Dear Astro~News Reader,
Here’s my East-West honouring of the
Chinese / Lunar New Year of the
Yang Wood DRAGON
The AQ New Moon on Feb 9 is the eve of the CHINESE NEW YEAR, which starts on Feb 10!
Apparently the 4722nd(!) Chinese year (check out that calendar in the link!).
The CNY, based on a SoLunar calendar, always starts on the day after the 2nd New Moon after Winter Solstice (typically the AQ New Moon). Yet, the Dragon only ’emerges’ with the Young Crescent Moon (Feb 11 / 12).
Will the Yang Wood DRAGON Year be a ‘lucky’ one?
One thing is clear:
Dragon is considered the most auspicious Animal in the Chinese cycle.
Plus, Dragon is naturally associated with the creative, forever growing Wood Element, and this will BE the Wood Dragon.
All 5 Elements can come up in combination with the Animals.
Hence there’s a Fire Dragon, Earth Dragon, Metal Dragon, Water Dragon – and now: Wood Dragon year!
More about that differentiation below.
Also important to mention:
The very traditional ‘Old Empire’ Chinese system is very predictive / prescriptive, as far as I understand. AND I’m obviously not versed in it.
In this article, I’d like to honour this ancient source of wisdom, by translating my admittedly superficial gleanings into our contemporary consciousness, and link it with ‘Western’ Astrology.
Dragon Guardians of Victoria’s Chinatown
photo by moi
BC has strong and ever growing Chinese communities, esp. in Vancouver / Richmond, with 20% / 48% Chinese ethnic background! Vancouver has the third largest North American Chinatown, after New York City and San Francisco.
The BIG Vancouver CNY Parade will be already on Feb 11.
Victoria has the second-oldest Chinatown in North America, after San Francisco!
Even though, the Chinese population is only about 4.5%, Chinese New Year Celebrations have been a well-loved tradition in the City, with a break in the years, 2021 / 22 (OX and TIGER), yet the RABBIT brought them back.
The Chinese New Year here in Victoria is celebrated on the Sunday after the CNY, this year only on Feb 18. So you could go to both Vancouver on Feb 11, and Victoria on Feb 18 if you’re into a double dose of Dragon.
What happens at the CNY Celebrations in Victoria?
Traditional Dragon Dance & Lion’s Dance performances, followed by the Lions walking through the streets of Chinatown to visit the shops, bring blessings, catch lettuces hanging down from the door frames for them, and snatch the bills & red envelopes for the Chinese Benevolent Society.
Wood DRAGON Year is on the Doorstep
Spring is already in the air (some days…), and emerges from the ground up, here on the West Coast.
Feb 10, the day after the 2nd New Moon after Winter Solstice, marks the start of the LUNAR NEW YEAR in China, all over South-East Asia, and in Chinese communities worldwide – a Spring Festival of great significance.
The gentle yet propituous Yin Water Rabbit Year (2023 / 24) is ending.
Let’s invite the Lucky Yang Wood DRAGON – to bring his powerful creative energy into our lives and this time!
Dragon Dance at CNY Celebrations in Victoria
photo by moi, a few years ago
Intro to Chinese ‘Astrology’ (Animal & Element Cycles)
The Chinese calendar is Lunar based (as in Islamic, Mayan, Native American cultures), and therefore the New Year varies every year. It traditionally starts on the day following the second New Moon after Winter Solstice.
Yes, there’s also a Chinese Astrology based on the planetary movements in relation to the star constellations of the Zodiac, like our Western Astrology system. But we’re not going there in this article, and I haven’t studied it… wayyy too complex.
The more popular Chinese system is based on two interlocking ‘wheels’ of cycles:
The Cycle of the 12 Animals = 12 earthly branches.
These are in sequence:
Rat, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Goat, Monkey, Rooster, Dog, and Pig.
The cycle of the 5 Elements = 5 heavenly stems:
Fire, Earth, Metal, Water, and Wood.
Therefore, there are 60 possible Animal & Element combinations, repeating every 60 years.
The Elements stay ‘on’ for 2 years, with alternating Yang and Yin polarity.
The Yang Animals start a new Element.
After the Yin Earth Pig year (from Feb 5, 2019 – Jan 24, 2020) came the Yang Metal Rat year (Jan 25, 2020 – Feb 11, 2021), followed by the Yin Metal Ox (Feb 12, 2021 – Jan 31, 2022), the Yang Water Tiger (Feb 1, 2022 – Jan 21, 2023), followed by the Yin Water Rabbit (Jan 22, 2023 – Feb 9, 2024) and the Yang Wood Dragon year (Feb 10, 2024 – Jan 28, 2025).
