2022: Year of Daring Tiger
Courageous & Powerful Change
Transition from Ox to Tiger
“I must not fear. Fear is the mind-killer. Fear is the little-death that brings total obliteration. I will face my fear. I will permit it to pass over me and through me. And when it has gone past I will turn the inner eye to see its path. Where the fear has gone there will be nothing. Only I will remain.”
- Frank Herbert, Dune
Yang Water Tiger: The force of torrential rainstorms and crashing waterfalls joins the deeply grounded yet wild, fearless, stalking strength of nature’s biggest cat, Tiger.
2022 is turning last year's Yin Metal Ox on its head, going for its jugular. Although both Tiger and Ox are methodical and incredibly strong, the cooperative and generally pleasing demeanor of Ox may seem long gone amidst Tiger’s fierce, intimidating, independent, and dominating ways.
Tiger is demanding that we embrace courage with grounded strength from the depth of our being. It Is Time to Wake Up!
I've been feeling the force of Yang Water Tiger moving in all month long. Vacillating between "Fuck yea, I got this!" to "Holy Shit, I need to hide under the covers." The intensity feels both inspiring and totally overwhelming.
Most of you know that I tend toward mindfulness in general, and this last month, tuning into my center, re-finding a grounded, peaceful place inside (several times a day) has been absolutely necessary.
I sense the great potential of this year. If we can face our fears, if we can allow and support the change that is pushing us forward, beautiful fireworks baby! And its going to take focused effort (and a lot of patience) in each of us. One soft, sure-pawed step at a time.
Let's do this! I know we can. I'm here to help.
More on the energies of 2022 below.
xo
Piper
February 1, 2022, Yang Water Tiger awakened
TIGER
The Image
Tiger’s big beauty, soft paws and strong muscles, stalk quietly, chase ferociously, love passionately, swim strong currents gracefully, and pounce decisively… rendering their prey speechless and limp.
When Charged: courageous, strong-willed, energetic, enthusiastic, unconventional, lucky, honest, imaginative, competitive, dedicated, dignified and generous *
When Deplete: restless, impulsive, inconsiderate, morose, stubborn, egotistical, rebellious, indecisive, overly sensitive to criticism, prideful and vain *
Historical Image: The Tiger talked about in Chinese Astrology is well known to all Chinese farmers as a very successful predator. Tigers were on the list of common causes of death among early Chinese peasants. Tiger skin aprons were worn by famous generals in Chinese history as symbols of fearlessness in battle. Icons of Zhang Dao-ling show him riding a Tiger. The Chinese character for Tiger (hu) written on a farmhouse door is an amulet to ward off fire, theft and illness. Material things are of value to a Tiger only when they assist in creating his/her strong public image. Things must have power. *
“Everything depends on exactly how you conduct yourself. Humility, caution, fear-management and contemplation bring success.”
Working with Tiger's Intensity
Vignettes to Meditate On
1. Deeply CONNECTED to the ROOTS OF EARTH, the tall and powerful Trees of life, the energy of this grounded, dominant, wild creature of heart can be a fierce healing force and personal ally. The more we inhabit and ground in our bodies this year, through our rich connection with Mother Earth and The Heart of Life, the stronger we will feel and become.
2. The key to living with Tiger’s powerful (sometimes overwhelming) energy is FACING OUR FEARS with rooted love and clear intentions. Trying to over-power or run/hide from our challenges will likely find us feeling more anxious, exhausted, defensive, and beaten down.
3. WISE, CAUTIOUS, and HUMBLE ACTION will pave the path for greater, more sustainable success. Humble does not mean weak. Humble is recognizing that we are one of many equal, inter-dependent elements working together for the highest benefit of all—our unique contribution is a gift, but not the “best” or “right way.”
Strength + Softness = Most Powerful
4. USE YOUR VOICE (spoken and written, creatively expressed in any form) on behalf of your heartfelt desires. By being clear, intentional, slow and sure, your voice will command respect and attract your people and desired outcomes to you—reverberating widely and deeply across your life. You may feel the intense energy of this year trying to silence you (Tiger uses its powerful jaws and sharp teeth to skillfully collapse their prey). Do not let it!! Your truthful expression is needed and wanted.
5. With Tiger’s brilliant night vision (6x that of humans), WORKING WITHIN THE SHADOWS of ourselves (wounds and hidden power within us) will provide brilliant growth and benefit. Learning to stalk (observe) ourselves, our deep and honest feeling body, mind and heart, will give us the much-needed nourishment to embody our true Self—and keep us from being too easily swayed by those wanting to force and overpower us. Mother Tigers are determined nurturers, doing everything they can to nourish, protect, and guide their oh so vulnerable babies. Find and be the Great Mother in you.
6. Tiger’s VANITY and LOVE OF POWER may induce vulnerability to the often-unconscious habit of comparison. When depleted and off-balance, our vain ego-mind will likely find itself spinning in the dungeon of less-than or defending the castle of self-aggrandizement. Kindly “catch and correct” yourself: stop engaging with your comparing actions and re-connect with the unique truth of your own personal brilliance.
Triggered? Pull In and Back to Re-Center Yourself
7. If and when you feel yourself IMPATIENT, WANTING TO FORCE others to comply with your will, or force yourself to be and feel different, better, stronger than you do (especially when feeling hungry for love, money, and power), allow yourself to step back and away to re-center yourself. Quiet time in calm waters, easy winds, rich soil, tall trees, solid mountains, by yourself, or with those you trust and love, will support you to find strength with softness again.
