2018 is the Year of the Earth Dog.
Friday 16 February was the first day of the Chinese New Year this year.
Dog years: 1934, 1946, 1958, 1970, 1982, 1994, 2006, 2018, and 2030…
The Dog is known to be friendly, kind, loyal and pack-oriented. Some of the major themes of the Dog Year are justice, practicality, protection. Honesty and truthfulness are also Dog values.
Bill Clinton and Donald Trump are Dogs.
OK, so obviously we need to take the Chinese horoscope with a grain of salt, along with some common sense. Here are some themes that can help everyone, especially during a Dog Year.
Practice tolerance and empathy. Listen. Reflect. When having a challenge conversation, can you slow down and hear where they are coming from? Are their end goals similar to yours? Is their way of getting there different? Embrace diversity in thought and dig deeper to uncover the why of how others think. You may learn something from someone else’s perspective!
Family, friends and community are very important for the Dog Year. This is a time for family get-togethers and deepening friendships. Sharing healthy meals together is such a great way to be in community together. Don’t over do it with comfort foods and sugar. Sugar will deplete the digestive energy.
This is the year of the Earth Dog. In Chinese medicine, the Earth element is about the Spleen and Stomach and digestion. Healthy goods are: soups and stews, roasts meats with root vegetables, and casseroles.
This year could easily lead you to being more of a homebody, which is ok if you don’t let inertia get the best of you. Be at home, do projects, declutter & organize, read – and – Exercise balanced with stretching and relaxing will be key for the Earth element.
Worry is associated with the Earth element, too. Worry is not good for the digestion – and an energetically weak Spleen and Stomach will often lead to worry. They say that most of the things we worry about this year won’t actually happen. So, for the sake of your health, try to let your mind chill a bit. Relax, it’s all good.
Remember, being more tolerant in 2018 will be best for everyone, yourself included. Appreciate the differences that others in your community have to offer.
Enjoy 2018 and play like a Dog!