The Year of the Tiger

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.