Enter the Dragon … Happy Chinese New Year! So what’s in store?

Thanks to the Maya and their cryptic little calendar, 2012 is set to become one of the most speculative years in recent history. But what to make of such conspiracy and intrigue? Is the end of the world really nigh? Will aliens finally invade the earth? Are solar flares about to take us all out? Or will humanity step into a higher consciousness and save itself, from itself, at the last? Never mind those pesky aliens, it’s us we need to worry about!

Seriously, though, it’s hard to say with any degree of certainty what 2012 will eventually bring about (read on – you’ll soon understand why) but one thing’s for sure … as the Waning Crescent Moon gives way to the New Moon on January 23, more than one quarter of the folk worldwide will be celebrating in spades – Enter the Year of the Yang Water Dragon!

The Chinese aren’t too worried about the so called ‘end’ of the Mayan calendar, you see, because just like the Maya, the Chinese perceive time as cyclical rather than linear. To them the ‘end’ is no more than a new ‘beginning’, a fresh start. So what’s in store for the Year of the Yang Water Dragon? Glad you asked. Because despite uncertainty, and there’ll be plenty of that, here comes a year lugging a bag full of goodies for all of us J

For starters, this is a year of finding support in the unlikeliest of places. Why? Because Water is the ruling element, and if you take into account that roughly 70% of the world’s surface is H2O, and that we, ourselves, are no more than a bunch of water babies, you’ll soon get the correlation: the basic energetics of the Year are in harmony with the planet and everything on it, including us. Despite the Dragon’s natural independence and tendency for flying solo, the Water influence suggests that coordination, synchronisation, concord, unity, and solidarity are key elements for a good year. The Dragon energy, which verges on egotistical, is likewise dampened by Water. Therefore agreements, settlements and treaties become more likely. This makes for a year where deals are made and pacts are struck. To benefit from this dynamic, it’s wise to be open to negotiation and cooperation. Don’t be afraid of compromise. It’s a good year for collaboration and team work of all kinds.

The Dragon is considered an impenetrable creature by the Chinese. It moves in such a way that it’s impossible to see its head and tail at the same time, and as a result, it’s deemed to be unpredictable and shrewd. Its ambiguous colour is also significant, and lends it a mysterious quality. So we can expect the year to usher in the strength to resist destruction (so much for Armageddon), and to carry a degree of volatility and spontaneity. Astuteness and insight will be on the increase, as will eccentricity and peculiarity of all kinds. Things happening outside the norm are set to thrive. So if you want to prosper in the Year of the Dragon: think outside the square, expect the unexpected, keep your wits about you, and know that the unfathomable strength of the Dragon is yours for the taking.

What’s more, the Year of the Dragon highlights the Four Benedictions of the East: wealth, virtue, harmony and longevity. Resources and accumulation will feature highly this year, so watch the Dragon tendency to overspend and take care with high risk investment. The focus should be on building up, growth and increase. It’s a thriving year, and new business ventures with a focus on innovation and/or cooperation will benefit from this influence. But competition will be tough, as the energy of the Dragon drives ambitions and stirs desires. New marriages and relationships should fare well this year, but longstanding unions will be challenged to grow or perish. Infidelity and trust issues will come to the fore, as integrity, honesty and honour are put under the spotlight.

Interestingly, the East is set for expansion this year. Especially the Far East and South-East Asia will undergo a period of progress. On a local scale, Australia’s Eastern seaboard should also benefit from this energy, and in Sydney we will see an increase in development in the Eastern suburbs. On the home front, it’s beneficial to display a figurine of a Dragon on the east side of your office or workspace, especially one made of crystal, wood or earthenware. Avoid metal because its energy will negate the power of the Dragon.  Hanging a picture of a Dragon on the eastern wall works just as well, but be especially mindful of not placing the creature in your bedroom.

It’s little wonder that the Emperors of old chose to associate themselves with the symbol of the Dragon, which is still considered exceptionally lucky today. Those born under the sign are said to be blessed, so a watch for a boom in Asian birth rates this year. After all, who wouldn’t want their child favoured by the Dragon’s Cosmic Breath?

Good luck in 2012!