Chinese New Year: The Year of The Black Tiger
This is an article by my favorite Chinese herbalist in Los Angeles, Ron Teeguarden, founder of Dragon Herbs! Make sure to check out their website for excellent quality herbs and resources!
Officially, the New Year starts at the start of the new moon on February 1st, 2022 in the China (Xi’an) time zone. That is at 3:46 p.m. on Tuesday in China. However, most of you who are reading this live in America. In the US Pacific time zone, the new moon time is at 11:46 on Monday night, January 31st, 2022. The 2022 Chinese New Year Day is on Monday, January 31st, 2022, in the Pacific Time zone, though many will celebrate on Tuesday, February 1st.
Now, the first day of the Year of the Black Tiger is not the Chinese New Year Day in Chinese Astrology. Chinese Lunar New Year is not the first day of Black Tiger Year. The first day of Tiger Year is the first day of the Chinese Astrological year. This day is called the Start of Spring, which is the date when the sun enters the 315th degree on the tropical zodiac. This day is around February 4th each year.
The 2022 Chinese Astrological Year of the Black Tiger starts on February 4th, 2022, in China's time zone. That means that it starts in America on February 3rd. That’s when everyone’s luck changes. Celebrate the Lunar New Year with family and dear friends. Celebrate the Astrological New Year in contemplation and preparation for the adventure of the Year of the Yang-Water Black Tiger.
According to the 60-year cycle of 12 Animals and 5 Elements, 2022 is called a Yang-Water Tiger year. In Chinese Five Elements Theory, the color associated with the Water Element is Black. As most of you know by now, the color black in Chinese philosophy relates to the Kidneys, the Organ that stores and controls our Jing, which in turn controls our Will (willpower and clarity-of-direction), our bones and marrow, our brain, our mind, our sexual and reproductive power, the power of our sense organs, our ability to self-heal and recover from injury and illness, and our potential longevity. The Kidneys are called the “Root of Life” for good reason. Even modern science now acknowledges that the Kidneys determine lifespan.
All these functions are in play in 2022. This is the year we can strengthen our Kidneys and improve our lives, or it is a year where we can diminish our primal reserves and even shorten our lives. Luckily, we have the capacity to control our own destinies in 2022. Nurture and respect your Kidneys in the Year of the Yang-Water Black Tiger.
Yang-Water is running water, like a stream, river, waterfall, sea, or ocean. Yang-Water can be a source of danger and can manifest (literally or figuratively) as a treacherous discharge of water, as in a flood, torrential rainstorm, or tidal surge. So, the raw and uncontrolled effects of the Yang-Water force can be severe, acute, provocative, unforgiving, and lack any sense of charity and compassion. Uncontrolled restlessness can lead to risk-taking and danger. It will require inner power (Jing), Will, wisdom, and pre-meditation (Shen) to transform these harsh cosmic tendencies coming this year into favorable, truly great good fortune. Fortunately, we have that power within us – if we choose to tap and manifest that power. It all derives from your Kidneys this year.
In humans, the characteristics of a Yang-Water year can have a different, much less severe tone. In fact, the forces prevalent this year favor those who live their lives based on wisdom, manifesting their talent, agility, adaptability, and a conscious and willful drive for progress, improvement, personal growth and even transformation.
Again, this is why Jing must be stored and guarded, and Will should not be lost. Diligence and inner power can make this a most fabulous year for those who know the way.
Tiger is the third animal sign of 12 Earthly Branches. Tiger is in the Wood group according to the Chinese Five Element theory. Tiger is Yang-Wood, which is symbolized by the big tree in the spring. The Tiger month is February, the beginning month of the spring season. The weather is still a little cold and the Wood waits for the warm weather to grow. The Tiger is often content to be alone, and generally is not overly extroverted. Yet the Tiger has an authoritative air, and the Tiger is bold, ambitious, resolute, relatively unyielding yet strong enough and self-confident enough to bend. Because of these traits, the mature Tiger is usually an excellent and successful leader. When the Tiger starts a new project from scratch, growing pains are almost unavoidable, though the setbacks and challenges are almost always surmountable.
The Yang-Wood (energy) of the Tiger is symbolized by tall trees and is often connected to large wooden structures.
The Tiger also contains and manifests Yang-Fire, which is connected to the awesome power of the sun. The Tiger can tap this awesome power at will. However, it must be controlled to protect against over-reach, excessive risk-taking, and excessive loss of the Yang Jing inner power.
In Chinese astrology, Yang-Water is the Heavenly Stem, and the Tiger is the Earthly Branch. The color of Yang-Water is black. Therefore, Yang-Water Tiger is the Black Tiger. However, the color blue (the color of water) is often the favorite color of the Tiger.