More detailed intro to the Chinese Elements and Animal Cycles here.
Even though, the sequence of Year Animals isn’t based on planetary cycles / related to star constellations…
The 12-year cycle corresponds with the 12-year JUPITER transit cycle.
I.o.w., in the year when you have your JUPITER Return you (roughly) also have the Return of your Chinese year Animal.
If you were born in the Year of the DRAGON, this coming year opens a personal new 12-year cycle for you.
It’s been said (in general – yet we’re in exceptional times) to be a good year for travel, and expansion of your business & life in general.
Yet, I also heard voices claiming the Return of your Year, esp. with Element as well, i.o.w., at age 60, ain’t so auspicious.
Time to explore with open mind and heart…
And of course, there are so many intricate modifications, given the Animals of the Month, Day, and Hour as well.
Let alone, Western Astrology implications.
Last Yang Wood DRAGON Year: Feb 13, 1964 – Feb 1, 1965
If you’re part of the Wood DRAGON crew, you have this year your Chinese Element / Animal Return.
Together with your Western Astrology 5th JUPITER Return in TAURUS / GEMINI, and: you’re coming out of your 2nd SATURN Return in PISCES.
In case your grandchildren are born this year – 60 years younger than you – you share your Animal / Element combo with them.
DRAGON Years in the last Century / Dragon Celebs
Famous / notorious contemporary people born in Dragon years (1928 / 29, 1940 / 41, 1952 / 53, 1964 / 65, 1976 / 77, 1988 / 89, 2000 / 01, 2012 / 13) include: Nancy Pelosi, Christian Dior, Bruce Lee, Liam Neeson, Vladimir Putin, Kamala Harris (Wood Dragon), Boris Johnson (Wood Dragon), Courteney Cox (Wood Dragon), Nicolas Cage (Wood Dragon), Keanu Reeves.
Historic Dragon celebs include Emperor Augustus, Joan of Arc, Lincoln, Darwin, Kant, Freud, Queen Anne, Pearl S. Buck, Edgar Allan Poe, Zar Nicholas II, Martin Luther King, Andy Warhol, Pele, John Lennon.
For the exact DRAGON Years, check out this table:
| Start Date 23 January 1928 | End Date 9 February 1929 | Heavenly Branch Earth Dragon |
| 8 February 1940 | 26 January 1941 | Metal Dragon |
| 27 January 1952 | 13 February 1953 | Water Dragon |
| 13 February 1964 | 1 February 1965 | Wood Dragon |
| 31 January 1976 | 17 February 1977 | Fire Dragon |
| 17 February 1988 | 5 February 1989 | Earth Dragon |
| 5 February 2000 | 23 January 2001 | Metal Dragon |
| 23 January 2012 | 9 February 2013 | Water Dragon |
| 10 February 2024 | 28 January 2025 | Wood Dragon |
| 28 January 2036 | 14 February 2037 | Fire Dragon |
| 14 February 2048 | 1 February 2049 | Earth Dragon |
| 2 February 2060 | 20 January 2061 | Metal Dragon |
| 19 February 2072 | 6 February 2073 | Water Dragon |
| 6 February 2084 | 25 January 2085 | Wood Dragon |
| 25 January 2096 | 11 February 2097 | Fire Dragon |
This much for the cycles of yearly Animals who come w. changing Elements, and w. alternating Yin / Yang association of each Animal
(RAT = Yang, OX = Yin, TIGER = Yang, RABBIT = Yin, DRAGON = Yang…).
For one’s personal ‘Chinese Astrology’,
the cyclical system has more combinations than just the yearly ones:
The so-called Four Pillars
1st Pillar
The Yin-Yang Animal / Element of the YEAR –
the ‘Outer Animal’.
…which would in Western Astrology be comparable w. the significance of JUPITER in the year of birth (shared w. school mates…).
2nd Pillar
The Yin-Yang Animal / Element of the MONTH of birth –
a.k.a. ‘Inner Animal’.
…which would be comparable w. the 12 Zodiac SUN sign cycle.
3rd Pillar
The Yin-Yang Animal / Element of the DAY of the week –
a.k.a. ‘Private Animal’.
…which would be comparable w. the significance of the MOON sign.
4th Pillar
The Yin-Yang Animal / Element of the HOUR of birth –
a.k.a. ‘Secret Animal’ – only people who know your birth time would know it. Three’s a 2-hour range per Animal, hence comparable with AC signs.
