LUNAR NEW YEAR OF THE DRAGON starts on Saturday 10th February at 7.59am in Tokyo. Across Asia, and every Chinatown in the world, it’s time to let the old year go. Some of you will be really glad to do that, I know.
I’ve recorded a clip on YouTube here about Year of the Dragon and if you are a Premium Member of my website there is an extended prediction for your Asian sign here.
IF YOU WERE BORN IN JANUARY OR FEBRUARY you need to use your time, place and date of birth to double-check your Asian sign here.
What follows is different from the YouTube clip and feature as it tells you what to let go of (from Year of the Rabbit in 2023).
THINK OF THIS AS A WHEELBARROW FULL OF RECYCLABLES or just a wheelbarrow full of garden waste, to be put out for collection. If you want everything in the garden to be lovely in 2024, through to January 2025, then dump what is no longer required.
In Asia, for example, they will be sweeping and cleaning in preparation for the new year. What can you get rid of?
Rat
Let go of the idea that there is only one way, for you and a person who is so much like you (but different). You are still assuming that when faced with two choices, both of you are stuck on the same road - and thus really stuck. This is not true at all. Release the 2023 mindset about this person. You have two professional or personal choices and there are two of you, correct. However, lateral thinking can give you both a far better outcome. Edward de Bono (whose website is linked here) is the master of this.
Ox
Release the idea that you have to put your body second and your head first, if you are going to make money. You can afford to take more breaks in your working day, or academic career. It is quite true that you are in for an incredibly productive year with a steady flow of income. The notion that the only way to operate is with your head down, without (say) a proper lunch hour is not useful, though. Let it go. If your back is telling you this already, Ox, listen to your back. A vacation? Mini-holiday? Different schedule?
Tiger
More than the other 11 signs, you need to let go of the past. You have been subject to the slings and arrows of outrageous fortune, more than anybody else. Processing and absorbing what you have been through is something that time accomplishes. Just sleeping or dreaming is a natural way of doing this. 2024 is necessary time out. You have your memories of what happened to you, but you can also reframe those memories to make life easier. Ditching your old director’s take on 2023 is allowed. How can you see it differently?
Rabbit
There is an entrenched idea in our society that there is one leader, one team captain, one hero, one heroine. You may want to drop that idea in 2024, Rabbit. You are in the winners’ enclosure. The Parade Ring is waiting and you are going to be celebrated. Perhaps you already know this; maybe it is yet to come. As any Oscar winner will tell you, though, the statuette is a result of entire cast, crew and production team. Genuinely honouring those who surround you, including them and involving them in future plans is crucial.
Dragon
Dragon, this is a year for tactics and strategy. As you will know if you have watched my YouTube clip about Year of the Dragon, or read the feature on my website, there is a group in your world which requires clever management. These people are plotting and planning, against you or against people who matter to you. So, what do you drop? What do you release? Impatience. Cockiness. Your pre-emptive strategy will absolutely defeat any circle of people who are banking on particular ammunition or weapons. That’s great. But be more methodical, patient, steady on your feet, careful.
Snake
You are guessing or assuming that there are people, organisations or situations which you have to defend yourself against in 2024. That may not necessarily be correct. It will keep you stuck, unable to move, until you find out. Snake, let go of the assumption that you must be on guard. Use all six senses to find out if the coast is clear. There may actually be no issue there at all. When the time is right and you feel secure enough to check, drop your guard and get rid of whatever/whomever has been blinding you to the facts. There is an excellent chance you are free to go. Released. Utterly liberated.
Horse
Unless you grew up in a rich family and are at ease with money, you may feel uncomfortable about it or perhaps unaccustomed to expecting you will ever have any. Drop that notion in 2024. A huge amount of financing is available but it will never be yours unless you take it. You would be surprised at how many other horses, like yourself, are going to walk away from an opportunity, because they simply do not believe it is possible. And sometimes a lot of money just seems wrong. Or it raises awkward questions. You can use the Tarot (free) on my website to ask: ‘What unhelpful idea do I have about cash?’
Goat
Goat, you can move to a different professional or academic home in 2024, or move to a new house or apartment. You can also relocate to a temporary home, on vacation or holiday. Doing so will firmly put 2023 where it belongs, in ancient history. To do this, release the assumption that you are still vulnerable, still stuck, still a target on some level. That was actually 2022 or 2023, not necessarily 2024. Let’s be honest. You have been through a lot. This does not mean it will happen again. Ditch the notion that you have to be rescued, or that only time can fix things. Actually, you can fix things, Goat.
