Year of the Earth Dog

Solidarity and brotherhood

Among all the animal signs in the Chinese zodiac, the Dog is the one closest to man. As a pet and companion, it is known for loyalty, intelligence and honesty. These characteristics plus the prevailing zodiac elements will have significant influences on everyone in 2018.

In the Chinese horoscope, the lunar year is influenced by five basic elements – metal, earth, wood, fire or water. The relationships or interactions between the five elements determine what’s going to be in store for us during the year. 

The Year of the Earth Dog, which begins on Feb. 16, 2018 and will end on Feb. 4, 2019, will be ruled primarily by the Earth element. Secondarily, the Fire and Metal elements will also have significant effects on our lives. How these three elements will interact with our personal birth elements will determine our respective fortunes this year.

General Prospects for 2018

In our personal lives, 2018 will be a good time to change our lifestyles – be more health conscious and quit smoking, or go on a diet regimen; spend more time with the family rather than go clubbing regularly; change residence; or even start a new career. In order to succeed with most of our goals, it is important to keep in mind two key words – solidarity and brotherhood.

For those born under the Earth element, the year will get most of you grounded and more firm with your plans. The past Year of the Rooster got us scrambling for opportunities that came our way. Now, you will be able to settle down into a definite path and move on with more confidence.

The signs that are most compatible to the energy of the Dog are the Tiger, Rabbit and Horse. Success will come your way professionally, financially and emotionally. You will see your efforts and hard work these past years bear fruit. Those unattached will have good prospects for romance while those already in a relationship will experience new emotional highs.

Dragons, Sheep and Roosters will find the Year of the Earth Dog daunting and they will be faced with challenges in their personal and professional lives. It is advisable to slow down a little, take stock of what you have achieved last year and build on these achievements rather than venture into new directions and projects.

Among members of civil society, the Dog’s intelligence and protective instinct will prevail and people will be sensitive to human rights, protection of civil liberties and political transgressions. There will be loud manifestations and demands for social and political change. Leaders with selfish motives, hidden agenda and masked personal ambitions will be exposed amid cries for truth and justice. The arts and the creative force of mankind will play a pivotal role in unmasking and bringing down self-serving leaderships. 

The Earth element provides very grounded and stable situations in 2018. However, the interplay with the other two prevailing elements, Fire and Metal, both of which are volatile, will produce instability during certain times of the year. So expect some earthquakes, landslides and volcanic eruptions of major proportions.

On a positive note, the world will revel at groundbreaking industrial and technological ventures that will revolutionize the way we live. One such area is energy production that is compatible with global environmental goals.

Industries involved in recycling, renewable energy, insurance, health and welfare, construction, agriculture and real estate will experience considerable growth in the Year of the Earth Dog.

Rat

The person born in the year of the Rat is hardworking and thrifty. He rarely lets an opportunity pass and is constantly involved in many plans and schemes. Charming, intelligent and sociable, he is easy to get along with and enjoys parties and social gatherings. He cherishes friends, associates and family relations and often gets enmeshed in people’s lives and affairs.

The Year of the Earth Dog will be a period of mixed fortunes for the Rat. Professionally, this will be a good year for you but in other aspects of your life, you will face some challenges. It is advisable for Rats to rest and be laid back, take stock of your past successes and mistakes, and recharge for long-term benefits.

On the professional side, Rats will be blessed with opportunities for growth. Your superiors’ confidence in you will be boosted by your good performance but this will result in increased workload. Nonetheless, you will be rewarded by a promotion or recognition. Rats intending to change jobs or employment will need to weigh things very carefully. Entrepreneurs will encounter good opportunities for partnership or investment from a foreign or out of town source. Rats will have very good money luck this year but a word of caution, avoid a luxurious lifestyle. Your savings this year will prove crucial for a major expenditure in the future.

With more time spent on work, your social life will take a backseat this year. But it is important to spend quality time with your family and friends. Some ties should be strengthened to avoid potential squabbles in the future. Love prospects are rosy this year. And you don’t need to look too far. They’re either in your workplace or in your classroom. For those who are in a relationship already, 2018 will bring exciting moments to strengthen this relationship. As for your health, be cautious about digestive or kidney ailments. The sun will do wonders for you so go for regular outdoor exercises.

