Happy Chinese New Year of the TIGER 2022

Today, in Chinese communities around the world, families will celebrate the first night of the Chinese Lunar New Year, A.K.A., the "Spring Festival," as it is known in China. Chinese New Year is celebrated for 15 days and is the longest and most important Chinese Holiday. The year of the Water Tiger officially starts on Tuesday, February 1, 2022 and ends on January 21, 2023. Full disclosure...I was born in a year of Tiger, though an Earth, not Water Tiger.

Review and quick primer of

Chinese New Year’s mythology and traditions

(regular readers can skip this section)

See Video: The Myth behind the Chinese Zodiac

The Chinese zodiac is made up of 12 different signs (all animals). In addition to the 12 signs, the calendar also includes 5 elements (earth, metal, water, wood, and fire) which have a strengthening or moderating influence upon the signs. Hence, in total, the Chinese calendar goes in a 60 year cycle (12 signs multiplied by the 5 elements). This is the Water Tiger year.

There is an interesting legend about the origin of Chinese zodiac. The Jade Emperor wanted to select 12 animals to be his palace guards. He preferred the Ox to be the first for its honesty and diligence, but out of everyone’s expectation, the smart Rat covertly hid on the Ox back and occupied the first place at the essential moment. So, the Ox is the second animal in the Chinese Zodiac.

If you have read my past year Musings, you know an important part of welcoming the New Year is to prepare for good luck and ward off bad luck. Today is the eve of the Chinese New Year....still an opportunity to make your luck!

• Celebrate with RED...wear red clothing, write poems on red paper and give children money in red envelopes. Why red? In China, red symbolizes fire which, according to legend, drives away bad luck. (The Starner Group's conference room is a lovely red with red candies for all who visit).
• Clean your house and yourself today. Do all sweeping/dusting or hair washing before New Year's Day as there is fear of sweeping or washing away your good luck for the New Year.
• Pay off your debts before the New Year!
• Do not lend or cry on the New Year...as it is thought that anyone who lends or cries on the New Year will be lending or crying all year round. (this is how you keep complainers and children quiet)
• Do not cut on New Year Day as you might cut away your good fortune.
• Welcome the DRAGON - the loud cymbals and drumming that comes along with the dragons are thought to chase away evil spirits as well.
• Use fireworks galore - In the old days, bamboo was set on fire, the crackling flames are meant to frighten the evil spirits. Modern day fireworks have taken the place of bamboo but are still thought to do the same thing.

Review Tiger Years in the last 60 year cycle:

Water Tiger Year: 2/5/1962 to 1/24/1963

Average Inflation Rate USA: 1.0%

Average Federal Funds Rate: 2.71%

DOW 12/31/1962 at 652.18 - Decreased (10.81%) for the year

• John Kennedy was President and Lyndon Johnson was Vice President
• Cuban Missile Crisis
• James Meredith, escorted by Federal Marshalls, enrolls at Univ of MS
• Pat Brown defeats Richard Nixon for Governor of CA
• US Population: 186,537,737
• Cost of a first-class stamp: $0.04
• NCAA Football Champions USC (11-0-0)
• Marilyn Monroe dies at age 36 from overdose
• Johnny Carson takes over being host of Tonight Show
• Col. John H Glenn, Jr,is first American to orbit Earth
• Margaret and Roger married 11/17/62

Wood Tiger Year: 1/23/1974 to 2/10/1975

Average Inflation Rate USA: 11.0%

Average Federal Funds Rate: 10.5%

DOW 12/31/1974 at 616.24 - Decreased (27.57%) for the year

• Nixon resigns as President of US
• Gerald Ford becomes 38^thPresident of US; Vice President Nelson Rockerfellow
• Patty Hearst is Kidnapped
• US Population: 213,853,928
• Cost of a first-class stamp: $0.10
• Worldwide recession
• 55 MPH Speed Limit imposed to preserve gas usage US wide
• Super Bowl: Miami defeats Minnesota
• Rubik's Cube, a 3-D mechanical puzzle, is invented
• People Magazine debuts with Mia Farrow on the cover
• Premier Russian dancer Mikhail Baryshnikov defects and joins the American Ballet Theatre
• Isabel Perón is sworn in as the first female President of Argentina

