Category: Divination

The Sheep in 2025 ~ Wood Snake Year

Posted on by Stephanie Stewart

The Caretaker

What the Sheep has going for them in 2025 is much like any other year – the Sheep creates a hospitable beauty out of whatever is available. Having a party but you can’t afford any flowers? Just get creative. The Sheep will go and gather wild flowers from the neighborhood and before you know it you’ve got a bouquet on the table. The Sheep seems to always have a talent for making less look and feel like more because of their ideas about hospitality and beauty. Sheep are often counselors in their work and caring is a big part of what they do.

The main element of the Sheep is yin Earth, fertile and capable of producing 10,000 things. The Sheep month comes at the end of summer, a time of ripening that comes before autumn’s harvest. This is when Earth becomes strong enough to give birth. In the year of the Wood Snake, the Sheep’s already creative nature is about to be enhanced.

Sheep, you might have realized by now that I am conjuring these images because I want you to remember what you are good at. The special talents that you have are what will carry you through 2025.

For Sheep involved with the arts in any way, lean into that this year. If you’re not involved with the arts, get involved! By arts I mean those of all kinds: writing, gardening, sewing, cooking, knitting, crochet, painting, sculpting…the list goes on. Spend time around art or visit museums and craft fairs at the very least. Arts and crafts time isn’t only for children or those who are raising them. Creativity might be your cure for 2025. Incorporate art into your work wherever you can.

To make 2025 more satisfying, you could also lean into this metaphor and apply it to your work which is making people feel warm and welcomed with the so called “little things”. Little things are what life is made of; expressions of affection and joy. The Sheep is meant to call others to join the parade of life, not lead a death march. Realistic optimism is welcome! It’s time to move on from grimness. This advice may be specific to 1955 Wood Sheep Kris Jenner, Kelsey Grammer and Bill Gates.

Being alone is never a happy place for a Sheep, and I mention this because in 2025 you might feel that way. Is it that your work (family?) gets in the way of other relationships that you enjoy more? Remember that you are not alone, you do have a choice about these things, and you can’t be everything for anyone all the time. You are allowed to have needs too. The way to work with this unsettling energy of the Wood Snake year is to be a part of a support network. You may need the support, or you may be called to support others depending on your Ba Zi. Either way, there’s strength in numbers. Don’t neglect your kinships. Not all of them depend on blood.

I know some Sheep who took my 2024 recommendation to work with Snake energy last year and I have to say, they had some good results, especially with job hunting. If you started cultivating your relationship in 2024 with a person you want to be your new boss in 2025, I think you might reap rewards from that. People who began working with AI last year may also find that helpful for finding employment in 2025. I’m not a huge fan of AI – I’m just calling it like I see it.

The Wood Snake year is going to be challenging for the Sheep. The same yin Wood that is on the top of the year pillar has the potential to crack the Sheep open so to speak. When it comes to your own power and agency, you may need to guard against self harm, conscious or unconscious. Before you get too worried, remember that all of these outcomes are potential, which means they are susceptible to being changed by your choices. What did you learn or not learn in 2015? If this is a similar opportunity for you to learn how and when to say no, take it. That will make it easier for all the next times. These patterns keep repeating you know. I know you know how to say no.

The process that Sheep are beginning in 2025 has a completion in 2027. You may not understand 2025 that way until you’re looking back from the perspective of 2028. Since I’m talking to you Sheep, I want to emphasize that I’m not saying this is the beginning of a hell ride. I’m saying this year is the start of many major changes in your life.

It might help to remember that we all have a destiny and what happens is what was meant to be all along. Connect and reconnect to people and places that are important to you. Do the small things. Remind people that you love them. In short, do what you always do – intentionally. If this sounds negative to you, I hope you know that of course life is always a mix of what we want and what we don’t want. It’s our preferences that shape our perspective, therefore if you can let go of them or be more flexible, you will find an easier path. This is how we can work with timing.

For Sheep who are feeling distracted, forgetful or foggy in 2025, you’re in good company. Let’s remove the stigma from that and get practical. Many of us now have different abilities than we had prior to 2020, but we can also take measures ahead of time to help ourselves find misplaced or lost items. You might put an airtag in your wallet or purse, or note where you parked before you leave your car. Establish a place where you keep important items and try to always return them there. Label things. Set reminders for yourself. No solution is one hundred percent effective but try to find one that works most of the time for you if brain fog is a problem.

For those who were born in a Sheep year, it may be one of your elders who needs help with memory and guarding valuables. Make a point to check in with older generations of family and help to support their well being. Visit them when they need help, but also when there is no emergency so that you can simply enjoy each other. Be careful of your health and theirs – avoid opportunistic infections and take precautions.

Check your environment and theirs for trip hazards or things that might fall from a high place. If there are heavy things hanging over the bed, or the head of the bed you might want to change that. Sleeping with your headboard on a wall under a window is another Feng Shui no no. In the case of someone who is spending lots of time in bed due to illness, they may benefit from putting the bed in a different position. Sometimes you might even consider relocating them to a different bedroom temporarily. If you’d like to know more about that, get in touch. I can help.

To make the year go more smoothly, respond rather than react when you can. Your responses (or lack of reaction?) in 2025 can calm difficult situations. In case of conflict, let the energy be spent, rather than trying to block it or counter it. Let the truth settle things. This will put you in a stronger position and you will be able to bring matters to a more satisfying conclusion. This is one of the best assets you have this year so use it unsparingly!

It’s likely the Sheep will be called to travel this year, and it might feel unavoidable. If you don’t want to travel, there are ways to dissipate that energy. In this year especially, I want Sheep to remember that so much of our luck can be changed by our focus.

As for money and investments, the Sheep will do well to avoid financial risks this year. Again, this may apply to other people in your family as well as you. You probably already know who might need your loving supervision with organizing, paperwork and other mundane yet important things. Helping them will make a big difference in their perception of any possible outcome. It will for you too. Remember that time will change everything. I mean, you’re riding the wheel up. This Year of the Wood Snake is part of the ride.

The Horse in 2025 ~ Wood Snake Year

Posted on by Stephanie Stewart

Hephaestus for the Rest of Us

Put your head up Horse. You may get lost at times, but you don’t stay that way do you? A Horse is good at running away, which is probably how they become good at finding their way home when they want to. If you have disappeared, maybe it’s time for you to come back. Back to what is the question!

I’m going to be blunt: envying the dead isn’t going to get you anywhere, but grieving will. That kind of jealousy may beckon again now, but it’s not yours, it belongs to the year. In 2025 you finally have the strength to transform Metal again.

What would you like to make out of your grief? An anchor? A shield? An axe? A sword? A dagger? Or would you like more beauty? Maybe you just want to be able to breathe clean air deeply again. In nature a horse’s sense of smell is crucial for guidance, survival, and emotional wellness. I think this is true for Horses too. Focus on breathing.

What’s new in the wind? Celebrations are still important. Joy is too. A Horse is Fire and the Horse’s work is to perform a joyous rescue. A Horse’s job is to create Earth, meaning a safe place for you to be. The way the Horse goes about this is often by starting over from the ashes as their way to make it back to peak. Yes, the process can be dramatic.

For example, sometimes the sign of Horse can indicate an athlete. Not always – you have to be able to recognize it. One pattern you may see for professional athletes is that when it’s retirement time they reinvent themselves as entrepreneurs, salespeople and/or recommit to partner and family. For better or worse, they start over with things in a big way. Some professional athletes may not make it through this transition, falling into addiction or living a life troubled by injuries. If you need help with your next iteration, get in touch.

The way of starting over that Horses practice is pretty extreme. Starting at over at zero is hard work, not to mention it is not sustainable in the long term. Young Horses will have seemingly endless capacity to start over. It’s only when they get older they may realize that it’s not a strategy you want to use for every instance. Luckily the Horse is capable of learning and redefining success. Finding ways to get things done and still avoid the limits of your endurance is usually a better plan than burning out and starting over. If you use fights as a way of ending things, this year you have a chance to change that.

Horses like to shine wherever they roam. They like to stand out and often that energy is fun for others to experience. Being embarrassed is a natural part of the Horse’s life because they attempt the jumps where others balk. A Horse that is in hiding or doesn’t want to be seen might be unwell, or they might simply be at a low point.

I know a Horse who, due to physical illness, has been making jokes about being dead since 2020. Horses are very much embodied. Maybe this is why they like to play with unconsciousness. They think it’s their only respite. While Rabbits are health conscious and often do the work when it comes to maintaining health, a Horse’s motives around health are mostly about not dying. You know the expression, it’s not a threat, it’s a promise?

