Personal Best

In a Tiger year the Dog can experience support and empowerment and promotion, however, it looks like a fairly quiet year. Funny how this Tiger year has very little that is special for you other than the work you can do on relationships. It’s almost like the universe is telling you what needs attention in your life. Dogs are being asked to make a lasting change about their allegiances at a time when that might not feel right to them.

In 2022, rewards may not be as big as you’ve come to expect, at least not in the public arena. What the year has to offer you is by way of alliance so the question is how have you been treating your partners and associates? How have they been treating you? As part of the Fire Trio of Tiger, Horse and Dog you are in the company of those who can make you successful, but they don’t have to. What can you bring to the table as a group member? As with all other signs this year, the most important thing for you to pay attention is to your values in relationships.

First things first: Question who wants to empower you and why. Know who you are working for. The Tiger is capable of being the master manipulator of the Dog because being part of the same group, the Dog assumes they want the same things. This is not always true. If you’ve been fooled in this way in the past, you’re in good company. Even a Dragon can get taken in when it comes to the Tiger. The Tiger is generally empowering you to work for them, not for you. Dogs who are entrepreneurs will especially want to keep that in mind.

The return of Fire in 2022 brings you support, but this year know that the price might be that it reinforces your stubbornness. Strong Fire seems to give the Dog baked in ideas about their behavior, making it difficult to change. In 2022, overestimation of the importance of your fans could interfere with the class and social mobility the Dog likes to know is always available. Don’t let approval blind you to what you know is right or wrong.

Many opportunities are offered throughout the year. These are big and by nature may be difficult to take advantage of; it may be hard to rise to the challenges that will accompany them. I’m telling you this because I think you could be tempted to ignore the smaller, intimate and personal opportunities that are more important now. In business, progress is easy, but that’s not what will bring the change you might want. It’s process where the Dog often gets frustrated, thinking that all time is geological except for theirs. Let relationship matters unfold at their own pace. Choose what you want because you want it, not because you think it’s going to get you something you want. What I’m saying is that your private relationships are the foundation of your public self, not vice versa. I hope that makes sense.

In February, the Tiger sparks the Dog’s restlessness which will continue throughout the year. Take care with travel because you may be accident prone, especially at the times you are exhausted or depleted. Don’t drive unless you have all your faculties about you.

The Dog’s aspirations in 2022 start off strong, but what the year has to offer will likely be small. That’s not necessarily a negative if you’re interested in the repair and rejuvenation of domestic relationships. If you need healing, this is where you’ll find it.

In March you’ll want to learn how to get better at sharing. You’ll learn that being a provider includes domestic chores and other things, such as emotional labor. You may have thought these things were not your job. Younger Dogs seem to have these things well underway so perhaps this applies mostly to those of us who are older.

Dogs will become more prominent again in 2022. Look for this to peak in June. We’ll hear more in the news about Dogs and they will experience a resurgence of whatever fame they have had in the past. Be aware that the Tiger might be the first one to take that fame away or change it to infamy, too. If you leave yourself open to manipulation because what you like to feel most is approval, that is the potential outcome.

Don’t believe everything you hear or see. Dogs will benefit from taking advice from the Rabbit in 2022, because being alone with the Tiger’s brand of support makes them think they are infallible. The Tiger encourages the Dog’s tendency to keep making the same mistakes, over and over. This may serve the Tiger but it doesn’t serve the Dog. Don’t defer to another’s guidance just because you think they’ve attained what you want.

Of late, many a Dog has been fooled into thinking they are successful when in fact many of their efforts have been co-opted or used for someone else’s benefit; someone who doesn’t have their best interests at heart. Dogs who fell into this trap are starting to realize how they may have sold themselves out for a purported reward that never materialized. This kind of realization is what will lead you to rediscover who you really are. Stick with that even if it’s painful. Who did/do you want to be? Consider that if you’re finding success unsatisfying maybe you need to redefine it.

In April, remind yourself that nobody made you do anything you didn’t want to do. That could be painful but don’t avoid whatever feelings you’re having about that. Instead, let that energy loosen your routines. Accept a little instability in order to facilitate movement.

In July you’ll want to remember there is no one on earth that everyone likes and that includes you. However ill used you might possibly feel now, at this point in time you are far from being a victim. Be open about your hurts but don’t try to use them as a selling point or jumping off point for policy making.

In case of new (or returning) health issues this year, consider that you might be in a state of elemental imbalance. This implies you have agency, and you do. You can influence it. Stay hydrated. If you get too hot, know that bad judgment may accompany that state. Slow down and cool down.

When autumn arrives, if you haven’t been doing so already, cultivate peace through the regulation of your breath; consciously breathe. Take extra care with respiratory health this year. Consider air quality.

If you need to move aim for August. That means you’ll need to start planning now, but planning doesn’t mean you have to decide right away. August is the month you’ll be feeling the urge for travel, world events permitting. International travel may not be an option this year.

In 2022, seek leadership for what it is: a service role. Leadership is not achieved by way of compliance or surrender. Find out what people really need and provide it. Cut through obstacles and make space. Lead people, not corporations, countries or movements.

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 your neighbor the Pig. Look to the flexibility and adaptability of the people in your community for inspiration. Be ready to provide whatever is needed for family well being.

Summary: Life consists of small things.

February: Want to run? Slow down. Think and feel if you want change this year.
April: Boundary incursions. Is it an attack or an opportunity to learn?
June: Stay hydrated and open to the idea of your possible stubbornness. Business is good.
July: Break patterns around your power dynamic with those you see as weak.
October: Present something you’ve been working on for a long time.