Welcome to Feng Shui: The Real Thing, a Classical Feng Shui and Ba Zi Chinese astrology podcast, with co-hosts Zoë Vita James and Feng Shui Master Richard Ashworth.
Each episode explores authentic Feng Shui principles, Chinese metaphysics and monthly Chinese astrology forecasts - helping you work consciously with time, space and energy in your everyday life.
Together, Zoë and Richard bring over 30 years’ combined experience as professional Classical Feng Shui consultants. Richard is also widely respected as one of the leading Western teachers of traditional Feng Shui and Ba Zi.
Each episode shares practical guidance and insights you can apply to your home, workspace and life - supporting wellbeing, prosperity and relationships through Classical Feng Shui principles.
A new Feng Shui and Chinese astrology forecast is released at the start of each solar month, helping you work with the energetic patterns of the Chinese calendar.
In our episodes you’ll hear:
• Monthly Feng Shui forecasts aligned with the Chinese solar calendar
• Guidance on where to spend time in your home or workspace - and which areas to treat more carefully
• Evergreen Feng Shui guidance - from selecting a property through to remodelling and living in your space - along with stories from our professional work that bring these principles to life
• Personal forecasts for all 12 Chinese Zodiac animals
To follow the animal forecasts we share each month, you’ll want to know which animals appear in your own Ba Zi chart. Use the guide below based on your birth details. The meaning varies depending on whether the animal appears in your Year, Month, Day, Hour or Life House pillar.
Rat: 1948, 60, 72, 84, 96; in December*; 11pm-1am**; and on certain days***
Ox: 1949, 61, 73, 85, 97; in January*; 1-3am**; and on certain days***
Tiger: 1950, 62, 74, 86, 98; in February*; 3-5am**; and on certain days***
Rabbit: 1951, 63, 75, 87, 99; in March*; 5-7am**; and on certain days
Dragon: 1952, 64, 76, 88, 2000; in April*; 7-9am**; and on certain days***
Snake: 1941, 53, 65, 77, 89; in May*; 9-11am**; and on certain days***
Horse: 1942, 54, 66, 78, 90; in June*; 11am-1pm**; and on certain days***
Sheep: 1943, 55, 67, 79, 91; in July*; 1-3pm**; and on certain days***
Monkey: 1944, 56, 68, 80, 92; in August*; 3-5pm**; and on certain days***
Rooster: 1945, 57, 69, 81, 93; in September*; 5-7pm**; and on certain days***
Dog: 1946, 58, 70, 82, 94; in October*; 7-9pm**; and on certain days***
Pig: 1947, 59, 71, 83, 95; in November*; 9-11pm**; and on certain days***
* Solar months start a few days later than Gregorian months.
** Remember to adjust the hour if born during daylight savings.
*** For Day animals you’ll need a Chinese calendar or contact Zoë.
If you’d like your own Feng Shui or Ba Zi questions explored in future episodes, please contact us:
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September 2026 Feng Shui Forecast - The Fire Rooster Month
Season 1 · Episode 33
Saturday, September 12, 2026 • Duration 44:43
Hammocks, The Odyssey from a Feng Shui perspective, giving love to spooky stuff, why the placement of doors and windows matters, space clearing, connection, and refreshing your work space for a focused and flowing back-to-business month are just some of the themes discussed by Zoë Vita James and Feng Shui Master Richard Ashworth in this month’s episode of Feng Shui: The Real Thing.
You’ll also hear:
· The most supportive and challenging spaces in your home or office this month
· Auspicious dates for positive endeavours and space clearing
· The deeper nature of the Fire Rooster, from glamour and commerce to connection and helpful people, to artfully ride its energy
· Monthly forecasts for all 12 zodiac animals
Enjoy this inspiring and practical monthly Feng Shui show, helping you to align consciously with time, space and Chinese metaphysics in modern life.
For personalised Ba Zi or Feng Shui consultations, contact Zoë: zoevitajames.com.
August 2026 Feng Shui Forecast - The Fire Monkey Month
Season 1 · Episode 32
Monday, August 10, 2026 • Duration 47:57
Refreshing energy patterns inside homes, selling stubborn houses, preparing for new neighbours, and embracing fun and relaxation in the Monkey month are just some of the themes discussed by Zoë Vita James and Feng Shui Master Richard in this month’s episode of Feng Shui: The Real Thing.
You’ll also hear:
· The most support and challenging spaces in your home or workspace this month
· August’s most auspicious date
· The deeper nature of the Fire Monkey and how to artfully ride its energy
· Monthly forecasts for all 12 zodiac animals
Enjoy this inspiring and practical monthly Feng Shui show, helping you work consciously with time, space and Chinese metaphysics in modern life.