If the current climate of burnout is any indication, we have generations of Horses now who have to decide whether or not they are going to make a comeback, one more time. Horses who come to mind immediately include 1942 Water Horses Joe Biden and Mitch McConnell, 1954 Wood Horses Angela Merkel, Sonia Sotomayor and Carly Fiorina as well as 1966 Fire Horse Kirsten Gillibrand.

In the last five years, Horses have experienced a series of jolts in the form of reality checks and disappointments and death, as have we all. Now is the time for Horses to relearn how to put Fire to work. The same Fire of the Horse that can lead to burnout is the Fire that creates Earth, which includes food and safety. A Horses natural energy creates stability through Earth. It moves fast but it is inconstant. It’s at its best in short bursts.

In contrast to the last five years, Horses have no major opposition in 2025. You’re not clashed, you’re not in the San Sha, you’re not particularly on anyone’s radar. Good news! This gives you an advantage and on the dial plate this year the Horse is in the position of Great Advantage. You’re sitting next to power – that’s what gives you the advantage. Consider making friends with power in a way that will fuel your endeavors.

People probably are not expecting what you’re about to come up with in 2025 because maybe you’ve been unusually quiet or they know you’ve been struggling. You will probably surprise yourself too if you commit to fueling your independence. Being a Horse, sometimes opposition and resource are interchangeable. When you don’t have either, you might be wondering where everyone has gone but now is the time for friendship – the thing Horses are not as good at. Time to learn. There is no underlying let down for the Horse in 2025. Push your luck further by making good choices. This is the way.

In 2025 Horses can stand out in the academic environment more easily. This same energy could be applied to any learning situation. If you’re looking to change jobs or offer new products or services, do your homework. It will pay off. It’s likely you’ll be more persuasive than you’ve been in some time so craft your pitch and be clear.

For the Horse, this year of the Snake is made for falling in love again. Start with your current partner if you have one – see how it goes. Get back to sharing your feelings regularly like you used to. Horses have a special charisma this year that will get you more attention but may distract others from what you want them to notice. Be aware that you may be perceived as flirtatious or as someone looking for relationship drama. Are you? Take care with laughing off serious situations that you may have instigated. That’s not cool.

The Horse is granted the blessing of the 太陽 Sun this year, so shine a light on any problems or disease you find and it’s likely you can make great progress. Play with Fire. Bring things to attention. Enact solutions. Move on to the next project! As a Horse, having the Sun might mean being your true self: wild and gentle at the same time. Learn how to be generous as you like to do, without the self-sacrifice. Change the rules to fit each rescue. If you are lonely, seek true connection instead of passing distractions.

A special power for Horses in the Wood Snake year is the ability to create something seemingly out of smoke. Since you do have resources in 2025, this means you might create something quite special. Decide by February what you want to do with that gift and stick to it. Only indecision can get in your way. For Horses who are also cooks or participate in the culinary world, you might find your star rising; leveling up your skills at the least. If Fire isn’t a favorable element for you, this may not apply.

Your luck is still changing Horse, all in all for the better. Your good luck is good enough to outweigh any challenges in 2025 as long as it’s backed by solid choices. Perhaps don’t expect too much financial gain. There are other more sustainable joys for you this year.

The Snake in 2025 ~ Wood Snake Year

Posted on by Stephanie Stewart

Cognitive Dissident

Maybe it’s time to acknowledge that you know things you would prefer not to know and act accordingly.

What’s it like for a Snake in a Snake year? As every good teacher will say to you sooner or later in answer to a question like that: it depends. What they usually mean is have you done your homework? Have you formulated an answer about that for yourself? These are questions I would pose to the Snake this year because ignoring or mishandling your own brilliance is the exact thing that could trip you up in 2025. You have the answer to your own question, should you choose to finally notice that.

The safest thing I can say about what the Snake year will be like for Snake is the Snake is at the top of the wheel, in the position of the Tai Sui or Year Boss. There are benefits to this that come with complications, naturally. For interpreting annual energies of 2025, I associate the Snake with Artificial Intelligence which suggests that it would benefit people with a Snake pillar to take care with how they use their flexibility. The Snake’s shape shifting prowess is their strongest asset and is usually the Snake’s preferred way to take or handle risk.

In a Snake year, the Snake doesn’t suffer from the self-clash as the Pig, Horse, Dragon and Rooster do in their respective years, so no problem there. As the ruler of the year, the Snake does take on special responsibilities and powers. Whether the experience is good or bad is something judged by you, based on your preferences. Other than that, I know most Snakes (and other big bosses) will be asking themselves why being the boss feels so unstable when they thought it would be the opposite. There are at least ten thousand answers to that question, but in terms of Chinese Astrology it’s you Snake! You’re the reason. Just ask 1965 Wood Snake Bashar Al Asssad.

Revolutions begin with the Snake. The Snake is at the beginning of a fresh long-term elemental pattern, a nine-year cycle within/alongside of other cycles if you will. Take notice of new opportunities and paths that will open in 2025. If there’s a Snake in your natal chart, it is trying to start something. You have Four Pillars, therefore even if you were not born in a Snake year, it’s possible that you have a Snake in your Ba Zi. What this means will vary depending on your day master and the makeup of your natal chart. If you want more specifics, book a Ba Zi with me.

Being the Tai Sui, Snakes are meant to have extra gravitas and visibility this year. If you find out that the year is offering much more than you feel ready to handle, you do have a choice. Take on the amount of fame you want. Instead of trying to avoid the truths you don’t want to believe, face them. This is the secret of 2025. You may learn how malleable trouble can be and how much you can influence it. You’ve got one year to work with this energy and if you apply yourself, you’ll be able to do it more easily in the future.

Visibility and perceptions are important to the Snake which means when they become too popular or well known, they may experience a dissonance with their natural affinity for the truth. Fame causes some Snakes to hide away, while other Snakes push themselves further into the spotlight. Either way, the Snake is susceptible to buying into their own brilliant take on everything except their own business.

Snakes are some of the best story tellers and dream weavers. A recent example of this trait involved Nancy Mace. One of the most successful writers of our time, J.K. Rowling was born in 1965, a Wood Snake year. While the Snake deserves their fans, it’s just as important for the Snake to experience being critiqued. A Snake on a pedestal is in a dangerous situation because Snakes are obsessed with truth, and they like to play with the truth too. That will get you knocked off. On the other hand, some of a Snake’s best work comes from what they can do with the truth once they have acknowledged their own. That’s what keeps you off the pedestal.

If you’re looking for the Snake, you’ll find them in the library in the 100-299 section. Snakes know things and they can teach you a thing or two. A Snake will wake things all the way up. When Tiger or Monkey is nearby, the Snake is drawn to gurus, but they are also the antidote to blind (over-enlightened?) obedience. If we think about this in context of the Cycle of 60 Pillars, it suggests that 2025 is a year to begin eradicating a cult like energy. It’s important for all of us to remember that not everything can or should be transcended by way of ideas – most of the time action is required. This might be a mission statement for the Snake.

One way that the Snake takes risks, more so in a Snake or Pig year than in others, is by going against orthodoxy and orthodox systems. Some Snakes will game the system, others will get attention for openly calling out authority. Conflicts of 2025 are likely in a context that feels like (or involves) religion. We will see people accused of being driven by emotion accusing their accusers of lying. Meanwhile, some people are lying and some are immobilized by their emotions. Engaging in this type of energetic exchange makes movement impossible. Why do these disagreements with people you don’t even know feel so personal? Are you feeling someone else’s feelings?

When you’re a Snake, you’re always trying to figure things out and much of the time this might mean feeling or trying to process someone else’s feelings. That will turn you onto the path of a philosopher or alchemist for sure. Snakes benefit from learning to selectively tune in with their empathy instead of blocking everything or letting themselves be without safeguards and overwhelmed. Practice sorting out which feelings are yours Snake. Let all the feelings pass through you and disperse to wherever they are meant to go. You don’t have to know everything.

Sometimes the Snake is associated with anxiety because even with their reams of evidence, they are waiting to find out that the things that hurt the most aren’t true. That’s a trap for anyone, but more so for the Snake with their ideas about relativity and absolutes. A Snake’s withdrawal or avoidance of truth is often an attempt to protect themselves, but sometimes the denial is done to protect someone else’s truth. Each time they do this, the body is harmed. The body remembers. Learning to acknowledge or accept your truth in a holistic way will help you stay healthy. People generally don’t like to hear the truth but you eating yours will wreck you. I promise you it’s better to know than try not to. You will have less anxiety if you let yourself know.

