By Dr. Nate Mohler www.sandhillacu.com January 31, 2022 at 4:01pm (Mountain Time) marked the ending of the Yin Metal Ox year and the beginning of the Yang Water Tiger year in the Chinese 60 year cycle. The approaching year according to the Chinese Lunar Calendar is 4720. For each Lunar New Year there are three aspects that influence; the Heaven Stem, Earth Branch, and a Yin/ Yang polarity. The Stem is given to us in the form of one of the five elements, while the Branch is given in the form of the zodiac animal. One other aspect of the year should be mentioned before discussing further. That is the polarity designation of each year. Each year is designated by a polarity which is governed by the Heaven Stem Element. These three aspects make up the general description of each year. For example, the year that is just ending is designated as a Yin Metal (White) Ox year. Each of these aspects tells part of the story of what one might expect in such a year. In retrospect, the Yin Metal Ox year was one of work and toil. Ox has an association with the Earth phase/element and is also a work animal. The Metal influence indicates an association with finances and physical health. The fact that it was a Yin year, indicates that the focus should be inward consolidation rather than outward expansion. Following the general map that is laid out by this, indicates how one should behave, generally, during such a year. Ignoring these things could lead to disharmonies that are a result of not expressing spontaneity within the natural The Empty Vessel — Page 12
flow of the year. If last year was a struggle, perhaps it was a result of seeking to grow when one should have been seeking to maintain. The year that we are entering is that of the Yang Water (Black) Tiger year. The Heaven Stem is that of Water and the Earth Branch is that of the Tiger (which is associated with the Wood phase/element). The year is also a Yang year, deriving from the Heaven Stem. So, the question is, what does this all mean? A read of the year starts with a broad reading of these individual attributes.
Tiger Earth Branch The Tiger zodiac is an ambitious and active sign that invokes courage and self-confident behavior. The Zodiac is, along with the Horse and Dog in the Triangle of Ambition; and along with the Rabbit is in the House of Development. The Tiger is an idealistic sign and potent. It is associated with the Wood phase/ element and a Yang polarity. The image that is invoked is that of a tree growing sturdy and indomitable. There is also an element of Fire associated with the Tiger, which is derived from the sun. During the Tiger month, the sun is beginning to recover its strength. The Tiger also has a native magnetism. Tiger personalities are rarely unnoticed, and they quite often crave attention. The Wood phase is associated with leadership and the Fire phase is associated with governance. Because of these associations, Tigers easily take command in groups and regularly assume that everyone else is simply there to follow orders. If this brand of assertiveness is played up too much, it may be