In our personal 4 Pillars, we can have either of the Animals & Elements, w. 12 Animals x 5 Elements (e.g. Year of the Metal OX, Month of the Water Dragon, Day of the Earth Sheep, Hour of the Fire Monkey…).
There are 60 possible combinations in each pillar.
When calculating all 4 Pillars, 60 x 60 x 60 x 60 = 12,960 000 combos are theoretically possible.
This system is obviously much more differentiated and complex in its combinations & variables than at first glance, with just the ‘Year of the…’.
12 x 5 Year combos, 12 x 5 Month combos, 12 x 5 Day combos, and 12 x 5 Hour combos = 12,960,000 combos are possible!
This much for the statement: “I’m a DRAGON!”… super superficial.
If that’s the (outer) animal of the YEAR for you, check out which of the 5 Elements it belongs to, and also what’s in your other 3 Pillars!
Here’s a good BaZi Calculator for the 4 Pillars of Your Chinese Animal & Element of the Year, Month, Day, and Hour.
I-Ching Associations
…as presented in this Ba Gua style graphic:
I received this overview of associations in a Feng Shui training years ago. Here-below, in the review of the Rabbit Year, and outlook on the Dragon Year, I will make references.
Review of the Yin ‘Black’ Water RABBIT Year
Jan 22, 2023 – Feb 9, 2024
RABBIT is generally considered a ‘lucky’ animal.
RABBIT is in the 4th Animal Triad
…together with SHEEP and PIG, all Yin by nature.
They’re considered calmer than the other signs, attuned to the arts, intuition, compassion, and peace.
The RABBIT’s sensitive, empathic, and psychic nature shows its association with PISCES in Western Astrology.
Another system would associate RABBIT with CANCER – which can also make sense (however it creates inconsistencies in the 4-Pillar system).
RABBITS can be warm-hearted, kind, caring, quiet, refined, artistic, amiable, tender, reserved, intuitive, flexible, helpful, and even self-sacrificing.
Yet also in a lower vibe lazy, self-indulging, and opportunistic.
Or reclusive and withdrawn, hyper-sensitively picking up others’ suffering, and bogged down in emotional suffering, esp. as the WATER RABBIT.
Like TIGERS, RABBITS expand their territories, yet not in aggressive ways.
These professions are considered ‘ideal’ for RABBIT:
Teachers, healing professions, counselors, artistic professions.
Just to clarify:
This very general description can apply to the overall ‘vibe’ of the year, and to YOUR animal of the year, month, day, or (even more personally so) hour – yet you have other pillars too.
RABBIT Years have the reputation of being propitious, calmer, and more peaceful than the fierce TIGER year.
Well, that wasn’t exactly the case – another war broke out that caused even more suffering, esp. for Palestinian people.
If RABBIT is associated with PISCES, there are parallels with factors in Western Astrology.
SATURN entered PI in early March 2023, freshly into the RABBIT year.
We’re approaching the alignment of SATURN & NEPTUNE (every 37 y. only) on the PI / AR cusp, in 2025 / 26.
The big wash-up and conclusion of the PISCES Age of the last 2100 years, even? Which has been characterized by lots of suffering, longing for redemption, and spiritual teachings.
The recent RABBIT’s Element: WATER
…which started with the Yang WATER TIGER (as mentioned, the Elements are on for 2 years, starting with a Yang year, followed by a Yin year).
WATER is in the Chinese system associated with
The North
The Winter Season
Downward Movement
Colours Black & Dark Blue
Midnight
Ancestral Foundation
Lungs, skeletal and excretory systems
The Ears
The Planet MERCURY
Associations of WATER traits:
Charming, seductive, secretive, intuitive, compassionate, sensitive, flexible, and eloquent.
More problematic sides of the Water element are manipulation, deception, addiction, betrayal, compliance, passive-aggressive tendencies, self-destruction, and other ‘dark’ emotional themes.
A parallel to SCORPIO which was quite a pull during the WATER TIGER & RABBIT years, with the South Node in SCO (Dec 23, 2021 – July 13, 2023).
In Feng Shui, flowing WATER also symbolizes financial liquidity, prosperity and abundance.
This could be literally facilitated / enhanced by a river, close-by, or a little fountain in the home. As long as it’s flowing in a peaceful way it symbolizes money & wealth in all facets coming in on-goingly.
This could be a good time for a review of the RABBIT year / both WATER years… as we’re handing the baton over to the Wood DRAGON.
Yang ‘Green’ Wood DRAGON Year
Feb 10, 2024 – Jan 28, 2025
DRAGON is in the 1st Animal Triad, together w. RAT & MONKEY, all Yang by nature.