Once you know what you know, don’t stop there. Maybe you need to say your truth out loud or share it outside of your head. Experiment with that. As Snakes grow older many learn to comply with what they feel is a silent demand for obfuscation. Information is the Snake’s currency and at times this means not sharing it. This allows the Snake some plausible deniability, and maybe a feeling of safety, regarding those who aren’t their intimates. Maybe the truths that blind the Snake are the ones closest to home. A Snake mistake would be not acknowledging that.

I’m sure it won’t be a surprise to hear that 2025 will be a year of ups and downs for Snakes. The Snake rules the year so this will be true for all of us, but more magnified for the Snake. I guess the good/bad news is if you don’t like what is happening, you shouldn’t have to wait long for it to change. Buckle up and find your footing, as there will be adversity and challenge. Some triangles may plague you, but others can provide a magical stability if you find the right timing. Look for an “unknown” third party to be an important player in events and themes of the year. Stick with people you have known for awhile if you want more stability.

In this Wood Snake year, the Snake is a Nobleman. People may see you this way – as if it’s obvious. You may be asked to give expert advice. People might think you are a boss wherever you go. You may find yourself being asked to do work in places where you don’t work. You might think you are unqualified, but you are capable. Maybe you will want to help, otherwise don’t commit. Pay attention to your body if you’re not sure.

There’s travel in store for the Snake in 2025 and it may bring benefits. You might travel to assist others. Travel might be family related or otherwise depending on your Ba Zi. You might want to do that in May, along with your associates Ox and Rooster.

Expect those lasting relationships, past relationships, or the ones that feel/felt most connected to be prominent in 2025. If you want a do over with someone important to you, make the effort to re-establish bonds while letting go of illusions and attachments. Commit to people as they are, not in hope that they can be some other experience for you. Respect the messages of your body regarding whether certain commitments are safe for your health. There will be some difficult decisions to make. People may not understand but that’s okay. Let it be.

Maybe the most special gift the Snake receives in 2025 is the ability to resolve conflicts in any area of their life: finances, health or relationships. What might get in your way is fear, or a reluctance to experience and express your own emotions without privacy. Ultimately, it seems your good luck can overcome energies that are against you. But don’t take my word for it. Get out there and make it true.

Special Note for Snakes: Read the forecast for Tiger and Monkey too.

Wood Dragon Year, Wood Dog Month : Hexagrams 38 and 39

Posted on by Stephanie Stewart

I woke up on September 30th with the clearly formed thought that Hexagram 39 is describing exactly what just happened in Appalachia. Water over Mountain. I first came to know Jian as it was described to me by a teacher. They said it reminded them of the movie Fitzcarraldo, in which the title character, played by Klaus Kinski, is on a mission to move a steamboat over the Andes. The movie was made in 1982, a Water Dog year! Spoiler alert: things don’t turn out as planned, but his true intention is realized. #howfateworks

I write a monthly guide for subscribers in which I include a divination by way of the Yi Jing. I write the guide for people who want to incorporate Chinese Astrology and Date Selection into their lives, but also for people who want to learn more about Chinese Metaphysics. I always stick to first principles and that’s what I teach too. For best results, that’s the way.

This month the Yi Jing divination is based on a pair of Hexagrams – they are considered to be a pair by Yi Jing scholars. The annual Hexagram for the Wood Dragon year is number 38, Kui. The Hexagram for the Wood Dog month is number 39, Jian. This month of the Wood Dog is the culmination of the strangeness of the year. They are a pair, so we might consider how 38 might evolve into 39. Strangeness turns into difficulty. Take note that every line changes. Are you ready for that? Water clashes Fire, Earth clashes Water. Eclipsed again!

Hexagram 38

The hexagram Kui consists of the Fire trigram on the top and the Lake trigram on the bottom. Both trigrams are yin, meaning they represent middle daughter and the youngest daughter.

If you saw fire on top of water in real life, you would know something unusual is going on. If you saw it in a dream, that would make more sense. Strange things appear in dreams all the time. The text of Hexagram 38 describes a dream like experience, where symbols and images are hard to relate to a rational perspective. That has been my experience of this Wood Dragon year. I have seen things I never dreamed of, much less thought I would see.

In divination I like to leave logic behind for the first stage of interpretation and just go with what comes to mind. That process is what Hexagram 38 reminds me of. The ideograph consists of 目 mu on the left and 癸 gui on the right: a staring or squinting eye next to a ghost or grass mat for offering sacrifice. I’ll leave it to you to embellish these ideas with 2024 in mind.

Following the advice of Hexagram 38, I have been sticking to small matters in 2024. That is where I have found some good fortune. The larger matters have only just now become susceptible to influence. Maybe you’re experiencing something similar?

Hexagram 39

The hexagram Jian consists of the Water trigram over the Mountain trigram as I’ve already mentioned. In Hexagram 39 the trigrams are yang, meaning they represent the middle son and the youngest son. If we’re talking about 38 and 39 as a pair, we can see that focus has shifted from yin to yang – from what we couldn’t see to what is now obvious?

Since the literal interpretation of Water over Mountain has offered itself, I will stick with the forecast regarding the compass directions/locations that are mentioned in the Gua Ci: Advantage to the west and south, no advantage to the east and north. You might take this literally if you’re making a decision.

Hexagram 39 speaks of externally imposed difficulties but ultimately forecasts good fortune. This may not be the time to advance, read the room. Unity is a better option than advancement. Let the events come and respond accordingly. Whenever you see the line “Advantageous to see the Great Man” it’s a suggestion that you seek out someone with expertise, or perhaps a diviner. That’s the final text of line 6.

My reading of Jian this time is in the context of hurricane Helene and Appalachia. How does it resonate for you? Is the advice about personal matters or external ones? With the Yi Jing it’s usually both for me.

US Presidential Elections and Ba Zi

Posted on by Stephanie Stewart

The system of Chinese Astrology known as Ba Zi can be applied in analyzing any pattern and predicting a likely outcome. How might it be applied to the four year pattern of United States Presidential elections?

America’s birthday is generally reckoned to be July 4, 1776. That was a Fire Monkey year (like 2016). The Fire Monkey is the year pillar of the United States and the sign of Monkey usually means something new is starting. Did you know that 1776 was not the year of the first election? The first Presidential election wasn’t held until December 1788, an Earth Monkey year.

The Chinese Zodiac consists of 12 Animals or Earthly Branches. Because the first election was held in a Monkey year, a pattern was established so that the US elections are held only in Monkey, Rat or Dragon years.

In a Ba Zi, Monkey-Rat-Dragon is a Water pattern. America is a country that embodies the Metal element, therefore elections are our expression. To be more clear, we see elections as a way of expressing ourselves, our approval and disapproval. We seek a common level that is unlikely to be achieved. Any election includes some drama and lots of words. So many words.

The Water pattern tends to emphasize the enforcement of inequities toward the Fire element that is endemic to the United States. We tend to kill, oppress and deprive the indigenous and the people in the south. This is part of the pattern. The pattern tells you about the character.

Following the rules of Ba Zi, it is possible to identify who might be lucky and who might not based on whether the year is Monkey, Rat or Dragon. This method illustrates how external or annual energy is helpful in a generic way. You could also call that timing.

For elections held in Monkey years, Snake, Monkey, Rat and Dragon have an edge.
For elections held in Rat years the Ox, Monkey, Rat and Dragon are lucky.
For elections held in Dragon years Rooster, Monkey and Rat are favored.

Don’t get stuck on these rules, rather use them as a starting point. Sometimes being clashed is helpful too or there would be no Tiger, Horse or Dog as Presidents. I suspect that if you’ve managed to get the nomination and your year pillar matches the election year pillar, you can win against the rules of who is favored.

As always, looking at history is a good way to refine your perception of the pattern. Using the pattern of election years, along with the pattern of who wins in what year, provides a starting place for a deeper dive.

For example, even though they might not be favored in most years, Snake is the year pillar that seems to have a slight edge when it comes to being elected. Snakes have won in six elections, so has the Rat who is favored every time. The elemental flexibility of the Snake is often the sign of a politician. The Snake can weave a spell with persuasive words, but can keep their own counsel when it’s advantageous. It turns out that’s a helpful trait when you want a powerful position.

Maybe the Snake is more successful because the year pillar of the United States is Fire Monkey. In a visual interpretation of the pillar it’s as if the Snake is sitting on top of the Monkey. The relationship of Monkey and Snake is called Secret Friends. It’s also known as one of the Six Destructions. Things get explosive at times between the Monkey and Snake. Our country is prone multiple breakups and reunions. We want to be united, but we’re mutually suspicious, sometimes for very good reasons. This is the relationship of Monkey and Snake.

