On February 15th, Chinese New Year began. In Chinese astrology each zodiac year is not just associated with an animal sign, but also one of five elements: Metal, Wood, Water, Fire and Earth. If you are born in one of these years: 1934, 1946, 1958, 1970, 1982, 1994, 2006, and presently 2018, you are born in a Dog year.
We are all familiar with the qualities of the Dog: loyal, community/pack driven and hard-working. Earth energy is all about getting grounded, creating security, and finding your balance as you move forward. Earth energy is slow to move, however the movements are always calculated and always help you to get further ahead.
It should be interesting to note, that in Western Astrology it is also a very Earth-focused year with Pluto and Saturn both in Capricorn and Uranus leaving Aries for Taurus mid-May.
Under so much Earth energy, we may feel like we are not moving forward at all, but actually 2018 is one of the most pivotal years to laying the foundation and taking some of the biggest steps of your life. Even if it doesn’t feel like you are doing much, the groundwork laid down now is going to set you up for many years to come.