A New Kind of Demanding

The Rabbits luck in 2022 has changed for the better.

Remember back in the Earth Pig month of November I told you to “Get acquainted with a new kind of demanding”? I think that was where this year of the Water Tiger began for you. Now everybody wants you. While being in demand might be something you think you should want, you also probably already know too much demand is uncomfortable and not necessarily good for your health or sleep. This is going to require some balancing for the Rabbit.

All those little things you do without anyone noticing, working behind the scenes to bring people together, are cherished. You make the experience special for others. We need to let you know this now in this moment when nothing is certain; to confirm all the love you give. Love is your currency and for the sake of it, many times you are willing to forego respect and acknowledgment of your agency. This is your year to balance out that pattern. If you are forgotten because you are always there – that’s just absurd isn’t it?

Rabbits are often used to being asked to give their attention to multiple recipients. They are often the best at multitasking too. The resilience of the Rabbit sometimes fools others about how depleting their demands might be. This year, people need your help to make and renew the connections we yearn for. They’re hoping you will introduce them to someone who might treat them they way you do. None of this is new. Expect to be in demand in the usual ways and expect more of it.

Since you have the power of charm even more than usual in 2022, I want you to consider using it on your own behalf. Use it to make space for yourself to grow into. Charmingly decline to continue doing the same old things you have always done. You’ll be doing others a favor by letting them learn to clean up their own messes. They know that you know who made the mess, so you don’t really have to say anything about that. Just focus on yourself.

Unfortunately, Rabbits are used to being asked to do more for less, you know, like a Mother. This is the year to ask for an equal exchange of energy. There are subtleties to this, for example, an equal exchange might not be proportionate if you get my meaning. It depends on how much you have to give. Those who have more give more. Those who have less give less. The exchange is still equal.

The Rabbit’s special talent this year is the ability to fix mistakes. That will require some exposure, which may not be the most happy place for the Rabbit so maybe you’ll be relieved to know that most of your work can be done by way of forgiveness, giving and receiving. If the mistake was yours, get it out in the open where you can correct it. This might involve misinformation or disinformation that took you in.

In the context of others, let them fix their mistakes with your guidance, but don’t do it for them. This is what the timing favors. Allow them to fix it. Just because people come to you for advice doesn’t mean they really need it – they might just want attention. Learn to discern what is wanted and what you want to do about it rather than moving immediately to compliance. December could be tricky when it comes to this skill.

Maybe in the past you told yourself that your ambitions were not as important as everyone else’s. Someone had to stay small, to keep their own aspirations small to make room for everyone else’s big ones. At the time you made that decision to stay small, it made so much sense, didn’t it? I think this is good timing for changing your mind about that. The genuine importance of what you do makes others’ estimation of your gravitas irrelevant. In your heart I think you already know this, but if you’re hungry for recognition and acknowledgment, grow bigger.

The Water Tiger is going to require you to put out some new shoots and branches, so do keep in touch with your roots. I expect your ancestors have been a big focus for you during this three year winter we’ve just gone through. Come forward and renew relationships with your parents now while feelings on both sides are calmer if you want that. Don’t wait until 2023 when it may not be as easy. Come out and show those hidden stems.

What I mean by that is, the Rabbit consists of 10 parts yang Wood and 20 parts yin Wood. In a sense, the Rabbit always has access to the Tiger’s kind of energy but they mostly use it to prop others up while the Tiger generally uses it to take up more space. The Tiger year will bring out the Yang wood more forcefully so take the opportunity to stretch out and show how tall you really are.

The stretching I’m describing has to do with the tension between continuing to do what you’ve always done for others and your possible anger at being taken advantage of which could peak in March and December. What a Rabbit tends to do for others is what they like. That means giving them what they like so they will give you some peace, ignore you, leave you alone for a second, and leave off with their silent demands.

If that has been your way, now there may be some resentment about the opportunities you think you’ve missed, all the things you put aside, and the things you did that others were given credit for. Give yourself permission to reexamine what it is you think you need to do for others and the decisions you might have made about that. Are you up to date? Don’t forget your aspirations matter too.

