How to get the most from the Year of the Wood Dragon

In 2024, Chinese New Year falls on the 10 February. It’s the year of the Dragon, specifically the Wood Dragon. The Chinese zodiac is based on:

Twelve zodiac animals - Rat, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Goat, Monkey, Rooster, Dog, and Pig. Each year is associated with an animal sign on a twelve year cycle. Each animal denotes certain character traits for the year:
Elements: Metal, Wood, Water, Fire, Earth. These signify the influencing energy for the year.

The Wood Dragon is full of energy and dreams of changing the world. It has the intelligence, and leadership to do this. Therefore, this year is about fostering growth, progress and abundance professionally and personally.

What do the Dragon and Wood mean?

Dragons

Dragons are considered unique in the Chinese zodiac as they are the only mythical creature out of the twelve animals. They are an auspicious sign symbolising power, success, intelligence, creativity and honour. Hence, this year is ideal for building something new with long-term potential to bring evolution, improvement, and abundance.

Wood

Wood represents vitality and creativity. It is about broadening your perspective and getting things done. Take advantage of this energy by following your passions, embracing change with new projects and making some form of exercise part of your regular routine.

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Wood Dragon

The wood dragon is confident, creative, adventurous, generous, and loyal.

If you were born in 1916, 1928, 1940, 1952, 1964, 1976, 1988, 2000 or 2012.you are a wood dragon You may recognise the traits above as part of your character.

How to actively use the Wood Dragon characteristics and energy in 2024

Enhance your confidence

The wood dragon is confident with a keen sense of self and a clear vision of its goals.

Say positive affirmations daily, such as “I am capable, I am worthy, I am powerful.”Continually seek constructive feedback and use it to improve your skills and performance.
Challenge yourself to do something outside of your comfort zone.

Spark your creativity

The wood dragon is creative.

Take this year to try different strategies, techniques, tools, and materials to see what works best for you.
Learn a new skill or hobby to unleash your creative side.

Be adventurous

The wood dragon is adventurous and loves to explore unfamiliar places and discover new things.

This year pick a different type of holiday from your usual or visit a village / town for the day that you’ve never been to before.
Say yes to opportunities that come your way, even if they seem scary or risky.
Try something off your bucket list.

Help others

The wood dragon is generous and likes to help those in need.

This year volunteer for a charity that helps people in need.
Pay it forward by doing random acts of kindness for strangers regularly throughout the year, such as holding the door for them, complimenting them, paying for coffee for the person behind you in the line.
Donate money or goods to a cause that you care about,

Foster relationships

The wood dragon is very loyal and has strong bonds with family, friends, and partners.

Plan in quality time with family, friends and partner.
Keep your promises and commitments and follow through on what you say.

Look after your liver and gall bladder

The Wood element represents the liver and the gall bladder. These

rule the movement of Qi(energy) in the body and signify the energy of growth: vision, planning and decision making that is essential for creative change.

Food

Transform from winter hibernation by giving your digestive system and liver a rest. Avoid refined carbs and sugars, processed foods, caffeine, and alcohol for a few weeks.
Sour is the flavour to help strengthen the liver and has a yin, cooling effect. It strengthens the tendons, tonifies the bladder and firms sagging skin, Eat more, lemons, limes rosehips, sour apples, sauerkraut, vinegar, aduki beans, sumac and wood sorrel.
Nourish the liver with cabbage, sweet potatoes, carrots and beets, pine nuts, shiitake mushrooms, peas, mung beans ,tofu, fennel, rosemary, bay leaf, dill, whole grains, legumes, spring onions, ginger, horse radish chamomile and pepper. Eat lots of fresh greens like dandelion, arugula, wheat grass, spinach, sprouts of all sorts, seeds and nuts.
Lightly steam and stir-fry vegetables to retain vital nutrients. Do less roasting, baking, or slow cooking.

Exercise

The liver channel rules the sinews, which are related to the tendons and ligaments of the body.

Stimulate your tendons and ligaments to keep them supple with some form of regular exercise such as walking, swimming, yoga, tennis, dancing.

Acupressure points for the liver and gall bladder

There are three essential acupuncture points to help keep you balanced energetically this season are Liver 3, Liver 14, and Gallbladder 20.

Massage these three points daily to get energy moving again by unblocking stagnation in the meridians.

Liver 3 Great Rushing

This point is used to reduce any pain, tension in the chest and bloating. It also helps you express anger, frustration, and let go of certain emotions in a calm, grounded away.

Location: In the hollow depression located distal to the metatarsals of the first and second toe.

Application: Use your thumb to apply pressure in a circular motion for 30 seconds - 1 minute

Do not do if pregnant.

Liver 14 Gate of Hope

This point creates breathing room in the chest, allowing “space” for peace in body and mind. It helps with any emotional stagnation and to get unstuck.

Location: Perpendicular under the nipple, at the level of the lowest part of the sternum.

Application: Press firmly in the area with your fingertips. Massage the two points for 30 seconds - 1 min

Gallbladder 20 Wind Pool

This point can help those with headaches, migraines, neck muscle tension, eye blurriness or fatigue, and cold/fly symptoms. Massaging this point reduces tension when it is caused by frustration or unrest.

Location: In the hollow edge of the skull between the ear and the spine.

Application: Use your thumbs or fingertips to apply pressure and massage in circular motion for 30 seconds - 1 minute.