2013 Year of the Serpent
It's a new year, and time for my predictions and advice that I have received from my Chinese masters.
Before we look at what lies ahead for a new year, it's always wise to reflect on the past. 2012 was the Year of the Dragon which was characterized by strong energy and powerful forces-symbolic of the Dragon-that when marshaled in the right direction can result in positive change. For instance, Nobel Peace Prize winner Aung San Suu Kyi was not only released from house arrest but won a Parliament seat in the military junta-controlled Myanmar and facilitated the lifting of economic sanctions against her country-something that was unfathomable just two years ago.
However, the year also witnessed powerful forces of nature from the devastation left by Hurricane Sandy, the wild fires that ravaged New Mexico and Colorado to the tornadoes that ripped through the South and the Midwest. There were also plenty of man-made tragedies, including the lost lives from the civil war in Syria, the horrific shooting in a cinema in Colorado, and the massacre at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Connecticut. I think most people would agree with me that they are happy that the Year of the Dragon has finally come to pass.
So what can we expect for the Year of the Serpent? Elementally, 2013 consists of Water and Fire. Energetically the Water element is creative, flexible and powerful while the element of Fire is dynamic, passionate and unpredictable. The positive manifestations of these two energies are more optimism, creativity and entrepreneurial growth. On the other hand, Water and Fire are opposing energies and therefore conflicts cannot be avoided. Compared to last year, conflicts in this year will be relatively calmer and more manageable, although there will be tension and mistrust beneath the surface.
Let's examine how the energetic cycles might affect the health in the five areas of your life, mainly physical, emotional, spiritual, moral and financial.
Before we look at what lies ahead for a new year, it's always wise to reflect on the past. 2012 was the Year of the Dragon which was characterized by strong energy and powerful forces-symbolic of the Dragon-that when marshaled in the right direction can result in positive change. For instance, Nobel Peace Prize winner Aung San Suu Kyi was not only released from house arrest but won a Parliament seat in the military junta-controlled Myanmar and facilitated the lifting of economic sanctions against her country-something that was unfathomable just two years ago.
However, the year also witnessed powerful forces of nature from the devastation left by Hurricane Sandy, the wild fires that ravaged New Mexico and Colorado to the tornadoes that ripped through the South and the Midwest. There were also plenty of man-made tragedies, including the lost lives from the civil war in Syria, the horrific shooting in a cinema in Colorado, and the massacre at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Connecticut. I think most people would agree with me that they are happy that the Year of the Dragon has finally come to pass.
So what can we expect for the Year of the Serpent? Elementally, 2013 consists of Water and Fire. Energetically the Water element is creative, flexible and powerful while the element of Fire is dynamic, passionate and unpredictable. The positive manifestations of these two energies are more optimism, creativity and entrepreneurial growth. On the other hand, Water and Fire are opposing energies and therefore conflicts cannot be avoided. Compared to last year, conflicts in this year will be relatively calmer and more manageable, although there will be tension and mistrust beneath the surface.
Let's examine how the energetic cycles might affect the health in the five areas of your life, mainly physical, emotional, spiritual, moral and financial.
Physical Health
The Water Element relates to the kidneys, bladder, adrenal glands, and the hormonal/sexual system. The Fire Element corresponds to the heart, circulation and vascular systems, which are sensitive to stress and blockages. In this year one may experience a higher tendency for conditions involving the heart, blood pressure, circulation, kidney, bladder, hormonal system, fertility, and adrenal glands.
Action Plan:
Eat more beans like kidney beans, adzuki beans, navy beans and black beans for their phytosterols, which are supportive for hormonal health. Drink cranberry, cherry juice and a little apple cider to keep the kidney and bladder free from bacteria and uric acid. Try adding more spices and herbs into your diet (ground cinnamon, fennel seed, cloves, star anise, white pepper, parsley, ginger, cayenne pepper, turmeric, ground coriander, ginger, cayenne pepper, cloves, turmeric, curry, chili, fenugreek, fennel seed, garlic, cardamom, nutmeg, basil). Avoid eating red meat, dairy, fatty, greasy, deep fried foods, processed and refined carbohydrates, alcohol, and sugar. I also recommend taking fish and flax oil which are high in omega fatty acids that decrease inflammation and are helpful for the heart and circulation. Take care of problems when they are small by being proactive and seeking holistic care. Exercise consistently to keep your heart fit and help you body stay strong.
Action Plan:
Eat more beans like kidney beans, adzuki beans, navy beans and black beans for their phytosterols, which are supportive for hormonal health. Drink cranberry, cherry juice and a little apple cider to keep the kidney and bladder free from bacteria and uric acid. Try adding more spices and herbs into your diet (ground cinnamon, fennel seed, cloves, star anise, white pepper, parsley, ginger, cayenne pepper, turmeric, ground coriander, ginger, cayenne pepper, cloves, turmeric, curry, chili, fenugreek, fennel seed, garlic, cardamom, nutmeg, basil). Avoid eating red meat, dairy, fatty, greasy, deep fried foods, processed and refined carbohydrates, alcohol, and sugar. I also recommend taking fish and flax oil which are high in omega fatty acids that decrease inflammation and are helpful for the heart and circulation. Take care of problems when they are small by being proactive and seeking holistic care. Exercise consistently to keep your heart fit and help you body stay strong.