The DRAGON’s vigorous, big, bright, bold, direct, pioneering, ambitious / eager qualities show its association with ARIES in Western Astrology.
Another system I’ve been looking into would associate DRAGON with LEO – which can also make sense (however it creates inconsistencies in the 4-Pillar system), given that DRAGONs are good performers / get lots of attention / love being on stage.
Being ‘lucky’ / ‘special’ / ‘magical’, they can rely on those privileges, for better or worse…
They can be magnanimous, enthusiastic, strong, self-assured, decisive, and loyal – qualities that are considered ‘ideal’ for DRAGON, while lower / compensation / shadow expressions would be arrogant, tyrannical, demanding, notorious, ‘big mouth’, overbearing, brash, impetuous.
These professions are considered ‘ideal’ for DRAGON: Managing director, designer, actor, president(!) – ha, check the list of Dragon celebs above!
Dragon Slaying – Dragon Power
A few words about this dichotomy…
While in the Western / Christianity influenced world, Evil was projected onto the figure of the Dragon that “must be slain” –
The legend of the knight St. George & the Dragon.
In the Middle Ages the Dragon was commonly used by Christianity to represent the Devil / Satan.
Obviously a juxtaposition of good & evil – with this imagery quite overtly expressed, and represented in many Christian churches.
The theme pervades consciousness covertly too. If the image has been imprinted it has a life of its own in human subconscious, as we see in culture and in warfare.
Symbolically speaking, it’s a projection of one’s inner demons onto an externalized ‘all-mighty’ force that must be subdued. Which might be an on-going process / going in circles.
Until seen and accepted that the way ‘out’ is the way ‘in’, i.o.w., the external battle needs to turn into an innner processing of the Shadow – which may be an ‘enchanted’ / repressed version of one’s inner Power.
Which brings us to the Asian version of Dragon – a / THE Power Animal.
Dragons represent the power of nature, the climate, and the elements, or vegetation cycles – hence: The Green Dragon being extra strong.
Reconstructed part of the Quetzalcoatl Pyramid in Teotihuacan / Museo de Antropologia, Ciudad de Mexico – photo by moi, in awe, Dec 2023
In Meso-America, the Quetzalcoatl is the feathered serpent, god of vegetation, earth, and water: his power is reminiscent of the Asiatic Dragons.
Here’s a page featuring an overview of Dragon symbolism in various cultures, and in alchemy.
So yes, time to regenerate (with) the Wood Dragon!
DRAGON’s Natural Element is WOOD
…together with the other natural Wood animals
TIGER and RABBIT – which have just been on in the last 2 years.
The DRAGON this coming year is in its very Element, hence extra strong!
WOOD is in the Chinese System associated with
The East
The Spring Season
Upward Movement
Colours Turquoise & Green
Early Morning
Family
Thunder
Yang-Wood = Tall Tree / Bamboo (fast growth)
Vegetables – Eat Green!
Liver, gallbladder
The feet
Emotion: Anger – breathing Fire 😉
The Planet JUPITER – yay, all about growth.
And JUPITER is currently in ‘green’ TAURUS.
The most striking proponent of Wood: The ‘Green’ Dragon – this year!
Associations of WOOD traits:
Vitality, creativity, expansion & growth, generosity, cooperation (think: forest), exploration, idealism, enthusiasm, ethics.
More problematic sides of the Wood element are ‘overgrowth’ / overwhelming / overbearing sides.
Similarly in Western Astrology with JUPITER gone too far.
In Feng Shui, flowing WOOD symbolizes abundance, creativity, growth.
This could be literally facilitated / enhanced by plants, esp. fast growing ones.
Perfect – Spring is coming!
‘Lucky Bamboo’ (even looking like a little ‘Green Dragon’) would be a good starting point / addition. Literally, Dragon Plants would be great too!
Be creative – as Wood is.
Let’s strengthen these positive qualities in the DRAGON year!
Does Western Astrology reflect the Wood DRAGON Year?
Since July 2023, the South Node is in LIBRA, and the North Node in ARIES – associated with DRAGON (perhaps together w. LEO, see above).
Don’t ‘bend over’ to others too much, if you compromise your authentic nature.
Stand out and shine boldly. Which attracts better matches for your ‘ecosystem’.
The theme is very DRAGON friendly / while keeping his excesses in check:
Choosing (from) the Authentic YOU Restores Balance.
April 2024 will be the most important month of the year, given two major Astro impulses – which of course roll out over the months to come:
The Total Solar ‘Seed’ / North Node Eclipse in mid-ARIES (w. LEO undertone), on Apr 8.