For personalised Ba Zi forecasts or Feng Shui consultations, contact Zoë: zoevitajames.com.
To learn Ba Zi and Classical Feng Shui, contact Richard: imperialfengshui.info.
Richard’s new book, I Talk to the Animals, is available from all good bookshops.
Wishing you a joyful and relaxing Fire Monkey month.
July 2026 Feng Shui Forecast - The Wood Sheep Month
Season 1 · Episode 31
Friday, July 10, 2026 • Duration 45:00
July 2026 brings the Wood Sheep month, as the intense heat and hurry of the year begins to soften into something calmer, more reflective and deeply creative.
In this episode of Feng Shui: The Real Thing, Zoë Vita James and Feng Shui Master Richard Ashworth explore how to align with July's energy through Classical Feng Shui and Ba Zi Chinese Astrology. Along the way they share stories from recent Feng Shui consultations, discuss why Taylor Swift's choice of wedding date may have been far from accidental, answer listener questions, and reveal how our homes really do mirror our lives.
You’ll hear:
Where to be, and where to avoid, in your home or workspace this month
July’s most auspicious date
The deeper nature of the Wood Sheep and how to make the most of its energy
Monthly forecasts for all 12 zodiac animals
Enjoy this inspiring and practical monthly Feng Shui show, helping you work consciously with time, space, and Chinese metaphysics in everyday life.
For personalised Ba Zi forecasts or Feng Shui consultations, contact Zoë: zoevitajames.com.
To learn Ba Zi and Classical Feng Shui, contact Richard: imperialfengshui.info.
Richard’s new book, I Talk to the Animals, is available from all good bookshops.
June 2026 Feng Shui Forecast - The Wood Horse Month
Season 1 · Episode 30
Sunday, June 7, 2026 • Duration 37:51
June 2026 brings the Wood Horse month – double Horse with the energy of the Fire Horse year, meaning double heat, passion, excitement and hurry.
In this episode of Feng Shui: The Real Thing, Zoë Vita James and Feng Shui Master Richard Ashworth share practical guidance on how to align with June’s energy using Classical Feng Shui and Ba Zi Chinese Astrology. Plus, stories from our recent Feng Shui projects, working with real homes, offices and lives.
You’ll hear:
· Where to be, and where not to be, in your home or workspace this month
· An auspicious date for everyone
· The deeper nature of the Wood Horse and how to navigate its energy
Enjoy this inspiring and practical monthly Feng Shui show, helping you to work consciously with time, space, and Chinese metaphysics in everyday life.
For personalised Ba Zi forecasts or Feng Shui consultations, contact Zoë: zoevitajames.com.
To learn Ba Zi and Classical Feng Shui, contact Richard: imperialfengshui.info.
Richard’s new book I Talk to the Animals is available from all good bookshops.
May 2026 Feng Shui Forecast - The Water Snake Month
Season 1 · Episode 29
Saturday, May 9, 2026 • Duration 38:04
May 2026 brings the Water Snake month - the first month of summer, the hurry season, within the wider Fire Horse year of 2026.
In this episode of Feng Shui: The Real Thing, Zoë Vita James and Feng Shui Master Richard Ashworth share practical guidance on how to align with May’s energy using Classical Feng Shui and Ba Zi Chinese Astrology.
You’ll hear:
• The most supportive areas of your home or workspace this month - and which areas to treat carefully
• How to activate helpful energy for authority, opportunity and prosperity
• The deeper nature of the Water Snake and how to navigate its energy
• An auspicious date to use this month: Sunday 17 May
• Personal forecasts for all 12 Chinese Zodiac animals
This is a grounded, practical monthly Feng Shui forecast to help you work consciously with time, space, and Chinese metaphysics in everyday life.
For personalised Ba Zi forecasts or Feng Shui consultations, contact Zoë: zoevitajames.com.
To learn Ba Zi and Classical Feng Shui, contact Richard: imperialfengshui.info.
Richard’s new book I Talk to the Animals is available from all good bookshops.
March 2026 Feng Shui Forecast - The Metal Rabbit Month
Season 1 · Episode 27
Thursday, March 5, 2026 • Duration 36:39
March 2026 brings the Metal Rabbit month, the second month of spring within the wider Fire Horse year of 2026.
In this episode of Feng Shui: The Real Thing, Zoë Vita James and Feng Shui Master Richard Ashworth share practical guidance on how to align with March’s energy using Classical Feng Shui and Ba Zi Chinese Astrology.
