Welcome in the Yang Water Tiger.

A Happy Chinese Lunar New Year - February 1st 2022 - 21st January 2023, on this New Moon in Aquarius. Courtesy of Tai Chi instructor Deanne Eakin: 

It has been 60 years since the last year of the Water Tiger (1962), and remember the liberating and ground-breaking energies of the 60's! Looking ahead and across to this auspicious next passage of human evolution, awakening, and transformation, we should discover the ways and means to cultivate and embody the energies and truly next-level gifts the majestic, wild, and rare "big CAT" catalyzes to inspire our daily lives! Think: Bold, Dramatic, Playful, Resourceful, Brave, Powerful, Passionate, Dignified, Cosmic, Strength, Confidence, Decisiveness. 

Let's break these energies and forces down... 

The masculine Yang is expansive and firey, whereas the Yin aspect represents contraction and the Water element - being the Universal forces of creation in the Chinese culture and worldview, i.e. how the world was created and how it works. This blend may play out or encourage a natural "balanced state" of these two opposite forces which ushers in the New Year with a balanced and calm foundation, so it is up to us to locate or "track" our baselines of balanced emotions, intellect, and activities right now whilst bathing in this light-filled New Moon at 12 degrees of Aquarius - particularly energizing these first few days of February. 

In the days and months to come, it would be most helpful to know the energies playing out in your natal astrological chart focusing on your major transits, your North Node (your Soul's true purpose for being here in skin), and where your Jupiter is and how it can guide and assist you during this wildly potent Jupiter transit in Jupiter-ruled Pisces. This transit is a meteoric CATALYST for spiritual awakening, learning, and transformation which, combined with regal Tiger's formidable presence and attributes, will undoubtedly ignite a time period which is destined to change the course of existence here on Earth (yet again, but with an Aquarian emphasis on the "People" NOT the "Power Structure") - opening the doors and windows for humanity to activate a more laser-focused attention to their personal and greater territories (individual microcosms and macrocosms), birthing new relationships, friendships, partnerships, alliances, opportunities, innovations, and ideas (Jupiter in Pisces higher/expansive imagination, exploration, and intuition) to enrich, enliven, embolden, enhance, and empower ALL of THAT which is closer to our Homes and Hearts, including our Inner-Cats! 

In summary, this coming year beckons us to deeply connect with our Inner-Light, and even more experientially profound, our playful Inner-Cat! We are moving from the steady, predictable work-horse Oxen energy where we learned slow and steady wins the race, staying true to yourself, and daily diligence and tenacity into the more dynamic, responsive and cosmically tuned intuitive and resourceful energies of this intensely-aware creature which oversees, protects, and thrives in its territory... it's Kingdom. Be it the Inner-Kingdom along with our dominant environments. And furthermore, it could be said that this year will be best served by a balanced, well-nourished, and incredibly agile and aware TIGER, whether in PLAYFUL mode or hunting POUNCE mode (being strategic, holding your ground, and remaining calm), and being even more deeply in tune with nature and other beings and creatures in its territories (practicing compassion) - rather than being whirled around in the chaos of the external and extended worlds (like a cat chasing its tail), remembering that the incoming and outgoing storms actually revolve around YOUR center, inner-peace, and calm. Traveling into different dimensions of existence and states is much encouraged and supported by these placements and transits, and can be done with experienced guidance via Soul Journeying, Past-life Regression, Yoga Nidra, Shamatha or Calm-Abiding Meditation, Zazen, Tai Chi, and Forest Bathing. Finding your Flow and Being in your Flow are choices we need to make on a daily basis, now more important than ever. 

The cultural and spiritual symbology of Tigers and Cats in more Traditions: 
In Tibetan Vajrayana Buddhism, the most powerful dieties/energies of protection and transformation fly across the vast ocean of consciousness on the backs of Tigers. 

In Inkan Shamanism, the Jaguar symbolizes the mental/emotional state, claiming and integrating your gifts and choices, AND owning your projections, beliefs and judgments. Also, the Jaguar energy has nothing to defend, nothing to prove, and no enemies. Journeying with Otorongo-Jaguar is a powerful tool to awaken our connection with Spirit and confide in this as our true stability, integrity, and wisdom we are never separate from. 

I hope this is a pivotal and profound year for ALL on every level. May the Forces of Tiger, Truth, and LOVE be with Us and weave throughout our lives and Hearts the most beautiful tapestry in this coming Year. IT is SO.