2012 Forecast: Year of the Dragon

Welcome to the year of the Dragon! For many years I have given forecasts based on the ancient Tao system of the Five Elements energetic phases, which predicts the global trends that affect us on a personal level. So how do you benefit from this forecast? By taking note of the predictions for health, relationships, and finances, you can make some positive changes in your life—and avoid any potential negative effects.

This ancient system has its roots in the I-Ching, known here as the Book of Changes, system of predictive probabilities based on nature’s cyclical rhythms.We don’t need to look any further than the universe to predict our future. So what’s in store for 2012?

Prepare for the Dragon

The Year of the Dragon officially began on January 23, 2012. In general, this year is characterized by strong energy and powerful forces—symbolic of the Dragon—that when guided in the right direction can result in positive change. The elemental energies are Water and Earth. Energetically, the Water element is dynamic, creative, forceful, and represents the movement for social, political, and economic change. The Earth element encompasses generosity, encouragement and strength, and represents the desire for stability, community, and goodwill. In essence, the trend will be towards a continuing restoration of the economy and financial systems, and focus will be on providing for the less capable.

On the Industry Front: Representative industries of the Water element—including shipping, transportation and beverages—may see only a slight uptick. Likewise, Earth element industries such as agriculture, mining, and construction may also see a minor lift. In the five-element creative cycle Water produces the Wood element and therefore we may see consumers fulfill a pent-up demand for wood industry products like fashion, textile and apparel, furniture, forestry, and lumber. The Earth element creates the Metal element and therefore representative industries will be busy, including technology, heavy equipment and machinery, computers, and precious and non-precious metals.

On the Nature Front: When channeled properly, water is useful for irrigation or power generation, but when it is out of control its potential as a force of destruction is immense. When water wants to move but earth refuses to budge, an inevitable tension is created. Powerful, unchecked Water energy may also foretell flooding and earthquakes.

On the Health Front: The Water element corresponds to the kidney-adrenal system while Earth corresponds to the digestive system. Watch out for digestive problems like heartburn, indigestion, ulcers, irritable bowel syndrome, colitis, constipation, diarrhea, abdominal bloating, and hemorrhoids.

Here are some 2012 tips to keep you in good health for the Year of the Dragon!

1. Stay Healthy with Healing Foods

Chinese medicine is based on the concept that you can prevent illness from occurring in the first place by eating foods and taking herbs that possess healing properties. To avoid the digestive problems predicted for this year, make positive changes to your diet:

• Avoid rich, fatty and deep fried foods, dairy, sugar, and excess salt.
• Eat abundant fresh vegetables, especially root vegetables like yams and sweet potato, fruits, nuts and seeds, fish and poultry.
• Keep your digestion on track by cooking with mild herbs that harmonize the stomach, like ginger and cardamom.

2. Think big—but act with small steps

The Dragon year is generally good for starting and launching new projects and initiatives by articulating and getting others to share your vision, but remain conservative in your actions and projections. While a desire for revolutionary and sweeping changes may be in the air, the mood of society may turn cautious and conservative. This is true of relationships, too; learn how to positively channel your strong emotions and cultivate patience to get along more harmoniously with others and create stability in your greater community. One practical way to think big, but act conservatively is to create an action plan, whether for financial security, career change, or something else that matters to you. Set a realistic end date for your goal, then look at a calendar and work backwards, creating action dates of when each small milestone has to be in place to support the end goal.

3. Exercise tips to get energy flowing

The Water element corresponds to the kidney-adrenal system, while Earth corresponds to the digestive system. Therefore, the emphasis for the year is to move and exercise more to strengthen your cardiovascular system and muscles. Stretch daily and stay flexible to avoid injuries. Protect your kidney-adrenal system by keeping stress low. You can release stress and physical tension with regular exercise, massage therapy, yoga, tai chi, qi gong or any activity that gets your energy flowing. Use acupuncture or acupressure to activate and manage the flow of energy within the meridians of your body. Check out the Secrets of Longevity Acupressure Healing Kit for guidance on healing with your own hands!

4. Take care and tame tension

Maintain your equilibrium during the year of the dynamic Dragon by taking time out for self-care.

• Get at least 7 hours of sleep a night.
• Practice meditation. Studies show that people who meditate are calm, slower to anger, and better able to see through problems to good outcomes. Start small if need be: For five minutes every day, close your eyes and take deep, slow breaths. Work your way up to fifteen minutes a day.
• Weather Water’s changes by cultivating flexibility, not just in your body, but also in your mind. When an unforeseen event pops up and throws you off, remember that everything that happens, whether bad or good, is all a part of your life’s adventure. If you find yourself in an especially stressful place, take a few deep breaths, put the problem in perspective, and you will feel ready to take the next step.

In summary, to experience the positives and diminish the negatives in the 2012 Year of the Dragon, you must symbolically build and dredge canals and remove obstacles to appropriately channel the flow of the powerful Water energy. The tips above can help you do this! I also highly encourage that you cultivate patience, nurture your will, and proactively manage your life in order to achieve health, peace, and prosperity.

You can find more ways to live a long and healthy life in Secrets of Longevity: Hundreds of Ways to Live to Be 100, which is now available on Kindle. In addition, The Natural Health Dictionary makes a great companion to your quest for longevity. It is a comprehensive guide that answers all your questions about natural remedies, healing herbs, longevity foods, vitamins, and supplements.

Follow me on Twitter to get insider tips and to ask your health questions.

May you live long, live strong, and live happy all year long! 

—Dr. Mao

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