New Energy for 2022: Year of the Water Tiger
On February 4th, we will be flowing into the Year of the Water Tiger, and out of the Year of the Ox. You may have been feeling the new energy shifting into the Tiger for the last couple of months, because this isn't like flipping a switch. The change in qi starts in the fall, and the energy shift builds up to the lunar new year date, which is February 1st in 2022.
We have put together a topline review of the overall energy of the year and how it may impact each of the twelve animals of the Chinese zodiac. There is an important energetic interaction between your birth year (your animal) and the current year (Water Tiger). To quote a Chinese saying: the animal assigned to your birth year “is the animal that hides in your heart.1”
The let’s keep it fun disclaimer
It is important to understand that the animal associated with your birth year only accounts for part of your overall astrological destiny. Your birth year is only one part of BaZi, or the Four Pillars, which also considers the hour, day, and month of your birth. Also, your birth date and astrology is only one part of what influences your path and success in life. In the tradition of Feng Shui that we practice, it is firmly held that by using Feng Shui, good deeds, hard work, and education, you can shift what you experience. So, there is no need to panic if this is not a ‘good’ year for you. Remember also that everything is cyclical, and you will also have your day in the sun.
Overall, this is what you can expect from the year of the Water Tiger:
Tiger qualities and energy:
- Dynamic
- Bold
- Pioneering
- Unpredictable
Yang Water (Ren) qualities and energy:
- Mysterious
- Quiet and thoughtful
- Revealing
- Seeking wisdom
The Tiger is bold, creative and determined, often preferring to be on their own. The yang water energy of the year complements the dynamic flow of the tiger energy, but also adds a mysterious and revealing nature.
Below, you’ll find a description of each of the zodiac animals, and what’s in store for each one based on the energy of this year.
*Please note, if your birthday is in January or February, your animal sign may be the preceding year. If you were born on the cusp, we recommend you find your natal chart online.
Rat 子
Resourceful, like to be busy, can sniff out opportunities
Years: 1924, 1936, 1948, 1960, 1972, 1984, 1996, 2008, 2020
Rats are best friends with Dragons, Snakes, and Monkeys, and generally have a neutral relationship with Tigers. If Tigers and Rats have the same goals in mind, they can work well together. The resourceful Rat, always thinking, can adapt and align with dynamic Tiger energy.
Overall energy of the year: Neutral
What to do: Choose your projects wisely and embrace the dynamic energy of the Tiger.
You are most compatible with: Dragon, Monkey, Rat and Ox.
You clash with: Horse.
Ox 丑
Steady eddy, hard working, ploughs through problems calmly
Years: 1925, 1937, 1949, 1961, 1973, 1985, 1997, 2009, 2021
Oxen are great friends with Snakes, Roosters, and Rats. Oxen and Tigers have trouble getting on the same page, so you might experience a few challenges this year. Both Ox and Tiger are stubborn animals, and the Ox will have to be flexible to get along this year.
Overall energy of the year: OK
What to do: Choose to be more open and flexible. Don’t see compromise as a defeat.
You are most compatible with: Rooster, Snake and Rat.
You clash with: Ram/Sheep.
Tiger 寅
Dynamic, self-reliant tigers leap forward with creative ideas
Years: 1926, 1938, 1950, 1962, 1974, 1986, 1998, 2010
Tigers are friends with Horses, Dogs, and Pigs. You may think that since 2022 is the year of the Tiger, it would be a very lucky year for anyone born in a Tiger year. However, this may actually be a more challenging time for Tigers. In BTB feng shui we practice a protection ceremony called the Golden Cicada Ritual. Think of it as a way to smooth out the rough edges and bring more ease in the coming year. If you’re interested, there is a class available here. We also recommend you carry a 2022 Pig charm with you for extra support.
Overall energy of the year: So-so
What to do: You will enjoy the support of water this year, but watch your bold and sometimes unpredictable nature. Be creative, but not reckless.
You are most compatible with: Horse, Dog and Pig.
You clash with: Monkey.
Rabbit 卯
Easy-going and sociable, the rabbit hops along with grace
Years: 1927, 1939, 1951, 1963, 1975, 1987, 1999, 2011
Rabbits are friends with Rams, Pigs, and Dogs. Rabbits are not entirely comfortable with the dynamic and creative Tiger, so the energy of this year may take a bit of getting used to. Overall, the Rabbit will go along to get along.
Overall energy of the year: Neutral
What to do: Try to see the positives in the creative and bold energy of the Tiger.
You are most compatible with: Pig, Sheep and Dog.
You clash with: Rooster
Dragon 辰
Energetic, strong, dragons fly through life with purpose
Years: 1928, 1940, 1952, 1964, 1976, 1988, 2000, 2012
Dragons are best friends with Monkeys, Roosters, and Rats. Dragons respect the Tiger’s strong, bold nature and will find this energy comfortable.
