The Water Dragon

What to expect in the year of the Water Dragon? First of all, a year of the dragon comes along every 12 years. But each sign has 5 elements, which also rotates. So that means, a water dragon comes along only once every 60 years! The last time we had a year of the Water Dragon was way back in 1952.  So I did my research of the different Chinese astrology sites, and although they were saying pretty much different things, one theme was consistent: the successes will be spectacular, the tragedies will be egregious.

The dragon is usually considered the most special sign, since it’s the only animal of the Chinese 12-animal zodiac cycle, that is a mythical creature. Considered the mightiest of the signs, the wise, benevolent dragon of Chinese mythology is expected to descend from the skies, bringing good fortune, opportunity and romance. The year of the Water Dragon is generally considered great for romance, especially weddings. So people who’ve been waiting for their soul mates, this could be the breakthrough year for you.

Dragon years tend to magnify both successes and failures, so achievements will be unprecedented, but failures will be equally vicious. But the Water Dragon is expected to be the least turbulent of the dragon years. Which is not to say that the year will flow smoothly like water in a lake, because in fact it will be a bumpy ride much like rapids in a raging river. This is the year of the achiever. If you want something, go for it from the very start of the year. This will also be the year to take charge, or even to take over. So if you want to make new starts in terms of love and career, this is the year to go for broke. But this is only for the brave at heart, because either you will succeed beyond your wild imaginings, or you will crash and burn in an explosive ball of fail.

But unfortunately, this as also the year of the natural calamities. If you were to look at the last year of the Water Dragon, which was way back in 1952, it was riddled by storms, tornadoes, landslides and even a killer fog. two epidemics also broke out in Europe and in the U.S. But let’s not dwell on this (iz gettin me nervyooz).

So based on what I read, everything will be tenfold, everything will be intense. You can win big, you can lose big. In my opinion, be in the state of mind that you’ll win big. Don’t even entertain the alternative. Just go for it and give it all you’ve got. Besides, this is only if you subscribe to this school of thought. Personally, I take it with a grain of salt. I remember one year where they said people born on the year of the Goat would have the worst luck, and it turned out to be one of my best years ever. So my usual plan of attack is this: if they say it’s a good year for me, I believe it; but if they say it’s a bad year for me, then I buck the odds. I’m not about to crawl under a rock for an entire year just because it’s “not my year”. So it’s nice to know the general trend for each year, but I say let’s make our own destinies rock!

Kung Hei Fat Choi (2012)

Hehehe…we saw all the Disney characters, but the only one I really thought of lining up for was Mulan’s Mushu! And we only realized later how relevant Mushu is since tomorrow is Chinese New Year, and we are welcoming the Year of the Dragon! So I guess it’s propitious to post a photo of the hilarious dragon in the Disney classic, memorably voiced by Eddie Murphy, who, also voiced Shrek’s Donkey, who eventually fell in love with…a DRAGON! Funky!

Anyway, we don’t really follow all the superstitions regarding Chinese New Year. We just wear new RED underwear and eat tikoy. We reserve all the paranoia for the gregorian new year. Anyway, tomorrow I’ll be posting what I’ve been researching about the whole day, what the water dragon has in store for us! I’ll post it once I’m done writing it.

Kung Hei Fat Choi! (2011)

Kung Hei Fat Choi! It’s the Lunar New Year once again, and we move from the violent Year of the Tiger to the relatively more benign Year of the Rabbit. The general rule for figuring out what kind of year it will be, if you believe in Chinese Astrology, is that the year mimics the animal it was named after. So for instance, 2010 was supposed to be marked with violence, like the fierce tiger, known for it’s hunting and killing abilities. So since rabbits are such gentle, quiet herbivores, expect a relatively placid year ahead.

The Year of the Tiger did sort of live up to its reputation. Remember how we had the bus hostage crisis last year? And they always say that the year-end, the tail of every year, has a whip-like effect. This means the full brunt will be felt as the lunar year comes to a close. In Tagalog, huling hagupit. And true enough, we had the carnap issue, the bus bombing and the scaffolding accident right as the year was ending.

But of course I personally take this with a grain of salt. I was told that 2010 will be a difficult year for me (I’m Year of the Sheep/Goat). But 2010 turned out to be one of my best years EVER, at least financially. And I remembered years which were supposed to be my best, but they turned out crappy. So I’m still a big subscriber to the power of each one of us to forging our own destinies. I don’t discount the possibility of certain effects the stars and planets around us may have on our lives (even gravity alone affects the tides, so who is to say it doesn’t “affect” lives as well?) but even if I believed in it, I still think we have the last say on the matter. Think of it like a race. If let’s say a bad year would be like strapping on an extra 100 pounds on one runner, for sure it will affect his performance, but in the end, he can still win the race if he works hard enough. Same thing I guess with what they call “difficult years”. You might find more obstacles than usual along your path, but it’s ultimately up to you if you’ll let it stop you.

So what I’ve decided the past couple of years, is to stop reading forecasts. In my opinion, what’s the point? If they tell me it’ll be a bad year, I’ll just get paranoid thinking I’ll have 365 bad days. If they say it’ll be a great year, I’ll be disappointed if it turns out less stellar than was hyped. So I’d rather think that each year is a great year. I don’t want to handicap myself any more than I already do on my own.

So I wish you all the same thing: a great year, good health, bounty all year round, and love to last the ages. Kung Hei Fat Choi!