You’ll hear:
• The most supportive areas of your home or workspace this month — and which areas to treat carefully
• How to activate helpful energy for visibility, creativity, and opportunity
• The deeper nature of the Metal Rabbit and how to navigate its reflective energy
• An auspicious date to use this month: Monday 23rd March
• Personal forecasts for all 12 Chinese Zodiac animals
This is a grounded, practical monthly Feng Shui forecast to help you work consciously with time, space, and Chinese metaphysics in everyday life.
For personalised Ba Zi forecasts or Feng Shui consultations, contact Zoë: zoevitajames.com.
To learn Ba Zi and Classical Feng Shui, contact Richard: imperialfengshui.info.
Richard’s new book I Talk to the Animals is available from all good bookshops.
Your February 2026 Forecast – The Metal Tiger Month
Season 1 · Episode 26
Wednesday, February 11, 2026 • Duration 43:24
February 2026 brings the energy of the Metal Tiger - a bold, catalytic month within the wider Fire Horse year of 2026.
In this episode of Feng Shui: The Real Thing, Zoë Vita James and Feng Shui Master Richard Ashworth share practical, classical guidance on how to align with February’s monthly energies through authentic Classical Feng Shui and Ba Zi Chinese Astrology.
You’ll hear:
• Where to be in your home or workspace this month - and which areas to avoid
• How to activate supportive directions for prosperity, wellbeing, and helpful people
• The deeper nature of the Metal Tiger: courage, haste, clarity, and restraint
• An auspicious date: Wednesday 25th February
• Personal February forecasts for all 12 Chinese Zodiac animals
This is a grounded, practical monthly Feng Shui forecast - helping you work consciously with time, space, and Chinese metaphysics in real life.
You don’t need to remember everything. Simply notice what resonates, and we’ll revisit these themes as 2026 unfolds, month by month.
Going deeper
Zoë offers bespoke 2026 Ba Zi forecasts based on your personal Four Pillars chart (wellbeing, relationships, prosperity), along with 1:1 Feng Shui Clinics on Zoom.
If you’d like to learn how to draft and interpret Ba Zi, and how to practise Classical Feng Shui, contact Richard.
Richard’s new book I Talk to the Animals is available from all good bookshops.
To enquire:
Find Your Animals:
Your 2026 Fire Horse Year Forecast
Season 1 · Episode 25
Monday, February 2, 2026 • Duration 46:50
The Fire Horse year of 2026 is fast, catalytic, and highly visible — and knowing how to work with it makes all the difference.
In this special full-year episode, Zoë Vita-James and Feng Shui Master Richard Ashworth guide you through the energetic landscape of 2026, sharing how to align with the year practically, personally, and within your home or workplace.
You’ll hear:
The overall “weather” of the Fire Horse year
Clear guidance on what to do where in your space — including where to activate and where to be more cautious
Practical advice for supporting wellbeing, prosperity, and ease
Personal forecasts for each of the 12 Chinese Zodiac Animals
All shared through the lens of authentic classical Feng Shui and Ba Zi astrology, drawn from over three decades of combined experience working with these systems in real homes and real lives.
Going deeper
As Zoë shares in this episode, the real power of forecasting lies in understanding your Ba Zi chart — starting with the patterns and relationships between all four pillars.
From 4th February, Zoë is offering a bespoke written 2026 forecast, created from your own Four Pillars, highlighting what is most pertinent for you around wellbeing, prosperity, and relationships.
This — and how to align your space — can also be explored further in Zoë’s 90-minute 1:1 Feng Shui Clinic on Zoom.
If you’d like to learn more about studying Ba Zi and Classical Feng Shui, contact Richard.
Your December 2025 Forecast for the Earth Rat Month
Season 1 · Episode 24
Wednesday, December 10, 2025 • Duration 36:54
Rat months (December) tend to be talkative times of the year. With the 1-energy at the heart of your space this month, together with the mud-in-the-mouth Earth Rat's monthly energy and the backdrop of a challenging Snake year to date, this calls for a month of letting your hair down, relaxed chats and chilling.
Join Richard and Zoe as they talk you through their ways to harness the shifting energies of the month – where to be in your space, what to do where and when, and precise advice personalised to each zodiac Animal sign to easefully ride this month and come out smiling.
To make the most of this podcast you’ll want to know which Animals are in your personal Ba Zi astrology chart - use the guide below or email Zoë with your date of birth to find out.
And if you have a question that you’d like us to (confidentially) answer in a future episode, message us:
