February 11, 2006
Smile. Beam. Feel good.
That cantankerous and testy Wood Rooster year is history.
According to Chinese Astrology, the Year of the Rooster is past.
The Chinese New Year is celebrated on the first day of the Aquarian Moon (this year on January 29, 2006), and the celebrations continue until the next Full Moon.
The happy year of the bright red lucky fire dog is here!
No offense to any of you born in the Year of the Rooster, but we all have to admit that 2005 was some year.
It was a year that behaved badly. It was bad-tempered, irritable, crabby, argumentative, difficult, complaining, and unreasonable.
It was no fun at all.
Think about the weather and politics of 2005, and you will remember.
The year 2005 was just like a belligerent and mean barnyard rooster in my way of thinking.
Now, the Year of the Red Fire Dog is another matter altogether because Chinese astrologers tell us, “You are going to love 2006.”
The traits associated with the sign of the dog, not surprisingly, include the qualities of a real, live dog—loyalty and generosity. Man’s best friend is supposed to bring a year of a widespread sense of generosity and selflessness and the dog’s keen sense of right and wrong to our world. Add in the fact that this year the dog is a red fire dog, and we can add good luck to the mix. Red signifies good luck in Chinese Astrology.
I am picturing a bright red dog riding on a fire truck barking happily as the truck pulls into the firehouse, as in the beloved children’s book series, Clifford the Dog.
May not be exactly what they had in mind.
No matter. What is important here, I am told, is that if you find which “animal year” you were born in, you can then match those traits to the Year of the Dog to see just how good a year it will be (Find your Chinese Astrology animal sign by visiting http://chinese.astrology.com/signs.). Remember, the Year of the Dog did not begin until Jan. 29, so most of January was still a pesky, old rooster.
How will your animal sign or mine fare in the Year of the Red Fire Dog?
I do not have a clue, but I have learned my family’s animal signs.
Turns out, I am a boar (pig). I am married to a rooster and have five children—a tiger, pig, ox, goat and rooster. Add the grandchildren to the fold, and we have yet another rooster, two rabbits, another monkey and one more goat.
What a menagerie!
We have no rat, dragon, snake, horse, or dog though.
So, what exactly does that mean?
I will leave that up to the experts in Chinese Astrology to decode.
What I do know, however, is that no matter how distasteful a particular animal sign may appear to be, it has interesting and favorable traits.
Snakes and rats come immediately to mind. We think of them as bottom-dwelling disease carriers.
Right?
Who wants to be a repulsive snake or rat?
I am not sure I want to be a pig.
Wait, though. We must not prejudge these animals because they are actually quite extraordinary.
Take a look at their characteristics.
Snake--charming, seductive, diplomatic, popular, savvy business skills.
Rat—quick witted, a symbol of good luck and wealth, has excellent taste, funny.
Dragon—most powerful and lucky, warm heart, fiery, tenacious, charismatic.
Goat—creative, esoteric, dreamer, craftsman, artist, teacher, not materialistic.
Monkey—spunky, party animal, rapier-sharp mind, not as much mean as curious.
Ox—steadfast, loyal, solid, leader, dependable, achiever, methodical, tireless, strong.
Rabbit—timid, attractive, popular, many friends, compassionate, sweet, sensitive.
Tiger—king of the jungle, magnetic, self-possessed, born leaders, can go it alone, charming, ambitious.
Rooster—quick thinker, practical, an “open book”, keenly observant, “eyes in the back of their heads”, loves detail, great lawyers, brain surgeons, and accountants.
Dog—loyal, faithful, honest, trustworthy, discreet, good listener, likes the underdog.
Pig—most generous and honorable sign, impeccable manners and taste, believes in best qualities of mankind, happiest when everyone else is smiling.
Ok. Maybe being a pig is not so bad after all.
