Year 2024, according to the lunar calendar, starts today, 10 February, and based on the 12-year cycle of the Chinese zodiac, it is the Year of the Dragon. This excites a lot of people who follow the traditional classification scheme because the only mythical creature on the list is also believed to be the most special.
“The Dragon is the symbol of emperor on earth,” says feng shui expert Patrick Lim Fernandez at the recent pre-Lunar New Year media lunch at the New World Makati Hotel. “It signifies majestic, imperial, being powerful. That’s why a lot of women in China or of Chinese descent want Dragon babies. Statistics say there’s a higher birth rate in China during years of the Dragon.”
Fernandez points out, though, that not all Dragon babies turn out to be lucky. The birth charts of the parents, and even siblings, can be contradictory, so they should also be considered when planning on having a baby on the Year of the Dragon.
He goes on sharing the legend of the Dragon to illustrate how its ruling year generally looks like. It’s about the great race that the Jade Emperor organized to determine the order of the 12 zodiac animals based on the racers’ arrival at the palace. The Dragon, as the most powerful, was poised to arrive first but he was delayed because he helped a village put out a big fire. So, the Dragon ended up in the fifth position, behind the Rat, Ox, Tiger and Rabbit, and ahead of the Snake, Horse, Goat, Monkey, Rooster, Dog and Pig.
Take advantage of yang energy
What does this tell us for energies of the year for all animal signs? For starters, Fernandez says, this is the year to showcase our talents and strengths. His suggestion: “Find your area of influence, where you’re good at, and do it.” The second lesson from story is benevolence — being good, kind and generous. He further suggests being generous with using talents and strengths, while trying to help the world around.
The expert in the ancient practice of creating harmonious surroundings that enhance the balance of two complementary principles of yin (negative, dark, feminine) and yang (positive, bright, masculine) also explains the other aspects in the Chinese zodiac. These are the five elements, namely, fire, wood, earth, water and metal. Each element has a yang and yin component.
In 2024, he says, there’s also an energy that has something to do with yang wood. “It signifies growth, in terms of how you want to make your life, your business, your family, or just about anything around you to grow. For the past four years, there was slow growth because of the pandemic. Now there’s really a chance to see growth in the world. So, take advantage of this growth.”
At the same time, he cautions, the yang wood has a hard time compromising, so a common ground should always be sought.
‘Wood’ industries to benefit
Fernandez says there’s a very strong energy for the industries under the wood element. An example is the knowledge industry, which involves teaching, books and education. In the corporate setting, it touches on training, learning and developing materials, as well as consulting. His recommendation: “Anything that you can monetize from what you know is a good year for that.”
Another thing that the wood energy signifies is anything to do with nature and environmentalism. So getting into industries that make products from plants and trees, such as garment and paper, is highly encouraged. The same goes for the legal and accounting fields.
All the mentioned industries are luckier than the average in 2024, according to Fernandez. He also talks about some feng shui trends, saying that every 20 years, there’s a change in the so-called trending energy. “There will be an evolving sense of self, and it manifests in certain ways. One is becoming independent. Another is having a reputation or an influence. There’s also a sense of looking inward, being spiritual and finding answers within.”
Female power
Moreover, this year is the start of a strong surge of yin energy, which has something to do with the female. Whoa, we’ll be seeing girl power all over for the next 20 years!
Fernandez also gives highlights on how each animal sign performs in the Year of the Wood Dragon. Just a reminder: this is not fortune-telling, destiny-reading or giving predictions. Instead, this a forecast based on certain cycles that will tell what’s most likely to happen. Yes, just like a weather forecast that helps us prepare for what will nature bring us each day.
Case in point: If there’s a forecast saying you’ll be spending more than the usual or there will be some money outflow, this makes you more aware of your finances. You can channel that money outflow to something positive, like an investment.
Another scenario: If you know that you have an inclination to get easily irritated this year, you become aware of things or instances that may provoke you to lose your temper. As you it coming your way, you can preempt or avoid it.
Fernandez stresses that what happens to us depends on the prevailing energies and the effort we put into either enhancing (if positive) or neutralizing (if negative) them. “At the end of the day, there’s an agency of free will. A lot of these are probabilities based on trends and cycles, but people still have a hand in their own destiny.”
What’s in store
Here’s a general forecast for the 12 Chinese zodiac signs from 10 February 2024 to 28 January 2025:
RAT (born in 1936, 1948, 1960, 1972, 1984, 1996, 2008, 2020)
You have a leadership star this year. This means people will look up to you for your guidance and knowledge. Find where you’re good at and try to be a leader there using your unique style. Meanwhile, there’s a star of misunderstanding, so try at all times to correctly send your message across. Another to be wary of is the injury star. To prevent an injury from happening, you can do a blood test or donate blood, or even get your teeth clean, for some blood draw.
