The arrival of the Year of the Water Tiger on the Lunar calendar coincides with the classification of the National Capital Region (NCR) into Alert Level 2, meaning more businesses can open, enterprises can serve more customers, and more mobility for the citizenry. This coincidence may perhaps be considered as a “sign” of better things to come this year, a road to recovery from the almost two years of hardships and missed opportunities that the pandemic presented.
It is not vain to hope for better things in a new year. After the doldrum state of life in general, the world now sees a flicker of hope as countries gradually consider COVID-19 as an endemic one, allowing economies to post brighter forecasts for the year 2022.
Noted feng shui expert and Chinese metaphysics master Patrick Lim Fernandez, writing in The Manila Bulletin’s Year of the Thundering Water Tiger special supplement, also sees hope in the new year. “As the world continues to cope and manage through this global pandemic, there is a light on the horizon. This is because the past three years were the winter years in the 12-year cycle of the Chinese Zodiac. The years of the Pig, Rat, and Ox (2019 through 2021) belong to this most frigid of seasons. It is no wonder that the world had been in a mode of hibernation as is customary during winter time. The coming Year of the Tiger signifies the beginning of spring, which will last for the next three years.”
Fernandez continued to say that the world will get ready to “re-emerge from a period of docility and lethargy,” and that the Tiger “symbolizes a form of rebirth and reinvigoration.” “There will be a lot more re-mobilization in the world as it awakens from a mode of slumber, which will in turn spark a lot of activity in many life aspects: in business, careers, relationships, health, and money.”
Whether one is a believer of predictions or not, any form of good news is welcome, especially to individuals who have lost jobs, businessmen who have downsized their operations, or for investors who have incurred losses. In fact, if we look into the element of the tiger and the water, both carry with it a strong energy—the tiger from its aggressive nature, and from water which is sourced from the mighty ocean with its ability to be fluid yet crushing at the same time.
Amid the hope that a new year brings is the other side of the coin, which is a cause for caution. Our country is entering the political campaign season starting Feb. 8, 2022, and if referring to a tiger’s aggressiveness, political turmoil is the last thing we need if we want to recover from the pandemic.
On a more personal level, Fernandez said that the Year of the Tiger brings with it a “sense of adventure and audacity.” This means that this may be the year for each one to be “bold” in their decisions in life and to seek out new opportunities to extend one’s horizons for growth and development. But, of course, it pays to be circumspect and careful. “Be thoughtful in your actions and let conscientiousness guide you throughout the year.”
On behalf of the management, editors, and team members of The Manila Bulletin, we wish each one of you more prosperity, harmony, and luck in the Year of the Water Tiger! May your life roar with opportunities and good tidings.