2024: The Year of the Wooden Dragon
Feburary 10th, 2024 moves our world into a lush, ancient forest, where the wind whispers of old magic; this is the realm of the Wooden Dragon.
In Chinese mythology, dragons are the some of the most powerful creatures, symbols of incredible luck, strength, and authority. Of the 12 animals of the Zodiac Year, they are the only magical ones.
Despite their fearsome appearance, they are not like the beasts of Western stories but kind, wise spirits that bring rain for crops and ward off evil.
However, this story of the dragon doesn't just repeat every 12 years as the Zodiac turns through the wheel of animals; it also evolves, thanks to the cycle of the five elements: Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal, and Water.
Every time the dragon year comes around, it's cloaked in a different elemental essence, and every 60 years, we encounter a rare and special character: the Wooden Dragon.
The Element of Wood
Wood, in Chinese philosophy, represents growth, renewal, and flexibility. It's found in the burst of life we see and feel in the Spring, in the strength of a sapling bending in the wind without breaking.
When the dragon's spirit meets these nurturing, expansive qualities of wood, something magical happens.
This time embodies a kind of gentle, insistent force that asks us to get creative and grow beyond what we know. It's like watching a tree grow from a tiny seed, driven by an unseen strength within that is always reaching upwards and out from its roots.
We're invited now to channel this balanced blend of strength and suppleness.
This year tells us to be powerful but also adaptable, to lead with authority but also with empathy and a deep, rooted connection to the world around us.
As we journey through the cycle of years, the story of the Wooden Dragon serves as a reminder that strength comes in many forms, and true power lies in our ability to grow, to change, and nurture the growth of others.
Yang Qi
In Chinese Medicine and Cosmology, Qi (气) refers to the flow of energy that moves through all things, which helps maintain balance and harmony in the universe.
Qi expresses itself in two fundamental forms: Yin and Yang. Yang Qi rules things like our actions, heat, brightness, and expansiveness. It is the force behind movement, growth, and warmth, both physically and metaphorically.
While Yang Qi is masculine, its role in the Wooden Dragon year will be to create the conditions necessary for the growth and flourishing of the feminine, or Yin. This is not about gender, but rather the feminine aspects of life; the type of energy that is receptive, still, and nurturing.
Just as the masculine warmth and light of the sun nurtures the growth of plants, the Yang Qi of the Wood Dragon year stimulates and supports the development of our creativity, intuition, and empathy.
The vibrancy and movement of Yang energy also encourages an outward expression of these feminine qualities, which means we can expect them to take root and grow all over the world, and who knows how deeply this energy will permeate!
The Rise of Feminine Energy
Everyone, regardless of their gender identity, has a mix of Yin and Yang. The balance and interaction between these energies in your body and spirit influences how you approach your life, work, and your relationships.
Embracing your femininity means nothing more than recognizing and valuing these Yin aspects in ourselves and in the world around us.
With this perspective, being able to empathize, intuit, and collaborate become much more valuable than society portrays them to be. This is the kind of energy that allows for true leaders to step forward. This is especially potent in an election year, for the US and around the world!
When contrasted against the blatantly manipulative and ignorant displays of power today, the world begins to awaken to the reality that it is these kind of leaders- the ones who can nurture relationships on an emotional level, foster community, and make people feel safe-who are adept for the role and power awarded to them.
This kind of approach is becoming more and more obvious as an essential one to our modern world, where solving the challenges of Global Capitalism, Patriarchy, and Imperialism are complex and interconnected, requiring leaders who can navigate all of the ambiguity, listen deeply, and think holistically.
The world of creativity is also deeply connected to the concept of femininity (Yin energy), as we humans can only create from a place of intuition, sensitivity, and a willingness to explore our inner world.
In 2024, this could look like an explosion of celebration, exploration, and even questioning of the concept of femininity itself, leading us to a new understanding and expression of what it means to us.
In fact, we may all find ourselves more concerned with themes of identity, connection, and the nuanced strength that can be found in vulnerability and care. Those who tap into this energy will find a rich source of inspiration in their own experiences and emotions, showing them how to create in a way that resonates on a deep, soul level.
This will also stand in stark contrast to the current art and entertainment culture that routinely bombards us with junk to capture our attention, but not our imaginations. This can serve as a beautiful balance of the wooden dragon’s ability to push boundaries and foster unprecedented growth. Connected to the Earth, this bold adventurer wants us to create art that will impact, and last, all while introducing us into a totally new future.
In technology, this emphasis on a balanced Yin-Yang expansion could steer the world towards solutions that are not only groundbreaking, but also compassionate.
The current rise of “technology for good”—companies that aim to solve social problems —reflects this shift, indicating that for the next 20 years at least, it’s not a trend, but a movement here to stay.
This could also mean we start seeing more policies that support work-life balance, mental health, and community well-being, recognizing the importance of nurturing everyone’s growth in order to succeed together.
Indigenous wisdom, with a focus on social welfare, education, and equality, has already shown us how important this is, with social structures that achieved high levels of happiness and quality of life for centuries.
The future of tech is calling, and it may begin by revisiting the past. A return to indigenous stewardship and world mindset will continue to step forward as a viable solution, with more of us connecting to our ancestral roots for guidance.
In this Wooden Dragon year, this overwhelming emphasis on nurturing reflects a deeper understanding of growth—we’re not pushing boundaries for the sake of it, but as a careful cultivation of our inner landscapes and the world around us.
This year asks us to support and encourage the feminine qualities within all of us, regardless of gender: learning our intuition and ability to connect with others. It's a lesson in finding our strength, not in rigidity, but in our ability to bend, to learn, and ultimately to grow into our next phase.
