It never hurts to find a good reason to celebrate and one of the best reasons I’ve found of late is the welcoming of the Chinese New Year – this year is that of the Brown Earth Dog. The celebration began on February 16th and it will last for around 15 days. It has been sixty years since the last Earth Dog Year.
The Year of the Brown Earth Dog is thought to be a good year; a year where good actions, persistence and honest hard work will be rewarded. It will be a year to make commitments to all that is important to us.
And because the Earth Dog is a pack animal, it will be a year of building community. It is projected to be full of hope, and filled with dialogue that can bring people together and help us shed our indifference. If resources are scarce, people will become innovative and more willing to work with others, allowing for successful endeavors throughout this year.
Dogs are the eleventh sign in the Chinese zodiac and are viewed as independent, sincere, loyal and decisive. They are not afraid of the difficulties in life. In a year that can be bustling with activity, lifestyle changes towards good healthy habits will be an important consideration for everyone.
Earth dog is symbolic of land so everything related to agriculture and the earth’s resources will be more significant than ever. And while mountains may block our view, the instinct of the earth dog will be to overcome, go around or find some new way to reach our destination.
The element of earth in Chinese astrology is also connected to stability and meditation, and this may awaken people to a new or renewed interest in spiritual understanding.
Dog represents intelligence and protection and we may be able to learn lessons from our past and incorporate what has worked and what has not.
And here is some of the best news about this Chinese New Year. It signifies the end of the strong willed and multi-tasking fire cock. And the greed and self-centeredness that have characterized the past year may have a difficult road ahead.
So here we go, year of the Earth Dog! Set clear intentions, bring on the effort required, and bring on the love of the land and community building! We are long, long overdue!
This piece aired on WDRT‘s “Consider This” on March 1. You can listen to it here.
The adorable dog is Chester.
let kindness win 