China embraces the Dragon in its astrology, a sign that only comes around every twelve years. In the East it is not seen as a scary monster spouting fire, but a mythical animal, to be revered because it is made up of many animals including the tiger, pig, snake, fish, and eagle.

The Dragon symbolises power, energy, enthusiasm, optimism, creativity, and bravery.

So, how can we make the most of this Dragon’s visit?

The Chinese year began on the lunar New Year on the 23rd of January. The combination of the East and West’s spiritual energy ignites hope, invention, compassion, friendship, and good communication, along with tenacity, energy, and belief. Remember this as you progress through the months.

This is a water Dragon year, which means all its characteristics are softened and the water helps life flow, enhances all emotions, and finds a way through difficult situations. Water calms the Dragon’s fire, stopping the burning and helps us see compromise as a good thing.

Be passionate and optimistic in all you do.

Remain diplomatic at all times and encourage teamwork.

Don’t be afraid to take calculated risks.

Be aware that there is often a baby boom in the year of the Dragon.

Be prepared for sudden change. Keep your safety belt fastened. Speed and changes are more likely to occur in the first half of the year. That’s the time to really push ideas forward. Pace yourself otherwise exhaustion will halt you in your tracks. Learn to finish what you start otherwise you will dissipate your energy. Stay practical and finally, look out for corruption and lies in the second half of the Dragon’s year. The good news is that the Dragon usually leaves its reign transforming bad to good.

There is talk of 2012 being the end of the world, although we already fear and panic about climate change, famine, plague and wars. These global catastrophes can make us feel impotent and like giving in before we have even started.

I believe we are heading toward a positive end—an end of aggression and selfishness. The Quakers say, “Peace on earth will come through the individual actions of people like you and me.” Just like the proverbial pebble dropped into the water whose ripples extend beyond its reach, by doing what we can individually, we can manifest positive change. Embrace 2012 and feel powerful as you help create it.

Watch where you put your money whilst Pluto plods its way through Capricorn because hidden forces are at work. Money represents freedom and power so the more you work on releasing the fears that cripple you constructively and practice feeling in your own power, the more tuned in you will be about making the right financial decisions.

Saturn in Scorpio will create new spiritual opportunities. Saturn is solid, logical and practical. Scorpio is spiritual, intense and emotional. They can clash or work together. We can no longer say, “I am logical,” or “I am spiritual.” We are all physical, emotional, mental and spiritual and to be fulfilled we need to integrate these areas of life. A finely tuned spiritual person uses this awareness by listening to the body’s signals about health—expressing all emotions and feelings cleanly and clearly, and by being able to distinguish between healthy thoughts and those we allow into our brain to sabotage us. We are moving toward a link between Metaphysics and Quantum Physics.

The Year of the Water Dragon

In Chinese Astrology, this is also the year of the water dragon, which adds an emotional, creative and compassionate edge to the year. Rein in your negative emotions and impossible dreams. Feed your positive emotions and focus on the practical building blocks of any aspiration. Open up your heart to love and opportunity. Use your creative mind to work around your problems. Turn struggle and frustration into fortitude and success.

2012 Key Focus for all Signs

Aries

Finish what you start and sustain positive ideas. Continue growing emotionally. Your career could take off.

Taurus

After a vulnerable start to the year where love is concerned, being proactive and reading emotional signals correctly will bring you through any crisis brilliantly. The fog will evaporate from your career and finances will improve.

Gemini

Spiritual development will lead to handling your love life, career and health in a much more powerful way.

Cancer

Problems will ease and burdens will lessen. Joy will come through refusing to take on any lame ducks or lame duck projects. Help people to help themselves. Don’t put people’s lives right for them.

Leo

Clear up misunderstandings. Channel anger constructively, show compassion and your life will take off in many ways.

Virgo

This is the year to achieve all you believe in. Learn to develop and act on your intuition more. Don’t let your need to be in control overwhelm your instinct.

Libra

You are dealing with challenging times but 2012 brings positive hope and insight. Stay balanced and you will be in a much better place by the end of the year.

Scorpio

Saturn in Scorpio is the key to everything this year. Saturn enables you to create a positive, practical outlet for your spiritual beliefs and development.

Sagittarius

A positive and upbeat year if you don’t race through it. Pace yourself emotionally and you won’t miss the romantic opportunities that emerge from June onwards.

Capricorn

You should reap the rewards of your hard work and now is the time to develop your social life. The two can work together. Keep them in balance and you will function at your best.

Aquarius

The inner peace you can feel this year will give you the energy to fulfil the dreams you have already put into action. Expand cautiously in every area of your life.

Pisces

Your own planet of Neptune moves into Pisces in 2012 and stays for years. It enhances your spirit, your trust and belief centre. The only thing to remember is to stay grounded and not neglect your body or your practical life.