Tiger Magic: 2022: Year of the Black Water Tiger

The Tyger

Tyger Tyger, burning bright, 
In the forests of the night; 
What immortal hand or eye, 
Could frame thy fearful symmetry?

In what distant deeps or skies. 
Burnt the fire of thine eyes?
On what wings dare he aspire?
What the hand, dare seize the fire?

–William Blake,

1794, from The Songs of Experience

True Tiger Tales

Where does the tiger’s name come from?

The modern word comes from the Old English tigras (plural), also in part from Old French tigre “tiger” (mid-12c.) and they both from Latin tigris “tiger,” from Greek tigris, possibly from an Iranian source akin to Old Persian tigra- “sharp, pointed,” like an arrow in reference to its springing on its prey.

The scientific name, Panthera Tigris, is thought to have various origins, but is most likely from the Indian language, in which “panther” refers to the yellow and white colouring of the tiger.

There are 2 main subspecies of tiger but two main groupings: the Asian continental tigers and the island tigers. The largest cat in the world is the Amur tiger, and the smallest of the tigers is the Sumatran tiger.

This – Via World Wildlife Organization

Since 2017, IUCN has recognized two tiger subspecies, commonly referred to as the continental tiger and the Sunda Island tiger. All remaining island tigers are found only in Sumatra, with tigers in Java and Bali now extinct. These are popularly known as Sumatran tigers. The continental tigers currently include the Bengal, Malayan, Indochinese and Amur (Siberian) tiger populations, while the Caspian tiger is extinct in the wild. The South China tiger is believed to be functionally extinct.

However, wild tiger numbers are rising again after a century in decline. Based on the best available information, wild tiger numbers are rising again after a century in decline in India, Nepal, Bhutan, Russia and China. An estimated 3,900 tigers remain in the wild (a TINY number) but much more work needs to be done to secure the future of the tiger in the wild. In some areas including much of Southeast Asia, tigers are still in crisis and declining in number.

The tiger is honoured in mythology throughout all its ranges in Asia. The tiger is a wonder of the world entire. The Goddess of Compassion, Kuan Yin will surely be mourning the decline of the tiger in the wild due to hunting and poaching and loss of habitat. She who hears the cries of the world will surely hear the cries of the tiger.

Kuan Yin rides a dragon in token of her power, and also in her role as a protector of fishermen.

For Buddhists the tiger represents spiritual struggle, finding one’s own inner light in dark and dangerous times. The tiger hunts alone by night, and will travel great distances, combining stealth with power.  This year of the Water tiger reminds us that the tiger is an excellent swimmer and the mother tiger is devoted to her cubs.

To the Samurai of Japan, the tiger was a natural emblem of courage.

Hindu goddess Durga, (Sanskrit: “the Inaccessible”) principal form of the threefold Goddess, also known as Devi and Shakti, is depicted as a warrior going into battle riding a tiger, Damon. Shown here slaying a demon buffalo (Source Wiki).

 

North of Mumbai, harvested crops are donated in honour of the tiger, where it is seen as a symbol of life and regeneration.

The Astrology: The Water Tiger 2022

Tiger Years: 1938, 1950, 1962, 1974, 1986, 1998, 2010, 2022.

This is a Year of the Black Water Tiger in Chinese astrology.  but the first astrological day of the Tiger year is on February 4, 2022, not to be confused with the day of the Chinese New Year, Tuesday February 1 and the celebrations finish with the Lantern Festival February 15th, 2022.

The start of Tiger month marks the first month of spring when the sun enters the 315th degree in the tropical zodiac. 

Each Chinese zodiac sign is associated with one of five elements.

• Wood: creativity, imagination
• Fire: passion, adventure
• Metal: persistence, ambition
• Water: agility, eloquence
• Earth: patience, stability

Why a black tiger? Chinese astrology links colours with the elements, and black is the colour for water.

The Water Tiger symbolizes something moving in, as well as upon the Water. This could mean ships and boats for example and by extension, river or marine fishing, overseas trade and shipping and pleasure cruising.

This imagery could be also read as a fertility sign, something that grows in water could mean water crops or even a baby growing within the womb. There could be far reaching discussions and decisions this year for instance, to encourage or support a rise in the birth rate in China to offset the economic challenges of an ageing population in consequence of a thirty year one child policy.