After the Snake and Rat, we have Dog and Pig tied with five wins each. Ox, Tiger and Horse have four wins each. Monkey has three wins. Sheep has won twice. Two elections were won by a Rooster but it was the same Rooster: Grover Cleveland. If you understand the nature of the Rooster, it won’t surprise you that he is the only President to have won non-consecutive terms.

The Chinese Zodiac signs are listed below with the Presidents born under that sign. Each Zodiac sign has been elected at least once. What patterns do you see?

Rat Presidents

Election Year Winner Birth Year
‎ ‎
1788 1732
Earth Monkey George Washington Water Rat
戊申 壬子
‎ ‎
1792 1732
Water Rat George Washington Water Rat
壬子 壬子
‎
1852 1804
Water Rat Franklin Pierce Wood Rat
壬子 甲子
‎ ‎
1968 1913
Earth Monkey Richard Nixon Water Rat
戊申 resigned August 1974 壬子
‎ ‎
1976 1924
Fire Dragon Jimmy Carter Wood Rat
丙辰 壬子
‎ ‎
1988 1924
Earth Dragon George H.W. Bush Wood Rat
戊辰 甲子

The Rat is the first animal in the cycle of twelve. Appropriately, our first President George Washington, was born in a Rat year, but not a Wood Rat year. These things matter. As a Water Rat, George may have felt bearing authority to be confining and depressing. This would not be the case for Wood Rats like Jimmy Carter or George H.W. Bush.

A person born in the year of the Rat has a good chance of being elected in any election year but their influence is strong whether they are elected or not. The way I see it, a lot of the decisions made in the US are directed by the Rat’s energy. England is the country associated with the Rat so this makes historical sense too. These are the roots of our colonizer mentality.

Ox Presidents

Election Year Winner Birth Year
‎ ‎
1880 1829
Metal Dragon Chester Arthur* Earth Ox
庚子 VP to Garfield 己丑
‎ ‎
1920 1865
Metal Monkey Warren Harding Wood Ox
庚申 d. July 1923 乙丑
‎ ‎
1968 1913
Earth Monkey Gerald Ford* Water Ox
戊申 VP to Nixon 癸丑
‎ ‎
2008 1961
Earth Rat Barack Obama Metal Ox
戊子 辛丑
   
2012 1961
Water Dragon Barack Obama Metal Ox
壬辰 辛丑

Barack Obama was first elected in a Rat year. The powerful Ox is able to co-opt the Rat’s power and influence but only for a short time, so an Ox has a good chance of winning in a Rat year.

In the Metal Rat Year of 2020, a Water Horse was elected. What stops the Ox from winning might be their ephemeral popularity. It’s hard for the Ox to make it far enough to win unless they know how to show off a little.

Tiger Presidents

Election Year Winner Birth Year
‎ ‎
1816 1758
Fire Rat James Monroe Earth Tiger
丙子 戊寅
‎ ‎
1820 1758
Metal Dragon James Monroe Earth Tiger
丙子 戊寅
‎
1836 1782
‎Fire Monkey Martin Van Buren Water Tiger
丙申 壬寅
‎ ‎
1896 1843
Fire Monkey William McKinley Water Tiger
丙申 壬寅
‎ ‎
1900 1843
Fire Monkey William McKinley Water Tiger
庚子 Assassinated September 1901 壬寅
   
1952 1890
Water Dragon Dwight D. Eisenhower Metal Tiger
壬辰 庚寅
   
1956 1890
Fire Monkey Dwight D. Eisenhower Metal Tiger
丙申 庚寅

You can hardly ever count a Tiger out of the running when there’s a contest.

Metal Tiger Dwight D. Eisenhower was a General in the U.S. Army before he was President. In his final speech as President he warned about the developing military-industrial complex. It may not have been the legacy he wanted, but I wonder if he ever realized his own role in its creation. That’s kind of a Tiger thing.

Rabbit Presidents

Election Year Winner Birth Year
‎ ‎
1796 1735
Fire Dragon John Adams Wood Rabbit
丙辰 乙卯
‎ ‎
1844 1795
‎Wood Dragon James K. Polk Wood Rabbit‎
甲辰 乙卯
‎ ‎
1880 1831
Metal Dragon James Garfield Metal Rabbit
庚辰 Assassinated September 1881 辛卯

Obviously it’s been a long time since we valued the type of staying power the gentle Rabbit possesses. I would be surprised if a Rabbit is elected ever again. Remember what I said about Rat energy influencing elections?

Wood Rabbit and father of six children John Adams was known for his political independence or non-partisanship. The only element in his year is Wood. Just one element.

Dragon Presidents

Election Year Winner Birth Year
‎ ‎
1848 1784
Earth Monkey Zachary Taylor Wood Dragon
戊申 d. July 1850 甲辰
‎ ‎
1864 1808
‎Wood Rat Andrew Johnson* Earth Dragon‎
甲子 VP to Lincoln 戊辰
‎ ‎
1912 1856
Water Rat Woodrow Wilson Fire Dragon
壬子 丙辰
 
1916 1856
Fire Dragon Woodrow Wilson Fire Dragon
丙辰 丙辰

1856 Fire Dragon Woodrow Wilson was a lawyer, professor, author and President of Princeton University, all prior to becoming the 28th US President. That’s a Dragon with 食神 shi shen – full of ideas; meticulous with work when it interests him.

Snake Presidents

Election Year Winner Birth Year
‎ ‎
1840 1772
Metal Rat William H. Harrison Water Snake
庚子 d. April 1841 癸巳
‎ ‎
1860 1809
Metal Monkey Abraham Lincoln Earth Snake
庚申 己巳
‎ ‎
1860 1809
Metal Monkey Abraham Lincoln Earth Snake
庚申 Assassinated April 1864 己巳
‎
1888 1833
Earth Rat Benjamin Harrison Water Snake
戊子 癸巳
‎ ‎
1908 1857
Earth Monkey William H. Taft Fire Snake
戊申 丁巳
‎ ‎
1932 1882
Water Monkey Franklin D. Roosevelt Metal Snake
壬申 辛巳
   
1936 1882
Fire Rat Franklin D. Roosevelt Metal Snake
丙子 辛巳
   
1940 1882
Metal Dragon Franklin D. Roosevelt Metal Snake
庚辰 辛巳
   
1960 1917
Metal Rat John F. Kennedy Fire Snake
庚子 assassinated November 1963 丁巳

I don’t know about you, but what stands out to me about Snake Presidents is that they tend to have health problems and/or are more likely to be assassinated. Maybe this is a manifestation of the potential destruction between the Monkey and Snake. Snakes might want to consider they can last longer in politics if they are less prominent.

As always in any crowd, John F. Kennedy stands out, this time because he has a Snake year, Snake month and a Yin Metal day stem. He was a tricky guy from a family of politicians. As a Metal day stem person his power is in the Snake, that is, in his ancestors, siblings and his job.

The Water-y nature of any election year tends to stimulate the Snake with promises of potential power and transformations.

Horse Presidents

Election Year Winner Birth Year
‎ ‎
1868 1822
Earth Dragon Ulysses S. Grant Water Horse
戊辰 壬午
‎
1872 1822
Water Monkey Ulysses S. Grant Water Horse
壬申 壬午
‎ ‎
1876 1822
‎Fire Rat Rutherford B. Hayes Water Horse
丙子 壬午
‎ ‎
1900 1858
Metal Rat Theodore Roosevelt* Earth Horse
庚子 VP to McKinley 戊午
‎
1904 1858
Wood Dragon Theodore Roosevelt Earth Horse
甲辰 戊午
‎ ‎
2020 1942
Metal Rat Joe Biden Water Horse
庚子 壬午

Elementally, it’s a Water Horse’s job to cease Fire, however, when the proportions of Water and Fire are off, the opposite might happen. In harness with Abraham Lincoln, Water Horse General Ulysses S. Grant led the Union Army to victory in the Civil War prior to becoming President. There was a LOT of burning as I recall.

On a lighter note, it’s hard not to think of 1978 when I think of Earth Horse Theodore Roosevelt. With his goofy mustache and glasses he was a precursor of 1970s men’s fashion. Teddy is also known for his promotion of national parks and preserving nature. In the 1970s we began to return to regarding the earth as a living being, rather than just a resource. That’s the spirit of the Earth Horse.

Don’t count the Horse out in a Rat election year just because they clash with the Rat. Sometimes a clash is exactly what is needed to win. Ask Joe Biden.

