The year of the Yang Wood Dragon (Jia Chen 甲辰) begins on February 4, 2024. This is also known as the Li Chun or the beginning of Spring/Spring Festival. The Dragon is a mythical creature that is said to bring luck and happiness in Chinese culture. It’s the only mythical animal in the Chinese zodiac. All other zodiac animals come from nature and have their natural characteristics. In Chinese culture, the Dragon is a symbol of strength, health, luck, and authority/power. It is said to be the most powerful and egotistical of all the Zodiac Animals. In China, more babies are born in a Dragon year than any other because the Chinese tend to plan their children according to luck cycles, giving them the most advantageous luck.

This Yang Wood Dragon year has a very interesting BaZi chart. It is a completely Yang chart, so there’s a LOT of exuberant energy! Even though there’s a productive cycle in the stems, there’s evidence of conflict in the hidden branches. We can see hints of powerful leadership and overall high energy. This could indicate global conflicts and struggles. There is a lack of Water, the wealth element, which is only found in the hidden elements. This could indicate a global recession. All other elements are productive and rooted in the hidden elements, so this is a chart of bold energy. Hold onto your hats…it’s likely to be a heck of a ride!

The Wood Year is in a clash with the Metal Hour; the Tiger Month is in a clash with the Monkey Hour; and the Dog Day is in a clash with the Dragon Year. Some say that this is the worst annual chart in years due to all the clashes, which create chaos. But if you see a clash as an opportunity for growth and transformation, it could easily be viewed as the best chart ever! Yes, there are bound to be problems, but wherever there are challenges and obstacles, there’s growth if you work toward becoming part of the solutions rather than succumbing to the chaos. Obstacles often give you new perspectives and teach you new lessons. Very often, as they say, when a door closes, a window opens. It’s in times of difficulties and challenges that we are transformed and experience the greatest growth!

In this chart, the Heavenly Stems are in a productive cycle (wood - fire - earth - metal). This can help stabilize some of the chaos with “productive” processes. Another positive thing about this chart is that all the elements are present, even if a little lopsided in their degree of presence. This can be seen as positive. Even with a conflicting and complex chart, the Dragom is spirited, confident, enthusiastic, and intelligent. Surely, that energy will find a way to get through any obstacles in 2024. This is going to be a year of changes. We cannot stay in our comfort zones forever, and this is a year to stretch and reach beyond our comfort zones. With only a small amount of the wealth element, it’s a good idea to avoid frivolous overspending and make sure you have ample reserves. Of course, this will depend on how your personal chart interfaces with the year, but generally speaking, I recommend caution regarding high-risk endeavors. This may not be the best year to take unnecessary risks. Focus on your physical and financial health and stability, and be a problem solver not only for your own issues but those of your family, neighbors, friends, and community. This is also a good year to get a plan in place for the future and to find collaborators/mentors to help execute it.

The major Stars this year are:

Traveling Horse in year and hour indicates travel, changing position, and moving. Overall, changes or transitions. Also in the year pillar is the Tai Ji, which is a powerful nobleman. As you know, a nobleman indicates helpful people, so look around and reach out for the right people to help you…and BE a nobleman yourself. Collaboration is the key to success this year.

As always, there are also negative stars in each pillar, but if you focus on being the best version of yourself you can overcome any negative energy. The overall theme this year is to do whatever you need to do to improve yourself and others. Be the person with solutions rather than talking about all the problems in the world. Take care of yourself and those around you.

If you have DOG in your chart, this will be a CLASH year for you. But never fear, stay focused and be a problem solver and this could be a year that could change your life in a good way.

If you have DRAGON in your chart, this will be a year of SELF-PENALTY for you. Be mindful of how you think and speak of/to yourself. You may tend to self-sabotage so be mindful to avoid self-sabotaging behaviors.

If you have RAT in your chart, you will form a Water combination with Monkey and Dragon that will support wealth this year.

If you have HORSE in your chart, you will form a Fire combination with Dog and Tiger that will support overall luck this year. In the Tiger month (Feb) this will be doubled.

FENG SHUI

The Annual Afflictions are taking up a lot of real estate this year so be mindful about the areas of your home or business that you activate. The Grand Duke/Tai Sui is situated in the SE and just opposite is the Year Breaker/Sui Po in the NW. The Wu Wang/Malicious Star is in the W, and the 3 Killings/San Sha is centered on the S but it spans 75 degrees, which includes 15 degrees on either side in the SE and SW. This year there’s an optional Earth adjustment for the San Sha. This could be an earthen object or a small dish of sand, soil, crystals, or shells. Avoid any activation of these afflicted areas. No construction or digging in the soil. Keep these sectors quiet and tidy.

The best sectors for activity are the E, NE, and N. The Center is the core energy of the year, and this year the quarrelsome 3 Jade Wood Star has taken up residency. The Fire of the Prevailing Star will keep it at bay and reduce the chaotic energy of the Earth-Wood clash. You can expect a lot of energy from the 9 Purple Prevailing Time Star as part of the core energy this year. Just like the BaZi reading, you can expect a lot of bright, powerful energy swirling around you. Take measures to keep your home or workplace as serene as possible. Spend the bulk of your time in the more supportive sectors. Use the Grand Duke as support by sitting with your back to the SE when you are doing activities related to business or even having conversations. Even though the SE is afflicted, the Prevailing and Annual Flying Stars are in a configuration to support wealth luck.

In Feng Shui, we know that every building will have its challenges, and as the cyclical energy moves there will almost always be something that requires a solution. A traditionally trained practitioner can spot those areas and provide solutions. Areas of inauspicious or difficult energy can be mitigated through elemental adjustments. Areas where the energy supports life goals can be enhanced to provide maximum support. If you want to schedule a personalized Feng Shui and/or BaZi chart analysis for the year, you can either email me at HelenKstyles@gmail.com, or submit a contact form HERE. If you have further questions, please feel free to contact me. I’m always here to help in any way that I can. Wishing you a healthy, happy, love-filled year!