Wearing the Magnificent Crown

The question for the Dragon in the Water Tiger year is: what happens when your power element shows up with your success element?

In terms of luck, 2022 is a mixed bag for the Dragon, probably because withdrawing to the den to study, learn or create might be more compelling than anything else, including intimacy and intimate relationships. There are plenty of opportunities for advancement in your public life which may also be in conflict with your desires to stay in the ivory tower of academia or something like it. Don’t be afraid to let down your hair if it feels right.

A Dragon’s work is what they will allow to change them. The Dragon craves healing and it’s through their work with others that they find it. It might take a Dragon years to understand that their healing involves having relationships with others whether you find them worthy or not. Try that on and make some leaps and bounds.

If this sounds worrisome to you, is it that you fear losing yourself in relationship? Maybe at times that fear has tempted you to let go of the importance of relationships in general. I expect this is something you’ve been working on. If I’m right, that means all you have to do is continue your current explorations of commitment. Dragons take the risk and endure.

Because 2022 will emphasize the tension between the delights of your work and talent, and the emotional labor of giving attention to the relationships that you want, there are potential setbacks in each department. The Water Tiger year is made for learning, so each bump in the road is a chance to hone your interpersonal skills. Your healthy curiosity and thoroughness is vibrant this year. Whatever the problem is, you can influence it. If you want to change, go against what feels like the flow. Be available to people you care about more than you might naturally tend to. You may find it fuels you instead of slowing you down.

I’m telling you this because in 2022 the Dragon’s talent is so promising and compelling it might tempt them to jettison all the human “cargo” so they can go faster and farther without concern about what is used up. If the only thing you care about is your work, maybe this is the way to go. But even if you told me that was the case, I wouldn’t believe you. Avoid isolating yourself. This is a year to learn new life skills. Do study to learn and apply, not just because you like research and reading.

The first half of the year is about successes that also involve a send off – letting a loved one find their success and independence. It’s no loss to you, but it might feel that way. You’re not a hand holder, but your yang Earth appreciates others knowing you can provide stability or instability as you wish. Not only do they know this, but they also know your support is helping them on their way.

Expect that there will be some delays, mostly in January, April, July and October. In January this may be related to wanting/not wanting to pay attention to relationships that are asking for it. In April, you’ll want to consider that it may be you creating the delay. July’s delays may be solved by a brief withdrawal. In October, the delay may come in the form of what feels like intrusion: someone wants to cross your boundaries. Instead of trying to prevent that, dream up a way to make it helpful to you. I’m not sure it can be prevented.

Consider that during the last few years you may have lost sight of being realistic about the demands you make of yourself and others. A Water Tiger year is asking you to let yourself be changed and loosened. Make a list of the ways you’d like that to happen and keep it in your pocket. Use that Wood energy to find more agency or even a promotion. Your heavenly stem will be an important influence this year and so getting a new position may be easiest for the Metal Dragon, but any Dragon can take advantage.

With so much challenge coming at you, it will be very important to take care of your health. Get rest. This year’s vulnerability might be the wear and tear on health. Don’t let yourself be overheated, especially in June. Note: any time you’re hot tempered, take a break. Stay hydrated. Keep talking and communicating. Only denial can hurt you.

In the second half of the year people may be jealous of what you’ve managed to pull off during these last three years while they weren’t watching. You know this is what triggers people sometimes. You have a knack for creating success because more than any other sign you are a catalyst. When it comes to letting people know what you’re doing and why, you don’t. This might be perceived as a bug more than a feature but your methods work. There’s no question about that. Regardless of others’ perceptions of your habits, your experiences in 2022 are designed to shape your personal relationship with power; to increase your agency if you want that.

If challenge and power sound intimidating, it’s probably good for others to know that even a Dragon can get nervous at times. If you are scared, talk about it. I think what you might discover is that your own power scares you most. The lesson Dragons can share with others in 2022 is: don’t be afraid to manifest as your true self. Dragons are afraid of doing something that there’s no coming back from and yet, this is what they were meant to do. Dragons make miraculous and lasting changes. Teach us how because what we need now is a positive change that there is no coming back from.

In 2022 Dragons may be inclined to avoid any potentially critical or adversarial engagement. This idea of possibly being exposed to negative feedback might nag at you throughout the year, and because your work may not need much editing, you might think you don’t need anyone’s help in any capacity. Get help anyway. Take advice.

You only want to be known for your magic, so you hesitate to share your worries and troubles with others. Dragons feel hurt when others don’t realize that they have difficulties too, and sometimes want to be handled with kid gloves. If you want to be more approachable, or you want people to be sensitive to your situation, let them know what is going on with you. It’s that simple. This will allow them to recognize your needs too. Revealing your humanity won’t diminish your glamour so don’t even worry about that. You ≠ the sum of your problems.

This year Dragons may be more attentive to and attracted to logic, calculations and definitions because they are in short supply. Since these tendencies are natural for you, they may bring more immediate rewards than your dreams will. I suggest you go beyond what feels easy. Extend your mind to possibility and theory. Get wild with ideas, I mean, crazy. Keep track of them. This year is rich with the kind of inspiration that you can tap well into the future.

In case of difficult emotions or depression, learn to use your strengths to facilitate your own healing. Study power and relationship. Study success and what it means to you. Let yourself change your mind about what closeness means if you want to.

Summary: We only exist in relationship.

Amulet: Your choice of Horse or 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 Horse or the Pig.
Choose Horse if you want more engagement and touch.
Choose Pig if you want more flexibility and versatility.

January: Breaking up = freed up? Maybe so. Maybe think again.
February-March: If you want more agency, take care of health matters.
April: The challenge of not sabotaging yourself.
June: Supporters may overwhelm. Highlights your discomfort with fans and fame. Seek spontaneity.
August: You’re a mediator, should you choose to accept that role. I suggest you say yes.
September: Calculations and definitions shape your ideas about power and challenge.
October: In case of boundary issues, you may need to get loud.