Ox

The Ox is an animal that symbolizes prosperity through determination and hard work. A person born under the Ox sign is therefore dependable, calm and methodical. He is a tireless worker and can be entrusted with positions of authority and responsibility. Strong-willed and persistent, he can sometimes exhibit bad temper.

2018 will bring the Oxen mixed fortunes. There will be obstacles along the way but the key to your success is patience. Whether these challenges are related to work, family, finances or emotions, it is advisable to control your temper and curb your anger in order to arrive at a positive outcome. Oxen are generally resolute and hardworking, so with some guidance from the Dog you could achieve your goals.

At work, it is best to stay put, i.e., avoid a change of career or transfer to another company or venture into a different business. You should also be careful with a new person in your workplace or the betrayal of a long-time ally. If you own a company, it is best to put friendship and loyalty above profit. In the end, they will prove more valuable to you and your company. Oxen involved in creative work will be especially lucky this year. Your finances will be good but money should be invested wisely and spent carefully. Avoid making any major business or career decision in July.

Your social life will be busy and will give you much enjoyment. This includes the surprise reunion with a long lost friend or relative who will open you up to a new experience. Your love life will be slow but steady. Chance encounters or love at first sight will amount to passing fancies. A new romance with someone you’ve already known is a greater prospect for a long-lasting relationship. Oxen should avoid personal conflicts with family or close friends particularly concerning inheritance, properties or investments for these could have permanent effects. Your lucky months are March, May, September and December.

Tiger

The Tiger symbolizes power, passion and daring. A Tiger therefore usually displays a rebellious, colorful and unpredictable character. He is a fearless and fiery fighter but on the other hand has a humanitarian and romantic streak in him. At his best, he is warm, sensitive and sympathetic; at his worst, he is obstinate, unreasonable and selfish.

Rejoice! 2018 is when you’ll see most of your dreams and goals realized. The energy of the Dog augurs well for the Tiger so the good fortune brought by the Year of the Dog will benefit you. This is especially true as far as the Tiger’s career and wealth are concerned. There will be challenges but with perseverance and tolerance, you can overcome them with great success.

On the professional side, you will spend a lot of time at work, sometimes testing your endurance and patience. But the results will be quite rewarding. You will assume leadership roles and your co-workers will depend on you for direction and guidance. If you’re seeking a job, you will see good opportunities in June, October and November. Tigers intending to change careers should do so this year as there will be opportunities for career growth. The success of the Tiger at work will redound to a greatly improved financial standing. If you’re an entrepreneur, you will see a steady increase in profit beginning the 2nd quarter of the year.

Your social and family life will be most fulfilling and enjoyable, so avoid being a loner and nurture new personal relationships. Joint family projects like a well-planned trip or a house renovation will further strengthen bonds. However, your romance stars are not quite evident this year. Invest in socializing and meeting new people and a special someone you’ll encounter this year could be your future partner. 2018 is a most opportune time to get involved in a humanitarian cause such as an environmental program or a charity work. This involvement will bring you luck in the years to come.

Rabbit

To the Chinese, the Rabbit symbolizes graciousness, good manners, sound counsel, kindness and sensitivity to beauty. The Rabbit is a witty and intelligent speaker and loves being involved in a good discussion. He is an efficient worker and has an extremely good memory.

The Year of the Earth Dog is harvest time for Rabbits. All the hardships and travails you’ve experienced during the recent past will bear fruit – at home, at work and in your social life. But this good fortune will not come on a silver platter. Only the diligent and hard-working will benefit from the good fortune that is in store for Rabbits this year.

Your professional luck will border on fame and fortune. This is particularly true for Metal and Fire Rabbits. You will enjoy an elevation of status, an enhanced reputation and an increase in wealth. The new projects that you will embark on will be met with considerable success. One word of caution though – be wary of people who heap excessive praises on you. Many Rabbits will enjoy a work promotion or a new job offer. Do not be complacent about your good fortune but rather double your efforts to prove yourself worthy of this opportunity. Those in business will do well to employ creativity in company plans and strategies.

