exercising their influence. Therefore Oxen born in 1961 are Metal Oxen, Oxen born in 1913 and 1973 are Water Oxen, and so on.

Metal Ox: 1961

This Ox is confident and very strong-willed. He can be blunt and forthright in his views and is not afraid of speaking his mind. He sets about his objectives with a dogged determination, but he can become so involved in his various activities that he can be oblivious to the thoughts and feelings of those around him, and this can sometimes be to his detriment. He is honest and dependable and will never promise more than he can deliver. He has a good appreciation of the arts and usually has a small circle of very good and loyal friends.

Water Ox: 1913, 1973

This Ox has a sharp and penetrating mind. He is a good organizer and sets about his work in a methodical manner. He is not as narrow-minded as some of the other types of Ox and is more willing to involve others in his plans and aspirations. He usually has very high moral standards and is often attracted to careers in public service. He is a good judge of character and has such a friendly and persuasive manner that he usually experiences little difficulty in securing his objectives. He is popular and has an excellent way with children.

Wood Ox: 1925, 1985

The Wood Ox conducts himself with an air of dignity and authority and will often take a leading role in any enterprise in which he becomes involved. He is very self-confident and is direct in his dealings with others. He does, however, have a quick temper and has no hesitation in speaking his mind. He has tremendous drive and willpower and an extremely good memory. He is particularly loyal and devoted to the members of his family and has a most caring nature.

Fire Ox: 1937, 1997

The Fire Ox has a powerful and assertive personality and is a hard and conscientious worker. He holds strong views and has very little patience when things do not go his way. He can also get carried away in the excitement of the moment and does not always take into account the views of those around him. He nevertheless has many leadership qualities and will often reach positions of power, eminence and wealth. He usually has a small group of loyal and close friends and is very devoted to his family.

Earth Ox: 1949, 2009

This Ox sets about everything he does in a sensible and level-headed manner. He is ambitious but also realistic in his aims and is often prepared to work long hours to secure his objectives. He is shrewd in financial and business matters and is a very good judge of character. He has a quiet nature and is greatly admired for his sincerity and integrity. He is also very loyal to his family and friends and his views are often sought.

Prospects for the Ox in 2014

The Year of the Snake (10 February 2013–30 January 2014) will have been an interesting one for the Ox and allowed him to make progress as well as enjoy himself. The Snake year generally proceeds at a more measured pace and this will have suited the Ox and given him the chance to set about his activities in his own way. The closing months can be particularly satisfying.

The Ox’s relations with others are especially well aspected, and although the Ox often takes his time in getting to know others, in the last quarter of the year he will see an increase in social activity and have good opportunities to extend his circle of friends and acquaintances. Romantic prospects are also excellent and for unattached Oxen there can be exciting times ahead. October and December can be busy months and even Oxen who tend to keep themselves to themselves should make the most of their social opportunities.

The Ox’s home life will see much activity at this time and also some pressure, as quite a few arrangements will need making. Good liaison with others and some flexibility will be helpful. While some weeks may be hectic, the Ox will especially enjoy family occasions and may be pleasantly surprised by the way certain plans take shape.

At work many Oxen will find themselves with a heavier workload and the chance to take on additional responsibilities. Some who are seeking work will be successful in securing a position late in the year. Snake years generally encourage Oxen to develop their strengths and can bring some interesting opportunities.

The Year of the Horse begins on 31 January and will be an eventful one for the Ox. Situations may change quickly and to benefit the Ox will need to move swiftly and be prepared to adjust. Failure to do so could leave him languishing or missing out on some fine opportunities. Action, initiative and hard work are very much the keywords for the year.

At work many Oxen will feel the winds of change. There could be new management, new procedures and new technology to adjust to as well as new responsibilities. Being on the conservative side, quite a few Oxen will view the developments with misgiving. However, this is no time to be left behind and the Ox will need to adapt as required. By being involved in the changes and willing to contribute rather than hold back, he could find himself in a good position to make progress. He may not always be comfortable with the situation, but with input and hard work, he can influence matters and, importantly, benefit.

There will be scope for many Oxen to build on their existing position this year and for those keen to move elsewhere as well as those seeking work, the Horse year can open up exciting possibilities. However, considerable effort will be required and these Oxen need to keep alert and act quickly when they see an opening that interests them. To give themselves the best chance, they should also register with employment agencies and, if eligible, consider training initiatives that could assist them. With drive, resolve and tenaciousness, they will find important doors opening, however, and once in a new position (even if initially on a temporary basis), they will soon have the opportunity to prove themselves. The Ox is a redoubtable worker and the Horse year will give him the chance to impress. March, April, July and September could see important work developments.

Progress at work can also lead to a rise in income. While this will be welcome, the Ox does need to manage his financial situation well this year and be particularly careful when entering into long-term commitments. This is a time to be thorough and aware of the implications and obligations involved in any transaction, otherwise misjudgements could be made. Oxen, take note, remain vigilant and avoid unnecessary risk.

Another important consideration this year is the Ox’s well-being. Although he likes to keep himself active, he does drive himself hard, and without care, tiredness or tension could take its toll and leave him lacking his usual energy and susceptible to minor ailments. To help counter this, the Ox should make sure his diet is healthy and nutritious and his lifestyle well balanced. This includes setting time aside for relaxation – something not all Oxen are good at doing! Oxen who are sedentary for much of the day should also consider taking some exercise. A little personal attention can make an important difference.

The Ox takes his responsibilities seriously and likes to make his own decisions. However, in this fast-paced year it is important that he shares his thoughts and any concerns with others rather than dwells upon them alone. Similarly, at busy times he should draw on the help of those around him and, in his household, ensure that everyone does their fair share.

In addition he will need to show some patience this year. It could be that certain plans, particularly in his home life, have to be deferred to less busy times or that plans have to be modified as schedules change. Although the Ox likes to proceed in an orderly fashion, this is a year when he will need to show some flexibility. Taking on board the viewpoints of others will be both important and helpful.

While domestic activities will keep the Ox busy, the Horse year can bring many special moments. These could include celebrating some of his own successes and marking the achievements of a loved one as well as welcome family news or a decision that delights everyone concerned. Shared activities are also likely to be appreciated and the Ox and his family could particularly benefit from a holiday or break taken during the year. Some rest and relaxation needs to be factored into busy lifestyles! June and July could see interesting developments in many an Ox household.

Although frequently busy, the Ox will also benefit from his social life. He should keep in regular contact with his friends and be prepared to confide in them if anything is concerning him. March, May, September and November will see the most social activity and if the Ox receives invitations or sees events advertised that appeal to him, he should aim to go. In this busy year his social life can be another way to help achieve that all-important lifestyle balance.