To write this article for this coming year of the Fire Horse, I took a walk to see some local horses grazing in their paddock. With the weather pleasant and calm, grazing in a plentiful paddock these powerful creatures are the very image of strength, power, alertness. Calm yet ready and open like the space around them. Like the calm before the storm, the horse is always aware of its surroundings and is ready to gallop if startled suddenly but if soothed by someone they trust, they are able to contain that instinct to run wildly and channel it into conscious action.

As regular readers of this column will know, at the beginning of each year I take a month off the practical physical health focus to present an overview of the year of the Chinese Zodiac. Just a note on Chinese Astrology, unlike Western Astrology it is not predictive and does not follow the planetary alignments. Instead, it looks more at the ‘climate’ or flow/feel of the year, depending on the animal sign that you correspond to according to your year of birth (look up Chinese zodiac online to find your animal). They follow 12 a year cycle based on Jupiter’s 12 year journey around the sun.

Last year it was the Wood snake and if you would like to review that article it is available on my website, and indeed it was a year where many illusions about our reality were shed, globally as well as personally. I expect many people began to question what is really important in life…wealth or health, independence and family, work obligations and personal needs. You may have been surprised about what you learnt about yourself last year and this will indeed be useful in the firey year ahead as this has laid the ground work for what will ‘combust’; so to speak. If you have laid the ground for understanding your soul self and all you can be, then with caution and temperance, you will be able to break free of old constraints and be joyfully in the true you.

A year of rapid change the horse is enterprising, energetic, enthusiastic and loyal but if overworked or stressed can become anxious, careless and impatient. The fire element really amps it up so try to stay alert and sharp to the changes that will happen all around you. This will help you make the right choices in a year that is said to present often so many opportunities that you need to be quick on your feet and open hearted. Making decisions this year will need to involve your heart, not just your mind. Feeling into what sits right for you and if your ‘heart is in it’, you will know to get galloping down that path.

Very importantly temper the often frenetic energy of this year with calm. Lock in time to have time in nature like bush walks, meditation and regular physical practices such as yoga, Qi Gong, swimming etc. Really pay attention to your nervous system and shelter from the internet if you find yourself getting too caught up with what’s happening ‘out there’. Put yourself out to paddock whenever you feel overwrought.

Interestingly this year is a Numerological 1 year, last her was a 9 year and was a year of endings for many, so this year as a 1 year (or a 10 year in some systems) is a year of new

beginings and co-creating with the universe. Begin to imagine a peaceful future, centred on the heart space and speak your truth, not to be ‘right’ or make others ‘wrong’ but to be true to yourself.

Have a wonderful ride this year and Xin Nian Kwai Le Wishing you a joyful and Happy New Year!

Dr Angela Palmer

Kinglake Chinese Medicine