Emotional Health
Water relates to fear while Fire corresponds to excitement, neither of which is healthy in excess. Fear paralyzes and consumes energy and prevents one from taking the necessary steps for healthy emotional growth and maturity. Thrill seeking, while exciting, can result in hyper-stimulation of one's nervous system. Both emotional states create stress that can harm one's heart and over tax the adrenal glands, potentially upsetting both the hormonal and the nervous systems.
Action Plan:
Meditate daily to lower your cortisol-stress hormone level and increase endorphins that help you relax and experience inner peace. Tai qi and yoga are also helpful. Keep a nightly journal to unload pent up feelings. Talk to a therapist or counselor. Cultivate a state of gratefulness.
Action Plan:
Meditate daily to lower your cortisol-stress hormone level and increase endorphins that help you relax and experience inner peace. Tai qi and yoga are also helpful. Keep a nightly journal to unload pent up feelings. Talk to a therapist or counselor. Cultivate a state of gratefulness.
Spiritual Health
The nature of Water and Fire is movement - Water tends to flow downward while Fire wants to blaze upward. With these two opposing forces colliding, inner conflict may arise between desiring more material things, especially coming out of several years of austere economic conditions, and wanting to simplify for a more satisfying spiritual life. Material and spiritual can co-exists to produce a constructive life when you seek balance.
Action Plan:
The spiritual opportunities for this year are to work on strengthening your will power, which emanates from your Water Element, and opening your heart, increasing acceptance of others, and cultivating compassion - all of which correspond to the Fire Element.
Acceptance of others begins with acceptance of yourself - embrace and love yourself with all of your imperfections, just as a mother loves her child.
Action Plan:
The spiritual opportunities for this year are to work on strengthening your will power, which emanates from your Water Element, and opening your heart, increasing acceptance of others, and cultivating compassion - all of which correspond to the Fire Element.
Acceptance of others begins with acceptance of yourself - embrace and love yourself with all of your imperfections, just as a mother loves her child.
Moral Health
Your moral values govern how you interact with people and the world around you. This directly affects the health of your relationships, intimate or otherwise. And since the energies of 2013 portend a tendency for conflicts, you would be wise to strive for harmony. Since the subtle feelings underlying a relationship are often the saboteurs, it is important to identify what they are. The dynamic of Water and Fire, just like feminine and masculine, must be harmonized for a relationship to succeed. Since fear, mistrust and sadness cause one to close up and impede full exchange in a relationship, it's important to recognize these blocks and resolve them. All healthy relationships require patience, understanding and flexibility, which are the hallmarks of the serpent.
Action Plan:
Write down the blocks in your relationships. Is it fear of being vulnerable and potentially getting hurt? Do you not trust the other person due to your past experiences? Are you being aloof and not fully committing, thus preventing the other person from trusting you? Make a time with the other person to discuss your desire and concerns about your mutual relationship, and work on the blocks together by
practicing behaviors that bring more trust, understanding and forgiveness. Focus on specific behaviors and refrain from judgment and generalizing. Set times to review progress weekly, and revise when necessary. Successful relationships require clear, calm and consistent communication and feedback. Get help from relationship experts when you need it.
Action Plan:
Write down the blocks in your relationships. Is it fear of being vulnerable and potentially getting hurt? Do you not trust the other person due to your past experiences? Are you being aloof and not fully committing, thus preventing the other person from trusting you? Make a time with the other person to discuss your desire and concerns about your mutual relationship, and work on the blocks together by
practicing behaviors that bring more trust, understanding and forgiveness. Focus on specific behaviors and refrain from judgment and generalizing. Set times to review progress weekly, and revise when necessary. Successful relationships require clear, calm and consistent communication and feedback. Get help from relationship experts when you need it.
Financial Health:
The Fire Element tends to be excitable, dynamic and unpredictable. Thus during years when the Fire Element is present, the stock market is prone to more optimism and rises accordingly. The Water Element, on the other hand, is creative, flexible and powerful. When combined harmoniously with the Fire Element, 2013 is a good year for entrepreneurial activities involving creative fields like entertainment, media, fashion and technology. The housing sector will get a boost as well as industries related to travel, like hotels, restaurants and automobiles. Mining will also rise along with the improving economy, most likely in the latter half of the year. Interest rates will surely begin to tick upward. Finance, banking and insurance will also do better than in the past few years.
Action Plan:
Take an inventory of where you are financially and make a realistic plan of where you want to be in the future. Engage a professional financial advisor, or use the many available resources to help you do it yourself. Set up a budget of savings and expenses and stick to it. Resist temptations with all the optimistic pronouncements in the news, and invest your money with discipline. Review your progress regularly and adjust your strategies according to your goals and future needs. Don't forget to invest in yourself by increasing your knowledge base, upgrading your skills and expanding your network.
Action Plan:
Take an inventory of where you are financially and make a realistic plan of where you want to be in the future. Engage a professional financial advisor, or use the many available resources to help you do it yourself. Set up a budget of savings and expenses and stick to it. Resist temptations with all the optimistic pronouncements in the news, and invest your money with discipline. Review your progress regularly and adjust your strategies according to your goals and future needs. Don't forget to invest in yourself by increasing your knowledge base, upgrading your skills and expanding your network.
