Chinese Zodiac

February 14, 2010 to February 2, 2011

The Tiger Personality

Tigers are incorrigibly competitive – they simply cannot pass up a challenge, especially when honor is at stake, or they are protecting those they love. Tigers are unpredictable and it would be unwise to underestimate their reactions. They may appear cool, but they have the Big Cat’s instincts to pounce at a moment’s warning. Natural leaders, they have a strong sense of their own dignity. Tigers are intelligent, alert, and farsighted. They have their fingers on the pulse. Good strategists and tacticians, they often have a hidden agenda. As long as they do not risk their luck too often, and keep their restless nature under control, their tactics usually pay off in life, becoming hugely successful and in positions of power.

Those born in the Year of the Tiger will be completely honest about how they feel and expect the same of others. On the other hand, they seek approval from peers and family. Generally, because of their charming personalities Tigers are well liked. Failing at a given task or being unproductive in his or her personal or professional life can cause a Tiger to experience a depression. Criticism from loved ones can also generate this type of Tiger reaction. Still, like all felines Tigers always land on their feet, ready for their next act in life, pursuing it with unyielding energy and hunting it infallibly.

What to Expect in the Tiger Year

Because of the characteristics of the Tiger personality, this year will be a good year to “hunt” for what one desires with strength and courage and a sense of competition. The tiger energy will help us all to stay the course through challenges and accomplish our goals with a sense of power. We must be careful not to be hasty and rash though, as this could lead to clashes with others. If we keep a cool head and use logic and strategy we will be ready to pounce when the moment is right.

Watch for mood-swings and temper tantrums this year as the tiger energy is prone to these. We will be more likely to make rash decisions based on temporary emotions, but if we can keep this in check and weigh our options, thinking about consequences before acting, we will succeed at whatever we are working toward.

Health in the Tiger Year

Tigers tackle everything in their lives in brief bursts of energy, collapsing afterwards in a heap of exhaustion. Normally they are soon back to full strength, but this approach wastes qi  and can cause their long-term health to suffer. This year we will all be prone to this kind of adrenal burn-out unless we take it a little easier and learn to pace ourselves. We must learn to keep active longer and sustain by using a more moderate level of energy use. Tigers are blessed with flexibility and recover quickly from illness or pain, and provided we take time to relax and heal, we too will find illnesses don’t last during the coming year. A Tiger’s meanest enemy is the damage he can inflict upon himself in the midst of a temper tantrum, including health issues related to this Heart attacks, strokes, migraine headaches, tinnitus, and eye problems. Watch yourself for these symptoms of “hot-headedness” that we call “rising Liver qi” this year to avoid these types of health issues. Take time to slow down, catch your breath and relax, and you will find this year to be one blessed with accomplishments and good health.

It is certianly late to be celebrating the chinese new year, but on looking back at the posts for this year, we discovered we neglected to talk about the year of the ox. It’s not too late to apply a little knowledge about the ox to your goals for this year.

The ox is said to be a loyal, dependable friend, especially to the rat, the animal of last year. The ox is associated with hard work and dependability. On a day to day basis the ox’s work may go unnoticed, but in time, projects are completed and goals are realized under the ox’s steady determination and tireless persistence. Similarly, this is a good year to apply hard work and constant care towards personal and professional goals. Maintaining steady discipline and unwavering determination will yield tangible benefits in the long run. In addition, it is an excellent time to be very practical and conservative in assessing situations before taking action. This will allow one to side step arguments and mishaps, conserving strength and energy that will be needed to endure upcoming hardships.

The year of the Rat begins on the first new moon after the winter solstice, on February 6th.  The rat is the first of the twelve animals in the Chinese zodiac and is associated with new beginnings. 

Plans and projects started in the year of the rat have a strong potential for long term success as long as they are practical and well thought out.  Those who are motivated and energetic will do well.  Small ideas can grow steadily over the long-term; it will be a good year for new beginnings, reinventions and starting over.   If there is something you have always wanted to do, this is the year to begin! 

Rats like to keep moving, take risks and favor mental activity. Because this will be an Earth Rat year, the earth element will lend a bit more calm and stability after the last two fire years.  Rats are known to be clever, curious, witty, smart, frugal, shrewd, and industrious, with a certain charm and a great sense of humor.  They are fond of having many children and enjoy the gathering of large families, which makes the year a good one for marriage, starting a family or having another child, even adopting a new pet.   

Rats are not looked upon favorably in the western world but in the Chinese zodiac they are revered as the adaptable, opportunistic scavengers who have a talent for accumulating wealth.   On the down side they are known to be gossipers, so tarnished images are something to watch out for this year.   

The year of the rat is an auspicious year that can bring abundance, good fortune, and fun times socially.  This year will be especially good for those born in the year of the Rat, Dragon and Monkey. 

WISHING YOU AND YOURS ALL THE BEST IN

THE COMING YEAR!

Since February 18, 2007, we have been experiencing the Chinese Lunar Year of the Fire Pig. The Chinese calendar year is a 60 year cycle, the 12 animals of the zodiac each cycling through all of the 5 elements (fire, earth, metal, water and wood.) The Pig is the last of the twelve animals in the zodiac and is considered to be a good time to take care of any unfinished business before a new cycle begins. It may be a time to reflect on how far you have come the last 12 years, set your sights on new desires and maybe wallow for a minute in a few regrets. But don’t wallow for too long because this year is the year to party!

Imagine yourself at a luau and you begin to get a sense of the energy of the year. A pig year is a time for fun with friends and family, and for self-indulgence. Harmony, peace and easy living are values that are predominate in 2007.

In a pig year we will all be under the influence of its characteristics. This year is another fire year so look for added qualities of excitement, drama, and passion. Pigs are known to be patient, honest, thoughtful, and compassionate. They appreciate fine food, luxurious surroundings, art and travel. Challenging traits of the pig can be a tendency towards over-indulgence of the good things in life like food, drink and spending money. They tend to be gullible and easily swindled, willful, lustful and depraved.

Health-wise, the cardiovascular and nervous systems are especially vulnerable this year. Remember to indulge in healthy diet and exercise habits as well. Good self-care may feel extravagant at first, but this is the year to try something new and exciting. In the pig year, the most revolutionary changes will come from recreational sources.