Monkey
If you are one of those people who assume that you only have enough time and concentration for one goal, one project, one success - experiment with the idea that you can multi-task. This is a good year to develop a new strategy which will help you manage one, two, three or more plans at the same time. Losing the old-fashioned idea about yourself that you can only handle one success, or deal with one success, can help you with that other city, state, county or country you are considering. Dexterity is your friend.
Rooster
Where the group is concerned, in 2024 you do have potential (even though it may not seem like it) and the time has come to release the idea that you are all collectively going to break up, or lose the vision, or be forced to start again. The die is not yet cast. Alea iacta est is not necessarily so. Your situation this year reminds me of England versus West Germany in 1966. Kenneth Wolstenholme: “And here comes Hurst, he’s got…Some people are on the pitch! They think it’s all over! It is now! It’s four!” You and the others can pull off a daring feat of team formation even if time is against you.
Dog
Dog, abandon the idea that it’s all about the man or the woman at the top. The King or Queen. In 2024 there will be a new leader. A classic example is an election. Another is the departure of one boss, to be replaced by another. It is tempting to think that it’s all about the top person (which may be you). However, the reality is, it’s about the assembled circle, community or group. That is actually where the future lies, so attention must be paid to people on the board (for example) or in the team, or in the ranks. How do the independent individuals within that collective feel? And again, you may be one of them. Your personal chart will decide if you’re on top, or in the circle.
Pig
Of all the 12 messages I am passing on to the 12 Asian signs, yours matters most. Lose the idea that there is no money to pay for the right doctor, surgeon, nurse, therapist, treatment. This applies to you, personally, or to people who matter to you. There is financing available. It may be insurance, a government payout, charity (nothing wrong with that) or a bank loan. Those are just four examples. It is also important to ditch the assumption that a particular physical or mental health condition can’t be helped. Or even fixed. Be it you, or those you feel moved to assist, 2024 is the year to drop negativity.
Space Clearing in Lunar New Year
Lunar New Year is when Asia sweeps clean, farewelling the old and letting go of the dust and the rubbish.
Space Clearing is a phrase and concept owned by Karen Kingston and her clutter-clearing has changed millions of lives, thanks to her bestselling books. I was lucky enough to meet Karen when I was the astrologer at ELLE magazine.
Variations on the theme can be found in Spark Joy with Marie Kondo and her KonMari Method.
Premium Members of my website can pick up Life Sweep - The Miracle of Clean Space for inspiration - or you can buy a copy for US $12.00.
The Wheelbarrow Technique
I have a new technique for Year of the Dragon to share, which will help you clear out or recycle - rapidly. It’s the Wheelbarrow Technique.
I actually do this at home, when I have to Life Sweep the garden shed. There is a real wheelbarrow. For other rooms, though, like your kitchen, bathroom, bedroom, sitting room - use a garbage or trash bag.
Ask permission from anyone else in the household. Tell them you are going to tidy things up. Have a bag-within-the-bag for anything which isn’t yours - that you don’t want in your shared space any more. Or, more diplomatically, tidy it all away into a cupboard or chest. “I’ve just put your things here while I dust/mop.”
OF COURSE IF YOU LIVE ALONE IT’S EASIER. The Wheelbarrow Technique takes 30 minutes per room. Eyeball objects or hold them in your hands. Do you love this or know you use it and need it? It stays. Not sure, or absolutely sure? It goes.
The bags then go on top of a wardrobe (say) or somewhere else you can store them, temporarily, until the contents go to a charity shop or are sold on eBay.
Give yourself one month. So, March 10th 2024. That is sufficient time for compost. You are either going to recycle and reuse, or get rid.
IF YOU GO BACK TO THE GARBAGE/TRASH BAGS within the month, you obviously love or need the object.
You can get rid of furniture, by the way. That corner table which you trip over. That vintage hat box you paid $100 for which is broken and dusty.
The half-hour rule is firm. If you take longer than 30 minutes to life-sweep your sitting room or living room (even if others have their possessions there) then you’re not doing it right.
Gardening is a half-day effort. So should your house or apartment be. You’re not getting rid of anything. Just composting it until you decide what to do.
Photograph: Copyright Jessica Adams 2024.
Astrological Chart: AstroGold Software.
Tiger for me as well, and totally agree!!!
As a Tiger. Definitely definitely definitely agree. It’s time to move forward.