BarbaraVision

The Year of the Ox

January 26, 2009 through to February 13, 2010: A conservative year of uncertainties and potential misunderstandings

Other Ox Years: 1925, 1937, 1949, 1961, 1973, 1985, 1997, 2009

Ox – “I Preserve”
Some famous Ox: Ferdinand the Bull – 1938, Barak Obama, Richard Nixon, Marlon Brando, Jane Fonda, George Clooney, Meg Ryan, Meryl Streep, Jack Nickolson, Princess Diana, Robert Redford, Dustin Hoffman

In general this is how the year presents for your personal Asian birth sign.
Excellent year for: Roosters, Ox
Good year for: Snakes, Rats, Cat (Rabbit), Pigs
Difficult year for: Goats, Dragons, Dogs
Challenging year for: Horses, Tigers, Monkeys

Overview: How shall we understand Ox influence? It matters because we are going to feel, or be influenced by Ox energy for the next 12 months. First off, we begin 2009, the “Year of the Ox” with a new president in the United States; a president who has captured the attention of much of the world, not for what he has done but for what he represents. His call is for hope and change. As an American man of colour, he is the symbolic embodiment of the end of an incredibly arduous journey, a journey lined with seemingly insurmountable odds: that is the 150 year journey from slavery to Commander in Chief. His inauguration in itself is an act that is hope and change. Interestingly Barak Obama is a Leo Ox. He calls for change when the key words for Ox is “I preserve”, as Leo is “I will.” This makes perfect sense when we see that his background training is as a constitutional lawyer. His platform of change rests on the call to a return to the fundamental strengths of his countries’ pioneering beginnings, their ethical diversity, and their democratic creed. In a time of the Ox, the past is yesterday. It is rich in colour, texture, tone and expectations. Tradition breathes. Past honour guides. “I preserve” indeed!
Positive Ox traits are:
Integrity
Steadfastness
Strength of purpose
Eloquence
Innovation
Diligence
Hmm. Are Ox folk and therefor years that fall under Oxen influence without fault? That’s highly unlikely. Shall I mention that Hitler was also an Ox? Head tends to rule over heart.
Some negative Ox traits are:
Stubbornness
Plodding
Bigotry
Bias
Inflexibility
Aloofness
Vindictiveness
Tyranny
Moving from personalities to practicalities, an Ox year unfolds at a different pace than a Rat year, which 2008 was. Yet Rat and Ox years are also considered companion years. In the Chinese myth of the Great Race which determined the order of the zodiac animals, Rat rode on Ox’s back for the last lap, and then jumped off to scamper ahead, securing first place. That means that projects started or planned last year have solid space to develop further in 2009. The impulse is strong to stand up and walk our walk. Whatever dreams we’ve been cooking want muscle put behind them. Grunt work becomes a means to an end. Time becomes layered with a rich texture of connective weave work. If we’re impatient in 2009, we’d be wise to delve deeper into the moment. What are we missing? What pattern is waiting to be revealed? Time may be the most important teacher of 2009. One danger is overwork or over focus. If we are going to catch the Ox rhythm and work hard this year, let some of that work be clearly devoted to the inner journey. In the busy-ness of life it is a true and honorable job to find the time and space to devote to self. Quiet time. Reflective time. Renewal. Back to basics in this case would mean a return to our essential goodness, our inherent connectedness to each other as community, as collective whole.

2009 offers up lots of potential for making enemies. Stubbornness with a capital S. Heels dug in. Opinions entrenched in cement. Righteous rightness. When we get locked into stubbornness, or inertia, remember: life has a way of offering us a jolt, much like a jab from a cattle prod when we need it. Let’s ask that all our jolts be little ones; little surges of energy that redirect us, or bright flashes of insight that move us. Hope and change – on a foundation of all that we have been, evolving into all that we shall be.

2009 is a year of an Earth Ox. Earth element resists change. Conservative thinking is supported. For each gain in the Liberal/Democratic side of the political arena, anticipate deeply entrenched resistance from the Conservative/Republic right.

