here comes the rooster

Best wishes on this Chinese New Year!

You are likely familiar with the associated fireworks, dragon banners and have heard at some point how each Chinese year is ruled by one of 12 different animals – this year being the Fire Rooster.

Did you know that this system is based on the orbit of Jupiter? Jupiter, our astrological benefactor takes approximately 12 years to make a full orbit. As such, the division of the Chinese New Years align with the cycle of our expansive planet that embodies generosity and abundance.

Each year also corresponds to one of the five elements, which have a relationship in and among each other. The five elements correspond to the five visible planets – Metal (Venus), Wood (Jupiter), Water (Mercury), Fire (Mars) and Earth (Saturn). Certain pairings of elements are productive and others are destructive.

The combination of the 12 year cycle along with the elemental pairings is where our animals come in. We often see the “horoscopes” of how certain animals get along and others not so much. Of course, there’s much more to it. It is fascinating. The natural cycles that are all around us, both now and as far back as our ancestors can remember… the cycles were the impetus for so many designs in our global culture.

It is the turning of these planets, these starry wanderers that our communities have been born from.

So, how does this year’s community look? A Fire (Mars) Rooster? As the descriptive terms imply, 2017 will be a year of Fire, much like we experienced under 2016’s Fire Monkey year. Fire (Mars) is creation and destruction energy unto itself. Fire is get up and go, it’s passion, it’s uumpf and it’s also recklessness, war and power-tripping.

What supports Fire? Wood. And what does Fire support? Earth. As Fire burns Wood, ash (Earth) is created.

What destroys Fire? Water. And what does Fire destroy? Metal. Water puts out Fire and Fire melts down Metal.

Think on the symbology of these elements and the planets that embody their vibe and what you experience in your own journey and out and about in the mundane.

Fire/Mars (archetypal male energy/passion/aggression), Water/Mercury(communication/thinking/daily doings), Metal/Venus (archetypal female energy/relationships/money), Wood/Jupiter(generosity/expansion/anything foreign to us).

Without knowing anything about Chinese Astrology we know that Roosters are flashy, up at the crack of dawn, making themselves heard type of creature. In Chinese Astrology they embody energy of self-sufficiency, confidence, order and pride.

Each new cycle really isn’t new at all, it’s only a recycling of vibes our global community has experienced to some degree at some point prior. For example, the last most recent year of the Fire Rooster was 1957, famously known for the Little Rock Nine – a hallmark in the American Civil Rights Movement.

The answers are all around us, the Universe whispering in each fractal.

Use this year’s vibe for standing up for yourself, for others – self confidence is the platform. Amazing work can be done from this place of centering. The United States Congress passed the “Civil Rights Act of 1957” and though regrettably, this year and far too many others was marked with continued violence and acts of prejudice and discrimination – the Civil Rights Act was a milestone, long overdue, on the path to integration – civil rights for all.

Another New Year, another opportunity.

Self-confidence is the key; stand up and be heard.