What Awaits in the Year of the Monkey?

By B.DULGUUN

The Year of the Monkey will start on February 9 in Mongolia. Mongolian astrologers have named the Year of the Monkey "Evil Face".

We spoke with D.Tsogtbaatar, astrologer of Gandantegchinlen Monastery, to learn more about what fortunes lie ahead in the Year of the Monkey, and how it received its ominous name.

As D.Tsogtbaatar explained, the "Evil Face" name was given because this year is expected to have low precipitation and a poor harvest for hay and forage. Other astrologers have foretold extreme drought in the Year of the Monkey, but D.Tsogtbaatar assured that the public not to worry about drought.

He added, "Although the new lunar year has been described as 'Evil Face', it doesn't imply any particular bad omen or meaning. Before, we described 2015 as the Year of the MaddeningWooden Sheep, but it doesn't mean people will go mad."

People are advised to pay extra attention to their health. He also noted that the financial and economic situation will improve in the new year.

The astrologer gave general predictions for the new lunar year. "The Year of the Monkey will be especially good for infants, average for seniors, and bad for young people. The public will be...