It is 4706 and it's the Year of the Ox on the Chinese calendar. Chinese New Year falls on January 26, and I'm hoping that the fact that it's the Year of the Ox proves prophetic. Oxen, after all, are cattle--cattle that work their rump roasts off. We're all wishing for a bull market, so maybe this is the year our hard work, patience, and reliability--the characteristics of oxen--will start the turnaround.

The Japanese research company, Daiwa Institute, has a rather pessimistic outlook on Ox Years, warning that they're usually disastrous for stocks and noting that the Nikkei stock index has fallen some 11% in each of the past five Years of the Ox.

But Reuter's Susan Fenton quotes Hong Kong feng shui master Raymond Lo's more optimistic outlook: "Earth is the calmest of the elements, and this year is a 'yin earth' year, as well as an Ox year, symbolizing a more feminine energy." He predicts this will be "the most peaceful year globally since 2000," but the recovery will be slow. A "yin earth" means a "pure earth" year, with the element of fire missing to push the recovery along. In fact, we might have to wait until 2010, the Year of the Tiger.

That's okay. I think we've all had enough of market turbulence and uncertainty, and we all know a team of oxen yoked together toil diligently but don't necessarily turn on a dime. I'm all for adopting a little ox-like patience, and I'm not averse to an injection of feminine energy...how about you?