The compatibility of the Rabbit and the Dog will help you develop excellent interpersonal relations. 2018 is therefore a perfect time to market yourself professionally and socially. Romantic relations for single Rabbits are looking good this year. You’ll meet someone you’ll fall head over heels in love with. Do not plunge into the relationship at once but get to know the person better before any commitment. For those who already have partners, tolerance and patience will be your key words for a stronger relationship. For Rabbits who will work doubly hard this year, be careful with respiratory ailments and injuries of the muscular and skeletal systems. A foreign vacation will re-energize you after a laborious year.

Dragon

The Dragon is born under the sign of good luck and will do well in practically anything he attempts. He is magnanimous, full of vitality and is constantly on the go. Proud and aristocratic, the Dragon possesses an assertive personality. He could be egotistical, eccentric, dogmatic, whimsical, terribly demanding or unreasonable, but is never without a band of admirers.

Dragons are the luckiest persons in the Chinese zodiac. However, since the Dragon is not compatible with the Dog, 2018 will be quite a challenging year for you. It will be best for Dragons to stay in the background and avoid confrontations. Your key word this year is “caution.”

At work, it is wise for you to let go of projects that have taken a long time to take off. Embarking on new ones, after careful study, will give you better results. For those involved in business, it is not advisable to go into expansion or big capital infusion. Entrepreneurs will do well with a business alliance rather than going it alone. For those who are employed, this is not the time to seek new employment. Your financial situation will be stable but there will be no big windfall this year so postpone big expenditures to next year.

Your social life will be active and enjoyable. But this year, Dragons should not make major decisions alone. Get the opinion of close members of the family and friends. Single Dragons who will go into a new relationship will most likely discover that it is a one-way love affair so avoid any permanent commitment. Those in a relationship will enjoy memorable times with their partners but it is important to keep communication lines open and be careful with what you say. In this stressful year, a well-deserved foreign vacation will do you good. Regular exercise and diet will be necessary in order to avoid potential ailments of the digestive and excretory systems. Dragons should also be careful with their sugar intake.

Snake

The Snake is the deepest thinker and the most mysterious in the Chinese zodiac. He is endowed with an inborn wisdom and intelligence. He treasures his privacy and possesses a calm and placid nature. Graceful, soft-spoken but with a good sense of humor, he loves good books, food, music and theater.

The Year of the Earth Dog will be an important one for Snakes. It’s going to be a challenging period but for you to progress this year and in the years to come, it is advisable to undertake a “clean-up” of all aspects of your life. This includes your values, priorities, your environment, social circle, and possessions. Take stock of what are vital to your existence and happiness, then get rid of or get away from superficial matters, objects and people.

 On the professional side, your career will be steady with no major progress. There will be opportunities for an attractive job offer from another company but this does not mean you’ll be happy in it. Weigh the consequences well after you’ve set your career goals. For those seeking jobs for the first time, August, September and January will present good opportunities. For those in business, get a financial adviser if you have plans to re-strategize your objectives. Overall, Snakes will enjoy an improved financial condition with income coming from indirect sources.

Socially, you will enjoy the company of family and friends. It is advisable to share your blessings, especially with those close to you. As for your love life, it is an opportune time to reveal your innermost secret, concern or longing to your partner. This will strengthen your relationship. Single Snakes will see exciting opportunities for a new romantic liaison. It is important to undertake some background checks first before plunging into the relationship.

Snakes should endeavor to lead a healthy lifestyle this year with outdoor activities giving you much improved health. A well planned vacation with close friends will do wonders for you.

Horse

The Horse is cheerful, popular and quick-witted. He is very perceptive and loves to talk. He is quite physical and exudes raw sex appeal – the type who will fall in love easily and fall out of love just as easily. Impulsive and stubborn, he will want to have things done his way.

2018 will be a fulfilling year for Horses. You will find yourself focusing your time and energies towards the well-being of your home and family which will bring you much satisfaction. It is not an opportune time to undertake long distance journeys. There will be some obstacles standing in the way of your plans but you’ll find family and friends who will lend you a valuable hand.

