THIS week I would like to talk about the rabbit, dragon, snake and horse and the nature of their feng shui in the Year of the Snake. 　　　Feng shui lore is entwined with the study of Chinese astrology. Each sign of the horoscope is in a subordinated relationship to the dominant sign of the snake. 　　　In the five elements of feng shui, the snake is a fire symbol. The element of the other signs of the horoscope decides its relationship with the snake. Animal Signs Corresponding Signs to Year of Birth Rabbit 1903, 1915, 1927, 1939, 1951, 1963, 1975, 1987, 1999 Dragon 1904, 1916, 1928, 1940, 1952, 1964, 1976, 1988, 2000 Snake 1905, 1917, 1929,1941, 1953, 1965, 1977,  1989, 2001 Horse 1906, 1918, 1930, 1942, 1954, 1966, 1978, 1990, 2002 Rabbit 　　　THE rabbit carries with it a wood element. Wood can be needed to build a fire, so the rabbit and the fiery snake have a good relationship. For rabbits, this should be a year of opportunity and motivation. 　　　You will win your boss? praise and may even gain an unexpected pay rise this summer. In order to increase your luck in the job, you should keep a calligraphy pen pointing towards the side of your home that faces east, which governs career. 　　　But the rabbit must be careful in love this year because there is danger of an intrusion by a third person. Where your home faces north -- the location governing relationships -- men should grow four water? flowers and women three. Feng shui associates the number four with the female gender and the number three with the male. Keeping the correct number of flowers associated with the opposite sex should keep your relationship stable. 　　　Don't grow any plants or put up any yellow or brown decorations in the westerly area of your home, as this is the location influencing the evil spirits, which can cause tension in relationships. Dragon 　　　THE dragon is an earth element, which is not the best combination with the fiery snake. But this should still be an acceptable year. 　　　Beware of office politics and unfaithful associates. To boost your popularity, keep some red deco rations -- a carpet, crystal or lamp -- in the northerly area of your home, which governs social life and net working, red being the colour of good luck and popularity. 　　　The dragon can expect some advancement at work and an increase in prosperity this year. To boost your chances of both, put a fish tank, fan or air-conditioning unit in the southeasterly area of your home. Snake 　　　THE fiery snake can expect investment luck, especially in the second half of the year. To increase income, put a fish tank, fan or a yellow crystal in the westerly area of your home, which governs prosperity. 　　　Travelling with your partner can help improve your relationship, but choose countries to the south of Hong Kong, which can raise your chances for romance and prevent disagreements. 　　　Avoid putting your bed in the northwest area of your home -- this brings illness. If you have to put your bed here, hang a feng shui wine bottle nearby because it will contain the spirits that cause sickness. Horse 　　　THE horse is a fire sign and thus a good match with the snake. This is an excellent year for you, with good opportunities to start your own business. The west-facing part of your home governs prosperity ? try to keep some watery plants to increase good fortune in your new business. You should avoid any renovation in this corner of the flat. 　　　You will become very popular this year and make many new friends. But be careful: with those born under the pig or rat signs, because both are watery signs and cannot co-exist with fire. 　　　You can get along better with such people if a cat motif is used in decorating your home or your clothing accessories. The cat can be regarded as a domesticated tiger, and according to the Chinese horoscope, the woody tiger can be a mediator between the horse and the pig or rat. 　　　Next week: goats, monkeys, roosters and dogs. Stay tuned! 　　　As told to Alice Fung by Au Chung-tak (Telephone; 9024 2275)