Its path goes over Mexico and SE to NW U.S.(!) / Canada.
Strengthening (North Node) anything positively ARIES – appreciated / reinforced by DRAGON: Vigor, initiative, boldness, authenticity, new beginnings.
Then, on Apr 20, comes the JUPITER – URANUS alignment (every 13 years) in TAURUS (also very green-growth oriented)
The extent of the disruption (UR) of anything organic and natural (TAU), esp. over the last years since URANUS has been in TAU (2019 – 2026) can be (even) more fully seen & understood.
Can we outgrow the damage, and renew / regrow naturally?
Maybe with Green Wood Dragon power…?
JUP – UR in TAU are also an impulse to embody Freedom, even more fully than before. And it can affect the economy / monetary system (TAU ruled), with innovative (UR) solutions that outgrow the recent calamities.
FENG SHUI for the Chinese New Year of the Wood DRAGON
At the onset of the Wood DRAGON Year (never too late, or too early), it’s an excellent time to Feng Shui your Home & Life!
FENG SHUI helps with organizing and streamlining our environment.
Which makes life simpler, easier, more enjoyable, and directs the energy flow in optimal & naturally aligned ways.
I’ve compiled the best Feng Shui Tips from workshops I took with Masters in the Art.
Lots to learn, strengthen your intuition with, and apply immediately – without buying extra gadgets.
You can order my 14-p. Feng Shui Tips E-Booklet for $8.88
(8 being the luckiest Chinese number).
Via e-transfer to my email address licht@islandnet.com.
I email it to you upon payment.
Blessings for the New Year of the Yang Wood DRAGON!
Happy Dragon-esque renewal, re-generation & re-greening!
Melanie
Feeling called to explore your Cosmic Map, and how it inspires you on your earthly Journey?
I’m here for you.
An Astrology Session help shed light on things from deep levels, and get the process going.
Get in touch with me via email (licht@islandnet.com), and we can explore what would serve you best.
© 2024 by Melanie Lichtinger
ASTROLOGY for SELF REALIZATION
Live Your True Self & Be Free!
Astrology and Voyager Tarot
Consultations, Courses, Coaching
with Melanie Lichtinger
23 Years Professional Experience
Serving You In Victoria BC and Worldwide
Email: licht@islandnet.com
Phone: +1-250 381 4299
Astrology for Self Realization FB Page
Instagram
Subscribe to email Astro~News
Sent to you before every New Moon & Full Moon
Astro~Weather, Astro~Medicine, Courses, Offers
ASTRO~CONSULTATIONS
Serving you with astrological guidance and perspective, pointing you to Your ‘Inner Cosmic Compass’.
I’d love to inspire you to be in alignment with, and smoothly ‘ride’, those ‘auspicious’ or ‘challenging’ waves of cosmic energies that present themselves at a given time, and, similar to climate and weather, affect our human energy field.
Which can lead to eye opening awareness, growth, healing, release, transformation, and you can feel more connected with yourself and with all-that-IS, in the bigger on-going evolution.
Ultimately, you dwell in a witnessing place in the ‘Hub of the Wheel’ where you are less & less affected, more & more liberated, and self-realized.
I welcome you as a client who is not seeking an ‘old school reading’ from me (“What’s going to happen TO me?”, “What am I supposed to do?”), but to be supported in accessing your own wisdom source, especially in times of a challenging transition, stuckness, transformational crisis, for new perspectives at a crossroad or dilemma, and for important choices.
This is to empowered and liberating ways of working with the ancient and timeless gift of Astrology!
From time to time, I have OFFERS on which you can find on my Astrology for Self Realization FB Page.
Here’s the current one:
ASTRO~EXPERIENCES
via Courses, Workshops, and Embodied Astrology
Our experiential and embodied Astrology groups have over time (the 16 years I’ve been facilitating them) become quite potent and catalytic.
The intimate Astro hubs (max 6 participants) are a treasured way of being personally seen and involved – more commitment, a personal sense of community, and deeper effects.
Come join us, if deep synergy in a circle speaks to you!
Find upcoming events on my Astrology for Self Realization FB Page.
DONATIONS
If you feel the Astro~News Blog with Astro~Weather & Astro~Medicine that I write about on-goingly has good value for you in your navigation with the cosmic currents, you’re welcome to offer a donation via e-transfer to my email address licht@islandnet.com.
You can also donate directly via PayPal here.
Received in gratitude! ♥
Melanie's Astro~News 