This year, push yourself to walk this tightrope between your natural tendencies and becoming openly known as the agent you’ve always been. Stop putting off what you think you are too busy to do. This year, that might be writing, study and learning.

In 2022, there are people who are going to come together in the context of things you set in motion, and fall in love. That’s important. Will you let this be the year you recognize your own influence and how much it shapes the world? Take some credit for that. As you already know, the blame is free.

Don’t be afraid to make your own demands about safety and security instead of hiding in safe places where you can’t be questioned. If you withdraw, you’re going to miss the opportunities again. This is your choice, not anyone else’s.

Now, regarding romance, let’s get back to what I said about a new kind of demanding: your peach blossom energy is strong this year, especially in February, March, June, July, October and November. This means you’re going to need to sort through some suitors, romantically or otherwise. Don’t be satisfied with someone wanting you, wait for the one who respects you too and sees you for the influencer you are. Let that be part of your definition of love.

It’s not support you need to seek this year – that could be paralyzing. If you want change, trust that it’s a good time to come out of hiding.

Amulet: Pig
Rather than thinking of the amulet as something to use, or something to protect you, cultivate the idea of a partnership with the energy of the Pig. Have the boldness to know you can go and do things all on your own while still giving and receiving love.

Summary: What’s above you? What’s below you?

February, March, June, July, October and November: Everybody wants you.
April: Grow taller.
February and December: Asked to advise. Sort through “suitors”. Cultivate gratitude.
March: Your presence enables others to fix their own mistakes.
January, April, July, August, September, October: Money on your mind.

Others Like You

In 2022 the Tiger can enjoy good fortune, but the Tiger is not the luckiest one. You might have expected to be, given that it’s your year, but life doesn’t always work that way. Maybe it’s just because your profile is too high, however, there is still plenty of luck to be had by cultivating flexibility. The Tiger’s advantage is that being the Tai Sui or year boss in 2022, they set the tone. In a Tiger year the Tiger sets the stage. Focus on the end result you want.

Wherever there are Tigers there is also wealth. This is especially true this year, so be selective about how you are getting yours. Pay special attention to this in January, April, July, and October. Consider how you might distribute it if you have more than you need.

Tigers can expect to reap a commensurate reward for whatever they put their efforts into. The Tiger’s natural state of movement is supported in 2022. Tigers will want to travel or be called to it for family or business reasons. You might also find yourself traveling for study, training or other academic pursuits. These are good things.

The downside for the Tiger in the Tiger year is it may be difficult to stop moving unless it’s by accident. If you find that’s an issue for you, Feng Shui can help. If you haven’t explored using it in your home before, you might consider trying it this year. Why not? This is a year for the Tiger to learn and grow.

Some Tigers may be learning about illness (not necessarily their own) and how to manage it. Others may be learning to find power in numbers. Some Tigers may be learning how to use the brakes/breaks. None of this is inevitable. So what do you want?

In 2022 there is a danger that your powerful position may tempt you to exploit others because you are dissatisfied (anxious?). That doesn’t leave much room for grace, should you fall. I’m saying this metaphorically but also literally because you may be accident prone this year, especially in May and August. Cultivating flexibility and patience is what will make you safe and reduce any anxiety you might have.

Being in the position of the Tai Sui heightens the competitive edge the Tiger vigilantly maintains. The Tiger is the one who will get the best seats for a show without ever standing in a line; they invented the VIP section. They know where to go for resources. The Tiger has a master plan that involves staying ahead of others, or staying ahead of whatever standards they will be asked to meet. This is the kind of luck Tigers can expect this year. What’s new is that Tigers may find other people are onto your tactics, they might even be adopting them.

Because there are so many others like you in 2022, I want you to consider joining forces with them instead of thinking of them as problems. This may go against your nature. You’re good at presenting as flexible, but are you really? Your answer to that question might make this the year to cultivate true flexibility. Consider radically changing your position. Consider joining a pack of others like you who all have a common cause of justice. Become versatile. Learn new skills, methods and approaches.

