Year of the Yang Wood Dragon 2024

Time to broaden your horizons, let go of the past, and move towards a world of freedom, justice, and transformation.  This year of the Jiǎ Chén 甲 辰 Wood Dragon in 2024 begins on February 4 in the solar calendar (the true astrological date) and on February 10 in the Lunar calendar (the more commonly celebrated date).

Dragons are mostly inherently yang earth in nature at its core making them much like a mountain, solid, reliable, grounded and trustworthy.  They do possess yin wood and yin water qualities as well, allowing them to be intuitive and sensitive to the community at large.

The dragon is often thought to be the luckiest animal in the Chinese zodiac, one that is bold, powerful, expansive, and holds a revolutionary energy that can change the world. The dragon is a mythical composite animal- part bird, snake, tiger, fish, ox, deer, and others.  Because of its many parts, it was considered a representation of the emperor of China, a leader who could see the many views of society and hone the interconnectedness that we all are.

We are in a Yang wood year, which is strong, growing, and stands tall like a redwood tree; it comes with that large visionary quality. Yang wood looks to the betterment of society by standing for justice and righteousness in the world.  Being quick and impulsive means attention to detail could be lacking.

Big yang wood energy also comes with aggression frustration and even anger if it turns to excess. When wood energy is in balance, it is kind and benevolent.  Wood controls the earth, which could break down the earth’s energy, so we might see more earthquakes on land.

Conflict and war are on the menu, but ultimately a positive change will come from it, especially in the second half of the year leading to greater harmony and a better collective experience for all.  The economy should be more stable then as the world finds more peace.

Another thing that dragons are good at is letting go of what no longer serves and in that release of negativity, our hearts could swell with joy and love.  Dragons are innately powerful from this kind of spiritual brightness, tapping into internal power and activating consciousness.  We too on an individual level could be going through a metamorphosis just as we see this taking place on a collective level.  Enlightenment is possible in the time of the dragon.

We’ll want to prepare our health by paying attention to our digestion, eating at regular times, and engaging in grounding practices such as forest bathing or qi gong.  From the large yang wood energy, our livers and gallbladders are more likely to have pathologies occur, so it is wise to do cardiovascular exercise or movement practices that circulate our energy effectively, so we are less likely to stagnate our livers and experience emotional irritations. When the liver qi is constrained, the digestive system suffers. Also, the wood element can exhaust the water energy (kidneys) if a person is too active and driven.

Another aspect of the liver is its role in our deeper immunity; therefore, supporting our immune system, protecting Wei Qi, and establishing healthy boundaries will contribute to a well-rounded supportive approach to this year’s energy and how it manifests in our bodies.

Any profession with artistry at its core will do well this year, such as designers, engineers, painters, and musicians.  If your profession is not commonly thought of as artistic, bring a creative flare to what you do, for your work to be well received by others.  Dragons are creative by nature and we all will do best when we engage in activities that resonate with our hearts.  Wealth will more likely come when we follow our bliss.  Since this year is community-orientated, we may be called upon to work more with others.  Companies with social consciousness and sustainability will do well.

Dragons tend to be very passionate; therefore, this could be the year to find that great love or go deeper with the relationships you already are in.  Compassion is a quality that will permeate all of our relationships and the approach we take with them.

Enjoy the auspicious ride of the dragon as a big revolution, universal awareness, connection, and transformation is upon us in 2024!

Yin Water Rabbit Chinese New year 2023

We will be gifted the qualities of greater peace, harmony, and growth in this new year of the Yin Water Rabbit beginning January 22, 2023.  A much need reprieve from the tumultuous year of the Tiger last year.  Rabbits in general are known to be vigilant, rational, calm, creative, and affectionate.   Their level-headedness allows for a practical approach to life, and in turn, are wonderful at setting up strategies that will lead to long term growth and success.

Rabbits can hop around and run quickly stirring up new vital energy, but also are known to rest, and restore underground.  That balance of energy allows for great plans and potential to spring forth. Also, their agility can aid in letting go of things that hold you back and instead just go for it!  Ultimately what holds us back the most in life is underlining fear.  This would be a good year to address fears known and unknown, so they can be transformed, absolved, and your pure potential can be brought out to play.  Rabbits are known for their creativity and having an inner artist driving their pursuits.

