Chinese Zodiac 2012: Year of the Black Water Dragon

Posted on January 22, 2012 by Vicki Dello Joio

Because the Dragon year holds the energy of growth, change, innovation and leadership, this is a fantastic time to consider how you are growing, changing, innovating and leading in both your personal life and in the ways you contribute to your greater community and the world. Bigger than life, the Dragon is traditionally considered to be a symbol of good fortune with an enterprising, independent, and ambitious spirit.

Water has a calming influence on Dragon so s/he is a little less bombastic and overbearing than the other elements. More perceptive, empathic, and able to “go with the flow,” the Water Dragon is able to take leadership by working with others in teams and fostering cooperation and creative exchange.

2012 is a time of transformation. Because water feeds the wood element within the Five Element cycle, and wood, the home element of the Dragon, signifies the growth of spring, this is a great time to focus on what you want to grow and transform in the months ahead. It’s time to think out of the box! After all the dragon, so huge, you can’t see its head and tail at the same time, would never fit in that box anyway.

What innovative vision will you carry as you ride the back of the Water Dragon in the year to come?

Vicki Dello Joio, founder of The Way of Joy: A Spiritual Fitness Program, is a teacher, speaker and performing artist. Integrating over 40 years of Chi Kung practice with other martial arts as well as her work in Yoga, Feldenkreis, physical fitness and theater, Vicki has developed a dynamic set of tools to increase awareness, transform obstacles into opportunities and enhance creative potential. Book: The Way of Joy: An Evolutionary Process to Awaken Inspiration, Focus Intention and Manifest Fulfillment, CD: Short Meditations for a Busy Life.
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  • Rose Berryessa

    Wow, Guy Hay Fat Choi to you and you and you!…
    At this moment and season I am resting as a sensible seed should. Within that nesting is the plotting and planning a sabbatical/retreat/world travel starting in January of 2013. Keeping my mind open and fluid, staying in the background, meditating, getting 8 hrs of sleep per night benefit this effort. We will see what goes and grows with it all. Blessings and Good Humor all around, Rosela

  • Dbelk

    I have such a great feeling about the year 2012, and I was especially excited to learn it was the year of the Water Dragon. I am a water sign and to think of having the power and force of a Dragon behind me feels very empowering. I loved hearing the plunks of rain during the video! My focus on the year ahead is on authenticity — being who I am 100%, no holding back in order to protect people from me! Thank you Vicki for this joyous practice! ~ Donna Belk

  • Cathy Winsor

    What a wonderful vlog! I am already practicing the circle, sending energy into myself so I will have some to give others. My mate is a dragon and an Aquarius. The water dragon symbol is very present in her life. I’m just the dumb rabbit, so I envy all you dragons. Hurray! Celebrate!!!

  • http://www.facebook.com/people/Sherry-Mouser/1606129160 Sherry Mouser

    Thank you for the inspiring words about the onset of the Chinese New Year of the Water Dragon! I love hearing you talk about the potential for empowerment, innovation, vitality and transformation at this time!

    I am an Earth Rat in the Chinese Zodiac. Among the characteristics of Earth Rats is that we are considered to be “good homemakers who are always willing to do household chores.” Looking at the state of clutter in my house today, I wonder about that. But, I also understand that in Chinese tradition, one way to celebrate the beginning of the year of the Dragon (even for Rats) is to clean house and to bring in flowers.

    So, I’ve decided not to wait for “Spring cleaning,” but am taking advantage of the energy of growth and change you describe at the onset of the Year of the Dragon, to focus today on clearing the clutter in my home in preparation for an exciting year to come. Even though it’s a cold, snowy day here in Weaverville, CA, the sun is peeking through, and energetically I feel like I’ve shifted from going inward with the depths of winter to openness and readiness for new growth in 2012!

  • http://tambraharck.com/ Tambra Harck

    Sounds as if the Water Dragon is yet another marker of the what a phenomenal, transformational year we’ve now begun. My focus right now is on forming the partnerships, teams and alliances with people who can and will expand into the vision I see for our world, and join me in forming new companies, new projects and greater reach (inner and outer) for ourselves and the potential of humanity.