Overall energy of the year: Pretty good
What to do: Align your powerful Dragon energy with the action-oriented Tiger.
You are most compatible with: Rat, Monkey, and Rooster.
You clash with: Dog
Snake 巳
Intellectual snakes slide through life with wisdom and grace
Years: 1929, 1941, 1953, 1965, 1977, 1989, 2001, 2013
Snakes are best friends with Rooster, Monkey, and Ox. Snakes are quiet and thoughtful, unlike the boisterous Tiger. Snakes are smart enough to stick to their own path, and not get tangled up with the Tiger’s energy.
Overall energy of the year: Not great
What to do: Tap into your inner wisdom so that you aren’t bothered by the unpredictable Tiger.
You are most compatible with: Rooster, Ox and Monkey.
You clash with: Pig
Horse 午
Strong, active horses will gallop by, looking for adventure
Years: 1930, 1942, 1954, 1966, 1978, 1990, 2002, 2014
Horses are best friends with Tigers, Dogs and Rams. Horses get along well with the Tiger, and the two of them make a good team. The Horse enjoys the excitement and unpredictability of the Tiger, and is able to adapt to this energy.
Overall energy of the year: Supportive
What to do: Lay low, this is a year to review, plan, and plant seeds. Rat years are for reviewing potential opportunities, and deciding where you should place your energy.
You are most compatible with: Tiger, Dog and Ram.
You clash with: Rat
Ram 未
Gentle and kind, but under that soft, woolly exterior is strong determination
Years: 1931, 1943, 1955, 1967, 1979, 1991, 2003, 2015
Rams (also known as Sheep or Goats) are friends with Pigs, Rabbits and Horses. They have a neutral relationship with the Tiger, which will come as a relief after last year’s clash with the Ox. Your determination and strength can easily weather the energy of this year.
Overall energy of the year: Neutral
What to do: Enjoy the drama-free relationship with Tiger. You may want to revisit an unfinished or abandoned project from 2021.
You are most compatible with: Rabbit, Pig and Horse.
You clash with: Ox
Monkey 申
Clever, curious monkeys will charm others with their ap-peel
Years: 1932, 1944, 1956, 1968, 1980, 1992, 2004, 2016
Monkeys are friends with Dragons, Rats, and especially Snakes. The playful Monkey and the direct, self-reliant Tiger do not always see eye-to-eye. Both are unpredictable in their own way, and they do not play well together. Because the Monkey clashes with the Tiger, it is important in BTB feng shui to practice the Golden Cicada Ritual. If you’re interested, there is a class available here. We also highly recommend you carry a 2022 Pig charm.
Overall energy of the year: Not great
What to do: Practice gratitude and compassion, and try not to take things too personally.
You are most compatible with: Rat, Dragon and Snake.
You clash with: Tiger
Rooster 酉
Articulate, astute roosters strut with confidence
Years: 1933, 1945, 1957, 1969, 1981, 1993, 2005, 2017
Roosters are best friends with Snakes, Oxen, and Dragons. Roosters are precise and orderly, unlike the freedom-loving Tiger. Overall, these two animals can find common ground, but they have very different ways of moving through the world.
Overall energy of the year: Neutral
What to do: Be open to the creative energy of the Tiger, and recognize the benefits in this less-structured way of being. Try to be less rigid when the situation calls for it.
You are most compatible with: Ox, Snake, and Dragon.
You clash with: Rabbit
Dog 戌
Loyal, dogs look out for others and they are dogged protectors
Years: 1934, 1946, 1958, 1970, 1982, 1994, 2006, 2018
Dogs are best friends with Tigers, Horses, and Rabbits. Dogs are good friends with the Tiger. Like the Horse and the Tiger, the Dog and the Tiger make a good team. Dogs are loyal and outgoing, and they enjoy the bold nature of the Tiger.
Overall energy of the year: Supportive
What to do: Go with the flow of this Tiger year, and embody your practical, no-nonsense nature.
You are most compatible with: Tiger, Horse and Rabbit.
You clash with: Dragon
Pig 亥
Good-nature, trust-worthy, Pigs are always there to help ‘snout’
Years: 1935, 1947, 1959, 1971, 1983, 1995, 2007, 2019
Pigs are best friends with Rabbits, Rams, and Tigers. Pigs are hard-working, but they also know how to have a good time. The Tiger likes this about the Pig, and the Pig will enjoy the Tiger’s energy in 2022. They make a great match and work together very well.
Overall energy of the year: Great
What to do: Take those new ideas and actions that the Tiger brings you, and put your Pig spin on them!
You are most compatible with: Sheep, Rabbit and Tiger.
You clash with: Snake
1 Lunar months can shift a day or two each year, so if you are born on the cusp of the Chinese month you may need to double check.