Entering The Chinese New Year of The Wood Dragon
Previous Dragon Years: 2012, 2000, 1988, 1976, 1964, 1952, 1940
The Year of the Wood Dragon begins 9/10 February 2024 at the Lunar New Year in Chinese astrology. The Dragon is the 5th of the 12 Chinese zodiac animals, so there’s a Dragon year once every 12 years. Then, in Chinese element theory, each zodiac sign is associated with one of the five elements: Gold (Metal), Wood, Water, Fire, or Earth, so that we will have a Wood Dragon Year only once every 60 years.
This is a New Moon in Aquarius – and also the very first new moon of Pluto in Aquarius. The moon changes zodiac signs every two and a half days. No big deal on the face of it. Why even bother to notice, even? The effects are transitory. But the changing moon signs still function as a weather vane, while events at the new Moon and full Moon operate on a different scale, mirroring or triggering profound and potentially, long term effects and consequences.
This New Moon could prove momentous “in the affairs of men” across the world, marking as it does, the start of a new age that will continue until March 2043. It is also a Super Moon, and we may notice disturbed sleep or unusually vivid dreams, although the Moon is invisible.
What can we expect from this new Dragon year? Astrologers look at the events in previous Wood Dragon years for hints and clues. The last Wood Dragon year was in 1964 when:-
-the U.S experienced its greatest ever recorded earthquake in S Alaska; 9.2 magnitude. -NASA launched Mariner 4 on a successful mission to Mars.
-There were race riots in the U.S. and President Lyndon Johnson signed into law The Civil Rights Act.
-Dr Martin Luther King Jr. was awarded the Nobel Peace prize.
-3 North Vietnamese torpedo ships approached and then fired on the destroyer USS Maddox in the Bay of Tonkin after it fired warning shots at them, and then, citing an alleged/unproven second attack, the U.S under Lyndon B Johnson authorized a resolution for war against N Vietnam…
In Western Tropical astrology, the Dragon corresponds most closely with the zodiac sign of Aries the Ram. This is yang energy; bold and brave, optimistic and determined. A Dragon year is anything but quiet and uneventful, whether on a global level or an individual level. But a Wood Dragon is somewhat quieter, more thoughtful and reflective than the Dragons of the other elements.
The Chinese New Year begins during Aquarius season in Western Astrology. Aquarius, the air sign of the Water Carrier, is also called The Cloud Bearer.
The Dragon of the Chinese zodiac does not breathe fire, but clouds.
China, Taiwan and the Philippines
The nodes of the moon- the lunar nodes- are also known as The Head of the Dragon and The Tail of the Dragon. The north node is where we are heading next, according to our natal chart, and the south node is about our history and where we have come from. Maybe even our past lives or ancestral karma.
I’m not seeing a land invasion of Taiwan in 2024. But nor is there any sign that China will cease and desist its provocations in the Strait of Taiwan or its incursions into the territorial waters of the Philippines in the South China Seas.
My cards did not show such an invasion last year, 2023, The Year of The Black Water Rabbit, nor did they detect any outright attempt at invasion in 2022 The Year of The Black Water Tiger. I was, I must say, more nervous about the Tiger than the Rabbit. The Rabbit is prudent, wary, where the Water Tiger is maritime and expansionist.
(This is recorded in the archives here at True Tarot Tales.com)
I’m not seeing Chinese military boots on the ground in Taiwan. But one never says never. We are in for all manner of big surprises. President Xi is under economic, as well as political pressure to be seen to “reclaim” Taiwan. Despite a cordial meeting with President Biden in November 2023, Taiwan was not discussed, while at a top-level national security meeting in May 2023, President Xi advised his team to “be prepared for worst case and extreme scenarios,” and called for “combat readiness.”
It may seem only a matter of time before Beijing decides to make the attempt to annex Taiwan by force. I have drawn the Seven of Cups, suggesting it is high on the wish list.
Image from the Gilded Tarot Royale deck.
But much depends on its assessment of the risk, in seeking to avoid a direct conflict with the U.S. This year’s elections in Taiwan have not gone China’s way. And it won’t be known until very late in the year, who will be the next President of the United States. I will certainly be looking at that again in my cards and posting here.
The astrology signs point to a potential crisis during April 2024. I draw The Queen of Wands (Aries) and the King of Pentacles (Taurus.) This seems to be a crisis at sea and this could equally mean the Black Sea or The Red Sea or Strait of Hormuz.
But the landward facing Wood Dragon is room for hope that tensions will not escalate into direct conflict in the South China Sea, while in Chinese astrology, the Dragon relates well with the Monkey. The United States was “born” in 1776, in a year of The Monkey. So far so good, from a purely symbolic point of view in Far Eastern astrology.
But historically, the United States IS now undergoing its first Pluto return. Such returns have marked the collapse of empires and dynasties, but not necessarily at the first or even second Pluto return. The Roman Empire did not fall until its second Pluto return. In England, the second Pluto return marked the age of Elizabeth 1; an era of great prosperity and expansion. The third Pluto return marked Britain’s abolition of slavery.
On a different note, this Wood Dragon year will likely see new legislation relating to issues of natural sustainability, and in particular, as one might imagine; Forestry and Forest ecology in the Amazon and other rain forests, while there are already plans to recycle Forestry residue in aviation technology.
On a Personal Level
The individual Wood Dragon native can really forge ahead in 2024. This is a time for clearing out dead wood, making new plans. A career shift or change in direction is highly likely, and there are good prospects for progress and promotion. There will be some times of stress. Be sure to allow enough rest. Finances may be an issue, notwithstanding job progress. But the Wood Dragon is nothing if not capable, often talented in engineering, architecture, design and the fields of arts and crafts.
This yang energy Dragon is as go-ahead as the other Dragons, but somewhat more easygoing. Essentially good natured. High minded even. When the going gets difficult with other people- this will be something of a roller coaster year of ups and downs-then mood management is the order of the day. Least said, soonest mended. Bask on a rock. Take a nap in the sunshine. There’s a good Dragon.
Tarot for today
The Seven of Swords= Moon in Aquarius. But this card could be playing out in ways we will notice, not just today, but over the next ten days or so.
There’s a lot going on. New Moon in 20 degrees Aquarius-the first one in Pluto as we enter the third decan of Aquarius in Tropical astrology.
Associated meanings: Scouting, surveillance, diplomacy. Sabotage. We may need to move fast. Preventative measures, or even a preemptive strike. Oh look, says the Seven of Swords. I see your game and I am ahead of you. Averting trouble. Breaking up a fight. Guarding our info. Changing our passwords. Smiling while keeping a cool head. Playing our cards close to our chest. Looking way ahead, taking the strategic long view.
Thank you for reading.
Back soon.
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