On the other hand water is connected to danger in the I-Ching. Add this to the courage of the Tiger, for which we could also read potential aggression, then the Water Tiger of 2022 implies a need for caution while suggesting a year of growth, development, challenge, creation, planning with a need to be well-prepared. This has clear implications for developments or confrontations in the Taiwan Straits in 2022.

It could predict significant maritime events this year. Possibly too, because it is about the movement of water or movement in or on water, and following the underwater volcanic eruption near Tonga, the water tiger could mean further significant underwater seismic events or tsunamis.

Update 4/2/2022 The HMS Endeavour has been located off Rhode Island 250 years after it sailed to Australia under the command of Captain James Cook. It is believed that it was scuttled by British Forces in the American war of independence, now identified via archival and archaeological evidence. This, upon the advent of the Water Tiger, and during Jupiter in Pisces.

A Tiger year is a potentially explosive year in world events but the fact of this being a Water Tiger year, the first since 1966, somewhat cools, calms and moderates that Tiger effect.

We are probably in for a series or a succession of standoffs, then, and the situation on the Ukraine border is one marker, but not the only one in 2022.

In the UK, Boris Johnson looks likely to stay in position as PM at least for now, as per a recent reading here in the archives. It looks likely that his party , while unhappy at the recent media storm focused on civil service gatherings at 10 Downing Street, will likely choose not to risk a vote of no confidence with the issue of the Northern Ireland Protocol still not resolved, the aggressive stance in respect of this by the European court of Justice and now that M Macron is head of the EU in 2022.

The UK will not rejoin the EU so far as I can tell, looking through the cards.

Update 4/2/2022 The long lost HMS Endeavour has reportedly been identified off Rhode Island 250 years after it sailed to Australia under the command of Captain James Cook. It is believed that it was scuttled by British Forces in the American war of independence, now identified via archival and archaeological evidence. This, upon the advent of the Water Tiger, and during Jupiter in Pisces.

General Astrology

Where the signs in western astrology change every month and come round every year. Aquarius comes round every February in western or tropical astrology, a Chinese animal year comes round only once every twelve years, and when we add in the element as well, the last Water Tiger year was 1966.

Astrology suggests some kind of cosmic replay of global events or trends in 1966. This could be a year of extremes.

Personal astrology

People born in a Tiger year are characterised in Chinese astrology as confident, in tune with their instincts, knowing the best times to act, and when to stay still.  They may, for all their confidence, present a quiet appearance, and may catch people by surprise, who did not realize they were there but it is rare for the tiger to be caught surprised or unprepared,

Tiger year people, even in leadership roles, still like their privacy, and will often choose to work alone or by night.

The Tiger is sensitive, tactile and charismatic, which may draw them into the healing or psychic arts for which they may have a natural talent. Change may be a challenge for the Tiger as for everybody, but their self-control, their talent for observation and their gift of good timing stand them in good stead.

The Water Tiger: 1966 and 2022

These Tigers are curious and independent-minded,  but are more reflective, and tend to have very good interpersonal relationships compared with other Tigers who can struggle with other people at close quarters, and in consequence sometimes experience loneliness. They are more family-oriented and like a quiet and peaceful family life. Though they are outwardly confident, they may be more prone to indecision than other tigers. These Tigers tend to keep family and work separate and try to never take work home. They often don’t say much but in general are known for being considerate and sympathetic to their loved ones.

Water Tigers are as ambitious as other tigers, but they need a settled home life to thrive professionally, and they also tend to be stubborn and resistant to listening to advice and learning from others which then works against them.

Thinking of the water tiger of 2022, I can’t help but think of the tiger called Richard Parker in the novel, The Life of Pi by Yann Martel.

Richard…royal rule

Parker… a warden of a park, the garden of Eden, the Earth

Lords of the atlas, we are not. What goes around, as they say, comes around.

Time is the substance from which I am made. Time is a river which carries me along, but I am the river; it is a tiger that devours me, but I am the tiger; it is a fire that consumes me, but I am the fire.

– Jorge Luis Borges

Back soon 🙂