On the professional side, you will see career development to be slow during the first three quarters of the year. Do not be impatient for during the last few months of the Year of the Earth Dog, you will find new opportunities that will boost your career. Your greatest obstacle will be boredom which could potentially drag you down. For those in business, it will be wise to be conservative with your plans but be always on the look-out for competition. Your good luck will emanate from one of them. As for your financial situation, you will find that previous investments will start to bear fruit this year. This windfall should not be spent unnecessarily but rather saved for rainy days.

Horses will find their rapport with people enhanced so you will find yourself at the center of attention in many social gatherings. Spend quality time with your family and close circle of friends for they will depend on you for moral and emotional support. Horses in a relationship will need to resolve problems amicably and be careful with gossip that might destroy relationships. Single Horses will find the presence of Cupid in parties, in the classroom or in the workplace. Be honest with your feelings. It doesn’t pay to be shy this year.

Sheep

The Sheep is the most feminine sign in the Chinese zodiac. Known for his gentle and compassionate ways, he is considered the good Samaritan in the cycle. He is righteous, sincere and is easily affected by sob stories. Although he enjoys being with nature, the Sheep is usually a homebody.

2018 will be a year of mixed blessings for the Sheep. This time, you must, first and foremost, focus on your personal wellbeing rather than those of others. In order to achieve your goals for the year, it’s crucial to develop more self-confidence and be more persistent with your efforts. Dogs are tasked to herd the Sheep so you’ll find yourself in many situations that will make you irritable or resentful. Keep calm and don’t make too much of these problems.

At work, it will be best to go with the flow. Become a good member of the team and avoid arguments with your superiors and colleagues. Collectively you will enjoy career advancement and company progress. If you are intending to shift careers or move to another company, the work will be challenging at the beginning but with hard work, your efforts will be recognized towards the end of the year. Sheep in business who have toiled hard in 2017 with a new venture or project will see their efforts bear fruit this year. Those involved in creative work will be especially lucky this year. Your money luck is good with sporadic windfall throughout the year.

This year you will be swamped with invitations to attend social functions, family affairs and work-related events. Enjoy these events and be open to meeting new people. Romantic encounters in these events are propitious. For Sheep with partners, maybe it’s time to take a romantic trip together. As to your health, be cautious of accidents on the road or while engaged in adventure sports. A healthy dietary regimen will also ward off potential ailments of the stomach, kidneys and kidney.

Monkey

The Monkey has the closest affinity to man and therefore inherits most of his intelligence. He is quick-witted, clever and innovative, and can solve intricate problems with ease. The Monkey is innately warm, natural and spontaneous. He exudes self-confidence and has an enviable joie de vivre.

The Monkey will encounter a challenging but generally good year. It’s now time for you to be grounded on realities and take things more seriously after a busy and exciting 2017. The nature of the Dog will bring you back to earth and motivate you to pursue your plans with more vigor. This will prepare you for an important change that will occur at home or at work.

On the professional side, it is not wise to take too much risk or you’ll get yourself in trouble. Just focus on your career goals and be tolerant of persons who might consciously or inadvertently derail you. Learning new skills could also prove valuable in the near future. Monkeys intending to change jobs this year must carefully study the new position and company you are joining before making a firm commitment. Businessmen should be wary of investments that offer quick returns and be conservative in business dealings or expansion. Your financial situation will improve moderately in the course of the year.

You may at times be hesitant to organize or join gatherings of family, friends or colleagues. Think otherwise for they will give you much needed respite and satisfaction, and on the other hand, those close to you will appreciate you more than ever. Single Monkeys will meet a special someone who will fire up your passion. You’ll need to be honest with that person for the relationship to go further. Those with partners will have to settle a long-forgotten misunderstanding that may unexpectedly arise. It will be good to pay special attention to your loved one with simple gestures of love. To boost your health, the sun and fresh air are crucial to your wellbeing this year.

Rooster

The Rooster is the most misunderstood of all the animal signs. Outwardly, he exhibits self-assurance and aggression; but at heart, he could be conservative and old-fashioned. Rooster men are usually attractive, even dashingly handsome. On the whole, the Rooster is sharp, neat, precise, organized, decisive, and is good at handling money. He loves to budget everything he could lay his hands on.