The wood element is strong with rabbits and the thing in Chinese medicine and its philosophy that supports wood is water. Water nourishes wood or any plant for that matter. Yin water is part of the astrological make up this year, so the rabbit’s innate qualities will be especially strong.  The water element goes with the flow, allows and accepts change more easily, and ultimately is expansive.  Water is also associated with the mystically attributes of life, so it’s a year where any magical practices, astrology, feng shui, and other mystical arts will be more widely accepted and utilized.

The yin aspect of the year also is associated with the feminine, the dark, and emotion.  Because of the expansive water element imbued into this year, we might be more emotional in general, so it is a great time to do grounding and body based practices such as swimming, yoga, qi gong or any kind of movement practice that suits your body so emotions do not become too overwhelming or stagnate.  Self-care is natural for rabbits, so make sure you are prioritizing your health and do not overeat, or drink in excess.  To keep things moving for the wood element it’s important to pay attention to our liver system, consuming healthy greens in particular.  Consider consulting with your acupuncturist especially in the spring time to address any concerns around this part of your body.

Besides career advancement, business building in general will be prosperous, as will the financial market.  We will see growth in many sectors; investments that support nature such as electric vehicles, solar and wind power, and sustainable forestry, will be particularly profitable.  Human rights groups will also flourish, as well as enterprises that focus on compassionate action.  Rabbits are not known to go directly into war, rather they thump their foot on the ground to ward off predators and in essence stand up and make noise instead of going directly in to fight.

In regards to relationships, think of the word tenderness.  This is a great year for finding new love and deepening existing relationships.  Emotions and passion drive a lot of this year, but as mentioned before its a time of letting go of what holds you back.  More intimate truths will be revealed for shedding, transforming, and forgiving.  Rabbits in general are gentle, affectionate and compassionate, so carry tenderness in your heart as you move forward and deepen in 2023.

I know many of us could use a year of tranquility, strategic growth, and a little bit of creative fun too!  I look forward to seeing what those in my community bring forth. Listen, watch, and take part.  Everyone will be feeling it.

Chinese New Year of the Yang Water Tiger

Get ready.  We are in for a change in astrological weather this Chinese new year of the yang water tiger beginning February 1, 2022.  We are moving from the pragmatic hardworking last couple years of the rat 2020 and ox 2021 to the bold powerful and daring year of the Tiger.  Tigers are known for doing things on a grand scale, with adventure, ambition, confidence, and persistence.  A wonderful time to pave the way with that new idea, new business, unchartered journey and watch the seeds planted over the last two years become a wild new reality.

The tiger is considered the wood element in Chinese astrology and therefore ends up being fed and nourished by the water element that comes in with this year.  Water is what allows any tree or plant to grow.  Water is also a powerful force that can shape anything in its path while also being sensitive and going with the flow.  We all will be graced with a strong wood energy and the taoist aspect of Yang which is also supportive for vitality and growth. 

All this combined sounds quite appealing and productive; however, if this energy does not move, it can become stagnant which can cause trouble physically and emotionally.  Be aware of the potential for irritability, anger, and aggressive tendencies all around, if one’s emotion is not balanced with compassion.  Because of all the changes this year, another tendency is to sit in the fear and not move forward at all.  It’s best to ride the energy and smooth out the stagnation with exercise such as swimming, yoga, and qi gong.  Tigers do not like to be locked up in cages. Let your ideas and your qi flow and not be hindered.

Another aspect of the water element this year is one of mysticism.  Doing things that nourish your spiritual side and bring magic into your life will feel natural and supportive.  Tigers are very wise and listen to their intuition to make bold moves. 

We’ll see an extra presence of water, especially in the first half of the year. This can come through as much needed precipitation, but also involve, landslides and flooding.

Tigers are passionate by nature, so it’s a great year to start a new relationship or rekindle the romance of an existing one.  As mentioned before, irritability is likely, so be mindful of patience in all of your personal and work relationships.  This kind of temperament could lead to heated polarization in politics for the coming year.

Since this is a year that brings up new ways of doing things, investing in innovation would be financially fruitful.  The markets are bound to be unstable initially, but growth is likely to come afterwards.

Overall advice:  Be patient and compassionate, but bold and assertive.  Do not hold back in fear, but role with the quick changes that lay ahead.  Time to actually begin what you have been waiting to manifest.