Feng Shui Timing and Skyfall?

Roll out the Sky ball?

Today sees the general release of the new James Bond film Skyfall and from a Feng Shui perspective, they must have used auspicious timing in choosing this date. It's not surprising, as the film is reputed to have cost a whopping £93.7m ($150m). With such an investment, who wouldn't use auspicious timing to maximise their returns? Kerching!

There are many ways to choose auspicious timing and relatively recently, an Asian construction company won a global multibillion dollar contract and avoided hefty late penalties by doing so. "Going with the flow" as great timing is sometimes known, is used globally by those who know of its success record; to launch, host, unveil or announce important events. Let's look at some of the options available today.

In the Tong Shu or Chinese almanac, today is listed as an "Open" day; a lucky day to unveil or present something new. Whilst in Chinese astrology, it's a Metal Monkey day, which has a special distinction within the Chinese zodiac as it's known as "The Reformer"; a perfect day to give something up or develop new concepts. Consequently, the classic Bond Martini is replaced in Skyfall by a can of Heineken, the privilege of which cost the lager company almost a third of the film costs.

Although, Skyfall's general release is today, the world wide premiere was actually 3 days ago on the 23rd October; a day auspicious for new cycles and long term partnerships. As this film breaks records in its partnerships with sponsors, it's highly appropriate. However, in the 28 Lunar Mansions, the moon appears in the Ghost constellation, so let's hope this aspect doesn't turn around to haunt them.

When we consider the Chinese astrological elements of Yang Metal which indicates Heaven or sky, and Monkey's metal elements denoting spherical shapes (ball), you can see the inspiration behind today's title. Furthermore, the Monkey day and Dog month Chinese zodiac signs are the beginning and end of a spectacular alignment. They only need the Rooster to complete and finalise it. Rooster represents entertainment and the showman.

In Chinese mythology, the Rooster is known as the bird that cannot fly but makes a lot of noise. It can indicate critics, so having film critics on board will make Skyfall the surefire success it deserves to be. However, the truly clever aspect about today's lucky timings is that entertainment and critics aside, between 5pm and 7pm we enter the Rooster double hour, which completes the triple alignment of Monkey, Rooster and Dog to create the strongest ever metal element. This can be likened to pure gold and represents outstanding wealth to the fire element of the film industry and its director Sam Mendes. In the UK and Ireland where the film opens today and at teatime tonight, it may feel similar to a PT Barnum moment where we are all part of the greatest show on earth!

Returning to solid ground, the Chinese almanac is positively grinning and recommends meditation or honouring ancestors, asking for blessings, taking a course visiting friends, having a haircut, sweeping house, travelling, getting engaged, getting married, exchanging gifts, having an astrology reading, buying or making clothes, seeing a doctor or choosing a treatment, emigrating, opening a business and trading, refurbishing a home or office, laying foundations, fixing a roof, buying or setting direction for your bed, opening a water course and drilling a well.