前几天港媒 South China Morning Post（《南华早报》）中有篇文章讲了蛇年各个生肖的运势，我觉得也许你们想看呢，就搬过来了。大家可以在学英语的同时顺便领取一下蛇年运势！
Lucky colour: blue; lucky element: sapphire
Snakes offend tai sui this year, so be prepared for a year in flux with a lot of changes. They can turn this wave of bad luck around through auspicious actions such as getting married, starting a family, buying property or starting a business.
Thankfully, they have a lot of lucky stars on their side this year – in particular, when it comes to career and wealth matters. One represents a wagon full of money, another will bring benefactors to help whenever they are in trouble. With so many lucky stars, what could be a potentially bad year will not be too bad overall.
幸运颜色：蓝色；幸运元素：蓝宝石
蛇年今年犯太岁，运势波动较大，变化较多。虽然如此，蛇可通过一些吉祥的行动，如结婚、成家、购房或创业，来化解这股不利的运势。
幸运的是，今年蛇年有许多贵人相助，尤其是在事业和财富方面。某颗幸运星代表着“财源滚滚”，另一颗则会在他们遇到困境时带来贵人相助。凭借如此众多的幸运星，即使是可能的艰难年份，整体运势仍然不会太差。
offend tai sui
意为“犯太岁”，“太岁”一词我们在去年的《龙年》运势中讲过，搬过来：
太岁原本是古人假想出来的一颗星体，它和木星差不多，运行一周是12年，但和木星运行方向相反。古人根据太岁的位置来纪年，《资治通鉴》开头用的就是太岁纪年法：
“摄提格”“困敦”就是太岁纪年法的十二星次的名字。
对应的年份便是：
屈原《离骚》中也用了太岁纪年法来交待自己出生年月日：
“摄提贞”就是“摄提格”，当时还没有“书同文”，同一个字在不同的书里常常有不同的写法。“摄提贞”是太岁纪年法的年份，“孟陬”是个月份，“庚寅”是个日子。
在古代，天文历算需要很高的专业门槛，懂天文历法的都是高精尖技术人才，所以文化人著书立说会采用太岁纪年法，显得自己很牛叉。
后来，太岁演变成一种神祇信仰，被民间奉为守护神。人们在施工、建房或安葬时习惯于避开太岁方位，以免招致不祥之事。民间也形成了一些说法，比如“不要在太岁头上动土”。
这里再岔开一笔，因为太岁一周是12年，因此“12”这个数字被周朝人称为“天下大数”，于是12的倍数也有了神秘意义，比如孙悟空72变，猪八戒36变，都是12的倍数。36和72之和等于108，而108是12的9倍，9又是十进制里最大的数字，所以108又被赋予一种神秘色彩，比如梁山108将，佛珠有108颗，红楼梦原稿有108回。
in flux
表示“变化中的、不稳定的”，这里的“in flux with a lot of changes”表明蛇年将是一个充满变化的年份。
Lucky colour: grey; lucky element: obsidian
Horses are in for a smooth ride this year with a lucky star that will help with their career, so it will be a good time to ask for that promotion – especially those in clerical or white-collar jobs. Horses in male-dominated industries will have a good chance for career advancement, and this year will bring them male benefactors.
This will be a good year for learning new things and further education for Horses, so if there is a degree or accreditation they have always wanted to pursue, this is a great time for it.
There is a very vague romance star on the charts for Horses, so those already in a relationship have to be careful; they are advised not to be distracted by crushes and fleeting chemistry.
幸运颜色：灰色；幸运元素：黑曜石
马年今年运势顺畅，拥有一颗有利于事业的幸运星，因此这是申请升职的好时机——尤其是从事文职或白领工作的人。马年在男性主导行业中的人将有较好的职业晋升机会，今年还会得到男性贵人的助力。
对于马年的人来说，今年是学习新知识和进一步深造的好时机，因此如果有一直想要追求的学位或证书，现在正是行动的最佳时机。
马年的人在感情方面星象模糊不清，已婚或有伴侣的人需保持警觉；建议不要被一时的迷恋或短暂的化学反应所分心。
Be in for
表示“注定要经历某事”，通常指好的或坏的事情，例如：
They are in for a big surprise when they see the new changes in the office.