Fire Tiger Year: 2/9/1986 to 1/28/1987

Average Inflation Rate USA: 1.9%

Average Federal Funds Rate: 6.8%

DOW 12/31/1986 at 1895.95 - Increased 22.58% for the year

• President – Ronald Reagan; VP George Bush
• President Ferdinand Marcos flees Philippines
• Major nuclear accident at Soviet Union's Chernobyl power station
• Space shuttle Challenger explodes after launch at Cape Canaveral, Fla., killing all seven aboard
• US Supreme Court reaffirms abortion rights
• Cost of a first-class stamp:$0.22
• Cost of a gallon of Gas: $0.89
• US Population:240,132,887
• Barry Diller, head of News Corp., creates Fox
• The Oprah Winfrey Show debuts nationally
• Nintendo video games introduced in U.S.
• First case of “mad cow” disease
• U.S. Smoking is banned on all public transport

Earth Tiger Year: 1/28/1998 to 2/15/1999

Average Inflation Rate USA: 1.6%

Average Federal Funds Rate: 5.35%

DOW 12/31/1998 at 9181.44 - Increased 16.10% for the year

• US President Bill Clinton and VP Al Gore
• Bill Clinton impeached
• President outlines first balanced budget in 30 years
• Europeans agree on single currency, the Euro
• The European Central Bank is Established in Frankfurt Germany
• Cost of a first-class stamp: $0.32
• Cost of a gallon of Gas: $1.15
• US Population: 270,298,524
• Frank Sinatra dies at 82 of heart attack
• An estimated 76 million viewers watch the last episode of Seinfeld
• FDA approves of Viagra
• Search engine Google founded
• Apple unveils IMac
• Israel celebrates its 50th Anniversary
• My daughters, Lise (to Bruce) and Dana (to Kenji) got married

Metal Tiger Year: 2/14/2010 to 2/2/2011

Average Inflation Rate USA: 1.6%

Average Federal Funds Rate: 0.18%

DOW 12/31/2010 at 11,578 - Increased 11.02% for the year

• US President – Barack Obama; VP Joe Biden
• Haiti magnitude 7 earthquake killing 220,000
• Apple Computer unveils the iPad tablet computer
• Time Magazinenames Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg 2010 Person of the Year
• BP Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill worse in US history
• Affordable Care Act passes in Congress
• Uber goes live in San Francisco
• Wiki Leaks controversy
• Swine flu epidemic
• Cost of a first-class stamp: $0.44
• Cost of a gallon of Gas: $2.71
• US Population: 309,3000,000

Now for 2022

Water Tiger Year

2022 is the Year of the Water Tiger...a year made for bold action. The Tiger is known for its power, daring, and ability to do everything on a grand scale. This is markedly different from 2021’s year of the Metal Ox, which was all about hard work and pragmatism. In 2021, the world had to plod through months of pandemic lockdowns and WFH isolation. The year wasn't glamorous or fun; but we plodded on because we knew it was necessary.

The upcoming Year of the Tiger is said to be one of many changes, and with those changes come opportunities. Each sign will get a chance to improve their fortunes in love, business, career and other personal areas of growth. Be prepared for situations to change quickly. On the down side, these changes can mean hot tempers and drama at home or at work. On the upside, a Tiger year can also bring unexpected good news and turn crazy dreams into glorious reality. Success will come to those who are confident and strong-willed.

There will be more spending and less saving. People will be back to choosing experiences over things.

Tiger years are talkative years…there will be more emphasis on communication. The Tiger year is time to take risks and express yourself fully.

Ox and Goat are the luckiest zodiac in 2022. For those born in the years of the Rat, Snake, Monkey, Pig and Dog, you will need to make comparatively more effort in order to make achievements. Rabbit, Dragon, Horse, and Rooster people are destined to enjoy a smooth life and good luck in making money this year.

Where are You in the 12-year cycle?

In 2022, as the Year of the Water Tiger begins, we are in the third sign of the universal 12-year cycle of the Chinese Zodiac. However, your personal 12-year cycle is based on your individual Chinese zodiac sign. Here's where your sign falls in the 12-year cycle. ***

First, let's define the cycle itself.

We can liken the 12-year cycle of the Chinese Zodiac to a single year on a farm in the following manner: three months of the year equals three years of the 12-year cycle.

• The first three years of the Chinese Zodiac represent the three months of spring, bringing the farmer the opportunity to plant seeds.

• The next three-year segment of Spring brings a similar energy.

• The three months of summeris when the farmer is busy tending the growing plants, weeding the garden, and protecting his fields.

• This period is followed by the three-year segment representing the three months ofautumn and harvest time. This period is marked by significant achievements but also hard work.

