The 2018 Chinese New Year is arriving on February 16, 2018.
The zodiac sign of 2018 is the Earth Dog.
Following the Chinese calendar, which rotates in 60-year cycles based on 12 animal years and five element years — wood, fire, earth, metal, and water — 2018 is the Year of the Earth Dog. When we think of the Chinese zodiac, the majority of people will immediately think of the twelve animals: Rat, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Goat, Monkey, Rooster, Dog, and Pig. These “Twelve Signs” or “Earthly Branches,” however, are only one part of the entire zodiac.
The other part is the “Ten Heavenly Stems” or “Celestial Stem,” an ancient Chinese system of ordinals, also called cardinal numbers. Used in combination with the earthly branches, namely the twelve animals, together they created a cycle of sixty days. The original purpose of this system was to determine day, month, year, time, and even directions, similar to the English “o’clock.”
The Year of the Dog is set to offer opportunities aplenty for people who follow their hearts, embrace positivity, and are devoted to their goals.
Faithful, intelligent, warm, and full of energy, the Dog has long held its place as man’s best friend. That’s good news for 2018, the Year of the Earth Dog, because, according to the Chinese calendar, the next 12 months will be largely shaped by canine traits.
Earth is a stabilizing and conserving force, marking a significant shift from two consecutive years featuring the fire element — the Years of the Rooster (2017) and Monkey (2016), which brought some disharmony and impulsiveness.
Highly perceptive, the Earth Dog is kind, efficient, and skilled in communication. As earth produces metal in the zodiac cycle, 2018 is expected to bring prosperity, particularly to those who, like the Dog, are proactive, work hard, and communicate well. Those who show generosity to others will reap the greatest benefits throughout the year. This is because the notion of fair play and social justice is fundamental to the Year of the Dog.
Historically respected in China as a work animal and for showing solidarity in a pack, the Dog represents integrity and equality. Social awareness and action, for the many rather than the few, are expected to be the overarching themes of the year.
Chinese people also regard the Dog as an auspicious animal that can bring peace because of the Dog’s sensitivity to others and devotion to equality.
In personal terms, as the Dog is full of energy, 2018 offers plentiful opportunities for business and socializing. With them, however, comes the risk of time-related pressures, stress, and exhaustion. Pay attention to your health due to the risk of burnout. Thanks to the Dog’s intelligence, training, and discipline, experts say the Year of the Dog is a good time to try new business ventures or make lifestyle changes because it will be easy to consider their pros and cons.
The doggy traits of generosity and faithfulness are said to be good news for friendships and partnerships in 2018. The Dog’s unfailing loyalty is expected to bring positivity to relationships, both on an individual and group basis.
Happy New Year!
Carry with you the goal of achieving tail-wagging goodness in 2018!
With love,
Dr. Jean Loscalzo