当他们看到办公室的新变化时，将会大吃一惊。
Lucky colour: khaki; lucky element: amber
Wealth is a theme for Sheep this year, but it will be in the form of official avenues rather than casino or lottery wins. Unfortunately, there are no lucky stars on the charts so they are on their own.
There are two bad stars that will affect their family and make them accident prone. So remember to donate blood or visit the dentist, in the sixth or twelfth lunar month, to balance this negative energy.
This will be a good year for Sheep to renovate and to refresh the energy of their homes.
幸运颜色：卡其色；幸运元素：琥珀
今年羊年的主题是财富，但更多体现在正规渠道，而非博彩或彩票等形式。遗憾的是，今年星盘上没有吉星相助，羊年人需要独自应对挑战。
星盘上有两颗不利星可能对家庭产生影响，同时使得羊年人容易发生意外。因此，建议在农历六月或十二月献血或拜访牙医，以平衡负面能量。
今年也是羊年人装修或提升家居环境能量的好时机。
Lucky colour: red; lucky element: ruby
A complicated relationship with tai sui awaits the Monkey this year, as it can both be beneficial and destructive. Their networking and personal relationships will be equally volatile, and they will find people might want to work with them one moment but not the next.
Their lucky star is one full of feminine energy, so Monkeys working in female-dominated industries such as jewellery or cosmetics will have a good chance for career advancement as well as help from female benefactors.
Unlucky stars fall on personal relationships, which will lead to a lot of unspoken conflicts. Monkeys in a relationship should prioritise open and honest communication.
幸运颜色：红色；幸运元素：红宝石
今年猴年与太岁关系复杂，既可能带来助力，也可能引发冲突。人际关系和社交网络波动较大，可能出现一时愿意合作、下一刻却态度转变的情况。
吉星充满女性能量，从事珠宝或化妆品等女性主导行业的猴年人，今年事业有较大提升机会，同时会得到女性贵人相助。
但感情方面受凶星影响较重，可能会出现许多未明言的冲突。已有伴侣的猴年人需注重坦诚沟通，以避免矛盾升级。
Lucky colour: purple; lucky element: amethyst
Roosters do not clash with tai sui this year, and wealth is on the cards. No matter if it is from investing or work, all things involving money will do well.
This zodiac is blessed with lucky stars in their career. For those working in large companies or the government, there is a good chance for promotion and advancement.
Roosters do have to pay attention to their health this year, though, so be sure to visit your doctor for a yearly check-up.
幸运颜色：紫色；幸运元素：紫水晶
今年鸡年不犯太岁，财富运势较佳，无论是通过投资还是工作，涉及金钱的事务都会有所收益。
事业方面有吉星加持，尤其是那些在大公司或政府机构工作的鸡年人，今年有望获得升职或职务晋升的机会。
不过，鸡年人需关注健康问题，建议安排年度体检，确保身体无虞。
clash with tai sui
和 offend tai sui 是一个意思，指“犯太岁”。
on the cards
指的是“有可能发生的”。这个短语源于占卜卡片（如塔罗牌），人们通过观察卡片的排列来预测未来。因此，“on the cards”就逐渐演变为“某件事可能会发生”这一含义，相当于likely to happen或on the horizon。例如：
A significant shift in the education system is on the cards, with more emphasis on online learning and digital tools in the future.
未来教育体系可能会发生重大变化，越来越注重在线学习和数字工具的使用。
Lucky colour: green; lucky element: jade
The big theme for Dogs this year is romance and love. The Year of the Snake is great for them to get married or have babies; but those in committed relationships should beware, your romantic energy is so strong that it can start love triangles.
They also have a problem-solving lucky star on their side, which means any obstacle or challenge will resolve itself this year. They will also get help from benefactors. There is a bad star hovering above that will affect finances, so Dogs will have to beware of scams and bad investments.