    Yes, it’s a big vision. So I’m reminded to also ground and nourish my body. Thank you for the arm circles and imagery. Without movement and our magnificent imaginations and energy awareness, it’s all much to much!

    • http://www.vickidellojoio.com Vicki Dello Joio

      Big visions are worthy of the Big Dragon. Use those arms circles to take up ALL the space around you, to be energetically as Big as you truly are. Happy expansion!

      • http://tambraharck.com/ Tambra Harck

        Thank you, I will!… or better still: I AM.

  • http://www.GreatHealthIsPossible.com/ Maureena Bivins, PhD

    We do live in exciting times as change is in the air. I long to see this earth transformed into a beautiful, peaceful home for all. Each day, year in and year out, I make the effort to be peaceable with others and to hold a positive view of the future.

  • http://www.cherylmcdonald-art.com/ Cheryl McDonald

    Love knowing that the water dragon energy will be energizing us all! My goals for this year include really getting my art out where it needs to be in front of an audience! My Art is healing and energizing and I know realize just how important it is for others to see it and experience it. A blessed new year to you Vicki!

  • http://brendamjones.com Brenda Jones

    You are so cute! I love watching your videos. I’m excited about 2012. My horoscope had a lot of excitement in it and then I did a vision board analysis that closely paralleled it… only to follow it up with a quick tarot pull that gave the same answers. I know that it won’t just come knocking on my door, but that I do need to put in the effort. Transformations abound this year if I let them. I need to pick the road I want to travel as I’m a bit scattered at the moment.

  • Sandra

    I love the dragon and trust that this year of the dragon is very special and productive for me. This is the year I will come out as a public speaker and a teacher. My connections with myself and others is becoming more and more authentic with empathetic dragon energy supporting me. Thank you for your inspiring message, Vicki

  • Joieseldon

    Love your enthusiasm! What I am offering this year to the world is my audio book on emotions that is done and ready for editing before I record it. With this book my desire is that the listeners will gain greater access to their innate wisdom, that they become more wholly who they are, and will have more joy in their lives. Internally, I am offering to myself courage and encouragement to speak my truth more boldly than ever.

    I am please to discover that I am not just a Rat, but an Earth Rat. Just knowing I have some earth energy to ground my water sign (scorpio) somehow makes me feel more at home in my body. I also love the idea of a water dragon, that the water aspect softens (not weakens mind you) the great power of the dragon.

  • http://MagnoliaJazz.com/blog Robbie Schlosser

    Hi Vicki,
    WOW! What an energetic presentation! Thanks for embodying such powerful promises for this new year. I’ll save a link to this video, and watch it often to fire my own spirit.

    I also enjoy hearing you explain how everything signifies so many things. Regardless of how accurate these portents might be, I find this a very freeing way of thinking.
    Robbie

  • http://www.abigailgorton.com/ Abigail Gorton

    Bring on a transformational year – we all need one by now!

  • http://susan-berland.com/ Susan Berland

    I will be growing my business this year so I can reach and help more people. I will also be growing in my relationship with myself and my partner. This is going to be an amazing year.

    Susan Berland
    A Picture’s Worth
    http://susan-berland.com

  • http://twitter.com/MosaicTutoring Cory Zacker

    I’m looking forward to a productive year of building my tutoring business and expanding my network of clients and colleagues. Thanks for another inspiring video, Vicki!

    • http://www.vickidellojoio.com Vicki Dello Joio

      You’re welcome, Cory. And lucky kids!

  • http://www.save-your-breath.com Rowena Starling

    My innovative vision is one of work less, make more. VERY excited about this prospect because it is more real today than before. This suggests I’m getting closer to fruition!

    • http://www.vickidellojoio.com Vicki Dello Joio

      From your lips to G-d’s ears, Rowena. Let’s hear it for effortless abundance!

