In Chinese astrology, February 1, 2022 will begin the year of not just the Tiger but the Black Water Tiger.(1) A Water Tiger year only occurs every 60 years.
China abounds in myth and legend of the Tiger. Anyone born in the year of the Tiger is believed to possess the traits of unpredictability and color, adventurousness, power and passion.
In China, the Tiger is at once a symbol of darkness/new moon and brightness/full moon.
There are five mythic Tigers in Chinese lore, each one symbolizing direction, season and element:
Blue Tiger: East, Spring and Vegetation
Red Tiger: South, Summer and Fire
White Tiger: West, Autumn and all Metals
Black Tiger: North, Winter and Water
Yellow Tiger is supreme among all five and ruler of the Earth and all energies upon it.
In Chinese astrology, the behavior of the Black Water Tiger is a forewarning for the year 2022 (as is any animal assigned to its year). Going far back to the ancient Chinese and their approach to health, vitality, ‘medicine,’ and life in general, we are able to see their uncanny knack for getting it right. Years and years of careful and astute observation annotated and proven out has coalesced to form a massive body of dependable information and data that repeats itself through the cycles of life.
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Especially in these turbulent times, we might read what follows as a sort of intriguing “fortune-telling” for the year 2022, though it is based on real-live concepts which have also been lived out 60 years ago. Considering what follows might assist us to live with a proactive stance so that we can be resilient and joyful in life instead of being caught unaware.
The Black Water Tiger is a figure of awe and respect but it is combined with a hint of dread. Tiger indicates that the beginning of the year might be especially volatile and as a result, people will tend to take bold, spontaneous action, moving towards extremes.
Like Tiger, many people will be extra bold and cantankerous, making big life changes and many of them on a whim.
Where last year, people were forced to keep their noses to the grindstone and live life on the sidelines, now the Water Tiger energy springs onto the scene.
Feeling shut in, restricted, and relegated to rule after rule, 2022 will manifest a strong desire for fun and adventure. Many people are more than ready to cut loose and try new things. They may be willing to break perceived rules for the sake of having adventurous experiences just like Tiger.
Tiger’s courage comes into play in 2022 as it will be a risk-taking year with those taking the risks doing so to express themselves fully. Everyone has been through an awful lot since 2019 especially, and while much has not been resolved Tiger indicates a growing feeling that it’s time to let our hair down. But throughout 2022 there will also be quiet periods because like any cat, a Tiger needs his naps. Approaching year’s end things will begin to calm down as 2023 approaches with the energy of the peaceful Water Rabbit approaching.
Tiger is affectionate but with hidden claws and Tiger’s territorial. It could be that in 2022, the issue of national borders will become even more important.
Tiger’s ferocious roar will be reflected in changes in governments, party leadership and parties in power. There will be much roaring at each other with loud voices signaling dominance and shouting warnings of skirmishes and battles.
It could happen that deals and partnerships formed in 2021 become fragile and snap. Tiger jabbers a lot and the sound of squabbling will drown out cooperation as governments and corporations focus more on their own agenda rather than serve the common good. The silver lining is this ferocious, clawing-at-each-other energy has the strong potential to cause people to turn to smaller independent businesses many of whom are struggling to make it.
In your personal life, you may find yourself acutely aware of the need to have boundaries with others established. Chief among those to shut out are the Simi Valley data collectors. Protecting your data, passwords, and accounts becomes enormously important in 2022.
On the same vein as boundaries and territories, there will be many who feel to pick up and move to find the space or region of the world (their personal prairie) that truly speaks to them.
Tiger’s playfulness will be seen in many a get-together and celebration. People will hunt for that which satisfies them. And appropriately, Water will find ways into their lives in more ways than a shower or bath, this Tiger being the Water Tiger and the cat that can swim.
2022 will show more emphasis on parenting and the inherent rights of parents. Fights will ensue over a parent’s right to decide the medical care of their children and not the school system. More people, especially mothers, will either fight the school system or opt to homeschool their children.
Like the Tiger wanders the prairies in search of a good hunt, college-age students may more likely take time off school to go backpacking or become entrepreneurs. Those desiring more education will tend to opt for accelerated programs that end in certificates they need for new jobs and rewarding work.
Water Tiger is talkative and 2022 will be all about communication even if it’s dysfunctional. Battles concerning free speech and political correctness will not only continue into 2022 but become louder than before.
Tiger is known for passion and courage and success will come to those who embrace those traits in 2022. Pick a direction in 2022 and move forward quickly knowing that risk-taking will be rewarded even if your project doesn’t result as you wished it would. In a Tiger year, being active and moving is better than being still. You may not begin 2022 feeling all that strong or confident but the zodiac says you will be by the end of 2022 simply because of the new things you’ve done.
Create a life you are passionate about in 2002 even if it looks unconventional. Tiger loves excitement and the unconventional is exciting.
Colors will seem to be brighter and voices louder in 2022. When periods of intense energy come to you, take advantage and be active. This is the year of the active individual player.
In the year of the Tiger, you may find yourself making money (Water flows) because you are taking more risks. Many people will have more faith in themselves during this time than at any other and this is why they will succeed.
People are more passionate in a Tiger year but can also be less romantic. There may be more shallow relationships than deep and long-term ones established so those looking for long-term relationships need to be patient. Some people will find a lover who had been in their lives one day and vanished the next returns in 2022 as though he or she had never left at all.
A Tiger year makes it easier for you to recognize your anger and begin to deal with it appropriately but expressing problems in a relationship may not fall on friendly ears.
Tiger’s energy is dynamic which can work in everyone’s favor. It inspires more activity and exercise and less sofa-sitting. There will probably be a greater focus on gaining greater health and vitality by changing routines and eating habits.
The Water Tiger year can bring you the courage and sense of adventure you need to make significant changes in your life. And you can come to the end of 2022 feeling proud of what you accomplished and with a renewed sense of confidence.
The Water Tiger patiently stalks and strategizes for its hunt, moving with an easy grace through the jungle of life. We can emulate Tiger for this ease of grace for life and this world certainly seem like a jungle.
Call upon the Black Water Tiger to renew vitality and passion in your life in 2022. Invoke Tiger for a greater awareness of pace and stamina especially as we move through energetic Winter and the Water season.
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Endnotes:
The Chinese astrology cycle follows a pattern of twelve years (an animal assigned to each) for each of the five elements (Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal, Water) comprising a 60-year pattern. The twelve animals of Chinese astrology are said to hide in the hearts of those born during their year. Chinese New Year always occurs at the time of the second New Moon following the Winter solstice.
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Sources:
Stellhorn, Donna. Chinese Astrology: 2022 Year of the Water Tiger. N.p., ETC Publishing, 2021.
Theitic, Andrew. The Witches' Almanac 2022-2023 Standard Edition Issue 41: The Moon — Transforming the Inner Spirit. N.p., Witches' Almanac, 2021.
Zakroff, Laura Tempest, et al. Llewellyn's 2022 Sabbats Almanac: Samhain 2021 to Mabon 2022. United States, Llewellyn Worldwide, Limited, 2021.
Andrews, Ted. Animal Speak: The Spiritual & Magical Powers of Creatures Great and Small. United States, Llewellyn Worldwide, Limited, 2010.