The Year of the Earth Dog will be moderately fruitful for the Rooster. You’ll encounter some obstacles but with your organized nature, these will be surmountable. The key to your success this year is diplomacy, i.e., think before you act. It is advisable to analyze the consequences of your words or actions first to avoid any disastrous consequence. Harmonious relations with your family, friends and colleagues will contribute to your wellbeing in 2018.

With a modicum of humility, persistence and good people relations, your career will enjoy a considerable boost this year. The past projects you’ve been focusing on will begin to flourish and bring you and your company a windfall. For those employed, it is not advisable to change jobs this year. Entrepreneurs will find new opportunities through private relations so cultivate them carefully. If you’re looking for a business partner, persons in the Tiger or Rabbit signs will be lucky for you. You career success will bring you a much improved financial situation.

On the personal side, Roosters will enjoy many social events and travels this year. New friendships with people from other backgrounds will greatly enhance your social and professional life. As for your love life, new romantic liaisons with some unexpected partners will be forthcoming – either with a foreigner or an older person. Nurture this liaison for it has the potential for a long-lasting relationship. You might encounter periods of personal stagnation. A dose of creative work like pottery, cooking or interior design will do wonders for you. Your health will be good but some physical activity like dancing or yoga will enhance your wellbeing.

Dog

The Dog is honest, genuine, loyal, sincere and respects law and order – qualities of an ideal citizen of the country! He is not materialistic and possesses humanitarian instincts. He is the type who will lay down his life for a friend or relative. However, he can suffer bouts of melancholy or when the situation calls for it, show flashes of temper.

Sometimes, even if it’s your year in the Chinese zodiac, luck may not be on your side. But you can rejoice now for the Year of the Earth Dog will bring you good fortune. Various lucky stars will align for your professional and personal success. But these blessings will not come on a silver platter. There will indeed be challenges, but with patience and tenacity, you will overcome them.

All your professional disappointments in the recent past will evaporate and give way to a reinvigorated career. If you are employed, your colleagues will listen to you and heed your advice. Show them your mature and responsible side and you will be given due respect and recognition. If you’re an entrepreneur or business manager, you will do well this year but avoid untested ventures beyond your core competence. Those in school will enjoy success as well – passing a major exam, winning a competition or graduating with honors. Your financial situation will improve and there is a potential windfall during the second half of the year. Do not go on a profligate spending spree but rather invest your hard-earned money in safe securities or real estate.

Your social life will be busy and pleasurable. Your family and friends will support your endeavors and it is therefore apt for you to give back to your loved ones. Dogs in a relationship will experience a calm and stable year. Single Dogs will have a potential love-at-first-sight encounter during the second or third quarters of the year. As to your health, make it a priority to have an executive check-up during the first half of the year.

Pig

The Pig is the most easy-going and laid-back of all the signs. Cheerful, friendly and overflowing with good intentions, he does not bear grudges. He is the connoisseur of the Chinese zodiac and thus enjoys good food and has a healthy appetite. Despite lacking strong ambitions, he is hardworking and is generally successful in life.

Pigs will have a relatively good year especially in their professional life. Your finances will also do well in the Year of the Earth Dog. But this good fortune will depend greatly on a keen awareness of situations and people around you, and a cool head during difficult times. What you will experience and learn this year will prepare you for the coming Year of the Pig in 2019.

At work, your achievements will greatly benefit your company and will earn you recognition and promotion. There will be some obstacles such as a betrayal or back-stabbing from a colleague but it is best to ignore these because your good deeds will speak for you. If you own a company, good people management will bring you steady income but 2018 is not a good time for business partnerships or expansion. Your personal finances will improve but rather than spending it on non-essential things, it is advisable to settle any past debt. It will be lucky to start 2019 debt-free.

Your byword this year should be selflessness – for your family, friends and colleagues. Some of them will need your help so go out of your way to get them through difficulties. Single Pigs should attend events that celebrate life – baptisms, debuts, weddings, anniversaries, etc. – where you will meet a special person who will become a close friend. This friendship could develop into a love relationship in the Year of the Pig. Those who are married or in a relationship should watch out for minor spats that could unearth past heartaches. Be patient, be considerate and open communication lines always. As for your health, be careful about stress related ailments.