  • http://www.ourlittlebooks.com Candace C. Davenport

    ‘More.’ That’s it! That is my word for 2012. More, energy, more growth, more change, more innovation, more leadership, more for the world and more for myself. And it fits perfect with the Dragon. After all, as you mentioned, it is the only one of the symbols that is more than real.

    Candace Davenport
    http://www.ourlittlebooks.com ~ Little Books with a Big Message

    • http://www.vickidellojoio.com Vicki Dello Joio

      Yes, Candace! Go go Go, Can’t WAIT to see what you come up with

  • http://www.facebook.com/lynnpj Lynn Johnson

    This is fantastic Vicki! I can already feel the Year of the Dragon energy in abundance. In fact, when I wrote “Jan 1 2012″ in my journal on New Year’s Day, I shuttered, in a good way, because I just knew that this year was going to be dramatic. And, this week, the start of the Chinese New Year, is proving to be very dramatic. I am making FOUR presentations at the end of this week about my work. Yikes. And I expect a lot will come of them. Thanks for the Shower and Wei Chi reminders. Just did them at my desk and I already feel better.

    • http://www.vickidellojoio.com Vicki Dello Joio

      Lucky folks who get to Hear those presentations, Lynn, You are making the new paradigm live. Glad to know it got your qi going

  • Wesla

    Thank you for this wonderful Vlog. I feel limitless possibility in this new year, and the exercises you offer feel wonderfully grounding and centering. Sometimes, all that unleashed energy hiding inside me can overwhelm my brain, and these exercises are just the thing to help me focus it. Thank you so much for an especially inspiring message. I plan to return to it many times.
    Wesla

    • http://www.vickidellojoio.com Vicki Dello Joio

      My pleasure, Wesla. And may I say you and Mike just delighted my heart this evening at Yoshi’s!
      And definitely Unleash and focus that energy. Watch out world!

  • http://twitter.com/jenniferpeek Jennifer Peek

    I was already feeling good about the new year, but this really gets me excited about the possibilities. I think I’m going to take the following idea from your post and put it where I can see it each day as a reminder about what 2012 has in store for us:

    “[2012] holds the energy of growth, change, innovation and leadership, this is a fantastic time to consider how you are growing, changing, innovating and leading in both your personal life and in the ways you contribute to your greater community and the world.”

    Wonderfully energizing on a chilly winter afternoon!

  • Claire Montesano

    Thank you Vicki! This year I am growing a Black Water Dragon baby to be born in July! And I am certain that this monumental shift in my life is just the beginning of changes and openings that are on their way. Your reminder that this year is about “going with the flow” through this big transition is right on with what has been coming up in my own practice. I will hold that image of the element of water for those moments when I am paralized by my urge to control or know the future. Blessings!

  • Claire Montesano

    Thank you Vicki! This year I am growing a Black Water Dragon baby to be born in July! And I am certain that this monumental shift in my life is just the beginning of changes and openings that are on their way. Your reminder that this year is about “going with the flow” through this big transition is right on with what has been coming up in my own practice. I will hold that image of the element of water for those moments when I am paralized by my urge to control or know the future. Blessings!

    • http://www.vickidellojoio.com Vicki Dello Joio

      Beautiful, Claire. And blessing on the new little one soon to be hatched!

  • Jean-rains

    This is a very inward time for me. My changes seem to need to be internal ones right now, and I see that water has a calming effect on the dragon. However, this morning out doing tai chi with friends, I felt a strong interest in outer things returning – like learning more of the form, and an awareness that I wish to continue to come from inside and participate in the outer activities as I feel them to be authentic. I don’t want the dragon to pretend to be strong – Iwant the dragon to actually be strong – in its own way. Jean

  • Karen S.

    Wow, right now I feel that I am in a time of contraction, given my limited energy,. However, I’m aware that the year has just begun and that contraction is part of the cycle for me where I take a step back to spring forward. So while I don’t know just how this year will unfold, I trust that it will as I emerge from this space in time….
    Karen

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