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The Tao of Health
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Health Myths
Year of the Water Dragon—2012
2012 is the Year of the Dragon. As the embodiment of the Yang energy the Dragon has enormous potential—for both good and ill.
Fortunately this is the year of the ‘Water’ Dragon; meaning as Dragons go, this is a (relatively) mellow fellow.
Water Dragon
In this Year of the Dragon ... take some comfort in knowing this is a ‘Water’ year ... and Water damps down Fire.
One thing for sure though: the Fire of Dragon Yang will make this a year of vitality and powerful experiences. At the same time, we need to be careful to not get burnt-out from more ‘24/7’ ... work-hard-play-hard living; which may have worked somewhat in the past year of the calm Rabbit, but everyone knows there’s a big difference between a Rabbit and a Dragon.
The Dragon says: “Tend your own Yang energy carefully, and adjust your lifestyle so that you don’t get brittle, like a piece of wood tinder. This way you won’t get scorched as I fly through the year.”
The Ways of the Dragon
The Dragon is a Yang (Fire) creature representing the Wood Element.
By observing and understanding the power and tendencies of both Wood and Fire, you’ll have a good sense of what to expect this Dragon year.
Yin & Yang Energy
Yang energy manifests as Fire, Vitality, Power, Assertion; as opposed to Yin energy, which is: Cold, Receptive, Receding.
Wood & Fire & Water
Imagine the Wood Dragon ... with its Fiery nature. The Dragon perpetually powers itself using Fire and Wood ... burning it’s way through Nature when it’s time arrives.
Keep in mind that the Dragon is a natural force, and is not pro or con human beings.
This year the Dragon will just be doing what comes naturally—to Dragons. So be aware that we’ll be living in a combustible atmosphere this year, with plenty of energy around to ‘fuel the fire.’
The Dragon is a very alluring and seductive sort: dangerous when you get too close.
Position yourself to take advantage of the warmth, light, and power (however it manifests) that Dragon energy stimulates; while at the same time, do what’s prudent to avoid getting crisped.
Getting Along With The Dragon
The Dragon’s element is Wood and according to Oriental Medicine, the Wood energy governs the health of the liver.
When your Liver is out-of-balance energetically the first thing you’ll feel is STRESS. So in a Dragon year it makes sense to do those things that support a healthy Liver.
Being able to recognize your early signs of stress is crucial so you can open your personal ‘pressure valve’—before it POPS.
Some ways to manage stress throughout this Dragon year include:
Meditate. You don’t have to become a monk, just cultivate a new habit of taking a few minutes out of your Dragonly-busy day to calm your mind and relax your body. Your Liver will be happier and your Heart more joyous.
Eat Better. Learn how to eat the ‘Five Element Way’ to bring more balance into your life. This will help you: improve digestion; have more energy; sleep better; think more clearly and generally feel better.
Rejuvenate with a Short Retreat. When you feel the Dragon getting a bit too close and breathing down your neck, it’s time for a mini-retreat to rebalance, rejuvenate and reconnect with the simple things that are most important in your life. When you’re done, the Dragon will have moved on and things will be much calmer.
In some ways this year will be like a roller coaster ride—fast, somewhat wild, with some hair-raising points along the way, but take comfort in knowing you’ll eventually return to stable ground.
Get ready for the ride—the Dragon flies high!
Dancing Dragon
Calligraphy by Ponte Ryurui
“For calligraphers (the Year of the Dragon) is very special. The Water Dragon’s spirit lives in the ink. Its wisdom is its deep color; its spirit is the flowing energy; its power and momentum is ‘streaks of white paper piercing through the ink strokes’; and its immortality is the fact that calligraphy, be it on paper or in the hearts of people, lives on—remaining as mythical as the dragons, revealing its most cherished secrets only to those who live by it.”
— Ponte Ryurui
The Year of the Rabbit (2011/4708)
According to the ancient Chinese view of the world this is the Year of the Rabbit, and if the wise ones of the past are correct, it should be a ‘relatively’ calm and peaceful year.
We seem to be off to a ‘relatively’ good start with the so-called ‘new civility’ emerging in the political realms of the U.S.
So the Year of the Rabbit should be a year of relative peace; ‘relative’ because today, ‘peace’ is not what it was in the time of the ancient Chinese, who had their wars and worries, but didn’t have them “24/7” like we do today.
So who is this ‘Wascally Wabbit’ ... as Elmer Fudd—that famous cartoon character of yesteryear—used to call him?
The Rabbit Personality
A person of the Rabbit year is a good listener and is both sympathetic and compassionate. Very attuned to others, and significantly intuitive, the Rabbit person uses all this information to strike compromises and work for the common good. Also, living the “good life” is important to the Rabbit and comes easily. Their charm and grace serve them well.
On the downside, although quiet and unassuming, the person of this Rabbit year is strong-willed and can verge on being self-absorbed and egotistical.
The Spirit of the Rabbit
In today’s world, Rabbit-spirited people are sought after: they’re the consummate diplomats—always preferring harmony and inner peace. The person born in the year of the Rabbit tends to be gracious, soft-spoken and kind.
Very considerate and thoughtful, he and she of the Rabbit year believes it costs people nothing to be nice to each other, and will act accordingly.
The Healthy Rabbit
The Element of the Chinese Five Element Theory which is present this year is Metal—which makes this the year of the ‘Metal’ Rabbit.
The strong presence of Metal energy this year means the Lungs—along with all the other Metal aspects affecting your health, which include: Large Intestine, Skin and Nose and Sinuses—will have a higher profile this year.
So Happy New Year from the Metal Rabbit! It promises to be a good one ...
Rabbit pounding herbs for an Elixir of Immortality