Sheep Presidents

Election Year Winner Birth Year
‎ ‎
1808 1751
Earth Dragon ‎ James Madison‎ Metal Sheep
戊辰 辛未
‎
‎1812 1751
Water Monkey James Madison Metal Sheep
壬申 辛未
‎
1848 1800
Earth Monkey Millard Fillmore* Earth Sheep
戊申 VP to Taylor 己未

Metal Sheep James Madison was the oldest of 12 children. That’s excellent training for a Sheep who wants to be a leader. The Metal Sheep has a lot to manage. Other Sheep may prefer to be second in command, rather than number one.

Being President is not usually an aspiration of a Sheep. A closer analysis may reveal that people with a Sheep year rarely run for the office of U.S. President. Millard Fillmore, the only other Sheep to be President assumed office due to being Vice President when Zachary Taylor died.

Monkey Presidents

Election Year Winner Birth Year
‎ ‎
1924 1872
‎Wood Rat Calvin Coolidge* Water Monkey
甲子 VP to Harding 壬申
‎ ‎
1944 1884
Wood Monkey Harry S. Truman Wood Monkey
甲申 甲申
‎ ‎
1948 1884
Earth Rat Harry S. Truman Wood Monkey
戊子 甲申
 
1960* 1908
Metal Rat Lyndon B. Johnson* Earth Monkey
庚子 VP to Kennedy 戊申
‎
1964 1908
Wood Dragon Lyndon B. Johnson Earth Monkey
甲辰 戊申

Wood Monkey Harry S. Truman was our 33rd President. The Wood Monkey is the sign of a decision maker; could be a person who lands in what they think is a catch-22. This is a person with a dilemma.

When the decision maker is the President of the United States, the decisions have huge consequences. Might be something like making the horrible misjudgment of bombing Hiroshima. A Wood Monkey is capable of making good choices too, of course.

Rooster Presidents

Election Year Winner Birth Year
‎ ‎
1884 1837
Wood Monkey Grover Cleveland Fire Rooster
甲申 丁酉
‎ ‎ 
1892 1837
Water Dragon Grover Cleveland Fire Rooster
壬辰 丁酉

1837 Fire Rooster Grover Cleveland is the only President to serve two terms non consecutively. I think his secret to success was that Yin Fire is reborn in the Rooster making the Fire Rooster more adaptable than other Roosters. They know how to stay relevant.

Dog Presidents

Election Year Winner Birth Year
‎ ‎
1840 1790
Metal Rat John Tyler* Metal Dog
庚子 VP to Harrison 庚戌
‎ ‎
1928 1874
Earth Dragon Herbert Hoover Wood Dog
戊辰 甲戌
‎ ‎
1992 1946
Water Monkey Bill Clinton Fire Dog
壬申 丙戌
‎
‎1996 1946
Fire Rat Bill Clinton Fire Dog
丙子 丙戌
‎
2000 1946
Metal Dragon George W. Bush Fire Dog
庚辰 丙戌
‎
‎2004 1946
Wood Monkey George W. Bush Fire Dog
甲申 丙戌
 
2016 1946
Fire Monkey Donald Trump Fire Dog
丙申 丙戌

There were only two Dogs elected before Bill Clinton won in 1992. He seems to have started a trend that was only broken by Obama. I would attribute this succession of Dogs to a bigger cycle of timing than the annual energy. Period 7 formed the way these men grew up and their attitudes about women, Period 8 put them in charge.

Pig Presidents

Election Year Winner Birth Year
‎ ‎
1800 1743
Metal Monkey Thomas Jefferson Water Pig
庚申 癸亥
‎ ‎
1804 1743
Wood Rat Thomas Jefferson Water Pig
甲子 癸亥
‎
1824 1767
Wood Monkey John Quincy Adams Fire Pig
甲申 丁亥
‎ ‎
1828 1767
Earth Rat Andrew Jackson Fire Pig
戊子 丁亥
‎ ‎
1856 1791
Fire Dragon James Buchanan Metal Pig
丙辰 辛亥
‎ ‎
1980 1911
Metal Monkey Ronald Reagan Metal Pig
庚申 辛亥

Like electricity, too much power takes the usual checks and balances offline. When you’re powerful or popular, people hesitate to mention your crimes, that your comb over has flopped or that you’re using fatal amounts of painkillers.

The versatile and creative Pig who becomes a President has the self penalty and the power to potentially make big mistakes. Thomas Jefferson was smart and multitalented but apparently (to put it lightly) he couldn’t keep it in his pants. This seems to be a common problem for men who have too much power.

Conclusion

If you found this post useful or helpful, know also that there is more to forecasting a US Presidential election than understanding the data here. Seeing as it’s 2024 and the next US Presidential election is in November, in my next post I’ll be narrowing the focus of my investigation, writing about elections in Dragon years.

*Elected as VP, assumed office of President

12 Animal Fortunes for 2024 ~ Wood Dragon Year

Posted on by Stephanie Stewart

How To Use The Animal Fortunes

If you already know your Four Pillars click on the animal name in the table to go straight to your forecast. If you don’t know your Year Animal, click on your birth year. You’ll want to read the fortune for all four of your pillars. If you don’t know your Four Pillars, please ask me.

The position of each pillar will tell you how the fortune relates to your life.

Year Pillar

Has to do with your physical body and what you do with it, ancestors, family traits. In terms of luck the year pillar is said to take the first “hit” of any event, good or bad.

Month Pillar

Relates to career, work environment, training, age mates and peers, siblings, exes and your modus operandi.

Day Pillar
Yourself and your partner; relationship.

Hour Pillar
The innermost you, your children, future, dreams.

The interpretation of elements in a Ba Zi rests on the day stem, therefore, these forecasts cannot take into account the dynamic interaction of your particular natal chart, your elemental flow or favorable elements. Do you want to learn more about how to use your BaZi for timing and other purposes? Visit my Services page if you’re ready for a reading.

恭喜发财
Happy New Year!

2024 Animal Fortunes

Dragon 1940 1952 1964 1976 1988 2000 2012
Snake 1941 1953 1965 1977 1989 2001 2013
Horse 1942 1954 1966 1978 1990 2002 2014
Sheep 1943 1955 1967 1979 1991 2003 2015
Monkey 1944 1956 1968 1980 1992 2004 2016
Rooster 1945 1957 1969 1981 1993 2005 2017
Dog 1946 1958 1970 1982 1994 2006 2018
Pig 1935 1947 1959 1971 1983 1995 2007
Rat 1936 1948 1960 1972 1984 1996 2008
Ox 1937 1949 1961 1973 1985 1997 2009
Tiger 1938 1950 1962 1974 1986 1998 2010
Rabbit 1939 1951 1963 1975 1987 1999 2011

Follow me on Twitter or Instagram for daily forecasts, monthly fortunes and other helpful information.

The Rabbit in 2024 ~ Wood Dragon Year

Posted on by Stephanie Stewart

Before Truth

As is the case for the Tiger, it’s unlikely to be an eventful year for the Rabbit. The focus has shifted off of you for now. Maybe you’ve got a new place to call home for a few years. I hope you were able to make that what you wanted it to be.

Rabbits are the recipients of the 息神 Rest Spirit in 2024. It is considered an auspicious star, but in these times, I hope it’s not adding to your frustration. How’s your health? As implied, the Rest Spirit means you rest and/or you have time to rest. It may be related to breath, as in catching your breath. We have experienced the Rest Spirit in the Rabbit before, most recently in March 2020.

Here’s a question for Rabbits. In March 2024 will you dive back down into the hole? Or will you hide out in plain sight? Are you going to choose yin or yang this year? Yes or No? Guess what? There is no final answer. You get to decide as you go along. You’re a Rabbit and this is your life. No one can tell you it’s wrong. No one can tell you it’s right. Do you hate that or love it?

Things feel a little bit unstable this year for the Rabbit. Maybe there’s an energy under the surface that is making you feel such connection to the tectonic shifts of the year.

For the Rabbit, it’s as if the Tiger year has returned, at least in the first half of 2024. You might feel overshadowed. The second half of the year is mostly about money and success. Again, like the Tiger, Rabbits want to be aware of the size of what you’re taking on but also not be put off by it. When progress is slow, it’s hard to imagine the growth spurts that will come later. This same Wood energy that connects you to the power of the year might get cut off in September or October. Is there anything that might happen in those months that you could address now?

