Chinese New Year 2017 – Year of the Fire Rooster

January 28, 2017—the second New Moon after the Solstice, marks the beginning of the Chinese New Year, also known as the Lunar New Year. According to Chinese element philosophy, this year’s Rooster will be a Fire Rooster. Whether you believe in the accuracy of horoscopes or not, the animals of the Chinese Zodiac possess attributes that we can all learn from.

Do you remember when we said to hold on to your hats because 2016 was the Year of the Fire Monkey? Well, we certainly experienced surprise after surprise as the impulsivity and mischievousness of the monkey created havoc on a big scale!

The Year of the Fire Rooster promises to be another powerful year, with no middle-of-the road when it comes to moving forward. Keep holding on to your hats and proceed with caution. This year, it’s better to stick to the tried and true ”sensible solutions” when it comes to challenges and avoid risky undertakings.

The Rooster is a “king” within the Chinese zodiac. His regal mannerisms radiate the impression of high attainment, of exalted character, and enlightened insight. Roosters never miss an opportunity to show their leadership abilities and strive to always win at everything.

The positive outcomes from the fiery Rooster’s temperament are that he can infuse more enthusiasm and energy into our activities and strengthen our hopes for better prospects for everyone.

When faced with stress, opposition, and adversity, the Rooster will go far beyond what is required in order to win the battle. You definitely want the Rooster in your corner when faced with a cause worth fighting for!

The flip side is that the stubborn Rooster will be a dauntless hero who will not back down and who will certainly be unreasonable if he doesn’t get his way. The outcome can be either good or bad.

When it comes to authority, a lot of trouble can come from the Rooster’s domineering attitude. His no nonsense manner can backfire when it comes to diplomacy—everything is precariously balanced as his dramatic personality can set off all kinds of petty disputes.

Choose your battles wisely because there could be much crowing and pecking this year of the Fire Rooster. It’s best to adopt a position of hard work, discipline, thoroughness, and strive to maintain a realistic outlook. Practical endeavors will succeed—nonsensical plans will not. It’s better to be a bit frugal financially, and refrain from complaining. Keep to the high ground and do not engage in petty arguments. In other words, keep life simple—and hold on to your hat when the feathers fly!

The Rooster likes to parade his appearance in his desire to gain recognition and give the impression of having confidence in all situations. Paying attention to grooming and taking the steps to look your best are Rooster attributes that tend to bring positive feedback and enhance credibility. Looking good—strutting your stuff, does pay off in the workforce! It has been reported that attractive people make as much as 3-4% more than their unattractive co-workers with the same skillset.

Within TCM, taking care of our health involves effectively managing stress. Find your ground both in your personal and professional life. If you haven’t already adopted these healthy habits, now is a good time to initiate them:

• Manage stress – acupuncture is an excellent way to relieve prolonged and chronic stress.
• Meditate and practice breathing exercises to boost optimism and keep you grounded.
• Get regular, moderate exercise every day to increase endorphins—those feel happy hormones; walking, gentle yoga, and tai chi, are excellent choices for anyone who wants to create a stress-relieving workout routine.

Wishing you a year of Peace, Health, Happiness and Unfettered Fun!
As always, it’s an honor to be trusted with your good health!
~ Natalie