THE YEAR OF THE BLACK TIGER(壬寅年)
Maggie H is a Global Explorer and Wellness Advocate from Hong Kong. Among many spiritual endeavors, Maggie practices and leads Qigong meditation to help people around the world find their inner balance. Find out more about this and other Eastern Philosophy & Meditation practices every month on the ICBRKR blog.
2022 has finally commenced. To be precise, the year of the Tiger(寅), the first year of the 12 zodiac signs begins on the 1st of February according to the lunar calendar this year.
The Tiger has the strongest yang energy out of all 12 signs and denotes the spring energy of shooting fresh buds out through thick bark after the cold and frozen winter energy of the Water.
In 2022, the energy of the Tiger comes with the Water element (壬) which is the North (北) in direction and the colour of the North is black, which makes this year the year of the black tiger. Water is fluid and flexible; black means wisdom and intelligence; and tiger symbolises the Wood energy of movement, progress, and focus.
Tigers are not only physically powerful but are also known to be mystical and spiritual creatures that ward off evil spirits. Thus, in the East, they are feared and respected at the same time. They frequently appeared in the folk arts of Korea as humorous and friendly characters and also as a reliable guardian safeguarding the mountain god.
A Chinese proverb says that 'One mountain cannot contain two tigers.’ Tigers with their strong independence and unyielding nature mark their territories and keep off all others including their own kind.
After what feels like an excessively long and cold winter, spring has finally come. Spring is accompanied by hope and renewed energy. Based on the general energy of the year 2022, we can expect to see a lot of new hopes and fresh ideas with eagerness to move forward but then one swallow doesn't make a spring. The frozen and wet ground from the year of the White Ox of 2021 hasn't fully thawed yet, so it's advisable not to rush into things, especially in the early part of the year. The key is to have a little pause to solidify your ideas and plans before you launch them.
The exceptions are those who have Fire as their dominant energy and those whose energy combination is mainly hot and dry, which means their birth chart mostly comprises the Fire and the Earth elements. Since they are well prepared, it's time to take a tiger step forward.
The Black Tiger is stretching to ready for action so it's time that the long brewed plans leave the drawing board and are made a reality.
Happy New Year and may the Tiger's force, courage, and wisdom be with you!