I have to admit, I didn’t understand how Rabbit energy might mean disagreeing about the meaning of everything – that is, until last year. So many of us in 2023 were still purposely ignoring or misinterpreting the meaning of pertinent scientific facts. Another thing I never really thought about with the Rabbit is the potential for violence and how adept the Rabbit can be with it. I suppose with Roosters as your enemy, that makes sense. Rabbits have to be pushed beyond some point of no return to do violence, but once that happens, it’s on and you will not be ready.

Many Rabbits have had to purposely ignore or misinterpret the meaning of their experiences in order to survive. Maybe you have purposely ignored or misinterpreted the meaning of the Rabbit because it hurts too much to acknowledge that your social status can change in devastating ways based on your physical body. You don’t want to know that. I don’t either but now I know.

This isn’t just a Rabbit thing, everyone has things they avoid acknowledging, but the Rabbit might have coined the phrase “what you know could kill you”. You could die from knowing it. You could die from not acknowledging it.

I think Rabbits are often told how brave they are because of what we think they have endured. In America we like to celebrate survivors but I’d prefer to celebrate people not having to be perpetually resilient to survive. Before you tell people how brave and amazing they are, think about whether or not they had a choice. Yes they are brave and amazing, but what choice was there for them other than to accept what was done or given? Accept or fight for your life. Those are the usual choices a Rabbit starts off with. Persistence and resilience can only go so far. At a certain point the anger becomes part of the collective, and now it is.

Wood can dry up Water but this isn’t always a benefit to the Wood. It depends. If Rabbit is the sign that can contain fear, that’s Wood controlling Water. At times, Rabbits can be the bravest of the brave. I imagine that feat takes some serious dissociation. Also – when we identify someone’s commitment to having a life as bravery, I wonder if that makes sense. They are just trying to be themselves in spite of their physical (or other) limitations, just like all of us.

To be blunt, I worry that the Rabbit has been more impacted by Covid than any other sign. I don’t necessarily mean people born in the year of the Rabbit or even those who have a Rabbit in their Ba Zi. There are wider meanings to these symbols and what I’ve seen is that children and mothers are being damaged. I’m seeing people who may have limited mobility, living in group settings, and being infected. What I’m seeing often is the people who need the most care are the people we would very much like to ignore. I think this is because it makes us so uncomfortable to think of what our lives would be like if we were them. We would rather not think about those possibilities. We don’t like realizing how we might be letting people down in relationships of all kinds.

Maybe the collective anger of 2024 is embodied most by Tigers and Rabbits. When I say this I don’t mean that only Tigers and Rabbits are fighting back or picking fights, I mean that I think these two signs are carrying the energy of generations of women’s anger in them. It has taken years for some of us to be able to speak or think about the wrongs that were done, the expectations that we could never meet, and our dreams that were deemed unimportant or unrealistic. Still we persist.

In the first half of the year, March might slow you down, however it still may be easier to accomplish things. In the second half of the year progress will likely be slower.

For those who do have a Rabbit in their Ba Zi, this year there are a couple of signs that in March you could be staying at home more. If that was going to happen, who would you want to be around? Is home a safe and functional place for you? Do you have a support system for yourself?

September is the time when you might need that support the most. The Rooster has special privileges this year and as you know, that is a clash month every year for you. Some Rabbits may be reduced but others might get promoted. That’s the kind of thing you can’t say for sure until you look at the Ba Zi.

Rabbits can profit by focusing on the learning that is available in April, August and December. There is still work to be done between you and the Rat, meaning improving communication and giving acceptance. Explore your relationship with the Water element.

For almost all Rabbits in the Wood Dragon year, remote work is best if you can get it. A good activity for many Rabbits in 2024 is writing, marketing and advertising. You can do that for your own work or as a job. Get yourself out into the world through the written word or by way of social media. Activate your network of friends and family.

If this isn’t your favorite year Rabbit, you can still use it to get ready for the future.

The Rabbit’s Calendar for the Wood Dragon Year

丙寅 Fire Tiger Month
February 4th-March 5th
Take advantage of this timing to get things accomplished.

丁卯 Fire Rabbit Month
March 5th-April 4th
Resting at home? Or somewhere else?

戊辰 Earth Dragon Month
April 4th-May 5th
Too much for anyone to take on alone. Get some support.

己巳 Earth Snake Month
May 5th-June 5th
The truth shows itself. Did you see it?

庚午 Metal Horse Month
June 5th-July 6th
You might conform, you might play, you might love. Mistakes will be made.

辛未 Metal Sheep Month
July 6th-August 7th
Friends or family come to your assistance, calming things down and leveling the playing field.

壬申 Water Monkey Month
August 7th-September 7th
Work with Water: communication, emotion, rest, wisdom, fear…you have guidance if you want it.

癸酉 Water Rooster Month
September 7th-October 8th
Clashed. Are you being critical of your appearance and blaming it on someone else?

甲戌 Wood Dog Month
October 8th-November 7th
If you want protection and defense, it’s available now. Get under the canopy.

乙亥 Wood Pig Month
November 7th-December 7th
Letting someone else do the driving. Next year you will drive them.

丙子 Fire Rat Month
December 7th-January 5th 2025
Your charm and good manners will neutralize any bad vibes if you want that.

丁丑 Fire Ox month
January 5th-February 3rd
Friends are almost here again. Keep the writing, talk, words flowing.

* The Monkey month covers approximately August 7th -September 7th. Each year the dates may vary slightly.

The Tiger in 2024 ~ Wood Dragon Year

Posted on by Stephanie Stewart

Can You Dig It?

Looking at the Ba Zi of the Wood Dragon Year I’d say that in 2024 there are many people like the Tiger who are all interested in the same resources, housing and money. In the annual chart it appears that there isn’t much to go around. This describes the current situation but not the “reality”.

Although there is still plenty to go around, the plenty is now only available for the few so the rest of us are left to compete for what’s left. That doesn’t have to be true. Some of the current energy of the Tiger is related to Boomers. This same Tiger energy could describe younger Tigers who are scrapping to establish a foothold in the world. This is yin and yang. In 2024 Tigers will profit from considering where you are on this spectrum and what they want to do about that.

Although Tigers were somewhat out of the limelight in 2023, in 2024 they might get dragged back into it by those who think the Tigers actions have been too aggressive all along. Are you one of those Tigers? I’m not sure that a Tiger will fondly remember this Wood Dragon year. It’s kind of meh, although your actions and decisions are important in shaping the collective future.

Where there’s a Tiger, there will be action even though the year is less eventful for you. February appears to be the most important month and it will be over before you know it. If you want to move things forward, it will be easiest in February and March. When we get the second half of the year, starting with the Monkey month*, expect more delays and pushback.

Maybe the Wood Dragon year would like Tigers to reduce their demands. Maybe Tigers would like the Wood Dragon to just cooperate for goodness sake. In 2024 you might find yourself in some kind of standoff unless you’re able to be content with small bits of progress in the context of a mountainous task.

Summon your patience. Apply your focus to the priorities. If there are big matters now in need of your attention, maybe it’s time to turn your attention to smaller matters that have been neglected. These small things are often the roots of what you would later call failure. You know this, but are you still convinced that the big impressions you might make are all you have to offer?

Whatever it is that’s been worrying you, are you ready to take a position on the issue this year Tiger? Are you willing to make your position known? 2024 is the year you find out that closing the deal was just the beginning. Now you have to deal with the deal you’ve made. Allies are exactly what you need with the Dragon present. Look to your network. Find out what’s been going on with people from your past, family and friends. Supporters can change your whole year in a good way if you let them.

While travel is a major theme for the Tiger in 2024, I wonder if there will be places to go when you want to go. Maybe you are trying to make some special memories? Tigers will be looking for the right kind of place, not any old place will do. Travel may become more challenging for you as we progress through the year. Older Tigers have some money to spend but where? Overly acquisitional Tigers may find real estate investments from recent years have not turned out well.

But still, the Tiger can get good compensation from their work this year, and Tigers will profit from travel and movement in 2024.

I can tell a Tiger all these good things but I can still feel their dissatisfaction with the direction they see things going in the bigger world. Tigers are dealing with generations of ancestral anger like the rest of us. The amount of tasks most Tigers have in 2024 make you feel that you are not good at any of them. This is not true. I’d like to suggest you can’t see the forest for the trees, because what I see Tigers trying to do is everything. It’s too much. What can you let go? Think big about that.

I’m asking what you can let go because I know that when Tigers get into an overload kind of situation, they might lash out at any movement or noise in their vicinity as a way of protecting themselves. If you love a Tiger, it helps to understand this. Maybe the threat the Tiger feels is one you can also identify with. There’s no excuse for bad behavior but empathy finds a way to talk about it and that’s probably what needs to happen. Tigers, don’t push your loved ones away as a show of strength. They will always see you as a leader.