• The cycle ends with a three-year segment representing the three months of winter. The farmer finishes up tasks he didn't have time to complete during the other busy months of the year while he plans for the future. He eats from his storehouse of food and waits for the next spring planting season to begin.

For Tigers born in:

(1926, 1938, 1950, 1962, 1974, 1986, 1998, 2010, 2022)

This year marks the beginning of your personal springtime which will last for the next three years. During this period you will want to plant lots of seeds by trying new things, meeting new people and going to new places. Anything new you do can sprout into real opportunities during these three years and the three following years.

For Rabbits born in:

(1927, 1939, 1951, 1963, 1975, 1987,1999, 2011, 2023)

You are in your last year of winter. You have been through some busy years. It's time to think about what needs catching up, what to release or let go of. Think of what plans you need to put in place to make it easier for you to plant new seeds and start new things this year.

For Dragons born in:

(1928, 1940, 1952, 1964, 1976, 1988, 2000, 2012, 2024)

You are in your second year of winter, it’s time to take stock of what you have accomplished over the past ten years. Where are the investments of your time and energy still paying off? Think of letting go of what isn't working and how you can accumulate more with less effort.

For Snakes born in:

(1929, 1941, 1953, 1965, 1977, 1989, 2001, 2013, 2025)

You are in the first year of winter. Your storehouse and pantry are as full as they will get. To gather more, you can use the skills you've developed over the last few years. Now you're clever in identifying and gathering opportunities others have missed. This is the year you begin your time of rest and recovery. You need to take care of yourself and your body.

For Horses born in:

(1930, 1942, 1954, 1966, 1978, 1990, 2002, 2014, 2026)

You are in your last year of autumn, and the harvest is underway. Take everything you have learned so far and let the world know about your skills and what you have to offer. Demand to be paid what you are worth. This is when you can accumulate more.

For Sheep (Goat/Ram) born in:

(1931, 1943, 1955, 1967, 1979, 1991, 2003, 2015, 2027)

You are in your second year of autumn, and the harvest is in full swing. Opportunities abound but require you to be out in the world to gather them up. Think big, connect with people who can help you gather even more.

For Monkeys born in:

(1932, 1944, 1956, 1968, 1980, 1992, 2004, 2016, 2028)

Your autumn is beginning. You must adjust to the new workload. That said, now is the period when you can gather what you want and need. Don't be shy. You can accumulate much with just a little effort.

For Roosters born in:

(1933,1945, 1957, 1969, 1981, 1993, 2005, 2017, 2029)

You are in the final year of your three-year summer. It's time to focus on the aspects of your life working the way you expect! Don't put effort into things in your life that are not bringing results. You also want to gather as many people around you as you can this year—people who will help you with your harvest in the coming three-year period.

For Dogs born in:

(1934, 1946, 1958, 1970, 1982, 1994, 2006, 2018, 2030)

You are in the middle of your summer. You see the results of the effort you've made over the past few years. There's still time to make decisions and point your life in a more fruitful direction. It's good to identify and implement ways to protect what's yours and weed out anything less desirable.

For Pigs born in:

(1935, 1947, 1959, 1971, 1983, 1995, 2007, 2019, 2031)

You are at the beginning of your summer. There are sprouts taking root everywhere. Many things you have tried now start yielding results. This is the year you need to be discerning and try not to be everything to everyone, nor should you attempt to take on every project alone. A good manager knows when to delegate.

For Rats born in:

(1936, 1948, 1960, 1972, 1984, 1996, 2008, 2020, 2032)

You are in your last year of spring. You have planted many new seeds over the past couple of years. Look at what is sprouting and determine if you're happy with it. You still have time to try new things, reinvent yourself, and make progress on your goals.

For Oxen born in:

(1937, 1949, 1961, 1973, 1985, 1997, 2007, 2021, 2033)

You are entering your second year of spring. You are creating new options for yourself but may not yet see impressive results. Now is an excellent time to study and improve your skills. Follow your heart and plant seeds for what you want to do with your life. The sprouts are coming soon.

***Source: Stellhorn, Donna . Chinese Astrology 2022 Year of the Water Tiger. ETC Publishing.

Wishing you good health (Gong Hay) and Prosperity (fat choy) in the Year of the Tiger!!!

Sincerely,

Margaret C. Starner
Senior VP - Financial Planning
2333 Ponce de Leon Blvd. Suite 500
Coral Gables, FL 33134

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