Friends! Chinese New Year is upon us once again.

I thank CT Holman and the Lotus Institute for their yearly forecast. Keep reading below to discover what is in store for us this year….who will benefit by wearing a rooster charm?

2024 denotes the Year of the Yang Green Dragon.

The dragon (chen) is the fifth earthly branch, and it calls us to first embody our innately powerful qi, and then use spiritual brightness to release those aspects of life that no longer serve us. Letting go of this xie (negative) qi allows our hearts to swell with enjoyment and love. The dragon gifts us with a makeover that shifts our being ‘like a revolutionary power about to change the entire world.’ (Wu and Wu 2014, p.122)

This is a time to cleanse your body, mind, and spirit before a metamorphosis, and ultimately tap into your internal power and activate your consciousness. The year of the dragon symbolizes the time of growing from a teen to a young adult. As we awaken to this new stage of life, like the mystical dragon, we transform.

Each year, Chinese cosmology consists of three aspects:

• one of the 12 Chinese zodiac animals,

• one of the five-elements,

• and either yin or yang.

These three aspects provide information about the energetics of the year and contribute to guiding a person in making life-affirming choices. This year is represented by wood setting on top of earth. To better understand the qi of the year, I will first break down the symbolism and qualities of the three aspects and then discuss how they influence various facets of life.

Dragon:

Dragon represents the month of April, the third month of spring, a very enchanting time in nature with all the transformations happening. It depicts the time between spring and summer in which the dragon serves as a bridge between seasons by supplying support and nourishment. The dragon also symbolizes the time 7 am to 9 am (breakfast) when we nourish our body to prepare for the day. This is a metaphor for providing the new chapter of life with sustenance.

The hexagram associated with Dragon is Guai, which can be interpreted as a body of water that is overflowing, requiring prompt drainage to avert flooding, thus symbolizing the need to be mindful of your actions and decisions to contain your power. Energy is reaching a tipping point and getting ready to break out. Tune into the force and spirit of the present moment. The dragon represents making good choices for your future during a crucial time or situation, making 2024 a great time to make an important decision!

Want to know what’s in store for you this year?

Individual Animal Forecasts for 2024:

Rat: This is a lucky year for you! You will feel a lift in your vitality and an increase of support for your ventures. Your heart undergoes an expansion and your creativity leaps to a higher level. The wood nature of the year manages your abundant water and serves to control your intuition, so you stay grounded in your decisions. If you are in a relationship, you will feel a boost in passion and if you are single, a relationship manifests itself this year – get ready for love!

Ox: Your earth nature benefits from the earthy dragon, and you will feel extra stability in 2024. There might be times where you ruminate on a decision so utilize the action energy of the year to act and move forward. You will find yourself needing to work with people. Take care to be flexible. Seek out a rat or pig person to help advance your business. Lean on your spiritual aptitude and gentle nature to steadily accomplish your goals which lead to great luck in 2025!

Tiger: Your vitality and optimism enable you to achieve success in 2024. Be open and listen to others’ opinions and you will be supported in your efforts to work with the group and thrive in business. Your attractiveness is highlighted, and you will experience more love and passion this year. Anger can arise so cultivate breathing techniques to promote relaxation and peace within. Utilize gentle and humble communication in all interactions to enjoy new powerful life energy of 2024.

Rabbit*: This year can bring some challenges and it is important for you to focus on your caring nature toward the human family. 2024 is a powerful year filled with lots of expanding energy which can cause you to feel overwhelmed at times and outside your comfort zone. Your cautious nature will be tested, and you will do well to focus on your inherited wisdom to navigate the various decisions presented this year.

Dragon*: A good luck year for those turning 60. Otherwise, you might face challenges with stability and changing your mind frequently since 2024 is known in Chinese culture as a good-bad luck year for dragon (see above for explanation). All the powerful momentum of the year asks you to accomplish your goals and you might feel a tendency to give up. Activate your creativity and wonderful imagination to move forward and achieve. Be intentional and you will thrive.

Snake: The wood nature of 2024 continues to fuel your warm, fiery, and enthusiastic qualities which benefit your interactions with others. Your foresight and careful nature enable you to navigate the forceful energy encountered this year to act with impeccable timing. Next year is a snake year. In 2024, learn to stand in your power and reveal your strength so you can fully shine in 2025!

Horse: Your fire nature serves as a bridge for the year. 2024, being mostly a wood and earth year, benefits from your fire nature since wood generates fire and fire generates earth. You are known for your camaraderie, and you inspire others to stay with projects and complete their tasks. Take care to manage your tendency towards irritation and unrest by channeling your energy into your friendly, compassionate nature. Communicate from the heart.

Sheep: The earth aspect of 2024 accentuates your stable nature which allows you to bring peace to your friends and family. Your stubbornness can be triggered so lean on your grace and charm. Focus on committing to a few major projects and follow through to completion. Practice breathing techniques and connect to the earth to remain adaptive to unexpected situations. Your endurance will be tested, and your steadfastness will be rewarded in winter.

Monkey: You enjoy good luck this year! Capitalize on this by adopting a leadership position and remember to nurture your humility to harmonize with others. This year is very active. Take care to cultivate your patience and take your time with decisions and actions. You will be called upon to teach others and share your wisdom about your field of work. Remain flexible and attentive to reap all your great luck continuing in 2025!

Rooster: All your hard work in 2023 is rewarded this year with good luck since you are dragon’s secret friend. Your elegance and faithful nature are celebrated which propels you to achieve your goals. A promotion in management is likely and take care to utilize mindful speech with co-workers. Rely on your ability to foresee the future. 2024 is full of surprises, so remain flexible and radiate charm to navigate these exciting times and prepare for more great luck next year!

Dog*: You might find yourself challenged to let go of old patterns that you hold near and dear to your heart even though they do not serve you well. Tap into your courageous nature and release these old ways to brighten your future. Aggressive or fight energy might spontaneously arise so cultivate your stability by doing deep breathing and/or grounding exercises. Maintain your daily exercise to avoid digestive, heart, or lung issues. 2024 asks you to step up your healthy routines.

Pig: 2024 asks you to mature by nurturing your endurance and patience. There has been a tendency for you to dash your projects in the past and feel insecure about your abilities. Check your anger and evolve into the brilliant, joyful leader you are. You possess great talent in helping others and pursuing this will bring you great wealth. Capitalize on the earth nature of the year to manifest your efforts on the physical plane and share your abundant knowledge.

*Carry a rooster charm to help bring good luck for the year: Dragon (unless turning 60), rabbit, and dog, will benefit from carrying/wearing a charm. Rat, monkey, and rooster do not need to carry a charm.