The more open Tigers can be about what they want and what they want to do this year, the more it can happen. The more you can open your mind, the more you can move. The big risk of 2024 is becoming stuck in a place where anger crowds out the meaning of everything that really matters to you. It might not even be your anger. Don’t put up with that from anyone.

Tigers who want more satisfaction out of life this year may find it by seeking the meaning of things, rather than accepting what’s on the surface. It’s hard to make sense of this current energy. Tigers are not usually interested in the meaning unless they think it will give them leverage. What if the meaning is your most powerful lever? Investing meaning can change your behavior quicker than any thing else I can think of if you want that. Where Tigers will find the most meaning is where changes can be made. This is where you want to focus your work in 2024. Find the cracks in your life and get in there to open things up wide. Let other people in where you work and live.

In the first half of the year, you’ll want to try to get things settled in place for the second half. Get things done while it’s easier.

In February take care with being around people who are ill. In these times, it may be difficult to know who is for certain so take the appropriate precautions. While illness is part of being human, it’s not a contributor to good health. Illness is not a sign of weakness, health is not a sign of strength. Let’s get that straight. Mask up. You’re not an exception to the rule. I’m only bothering to say this because I care.

Tigers will find the best opportunities in June and October. In February and November your actions may be perceived as too aggressive.

Take care in May and August with travel. August may put a damper on your plans by way of accident or mechanical breakdown. If you find yourself among people who want to fight, be aware that their words may push you into being overly strong. Those are the times when Tigers might hurt themselves. Be aware of your own potential and actual aggression. Look for the hints of 2025 in May and August as well.

As always, if you want to know more about what the year will be like, you can look to the position of the Tiger pillar in your chart. For example, if you were born in a Tiger year, you might have more financial security because your parents are the type to help you out if you need it. Maybe your parents will travel to see you and bring assistance. Those are just some possible interpretations.

The Tiger will carry other nuances in the month, day or hour pillar. If you’d like to explore more of the meanings the Tiger has for you, ask your Ba Zi. Get in touch if you’d like a reading.

The Tiger’s Calendar for the Wood Dragon Year

丙寅 Fire Tiger Month
February 4th-March 5th
It may be worth the rush.

丁卯 Fire Rabbit Month
March 5th-April 4th
What supports you or literally holds you up is the small stuff.

戊辰 Earth Dragon Month
April 4th-May 5th
You can’t do this alone and that’s okay because you have friends.

己巳 Earth Snake Month
May 5th-June 5th
Sneaky preview of 2025. What do you mean by ego?

庚午 Metal Horse Month
June 5th-July 6th
Someone wants to save you. You can save them back. What’s the plan?

辛未 Metal Sheep Month
July 6th-August 7th
“Humbling” yourself with all the small matters.

壬申 Water Monkey Month
August 7th-September 7th
Take care with travel.

癸酉 Water Rooster Month
September 7th-October 8th
Becoming refined. Attention to appearance.

甲戌 Wood Dog Month
October 8th-November 7th
Appreciate your wealth, whatever that means to you. It’s here.

乙亥 Wood Pig Month
November 7th-December 7th
Reminders of why you left certain situations and why you are attracted to them.

丙子 Fire Rat Month
December 7th-January 5th 2025
Be the bridge between opposing parties. Deliver a message of hope.

丁丑 Fire Ox month
January 5th-February 3rd
Check to see what is still stuck under your paw.

* The Monkey month covers approximately August 7th -September 7th. Each year the dates may vary slightly.

The Ox in 2024 ~ Wood Dragon Year

Posted on by Stephanie Stewart

Designated Decider

The Ox is not clashed by the Dragon, rather the Ox and Dragon have a relationship called Destruction. This relationship carries a potential energy that may or may not be expressed. If that sounds worrisome to you, find relief by choosing how you would like it to be expressed. For example, the Ox is a creature of routine. What if you break up with some routines? If you’re an Ox, it’s good for you to get knocked out of your rut every once in awhile. That’s how I see the Wood Dragon year for the Ox. Get knocked out of the rut, then resettle into new productive patterns. The Wood of the Wood Dragon will see to that.

Before continuing, I think it’s important to mention that a Destruction is most often a psychological challenge. For the Ox it’s a challenge of enduring doubt. It’s a challenge to stay the course while allowing change at the same time. There’s a flood of potential success if you can stay present to receive it.

In 2024 any Ox might be feeling that something is off. If what you’re picking up is making you more sensitive, nervous, anxious, agitated or unstable my advice is to take the risk you’ve been planning anyway. Whatever leap you were about to make, don’t stop now. Take a chance. You’ll really appreciate that you did when you get to 2025.

But wait, there’s more. You need to know that the Ox is pulling a big wagon of good luck that outweighs any potential worries or hardships.

Every year, the Special Stars of the year shift around, which is one of the reasons people have an annual Ba Zi reading. The four Special Stars that are considered to be the most significant are 太陽 Great Sun, 太陰 Great Moon, 福徳 Fortune Virtue and 龍德 Dragon Virtue. In a year where one of these four shows up in your Ba Zi, you know there’s the potential of a special experience.

In 2024 the Ox is the lucky recipient of Fortune Virtue. Whatever other pillars you have in your Ba Zi, if you have an Ox you know you can lean on the luck that is there. Fortune Virtue is money luck, but it’s also the kind of luck that seems random. It’s luck you’ve accumulated from good deeds. This good luck isn’t related to what you do as much as what you have done in the past, so working harder now is probably not going to be the answer if you’re trying to invoke it. Consider simply enjoying it. In spite of what I’ve said about past good deeds, I doubt any of this stuff has a cause and effect relationship anyway. Good deeds are usually done without thoughts of how we will reap a reward.

The position of the Ox in your Ba Zi will reveal what area of your life will be enhanced by the Fortune Virtue. If Ox is your year pillar, your luck might be related to ancestors.

If Ox is your birth month*, Fortune Virtue will influence the way you go about things. You might get help from siblings or peers. Fortune Virtue will influence your work. The month pillar might be the best place to have it if you want to accumulate more good deeds, however, in the day pillar it might bring unexpected luck with partnership. If the Ox is in your hour pillar, you’ll be thinking about how lucky you are in spite of delays and disruptions. That seems great too!

In the Wood Dragon year, Oxen will have more than enough of food, material necessities, and time. You may be in circumstances that make you doubt how long that can last. Don’t. Let yourself stop worrying about those things so you can get on with what you like and want to do. If you feel overshadowed, know that it’s temporary. Maybe that’s what you’re afraid of?

Being lucky and able to overcome potential bad luck means it’s a good year for taking chances that the risk averse Ox might not normally take. Whenever you get to the point in the year where you think I’ve led you astray (July?), remember that I also said you’ll be going out on a high note next January.

For Oxen or anyone who is concerned with bad luck, know that in any given year it’s common to find that you have at least one pillar that is not clashed or one pillar that carries some special luck. You want to lean on those. Focus your energies on the pillars that are lucky for you. For the Ox this year, all in all I think you’ll find your good luck outweighs the bad.

In the Ox’s darkest moments this year, you might think the year has a specific threat for you or that you’re in danger. Some nasty things may be said about you by others because of your good luck outweighing the bad. As I’ve already said, it’s the feelings that are the hard part of the year. It’s the feelings that get to us. Remember that others’ feelings do not belong to you.

As is the case for the Rat, there may be times in 2024 where the laws of time and space don’t seem to apply to the Ox. You might find ways to speed past obstacles and shrink distance. This might also mean it’s difficult to get attention. For the Ox, if both of these things are true at the same time, it might be kind of perfect.

What might be problematic about the attention part is that everyone needs attention some time. If you shy away from that, you might miss an opportunity for the kind of mentoring you didn’t think you could get. If 2024 is the year you might lose some of your innocence, maybe you would like to do that by embracing some intimacy. That’s not necessarily the physical kind, you know. If you are lonely, allow yourself some company.

The Wood Dragon wants to give you an assist with your career, or if you prefer, your life path. The doubt you’re feeling about whether you’re fulfilling your purpose, or why you might have chosen it in the first place is something you’ve experienced before. Think about it. Maybe this is just a pattern for you that is meant to keep things fresh. It’s not the time to chuck it but it might be the time to think about that. Thinking is good. Chucking might not be appropriate.

With so much help available for you Ox, I hope you accept some. Know also that part of your assignment this year is to be the Nobleman for others. I know you like to teach people lessons – make it kind and helpful. This will be a supportive year for Oxen who are already known as consultants as well those who do it on the side. People will be looking for your advice.