How to have a great year of the yang-water tiger
The wise sages of old said that the secret of having a great, progressive, and safe Year of the Yang-Water Tiger is to understand Yin and Yang. The year is definitely a power year, one of Yang-type manifestation. So the secret of maintaining that power is to recognize the value of relaxing, resting, and even traveling, and to do these consciously, with the premeditated purpose of recovery, renewal, and rejuvenation. This is so that one can completely rejuvenate spent Jing.
This year requires periods of recharging all Three Treasure (Jing, Qi, and Shen). All people can use the Year of the Yang-Water Tiger as a power-source to rejuvenate and grow. The power is inherent in the atmosphere. However, when relaxing and recharging, one should not ever drop their guard completely this year, as the nature of the year is one of metaphorical flooding and surges. We must attempt to deal with problems early and decisively. Do not let a small leak turn into a bursting dam. During each instance or period of challenge, one should maintain both calmness and willfulness while engaging in all activities. Finish the job.
Black Tiger and The God of Prosperity
Zhao Gongming is a mythological deity worshipped in the Chinese folk religion. He is the 'God of Prosperity. Zhao Gongming’s image and name are often evoked during all Chinese New Year celebrations. His image, riding his Black Tiger and holding a scepter capable of turning stone or base metal into gold, is often printed by the millions and posted on doors throughout China for good luck in the coming year. He is thus called a “door god.” And this year, because Zhao Gongming rides a Black Tiger, he is especially important.
In life, Zhao Gongming achieved deity-like status as a warrior. He was said to be the “master of the wind, thunder, and rain.” He defeated many wizards and sorcerers. But after losing his magic weapons, he was killed. In Heaven, as a reward for taming the Black Tiger and using his powers to save the lives of innocent people, Zhao Gongming was delegated as the officer in charge of dispensing properties and treasures such as gold, jewelry, land, and other treasures. He can give people both wealth and happiness.
The Year of the Yang Black Tiger portends the arrival of the God of the Prosperity. Those who can tap the power (Jing) and energy (Qi) of the Yang Black Tiger and focus their Will, can achieve great prosperity and remain safe and healthy in this year of the Yang Black Water Tiger.
A note to those born in the Year of the Black Tiger, and to some degree for all Tigers, investment in properties has long been considered a reliable approach to achieving and maintaining prosperity. Real estate or other properties should be analyzed and understood, at which point they may lead to prosperity and even great wealth. That said, ALL PEOPLE can benefit and grow more prosperous in the Year of the Black Tiger – IF they follow the current (as in the powerful flow of a river) and tap the power of the Yang-Water Black Tiger.
Practical Tips
Tonic herbs are amazing, time-tested, time-proven, life-enhancing agents of the highest order. There are thousands of dietary supplements, most of which are beneficial and good. But the Chinese tonic herbal system is unique in its profound understanding of the body, the mind, the emotions, the heart, the art of healthy aging through life cultivation, and longevity. Tens of thousands of geniuses through the ages have studied and experimented with herbs for a multitude of reasons. The tonic herbs are called the “superior herbs” because they promote glowing health, a clear mind, happiness, and longevity – and they are extremely safe for most people. No matter what your diet, your supplement program, your lifestyle, your gender or age, tonic herbs can contribute to your life – especially when they are of the superior quality that we can offer you at Dragon Herbs.
May I add, this may be the best time in your life to consume Jing-boosting tonic herbs consistently for at least a while.
Yang tonic herbs like the Cordyceps mushroom, Deer antler, Eucommia bark, Cistanche stem, Tibetan Ever Young Herb (wild Cynomorium), Epimedium leaf, and the like can rapidly build Yang Jing, which is your true inner power, the power that spawns life.
Meanwhile, Yin tonic herbs like the Goji berry, wild volcano-grown Schizandra berry, He Shou Wu root (properly prepared), Dendrobium herb, Polygonatum root (properly prepared), Rehmannia root (properly prepared), and the like can rapidly replenish and then maintain Yin Jing. Both Yang and Yin Jing are required for optimum human functioning and growth. Shop Jing tonics...
Qi tonics are always the key to daily vitality. Great tonics like Ginseng, Astragalus, Reishi, Rhodiola, Mountain Ant, Shilajit, Codonopsis, and the like provide the zest for life, and the adaptive capacity to handle stress and challenges successfully and thus preventing exhaustion. Shop Qi tonics...
Shen tonics like Reishi (wild and cultivated), wild Ginseng, Goji, Schizandra, Albizia flower, Pearl powder, and the like help us maintain emotional balance and control, and remain calm even during stressful times.They allow us to evolve psychologically, even to metamorphose into a higher and more conscious human being. Shop Shen tonics...
Nevertheless, it must be emphasized that for this special once in a lifetime year, Jing tonics are the key to success, personal safety (protection), and growth that can positively impact the rest of your life.
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