Hello everyone!
Happy Lunar New Year! This is the year of the Wood Dragon, and as has become tradition, I wanted to provide some thoughts on the energies of this coming year from the Eastern & Western astrological perspective.
There are quite a few different topics I’d like to touch on this year, and just about every one of them could have its own article and deep dive, but my aim today will be for efficiency — as such I will do my best to distill the many complex, interwoven cosmic movements as simply as I can. I hope that what I offer here will provide a beneficial framework for the year ahead.
Characteristics of the Dragon
In the Eastern Zodiac, the Dragon is considered an auspicious and heavenly creature. Its snake-like body makes it flexible and responsive to change, and its ability to fly allows it to transcend worldly strife.
The Dragon reflects that the true nature of all transformation is spiritual, and in order to meet our highest possible destiny, we must work to rise above the limitations and distractions of the mundane world.
Like the Dragon, our spiritual self is free and unbound. This year we are encouraged to spend more time in relationship with this aspect of our being in order to gain a broader perspective, refresh our human soul, and ultimately carry this higher energy and awareness into our daily lives. All that we do, all that we create, should emerge from this centered, and spiritual state. This is the way of effortless action, and the key to resilience.
We are in a time of great change on the world stage. Every person alive is, has been, or will be facing confusion, conflict, chaos and turmoil in the inner and outer worlds. Whether we as individuals are directly or indirectly confronted by difficulties, it is an incredibly taxing time to be alive. It is therefore of a high priority to understand how to stay centered, clear, and present. Remaining disciplined by turning away from unnecessary negativity and towards activities that bring in positive support will give us the fuel necessary to weather the conditions of the outer world. This is not about avoiding or ignoring the world's troubles, but instead, garnering the strength and fortitude needed to sustain a positive influence in a time where negativity is very strong.
With great changes there are also great breakthroughs — and we can expect this year to bring many surprises both positive and negative. We have been prepared for this next phase of change through all we have already learned in the last several years about ourselves and our world.
Now is a time of transformations. Illusions may be cast off, or deepened. Chaos may be overcome, or increased. Which it is in a given situation depends on the karmic trajectory that has been built up until now. Clarify your eyes, fortify your health, and use all that unfolds to forge an unshakeable spirit. To embody this is to embrace the Dragon’s true heart.
Beware of ambition, ego, and delusions of grandeur in yourself, and in those who vie for leadership. The Dragon has the natural gift of influence, but integrity, wisdom and humility must be practiced in order to appropriately wield such a power. Those that don’t heed this lead others and the world into deeper illusion, and will eventually see a fall from grace. The Dragon, in its highest state is both powerful and noble. Its virtuousness serves to support others, not itself, and offers healing to the world. Take care of oneself to cultivate strength and peace, but be selfless in giving. Know the correct balance for giving and receiving.
“Be wary of both honor and disgrace”
“Endless affliction is bound to the body”
What does it mean, “Be wary of both honor and disgrace?”
Honor is founded on disgrace and disgrace is rooted in honor
Both should be avoided
Both bind a man to this world
That’s why it says, “Be wary of both honor and disgrace”
What does it mean, “Endless affliction is bound to the body?”
Man’s true self is eternal, yet he thinks, “I am this body, I will soon die”
This false sense of self is the cause of all his sorrow
When a person does not identify himself with the body tell me, what troubles could touch him?
One who sees himself as everything is fit to be guardian of the world
One who loves himself as everyone is fit to be teacher of the world.
- Tao Te Ching 13, translation by Jonathan Star
Yang Wood / Yang Earth
The elemental nature of this year’s lunar sign is that of Yang Earth (natal element of the Dragon, the Earthly Branch) and Yang Wood (the yearly element, or Heavenly Stem). In the cycle of the 5 phases, these two elements are oriented in a destructive or controlling relationship with each other. This conflict relationship can either polarize or alchemize — and how this year goes for each individual is, to a degree, contingent on how well you are able to practice the latter.
The trigram associations with the active elements are also informative. Yang Earth is associated with Mountain, the stable force. And Yang Wood is associated with Thunder, the shocking force. Mountain maintains constancy and concentrates energy while Thunder represents the rise of new life and expands energy outward. One is still, one is moving. From this you can observe the contrast of these two forces and how they may struggle to work together. It is true that these energies are naturally moving in different directions in pretty much every sense, so finding the balance of maintaining internal stability while continuing to grow and/or respond to sudden changes is something that we could find quite tricky this year.
In the cycle of the 5 phases there can be a struggle for proper positioning between these two energies. Too much Wood can deplete the soil of nutrients, and too much Earth can suffocate the growth of the Wood. At the same time Wood can also stabilize the earth through its roots (e.g. how tree roots prevent soil erosion) and the earth is an essential canvas for the wood’s growth. There is no way for life to form without the cooperation of these two.
A Tai Chi principle that feels especially relevant for this year is the idea that all movement must emerge from stillness. So concentrate on stillness first. Yang Wood’s influence as the Heavenly Stem for the yearly energy is naturally stronger, so engaging the centering and solidifying aspect of the Yang Earth inwardly will help keep the roots intact no matter what storms arise.
Both Yang Wood and Yang Earth are strong and stubborn energies. Yang Wood is like the hard wood of a tree, and Yang Earth, dry and hardened earth. These qualities of toughness are fortifying after the previous Water years, and we can harness this energy to strengthen our resolve in any situation that calls for focus and determination. In the case of the Dragon, the Yang Earth also contains a hidden element of Yin Water, which moistens the earth and provides some softness that helps to balance and harmonize these two elements. In harmony, this becomes a very stable energy, like that of great big tree supported by moist earth. Maintaining a good balance of yin qualities (softness, yielding, flexibility) amidst the strength of the Yang energies this year will be helpful. The seed of Yin should be contained within Yang in all actions and endeavors.