幸运颜色：绿色；幸运元素：翡翠
今年狗年的主题是浪漫与爱情。蛇年非常适合结婚或迎接新生命，但已有伴侣的狗年人需小心，因浪漫能量过于强盛，可能引发感情纠葛。
幸运的是，狗年人有一颗化解问题的吉星加持，无论遇到何种障碍或挑战，今年都能迎刃而解，并且会得到贵人相助。
然而，星盘中有一颗不利财运的凶星，提醒狗年人提防诈骗和不良投资，注意保护个人财产安全。
Lucky colour: pink; lucky element: rose quartz
Pigs come into conflict with tai sui this year, so networking and personal relationships will be volatile. They should make use of auspicious events – getting married, starting a family, buying property or starting a business – to chase the bad luck away.
Fortunately, Pigs have lucky stars looking out for them this year. One is a star of motion that means those working in international platforms or companies will have an opportunity for promotion this year.
Pigs will be unlucky with their finances this year, so this will be a good time to come up with a budget and stick to it.
幸运颜色：粉色；幸运元素：玫瑰石英
今年属猪的人犯太岁，因此社交和人际关系会比较波动。猪年人应借助吉利的事件——如结婚、成家、购房或创业等，来驱除厄运。
幸运的是，今年猪年人有吉星护佑。其中一颗动能星将使得在国际平台或跨国公司工作的猪年人有机会升职。
然而，今年猪年人的财运不佳，因此是制定预算并严格遵守的好时机，以避免不必要的财务风险。
come into conflict with
指“和…发生冲突”，come into conflict with tai sui也是“犯太岁”的意思。
chase sb/sth away/off/out
表示“驱逐、赶走”，例如：
The men were chased off by troops, who fired warning shots.
军队鸣枪警告，把这些人驱赶走了。
注意和
chase after
区分，后者表示“追逐”，例如：
reporters chasing after a story
拼命挖新闻的记者
换句话说，chase sb/sth away/off/out是拉开距离，而chase after是缩小距离。
Lucky colour: white; lucky element: platinum
It is time for Rats to work towards their goals this year, as they will reap the rewards of effort put in. There are two lucky stars that will amplify networking, career and wealth, so much so that Rats will find many friends helping them out when they are in trouble.
Finances will be affected by an unlucky star, so while wealth is amplified this year it should be achieved through hard work and not reliance on luck or speculation. Travel will also be affected by bad stars, so remember to buy insurance before you take a trip this year.
今年是鼠年人朝着目标迈进的一年，努力付出的回报将逐步显现。星盘中有两颗吉星，将加强人际关系、职业发展和财富积累，鼠年人在遇到困难时将得到许多朋友的帮助。
不过，财运受凶星影响，今年财富的积累更多依赖于努力工作，而非依赖运气或投机。此外，出行也会受到不利星体的影响，因此出行前一定要购买保险以保障安全。
reap
的字面意思是“收割（庄稼）”，但在比喻意义上，表示“得到，收获”，常见搭配有：
Reap the rewards 收获回报
Reap the benefits 得到好处
Reap the consequences 付出代价
Reap the harvest 收获成果、丰收
Reap what you sow 种什么因就收什么果（收获你种下的东西）
amplify
的意思是“放大、增强、加剧”，例如：
These stories only amplified her fears.
这些故事只是增加了她的恐惧感。
文中amplify networking, career and wealth意思是：加强人际关系、职业发展和财富积累，其中amplify也可以用enhance, boost替换。
Lucky colour: brown; lucky element: diamonds
The Year of the Snake is a good year for Oxen. This is a great year for them to network, as there will be a lot of people seeking partnerships or offers of joint ventures that can be explored. It is also a good year for wealth, in particular through work and investments.
This will be a particularly good year for Oxen who work in a creative or spiritual field. However, a curse star comes with a lot of female energy, so if they are female or work in a female-dominated industry, such as jewellery or cosmetics, they should take extra precautions.
幸运颜色：棕色；幸运元素：钻石
蛇年对于牛年人来说是一个大好年景。尤其在社交方面，牛年人会遇到许多寻求合作或联合投资机会的人。今年也是财富之年，尤其是在工作和投资方面，运势较为有利。
对于从事创意或精神领域的牛年人来说，尤其有利。然牛年人需谨慎，星盘中有凶星带来较强的女性能量，如果是女性或在女性主导行业（如珠宝、化妆品等）工作的牛年人，应加倍小心。
