Enter the Tiger
This Sunday is a day of love and to many this is an important
Love-fest. Happy Valentines Day everyone. Enjoy the day!!!
That being said, there is also a truly important tradition I celebrate each year—the Chinese Lunar New Year— which happens to fall this year on Valentines day (feb 14th). The origin of Chinese New Year is itself centuries old and continues to be celebrated today. One part of this that I particularly pay attention to is the animal sign each new year brings as it can reveal what the year holds in store for everyone.
The Chinese Lunar Calendar is based on cycles of the moon. A complete cycle is 60 years broken up by the Chinese Calendar into five cycles of 12 years each. According to legend, one Chinese new year the Buddha invited all the animals in his kingdom to come before him. Unfortunately, for reasons best known to the animals, only 12 showed up. The first to arrive was the rat, followed by the ox, tiger, rabbit, snake, horse, goat, monkey, rooster, dog and the pig. The symbols of earth, water, wood, metal, and fire are also reflective in each animal and each 12 year cycle. Buddha decided to name each year after one of the animals and that those born during different years would inherit some of the personality traits of the animal designated to its particular year. Those born in the year of the ox would be hard working, resolute and stubborn. Those born in the year of the dog would possess among other qualities, loyalty and fidelity, just like the dog. You get the idea.
Predictions of what your year will be like can be based on the animal sign connected to the year you were born. Some people born in certain animals years don't get along well with those born in your birth animal year (including you). Other people for differing animal years are highly compatible for each other. Some years are years for reflection, growth, and abundance, other years are years to spend more conservatively, investing in work, and staying close to home. Not every year will be the same for you depending on your animal sign.
This year is the year of the Metal Tiger. Powerful, distinctive and fast, it can be a dramatic year with intense activity. It is the year for making an Impact, and in this year you can launch and complete major projects. It is a year to remain vigilant in your investments and many will feel wiser by saving rather than impulsively spending. It is a year for considerable opportunity, and depending on your sign, you may relish the new possibilities coming your way. It is a great year for Travel and not a good year for taking RISK.... Change will be the key word this year. It is a year for passion!
I have drawn from various sources to compile a rundown of summaries on your animal year!
Gung Hay Fat Choy!...
RAT
2010 will be a great year overall for the Rat, although you will need to put some effort in and also follow all the advice here. This year should be good for wealth, career and general luck. Those Rats born in 1960 and 1972 need to make extra time for those that are important to them. This could involve taking them on a trip that you might be planning or just spending more time socially. 2010 will be a productive year for the Rat. The Rat will need to work hard to see results which can make them feel restless about the developments of the year. If the Rat can stay alert and is able to accept that they need to adapt then they can benefit in many ways.
OX
2010 will be a particularly good one for Oxen. Your Yin essence harmonizes and balances well with the Yang Tiger energies. Family and security matters are high on your priority list this year and you may wish to expand or upgrade your home. The Tiger year brings good financial luck for you, but be cautious not to overspend. You will attend many social events and have new opportunities offered to you now, but all of the socialization may take a toll on your health. 2010 will be a time of commotion, uproar and some bold new moves on your part. An unusually charismatic influence surrounds you this year and you will want to be more active, involved and on the go more than usual.
RABBIT
2010 will be another mixed year for female Rabbits, however, the year is a lot better for the males and they will have slightly better luck. Overall, it will be a good year for both sexes especially if you follow this advice: it could be beneficial for the Rabbit if they start a new job where they have to travel away from their home town as the change of scenery will refresh them and give them a whole new positive attitude toward work.
DRAGON
The year 2010 is a year of ups and downs for the Dragon although overall the year will be good. Dragons will be enthusiastic to advance at work and will feel ready for new challenges with the new experiences they have had throughout 2009. They will be persistent when applying for new jobs. Although the year of the Tiger will produce a lack of results which can discourage you at times, stay strong. You will miss some opportunities, but a good one will appear that you thought you had no chance of getting! Aim high and do not underestimate your abilities for work in 2010.
SNAKE
The Snake likes a slow and steady pace which may give him/her shock in the Tiger year as it will be filled with so much activity at times. Snakes will need to adjust to a fast pace to make the most of the year of the Tiger. You may find that your workplace is becoming unfamiliar and everything is changing around you as you enter the Chinese New Year 2010, but this will easily mold around your way of working if you give it time and adjust a little. You may find that in February, March, June and November you are given opportunities to do well in work. I would recommend taking them.
HORSE
This is a great year to reflect on your life and be honest with yourself. Our true character is what we do when we think no one is looking. Be true to yourself and help as many people as you can in 2010. You will get real rewards from this. Read my words again, this could change your life! Expect good changes in 2010. Reputation is what the world thinks a person is, character is who they really are. Enjoy your year, it will be great.
GOAT
2010 will be a year of career and financial gains for the Goat. You may accumulate a considerable amount of wealth and fame throughout this year if you follow this advice, work hard and smartly. There could be a lot of activity this year at work; you will find that a project that has previously brought you a lot of stress and taken up a lot of your time will bring out many of your positive qualities drawing the attention of you and others around you. If you are going to take on a new responsibility you should be warned that you will need to learn new skills quickly (this will be very beneficial to you especially if you are given the chance to go on a training course). You will find yourself meeting a lot of new people in 2010 and you will find that you win a lot of them over with your ability to relate to others. You may meet new people this year that you could build a strong friendship with.
MONKEY
2010 will bring many changes to the Monkey; this will be at work for most of you. You may find that you are introduced to new staff, a different approach to work, or you may take on a different role. Many Monkeys will not be to keen about this but you need to learn to adjust if you are to find happiness in your work place. The Monkey is known for great people skills but you will need to be careful with your relations with colleagues—if you do not keep an eye on this you may find yourself feeling isolated or under-appreciated. Your ability to overcome problems and think of solutions quickly will leave you with good results this year.
ROOSTER
2010 can be a bit tricky to start off with as the Rooster likes to plan and be organized; this does not mean that there will be no good to this—the Rooster will have a lot of success in 2010.A great year overall offering good relationships and wealth is in store for the Rooster, although he/she will need to take care of his/her health this year especially those who like a tipple or smoke, do not have a good diet, or lack in exercise. Please take a look at your health especially if you are a Rooster born in 1945 as they can suffer most this year with regards to health. The stomach and chest are weak in 2010, but nothing to worry about.
DOG
This will be a very successful year for all the creative Dogs out there; this includes people involved in art, drama, song, literary pursuits and anyone in the entertainment industry. Students can expect to do very well this year. This year would be good for you to travel abroad for work as there are many opportunities in different countries for Dogs this year. Big purchases and impulse buys are to be kept to a low this year as you will be tempted to spend your money a lot. Many expenditures are not recommended as you will need to manage your money and keep an eye on your accounts throughout 2010.
PIG
Being in a karmic “soul mate” connection with the Tiger year of 2010, a harmonious and successful year awaits Pigs! With an easy-going, peaceful and trusting personality, there may well be a promotion (or two) in store for you this year! Your popularity grows and you could ace any exam or even win an election now. Hardworking, but also very fond of pleasure, sensual Pigs must be careful in matters with the opposite sex. Exercise caution in May and August and avoid becoming involved in any legal disputes or allowing someone to pull you into their legal matters. Vivid dreams and powerful emotions could take your tranquil soul by surprise.