2022 is the year where Tigers realize they are not the only keen eyed predators. While this has always been true, prepare to have your eyes opened as to where the others are located. There are others like you who want the same things that you want. They are all around you. They may be ready to do what you are willing to do to get those things. Depending on where you fall in the current social hierarchy, this might either startle you or urge you to aggression. I want you to keep asking yourself how much of your behavior stems from anxiety, because no one has to get hurt.

Much of the year may be influenced by considering that your role, having been previously defined either as predator or prey, is changing. Your uncertainty about this may lead you to make some goofy and hasty moves, either to protect yourself or to attack. What comes to mind is the sometimes self harm of a startled house cat. In the moment where they are uncertain as to how to respond, probably in mid air, they might not stick the landing. Take the time to be gentle with yourself and others.

What I’m saying is, the Tiger isn’t afraid to create some chaos and destruction to get the desired result, so if there is something that needs to be broken to facilitate the changes you want to make, consider what your goal is in advance. Breaking systems is different than breaking people. Take responsibility for the outcome of your actions from the outset.

In a Water Tiger year, the Tiger, along with the Snake and Monkey, are involved in a triangular relationship sometimes called the Fire penalty. The takeaway for the Tiger is: what you do or say is going to be known more widely than usual. When that kind of attention is on you, all you have to do is manage your behavior in accordance with your intended outcome. Elementally speaking, Fire is how you express your Wood energy.

Know that there are more eyes on you now. These are the eyes of others like you, but also those of critics, opposers and the third parties who have relationships with them. Like you, they are ready to pounce. Tigers are used to being the observer not the observed, at least until the moment they can make the kill. You may not get away with that this year.

If you’re already in a position of privilege, maybe it’s time to use your luck to help someone else get a roof over their heads. That’s the kind of thing that Tigers can do: acquire. Because you set the tone of the year for all, you can choose between kindness, protection and aggression. What would work best is a magical mixture of all three.

In the context of work this year, you’ll get the best results by focusing on a specific goal. In the context of teamwork, family or otherwise, you’ll want to share your intentions so that others can make a decision about participation and/or give you advice. Let them temper your potential ruthlessness. Find ways to make yourself accountable. Make that as public as you can stand it.

In February, surprise someone with an otherwise unlikely opportunity. An important mission for Tigers this year, should they choose to accept that they are kind, is to take in the chronically disappointed and others with lots of potential who don’t have the exact skill set they are looking for. Being a Tiger, you’ll know when it’s right. Go beyond appearance. Look for the underemployed and humble genius. There are so many.

In the Department of Romance, things will be interesting. Single Tigers may form a deep bond quickly, the question is will it last – or maybe you already met someone last November? You might find a match or matchmaker in March.

As you are probably already aware, it’s hard for anyone to keep up with the Tiger. A Horse may come close but they’re short on the Tiger’s brand of stamina. The constant movement and growth of the Tiger can use up the unprepared partner. Should that happen, you may find yourself on your own again in November. If that’s not what you want, you need to be ready to give lots of space for both you and your partner. Crowding people into acquiescence might be handy in certain situations but intimacy isn’t one of them.

When you read space, include the idea of time. Slow down. Fortify your patience and flexibility. Explore the idea of a room of one’s own either for you or for someone close to you. Sleep is going to be important for your physical health. Build up your stamina. Support your physical needs.

Whatever you do this year, don’t fake it. You know that’s what breaks you and makes you do things that you regret. If there’s a duty to fulfill, it’s to spread and share the opportunities you’ve had and have. That’s it. Extend the defense you would give to your young to anyone who asks. Your initimidating facade and your keen instincts will protect you from those who would take advantage of you.

Amulet: Pig
Rather than thinking of an amulet as something to use, or something to protect you, cultivate the idea of a partnership with the energy of the Pig. Take on humble and humbling tasks, learn new skills. Do creative things you never thought you would do.

Summary: Breaks & Brakes. The breaks you make, breaks you take.

February-April: Getting breaks. Brakes are off.
May: Pump the brakes.
June-July: What brakes? What breaks?
August: Slamming the brakes.
November: Breaking up?