Analysis of Overall Themes for 2024:
Change is happening quickly — and it’s about to get quicker
In the last several years, many different factors have come together to create the conditions for a large change to occur collectively. In Western Astrology, we had the major planetary alignments of Saturn, Pluto, and Jupiter in 2020, as well as Saturn, Jupiter and Uranus in 2021. Though these hard hitting transits have already passed, their impacts will continue to reverberate in the collective for quite some time.
From a Chinese Astrology perspective, the yearly pillars during this time have followed a pattern of unhindered flow through the Metal, Water and Wood phases. Now, as we enter the middle of the decade, we have our first “clashing” energy in a while, reflected by the Wood/Earth dynamic mentioned in the previous section. Wood has been bolstered by Water for the last two years (both Water/Wood years), and is now slowed down by the Earth energy.
Since the Wood element is very action oriented, if Wood (constant growth and pushing forward) is too dominant, depletion of resources is sure to follow. This can certainly be seen and felt on the collective level with regards to increased worker burn out, inflation, and the general economic and resource-based crises that have been arising in many countries. The Earth energy’s stabilizing and consolidating effect will also reveal the weaknesses that have developed in the recent period of intense change. On the personal and collective level, the excesses of the previous years will be felt more acutely, and many things that have been in motion are going to start coming to a head. Choices will have to be made, and as a result there may be departures and separations.
In many ways, 2024 is a pivot point. The earlier part of this decade, while obviously very intense, was characterized by more introverted energies in both the Eastern and Western paradigms. Metal & Water — the dominant energies of these years — are naturally about internal processes and feeling — and in the Western perspective, most of the slower moving outer planets have spent the majority of their time in Water & Earth signs. All around, this energy is heavier and more dense in nature — and while it has, unquestionably, been turbulent, the nature of the turbulence has been of a suppressed and somewhat subdued quality, more like an undercurrent. The emotion of fear, in particular, has kept many things and people in place, despite intense collective discomfort.
Starting this year, but more so in 2025 and throughout the remainder of this decade, there will be a very big shift in the overall energetic atmosphere. The coming three years, in particular, will be extremely intense as tensions in the collective reach a boiling point. In the Eastern charts, we will be moving into a potent Fire period while in the Western system, all outer planets transition into Fire & Air signs. In other words, we’re moving from a stage where much of the change has been under the surface and internally oriented, and into one where change is more outward, moves swiftly, and is less predictable.
That is why this message of slowing down and consolidating is such a point of emphasis. What we need to accept is that this period of change will be ongoing. Knowing that, we should be conscientious to adjust our lives and lifestyles accordingly. If any part of your lifestyle is unsustainable — especially with regards to pace — this should be examined this year. Instead of living under the assumption that there is a resting place ahead where stability and normalcy are once again assured, we should prepare ourselves for a long haul process. Learn to move in a way that is energetically, fiscally, emotionally, and mentally sustainable — now. Learn to take breaks — now. Prioritize your personal health and needs — now. And pack sandwiches.
Learn to be one with change. And more importantly, do not fear it. The way the world changes is in our hands. Every day, our every action influences collective evolution. The positive encouragement, support, and presence we offer others ensures the miraculous. All we do for ourselves is not for ourselves alone — it is so we can be there for each other. It doesn’t matter who we are, what job we have, or our life circumstances as to whether or not we can create change. We are already doing it.
The truth in our hearts and minds is indestructible. Nothing can ever steal it. The freedom of a mind unchained by darkness is the light that frees others. It is this aspect of the self that we must connect with, and carry, no matter what else is going on. And it is this aspect that will be the guiding light for understanding the “how” of navigating totally new and uncharted waters.
The alchemy of this era is one that involves complete and total personal responsibility. We cannot hope to correct the outside world if we can’t manage our own emotions or show humility. The solutions we need are not going to be found in the current way of doing things, but will require new innovations, creative thinking, and likely come about in unorthodox and unexpected ways. When we align ourselves, correct ourselves, heal ourselves, and balance ourselves — we become self empowered and open to higher possibilities. In this we no longer need to play out control patterns in our life, but recognize that every person’s individuality is needed. We can then understand what is ours to do, and respect the paths and processes of others with neutrality. This is the new paradigm of interdependence among humanity.
Though there are those in this world pushing the idea that we must continue to work in their system of power and control, and that control is the only possible solution to every problem, this is simply incorrect and a false, outdated understanding of reality. This era of change that we are living in is a naturally occurring phenomenon that we were always destined to meet. Even against cross currents, it will unfold. Our part is to use the pressure of these times to break down our false conditioning, and access true power — that of light and freedom.
The trajectories of every soul, including that of the earth itself, are ever changing. Assisting each other in truth de-powers falsehood. What prevails in the long run will be what is felt and seen in the hearts and minds of all people, not just the few who believe that “power” is all there is. This type of power is empty. Though such negativity is, itself, a part of a cycle — one that has taught us much about pain, trauma, and suffering — it must ultimately become the fuel for a genuine understanding of what goodness, health, and grace is.
True unity must first have respect. True respect is born from true listening. True listening is born from sincerity. We are not meant to discard individuality, nor should we abandon collective concerns. It is at the nexus of all interlocking worlds where the solutions exist. Transformation is a change that reaches through every layer. Even though the outer world is filled with chaos, be undeterred. Trust in the vision of peace. Hold the light in your heart. This is what matters most.
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