On a personal note I began a major restructuring of work and home in 2008. In January 2008, I added Energy and Crystal therapy to my work which had previously been defined by psychic counseling. In November I began a large downsizing project to reduce my possessions. At home I’m shifting from Homestay students to independent tenants. All of these projects flow well into 2009 and will benefit from the influence of Ox tenacity. On the downside I notice an urge to try micro manage my husband. Push, push, push. I am an Aquarian Pig. My piggly side needs more tickle and less poke.

Aries (I am) – March 20 to April 27
Aries can be lost in the labyrinth of the dream. For them, inertia is the seduction of 2009. So my dear boy/girl scouts, be diligent to opportunity. Your natural enthusiasm will match well with Ox steadfastness. The only problem is in choosing a direction and getting started on it.

Taurus (I have) – April 20 to May 21
Bull meets Ox. Devotion meets determination. I have and I hold. This is your year to show the rest of us the purpose of tenacity, and hard work. Let’s keep the door open for frolicking in the nothing every so often.

Gemini (I think) – May 21 into June 21
Expressive skills flourish in 2009. Do you dream of writing? Critical analysis and frustration towards others flourish too. It’s not a good year to count coup. The cuts may be too deep to repair. Direct any criticism to self and allow it to mature into self awareness.

Cancer (I feel) – June 21 into July 22
Cancer dances to the changeable pulse of moon and emotion, while slow Oxen rhythm is more like the erosion of stone by water. 2009? Trust your instincts. Watch for patterns. Do not take yourself too seriously. Continuously sort the wheat from the chaff.

Leo (I will) – July 22 into August 23
Proud, practical, plodding = 2009: where might you end up? Planning works well in 2009. Map out a course of action and step forth. Do not believe all of your own press releases though. You risk the trap of arrogance and elitism.

Virgo (I analyse) – August 23 into Sept. 23
Caution meets analysis. If you want to dissect the Universe or your friends, 2009 will make space for your passion. Let’s not incur too much karmic rebound though. Innovation flourishes when coupled with the necessary homework. Take the weight of your insights and mold them into positive action.

Libra (I balance) – Sept. 23 into October 23
Watch carefully for openings. They are a little less obvious for you then in some years. Intellectual pursuits are well fueled. Walk through your problems – literally! Get into nature when you want to worry.

Scorpio (I create) – Oct. 23 into November 22
Scorpio’s inherent tendency to favour their own council over consensus, may lead to dark corners. Work towards inclusiveness. 2009 is not so much magic as muscle. Include long term goals and establish the direction you are headed.

Sagittarius (I see) – Nov. 22 into Dec. 21
Speaking your truth is a challenge in 2009. There is a push – pull feeling to the year. Pay attention to restlessness. You may have to rescue yourself with a walk, a trip, a new friend. The other extreme of being blindly buried under responsibilities is just as likely.

Capricorn (I use) – Dec. 21 into Jan. 20
The urge to define yourself by what you do is very strong in 2009. Check your motives – more than you want to. Resist an inclination towards insensitivity to the somewhat inscrutable needs of others.

Aquarius (I know) – Jan. 20 into Feb. 19
Aquarians walk the edge of reason. Flights of fantasy are routine travel for us. An Ox year pulls us to firmer ground. We can use this to our advantage and elbow grease our projects forward. Expressive endeavors flourish so write, show, draw your unique reality. Be mindful of any clumsy bigotry – the harsh judging of those who don’t have frequent flyer mileage in the know-it-all club.

Pisces (I believe) – Feb. 19 into March 20
Beautiful dreamer meets Ox determination. Disney’s Ferdinand the Bull comes to mind. You can see the 1938 cartoon short on You Tube. Just do a search for him. Your tendency to be very private is more so in 2009. Be fair. If you don’t explain, don’t assume others know what you want or feel. Isolation and inertia are possible stances. Warm yourself up with creative projects and visits to nature.