OX (born in 1913, 1925, 1937, 1949, 1961, 1973, 1985, 1997, 2009, 2021)
This is probably the best sign for money this year. You may find it easier than usual to find diverse sources of funds. Try then to be bolder in making investments. It is also good time for travel, both for short trips and longer travels to help clear your mind.
TIGER (born in 1914, 1926, 1938, 1950, 1962, 1974, 1986, 1998, 2010, 2022)
This year is good for you from a financial perspective, either in savings, acquiring something new or making an investment. A financial adviser will help attain your role better. This is also a good year for broadening your perspective. If you have to decide between buying new things or having a new experience, try to go for the new experience — making new friends, visiting new places, starting new hobbies. This will give you better chi (energy) for the next years to come.
Beware of the star that has something to do with hypersensitivity. It’s best to warn people around you about your propensity to be too sensitive, so they will understand you more and lessen instances of conflict.
RABBIT (born in 1915, 1927, 1939, 1951, 1963, 1975, 1987, 1999, 2011, 2023)
There’s a star under your animal sign that signifies overcoming hardships. So, try to visualize success in each endeavor your take. Be mindful, though, of your tendency to making small things blow up into something bigger. Take note of the adage about making mountains out of molehills. Health-wise, try to not to skip your checkups as prevention is key to avoiding medical problems.
DRAGON (born in 1916, 1928, 1940, 1952, 1964, 1976, 1988, 2000, 2012, 2024)
This is your year! Don’t miss the best opportunity to show your talents and capabilities not just for you but also for your organization. There’s a star under your sign for you to be innovative and come up with fresh ideas. It’s good if you brainstorm with people. There’ll be a star for frenetic energy, though. That’s why always aspire for balance — career, health, relationships and money.
SNAKE (born in 1917, 1929, 1941, 1953, 1965, 1977, 1989, 2001, 2013, 2025)
There’s a star under your sign that has something to do with getting energy from the sun. So, if you have to make an important meeting or activity, do it during lunch or any time during the day, instead of nighttime. You will also find luck in relationship with males in your life, like family members or business partners.
As far as relationships are concerned, the cherry blossom star under your sign looks encouraging. Try then to find the love language of people who are important to you and you work with. For yourself, there will be opportunities that can be turned into milestones. Ready that champagne for some celebration!
HORSE (born in 1918, 1930, 1942, 1966, 1978, 1990, 2002, 2014, 2026)
A challenging star under your sign should not deter you to keep going. Sometimes when we least expect it, there are the people who willingly extend a helping hand. Have more patience and resilience to help spread good chi and appreciation.
GOAT (born in 1919, 1931, 1943, 1955, 1967, 1979, 1991, 2003, 2015, 2027)
This year is replete with opportunities, such as meeting new people and creating a network. There’s a star under your sign that denotes being overambitious and getting into an entanglement. Meaning, you better not interfere in other people’s affairs. In other words, don’t be a Marites (rumormonger). Instead, divert your energies to the right avenue and stay out of trouble.
MONKEY (born in 1920, 1932, 1944, 1956, 1968, 1980, 1992 2004, 2016, 2028)
Set your goals this year and stick to them. Try not to be distracted by a nuisance that may hover around you. Identifying the things that irritate you will help you not to be provoked into losing your cool. Finding a positive channel will also help.
ROOSTER (born in 1921, 1933, 1945, 1957, 1969, 1981, 1993, 2005, 2017, 2029)
This is one of the better years for you. Understandably, there are many things that you want to do this year, but you need to prioritize on what to do first. Learn from the Japanese concept of ikigai, or finding that purpose or reason for living. At the same time, beware of relationships that may not be meant for you and be prudent.
DOG (born in 1922, 1934, 1946, 1958, 1970, 1982, 2006, 2018)
There are two major areas in your life that you should be careful with especially this year: health and finances. You may see an irregular outflow of money, so try to direct it to a profitable avenue, like an investment. Take good care of your relationships, too.
PIG (born in 1923, 1935, 1947, 1959 1971, 1983, 1995, 2007, 2019)
Get ready to accommodate an expansion of scope in your life this year, be it in business or family. This is also a good year for personal relationships and for problem solving. Just be careful about losing things.
For a complete and in-depth forecast or a feng shui consultation, you may get in touch with Patrick Lim Fernandez through the Yin & Yang Shop of Harmony. Visit its location at the Lagoon area of New World Makati Hotel and website at yinandyang shopofharmony.com.