I know you’ll be saying you don’t need all that luck, that your hard work will be enough and you’re probably right. If your way is to insist on total self sufficiency (no friends?) open up to the possibility that life could be enhanced by a few select relationships. This is one way to disrupt your own routine.

In this Dragon year of 2024, there will definitely be reversals for everyone. In the case of Ox, consider that you may be the one who initiates them. You might not be the catalyst but you’re definitely a decider.

The Ox’s Calendar for the Wood Dragon Year

丙寅 Fire Tiger Month
February 4th-March 5th
Feels like being pinned in place. Cultivate ways to remember who you are and what you want.

丁卯 Fire Rabbit Month
March 5th-April 4th
Careful with that schadenfreude. Find other ways to distract yourself.

戊辰 Earth Dragon Month
April 4th-May 5th
Peak of disrupted routines. Let the changes happen. Flexibility wins.

己巳 Earth Snake Month
May 5th-June 5th
Great for starting new projects. Extra points if they are on behalf of the revolution.

庚午 Metal Horse Month
June 5th-July 6th
Your work is out in the open and it’s looking good. Mutual attractions.

辛未 Metal Sheep Month
July 6th-August 7th
Possible disagreements about who has it worse. It’s settled. We’re all in this together.

壬申 Water Monkey Month
August 7th-September 7th
Your creations come easy now. Perhaps start winter’s work in advance.

癸酉 Water Rooster Month
September 7th-October 8th
Your finest work is happening now. Are you able to feel your success?

甲戌 Wood Dog Month
October 8th-November 7th
Through your persistence in 2024 you’ll find that an obvious bully is nothing to you.

乙亥 Wood Pig Month
November 7th-December 7th
Some things are beyond your control now so let them happen. Emotional preparations for 2025.

丙子 Fire Rat Month
December 7th-January 5th 2025
If think your work empowers others more than it does you, think again.

丁丑 Fire Ox month
January 5th-February 3rd
The Snake is already showing up with data to help you plan for 2025.

* The Ox month covers approximately January 5th-February 4th. Each year the dates may vary slightly.

The Rat in 2024 ~ Wood Dragon Year

Posted on by Stephanie Stewart

Behind the Curtain

When you’re a Rat in a Dragon year, once again you control the frame, just as you did in 2020 and will again in 2028. What Rats do when they are in control this way is set a certain tone of concern about what is worthy of attention and what is important. Often the focus of their decisions involves Fire. Rats could probably go anywhere they like this year but I suggest, for your own safety, leave the south alone.

The prevailing energy for much of the Wood Dragon year is Water and that’s exactly where the Rat lives. This timing gives Rats a special gift for command in a year where their usual strategic skills are further enhanced. Rats, be conscious of who you are advising and their intentions. Ethics are important. While the Dragon is the boss of the year, you are the boss’ advisor and teacher or mentor.

The more grace you give, the more you receive. That’s the calculation for 2024.

The Wood Dragon year elevates the Rat. Rats have a higher, wider or bigger perspective which is exactly where a Rat likes to be. You are meant to see what goes unseen and this year makes it easier. Given your relationship to power in 2024, it’s your assignment to advise about what is going unseen. Get all the secrets out now. Actually, it may be hard for the Rat to avoid spilling the tea in 2024. You might do purposely or accidentally. What you expose may lead to some awkwardness in December.

Even with your good luck in 2024, it may not be a year where the Rat receives the amnesty from others that they think they deserve. There may be no special dispensations. It’s more likely that you will be required to give them. Ouch. Do you have expectations and attachments about what you are owed due to your work? I know I do. Let those for whom this is not true cast the first stone, this isn’t just a Rat thing. We could all use a reminder that life and relationships are not a transaction.

Rats benefit in 2024 from the ways they are untouchable, operating outside of the rules of time and space. Friends from the past show up as do friends of the future. It’s a year where you might decide to start/join a group or mastermind a reunion. For some reason, the word revival comes to mind. Rats are capable of organizing events on a larger scale.

Nikki Haley is a 1972 Water Rat by the way. She’s been on my mind for some time because in a Dragon year, a Rat would have a good chance to gain a high position. A Dragon probably won’t – maybe that’s Kamala Harris who is a 1964 Wood Dragon? I have asked for knowledge about who will win the 2024 US Presidential election using different Chinese divination methods and what consistently came up is that it’s a woman. Can you think of ways that might happen? But I digress…

Throughout the year, financial matters are fairly smooth for the Rat.

In the first half of the year, Rats are creative. This year offers a kind of creativity is special for you because it took many lonely hours to hone the skills required for it. If for some reason you’re not able to work with that creative energy in February and March, make notes of your ideas and plans for later execution. Rats will be inventive in this Wood Dragon year.

The second half of the year will be more about execution of ideas and plans – group pursuits. Rat and the Rooster will be the sweethearts everyone wants to work with. This timing may require you to come out of hiding, or maybe that’s when you can get others to do your work for you. When you don’t want to be seen or witnessed, I suppose that sounds good. Maybe it’s time to try something new?

In 2024 Rats will be perceived and witnessed, possibly as being too aggressive. While aggression is appropriate under the right circumstances, you don’t want it distract from your message. You might want aggression to direct the intention of your message instead. Meet with people face to face when you can, or at least over video. The advantage of being in dialogue is that you can explain yourself.

I say this because I think it will be hard for Rats to hide their expression and this year, it may be interpreted as anger on sight. I expect that Rats, like the rest of us, have generations of anger to express or to exorcise by making things right, finally. There are patterns of nepotism to break for one thing…Spread the opportunities Rat. These times require thinking one step beyond yourself and your descendants. And repeat. In an age of Fire, you may need to become adept at this to survive. This advice is for all, not just the Rat.

This year supports you becoming a better friend. To maximize your luck, team up purposely with the Dragon and Monkey. The Dragon will accept your legacy of knowledge and develop it. The Monkey is the multitool of the Rat and Dragon; encoding, repairing, making the abstract tangible.

In December, which will likely be the most exposing month of the Wood Dragon year for you, consider whether you may have made the outcome of the year too much about you and not enough about your homies. Right now, you still have time to change this. The Monkey’s contributions to the year may be overlooked without your advice as to their delivery. Throughout the year, take a look around you and see who is not appreciated. If you can’t draw attention to them, you can give them strategic advice.

In 2024, Rats are likely to show up in leadership positions or as consultants to the Dragon. Rats will also be getting some business courtesy of the Ox who even as a nobleman of the year may have too much of their own problem solving on their plate to be helpful. The Ox has higher blessings to receive perhaps.

One of the best blessings in any year is having a sunnier perspective and in 2024 the Rat will be feeling it. Life is good.

If you’re a Rat who is thinking of relocating you may want to do that this year, maybe in August. This might be you making a pre-emptive strike against a potential forced move in 2025 or in 2026 when it is your turn to be clashed. This year is a good time to consider how you might prepare for the coming heat. Use your good luck to prepare.

The Rat’s Calendar for the Wood Dragon Year

丙寅 Fire Tiger Month
February 4th-March 5th
Inventions and inventiveness. If you lack time for executing them all, write them down.

丁卯 Fire Rabbit Month
March 5th-April 4th
Look for ways to encourage others’ joy. Give an endorsement.

戊辰 Earth Dragon Month
April 4th-May 5th
If you see a friend making a mistake, break it to them gently. Have a solution in mind?

己巳 Earth Snake Month
May 5th-June 5th
It’s a good month to protect your health. Take advice.

庚午 Metal Horse Month
June 5th-July 6th
A stimulating clash comes with introspection. Ideas flow, your work can make money.

辛未 Metal Sheep Month
July 6th-August 7th
Observe your impact of your words on those around you. They don’t want to mention it.

壬申 Water Monkey Month
August 7th-September 7th
Use up the Water. Seek Wood. Write, talk, give birth or be reborn. A big push.

癸酉 Water Rooster Month
September 7th-October 8th
Draining or drained? That is the question. Breaking up or considering it.

甲戌 Wood Dog Month
October 8th-November 7th
Boundaries crossed and broken. Does it matter if they’re not yours?

乙亥 Wood Pig Month
November 7th-December 7th
Let people think you are small. You know how big you are when you’re with your friends.

丙子 Fire Rat Month
December 7th-January 5th 2025
A predictor of the next two years for the Rat. Meet people at least halfway.

丁丑 Fire Ox month
January 5th-February 3rd
One last “routine” January. Changes will be coming faster in 2025.

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