Every Chinese New Year, I join fellow mallgoers in an intense and imperative ritual: decoding our zodiac readings amid the decorative displays. Nothing marks an auspicious start to the new year like a good luck prediction from a fengshui master, right?
My Chinese zodiac is the Ox, which as it turns out, will be facing a ‘Fan Tan Sui’ or clash year. The Tai Sui refers to stars tied to Jupiter’s position, which affects and governs the astrological energy of zodiac animals. For 2026, those born in the year of the Ox, Rat, Horse, and Rabbit are said to be in conflict with the Tai Sui, or Fan Tai Sui, which typically entail astrological predictions for a rockier year ahead.
A quick inquiry with my trusty AI advisor (aka ChatGPT) tells me that a clash year doesn’t necessarily point to bad luck. In fact, with planning and good intentions, a clash year can lead to upward movement, prosperity, and growth.
Since generative AI has been helping me plan everything from vacations to the interior design for my in-progress BTO, I thought it’d be fun to let it also guide my decisions to achieve a harmonious and prosperous new year.
If you’d like to try it out yourself, here’s a prompt you could use for AI to chart predictions for you in the year ahead:
“I was born in [your birth month and year]. As Chinese New Year rolls around, help me predict my luck and detail plans to ensure I have a meaningful and fulfilling year ahead.”
Move better, get stronger
2026 is the Year of the Fire Horse which typically indicates movement, unpredictability and transformation. With that, AI thinks it’s a good idea for me to anticipate and manage potential burnout. One proposed solution was that I integrate more physical movement to build emotional grounding, momentum and clarity. Incorporating exercise into my life has been a way to build physical and mental strength. Though, if I’m being frank, a structured fitness regime isn’t always the easiest to stick to when things get hectic.
To hold myself accountable in the year ahead, I made a trip to True Fitness at Great World (#03-115) to explore its myriad of fitness facilities and programmes, including adrenaline-packed spin classes to revitalising hot yoga sessions.
A membership at True Fitness starts at $140 per month and gives me access to a full suite of gym facilities, fitness classes, and post-sweat amenities like showers. I’m looking forward to moving every week, which would go a long way in improving my cardiovascular health and stamina, while also building mental endurance to help me not sweat the small things.
Lay the groundwork for career opportunities
Year of the Ox-born like myself are up for a slew of career challenges that will push us beyond our comfort zone in the new year. However, leaning into these can also present opportunities for meaningful growth. AI recommended taking on new projects, career movements and responsibilities as they come.
Said ChatGPT: “If you choose growth over endurance, boundaries over people-pleasing, and direction over comfort, this can be one of your most defining adult years yet.”
In anticipation of new possibilities in the workplace, I wanted a decorative pick-me-up to jazz up my desk in the office.
That’s when I came across Slow Green at Great World (#02-K103). Their meticulously crafted arrangements use preserved natural elements like flowers and stones to create artful displays, serving as perfect embellishments that add colour and life to any home or workspace.
I was instantly drawn to the Rosewood – Teaman’s Retreat. Apart from being a charming and beautiful ornament, the bonsai, which are cultivated through dedicated training and shaping, serves as a wonderful reminder to respond to transformation with quiet strength and grace.
Reignite relationship with romantic date nights
With a clash year, it’s also natural to expect some trouble in paradise, as mismatched goals and schedules threaten to bring about conflict in romantic relationships.
To prevent potential friction with my BTO-partner, ChatGPT proposed enhancing our bond with quality time to build trust, stability and connection. One way to do so is by deliberately bringing back good ol’ dates over our usual lazy hangouts at home, as stimulating conversations in a romantic setting can breathe new life into the relationship.
A new spot we discovered was Da Paolo Gastronomia at Great World (#01-163). The restaurant is a scene straight out of our vision boards for a dream honeymoon in Italy, with a courtyard concept that’s intimate and cosy, perfect for a weekend brunch date.
Sharing a plate of homemade pasta and hand-stretched pizza as frothy bubbles from our cappuccino line our lips, it’s easy to imagine we’ve been whisked away into an Italian escape.
Freshening up for the new year with fun activities
Though the new year is marked with a series of new stressors and obstacles, I’m choosing to remain optimistic about its transformative potential with intentional and growth-focused choices.
To begin the year on a high note, there are also a bunch of activities to usher in the Chinese New Year in spirit of renewal and a bold fresh start. From Jan 16 to Mar 3, shoppers can look forward to the following at Great World:
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- The Spring Edit (L1, Atrium): Delight in captivating floral decorations by Ming Sing Flower, floral and fauna by Mosscape, and purchase festive goodies from Shangri-La Singapore, Taiwan Nougat Biscuit, Calligraphy by Sims Galleria and more, from now till Feb 15.
- Happy Box Treasure Hunt: Scout for hidden red packets and get a chance to win a 52Toys blind box (worth $16.90-$20.90) every Saturday at 5.20pm from Feb 7 to 28.
- Great Fortune Festival: Happening on Feb 21, indulge in fun activities and workshops for kids, and seize opportunities with martial arts trial sessions and hourly flash deals using Great Rewards promo codes. Mark your calendars for the energetic lion dance performance happening at 6pm!
- Art Exhibition by 3D Canvas Art: Discover how layered textures come to life – beautifully printed and framed, making the perfect new-year gift or a stylish refresh for your home at L2, MRT Link Bridge, near Tipo Strada (#02-153).
Festive workshops (L1, Atrium) bring extra cheer with playful hands-on activities – from Chinese folk papercutting and fragrant sachet-making to crafting lion dance string puppets, DIY key chains, and custom patch bags – topped off with fun lucky balloon giveaways. Great World will also ring in the festive cheer with an abundance of music and dance! Watch the performances happening at the Level 1 atrium, which will feature a variety of traditional Chinese culture and performing art forms:
- Performances from local musicians on guzheng, pipa and more (between Jan 6 and Feb 27, every Mon, Wed and Fri, from 6.30pm to 7.30pm, except on 16 Feb)
- Chinese Dance by Singapore Chinese Girls’ School (Jan 31, Feb 8 and 21, 3pm and 4.30pm)
- Chinese Orchestra by Singapore Polytechnic Chinese Orchestra (Jan 24 and 25, 3pm and 3.45pm)
- Wushu by Yuying Secondary School (Feb 1, 3pm and 3.45pm)
- Wushu by Martial House (Feb 14 and 15 at 3pm, and Feb 21 at 1pm)
As we welcome the Year of the Horse, preserving and growing our wealth remains a key focus for everyone: so, here’s a savvy tip to make your spending work harder for you. At Great World, all HSBC credit cardholders can reap rewards as they spend!
Get a $10 Great Rewards e-Voucher with $128 charged to HSBC credit cards at Great World. And there’s good news for HSBC Prive and Premier Mastercard cardholders: you get double the rewards; get $20 Great Rewards e-Voucher for $128 spent.
Here’s wishing everyone good fortune, health and success in the year ahead! Head down to Great World to discover new and exciting offerings across shopping, dining and wellness, with bountiful surprises and rewards for you to indulge in festive cheer. Visit the Great World website or follow the Great World Instagram page for details.
This article is brought to you in partnership with Great World.
kimi.ang@asiaone.com
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