Happy Lunar New Year of the Earth Dog!

February 16, 2018 is the start of the lunar Year of the Earth Dog, one of 12 signs of Chinese Zodiac.

image by Lucrezia Carnelos via Unsplash

The Dog is generally loyal and trustworthy, a vigilant protector of loved ones. During the Dog year fairness, trust, honesty and equality are emphasized. It is a good time to work on resolving controversial issues, to fight for justice, and to resist political oppression.

Of the five Taoist elements Fire, Earth, Metal, Water, and Wood, this is the year of the Earth Dog.

Earth element relates to the qualities of stability, nourishment, and harmony, and is also connected to the digestive system in Chinese medicine. The Earth element in a balanced state allows for easy transformation of raw materials into energy and vitality, both in the realm of food and of thought. Paying attention to one’s diet will help us make the most of the Earth element abundance in this new year. “Diet” here is referring to both food and information that we take in. In Chinese medicine the Earth element is also associated with Dampness pathogen, which manifests in our bodies as variety of digestive problems and sometimes excess weight gain or sensation of heaviness. Therefore, it will an especially good year to support our digestive systems by limiting damp-producing foods such as sugar and dairy, as well as supporting smooth flow of energy with regular acupuncture treatments and energetic movement practices.

Earth also happens to be the Dog’s innate element. The preponderance of Earth this year will be helpful in grounding and quelling the chaos and conflict of the last two years. However, the Dog can sometimes be opinionated, impatient and too quick to react when witnessing unfairness. The Dog that is not well-supported can become dangerous. The best results this year will be achieved by putting aside differences and working in well-organized “packs” for the sake of a higher purpose.

On a personal level, this will be a good year to open our hearts to to others, to make more time for connections and friendships. Dog energy encourages us to strengthen our loyalty to those who have supported us through thick and thin and to reserve judgements.

It promises be a good and productive year for those born in the year of the Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Horse, Pig and Dog.

Dragons, Snakes, Monkeys, Sheep and Roosters are facing more of a challenge in the Dog year.

This post drew on the following articles for inspiration: 1, 2, and 3 (click on the numbers). You can visit the above links for some more detailed analysis for this Lunar New Year.

If you are interested in more information on the Chinese medicine perspective for this new year, you can check out this post.

Happy New Year of the Dog to all and may friendship, harmony, fairness and justice prevail!

image by Cristian Castillo via Unsplash