8. This Tiger year will present many opportunities to LET GO. Let go of what was to embrace what wants to be—with death comes rebirth. Let go of our ego’s attachment to external images, external power, so many things external that are weighing us down and keeping us trapped. The lighter and freer we are to move our minds, hearts, and bodies as our intuitive/animal instinct is leading us to do, the more fulfilled and content we will become.
9. Lastly, tigers are on the verge of extinction, with more in “domesticated” captivity in the US than in the wild. Our fascination to own Tiger’s great beauty, strength, and healing power has humans greedily poaching and caging, depleting this daring courage, rather than learning how to embody it for ourselves. Tiger is present this year for us all to learn from its example – BECOME WITHIN – stop taking what is not yours to take.
“When a tiger is not hungry or provoked (tread upon) it allows its usual prey to play safely nearby.”
YANG WATER
The Force
Working with the energy of Yang Water:
Waterfalls - Oceans - Typhoons/Hurricanes - Torrential Storms - Floods
1. The powerful pummeling of Yang Water may agitate and churn up debris from the depths of your life, rearranging what has been settled or stuck for many years/lifetimes. Trust that you have the courage, strength and support to face and move through it!
2. Yang Water, although incredibly forceful and intense, is also magical and transformative. This energy has the power to move and penetrate most anything (drill holes in metal; generate electricity; encompass, submerge, clear out all that is stuck) simply by its natural flow. Movement + Penetration = Restoration
Healthy Boundaries are a MUST
3. Dipping in and out of waterfall’s tumbling showers or Ocean’s vastness can support you when needing this added momentum. However, choosing to make home of the pummeling, Herculean storm is dangerous and life-threatening. Watch out for the signs of emotional overwhelm, emotional manipulation, and added stress. Take good care of yourself!
4. Learning to work with your feelings (emotions and sensations) is paramount this year. Cultivating your skills of compassion and intuition are a saving grace. DO get the trusted support you need. Ignoring the challenges that knock on your door this year is not a healthy option—ignoring them is likely to increase anxiety, fear, emotional over-reaction, and destruction.
“When Lu is divined you should be realistic, read the omen carefully and develop a clear plan before you take action.”
Most Important
Final Thoughts
Working with the power of feeling in your body, mind and heart, paired with Tiger’s grounded and trusted strength and fearlessness, can support you to cross the great rivers of your life, to accomplish things you felt impossible for you before. This year has the potential to be quite abundant and “lucky” in this way—to bring rich fulfillment—as you express yourself more freely and fully with strength + softness… with humility, sincerity, and patience.
And when the heat (intensity) is too much, step away to play or relax in calm waters, or hunker down with earth’s rich soil and her wise, old trees. Taking care to create harmony and balance within will be a regular and needed gift to give yourself.
2022 KEY WORDS
inner-focus; patience; observation; caution; grounding; courage; clarity; dedication; sexy; passionate; lucky; resourceful; abundant; inner-strength; emotional support; movement; flexibility; dominion; boundaries!
2022 KEY ACTIONS
Work with your body’s energy to ground in the graceful strength and nourishment of nature (water, wood, fire, earth, air, and animals)
Face your fears—don’t run or hide
Tap into your calm and intuitive focus to guide you through the intensity one moment, one day at a time
Become a wise, patient observer of your personal thoughts, feelings, and choices to learn what is wanting to heal and shift so that you can attract your needs and desires
Let yourself feel into and celebrate your natural abundance, passion, unique personal power
When triggered or overwhelmed, pull in and away to calm and center before taking next actions
Quiet and sooth your ego-mind when spinning in righteous forcing or fearful lack-thinking—these states will only attract danger and downfall
Lean into your trusted allies to peacefully, powerfully, and naturally support yourself and others in the face of risk
Traditional Attributes of
Yang Water - Tiger:
YANG WATER
Element: Active Water
Direction: North
Color: Black
Number: 1
Chinese Name: Kan
I Ching Constellation:
(29. Kan :: Pit [--])
Balanced: free flowing; powerful; penetrating; accepting; growth; inspired movement; change-making; shape-shifting; cleaning out and filling up
Unbalanced: stuck; struggling; forcing; over-powering; unrelenting; impatient; overreacting; trapped; defeated; giving up; bitter; hopeless; belligerent
TIGER *
Native Element: WOOD
Hours: 3am – 5am
Moon: 1st moon (often in February)
Season: Mid-Winter
Flora: Prunus
Stone: Saphire
Direction: N60E
Lunar Mansions:
Tiger (6. Tail [+])
Leopard (7. Basket [+])
I Ching Constellation:
(10. Lu :: Treading [+-])
Charged: courageous, strong-willed, energetic, enthusiastic, unconventional, lucky, honest, imaginative, competitive, dedicated, dignified and generous
Deplete: restless, impulsive, inconsiderate, morose, stubborn, egotistical, rebellious, indecisive, overly sensitive to criticism, prideful and vain
Compatibility: What is most interesting about Tigers is that they have stripes - the difference between their public and private characters. Though immensely strong in public, they require solitude and personal “down time” to restore the energy they spend projecting their fierce public images. For this private reason they are suited to partners of the non-competitive domestic signs: Pigs, Goats and Dogs. Rats, Rabbits and Roosters understand them but are less than perfect. Ox and Snakes seem too quiet and appear boring. Dragons and Horses are generally too competitive. Monkeys can push every Tiger button and bring out the Tiger’s dark side.
Auspices for Those Born in Tiger Year: It is best to be born near dawn or dusk
* Information gathered from Da Yuan Circle’s DYCTongShu app, authored by Liu Ming