Happy Chinese New Year 2017 ~ Year of the Rooster ~ January 28, 2017

“All Chinese wisdom traditions, including medicine, divination, astrology, and feng shui, are systems of pattern identification that guide us in adapting gracefully to change.
“A world in flux is assumed; it is the one constant feature of life.
“Astrology is best viewed as a tool to discern where we are in the shifting cycles of time so we can adjust our expectations accordingly and therefore, from the Chinese point of view, cultivate longevity by not wasting our qi trying to swim against the current.
“Last year’s current schooled us all in crisis management as the Fire Monkey’s erratic impulsiveness and dramatic flare produced an unprecedented bit of theater in American politics. (Yes, Monkeys love to play spin doctor in the political arena.)
“…Fortunately, a new chapter of the story is about to begin with the arrival of the Fire Rooster on January 28, 2017. This chapter might be titled: ‘Application: how to walk your talk and follow through.’
“…That brings us to the possibilities for 2017. This year’s theme is ‘application.’ The Rooster has one special super power—the ability to delay gratification and focus on the long term goal.
“Roosters can actually separate the reward from the work required to get it, and they can do this over long periods of time….like years.
“So whatever feelings you may have about the upheaval created in the Monkey year, the qi will now support you to focus and apply yourself to the task at hand with discipline and diligence.
“Set aside your emotions and focus on long term goals. Stay focused. That’s right, see beyond the current situation and keep your eye on whatever it is that you value in the long run; just keep chipping away without wavering. Apply yourself. That’s what this year is all about.
© Copyright 2017 ~Narrye Caldwell. All Rights Reserved
 

“Both the monkey and the rooster years are about ‘me’, ‘my’ and ‘mine,’ with one important difference: while the monkey can’t help but follow the path that pricks its curiosity regardless of who else is in the way, the rooster feels deeply its responsibilities to the entire barnyard.
“The rooster tends to the roost, and the flock who lives there. To any problem or task that needs doing, the rooster says ‘If not me, then who?‘
“Remember the tale of the Little Red Hen? ‘Who will help me make the bread?’ she asked. And then she did it herself.
“However, contrary to the traditional ending of that story, where the industrious hen refused to share her final product with the lazy farm folk who didn’t contribute, this year’s fire element warms everyone’s hearts, and sharing feels better, and more secure, than hoarding.​
“The Rooster year is yin, even though an actual rooster may appear more yang with his flashy stance and loud crowing…”
“It will be a year of defining our boundaries, refining the details, strengthening our supports, cleaning out the ‘bugs’ and putting things into a certain order.
“Be impeccable. The pun in that has great meaning here–be un-peck-able. Make things water tight, error-proof, ship shape.
“The more you refine and perfect your affairs–finances, relationships, health, career, possessions, the stronger and more profound your position in life becomes.
“The Rooster character loves elegance in all things, so refine every arena of your life and every object in it. Lavish your time and attention on completing any task to the best of your ability and take delight in adding small touches of Beauty to each.
“This is not the same thing as decluttering. It is a call to scrutinize absolutely everything that you rely on for life and happiness.
“How sturdy are your underpinnings–housing, vehicles, savings, etc.? How smoothly do your daily routines flow? How healthy are your sources of food and friendship?
“This is the year to pour more loving, nurturing ch’i into the things that truly sustain you.
“For example, how well do you know your immediate neighbors? If you are like most U.S. citizens, not well enough. What if there were a disaster of some sort? You would WISH to gather family and close friends to you, but the reality is that those strangers next door would be the ones on hand to help and collaborate for survival.
“This yin Fire year means our deeper heart leads the way. Use it for discerning what to keep and what to let go.
“Expand it by opening up to everyone you encounter throughout your day. Share your feelings about your experiences and ask others to share theirs.
“Learn to enjoy hearing divergent opinions, realizing that the more variety a community supports with loving kindness and tolerance, the greater its security grows.
“The more our neighbors feel loved and secure, the safer and more happy we all become. Harmonious living for all can grow exponentially from just one instigator—the Yin Fire Rooster, year 2017.
“This Rooster greets the new day with all the elegance, strength and vibrancy of its entire being, in service to the community. Let us all do the same. “
© Copyright 2017 ~Karen Abler Carrasco. All Rights Reserved
 

“Looking at this extreme year, it would behoove us all to stay calm and make deliberate plans. Try not to be prone to over-exaggeration or risky situations.
“But I want to put a different spin on this year of the Fire Rooster. This particular Chinese sign can easily energize your personal power.
“It will be a good wake up call for us all.
“This is not a year to be passive and just let things happen. Take charge of what you can.
“Find your voice and crow like a strong Rooster!“
© Copyright 2017 ~Susie Cox All Rights Reserved