The Tibetan lunar new year of 2024 corresponds with February 10th on the Western calendar and is the start of the Year of the Male Wood Dragon. The Year of the Male Wood Dragon continues until February 27, 2025.

According to Tibetan astrology, there is a twelve year cycle with each year being characterized by a specific animal and associated with one of the five elements. A complete cycle of the twelve animals in association with each of the five elements takes sixty years. These twelve animals according to Yungdrung Bön astrological texts are the Rat, Elephant, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Horse, Snake, Sheep, Garuda, Monkey, Dog, and Pig.  Each animal is associated with a specific element for its life-force as well as a specific direction which is determined by the life-force element.  Not only are these twelve animals associated with a particular year, they are also associated with particular months, days and hours.

For those born during a previous year of the Dragon, this year as well as all other Dragon years are considered a time when there is a great possibility of obstacles, illness, financial troubles, accidents, or harm to the reputation through scandal or gossip. This same astrological principal applies for all of the other eleven animal signs during their associated years. Therefore, it is recommended to be proactive in order to dispel or avert the obstacles. It is advised that Dragon people engage in practices that support vitality, good fortune, and spiritual merit such as hanging prayer flags, saving or protecting the life of other living beings, making sa tsa, repairing any deterioration or violation of one’s spiritual commitments or any damaged relationship with one’s spiritual brothers and sisters, and/or performing prayers and rituals to remove obstacles. Reciting the mantras of Duk Kar, Jamma, or the Medicine Buddha as well as invoking and making offerings to the protectors is of great benefit in providing protection and blessing.

Those people born during a Dog year also have the possibility of a significant obstacle during the Wood Dragon year. Legal difficulties, problems with business competitors, or other adversarial relationships could arise. Therefore, they are also advised to recite the mantras of Duk Kar, Jamma, or the Medicine Buddha and/or to repair roads or paths, make sa tsa, and perform rituals to reverse misfortune.

Those born under the sign of the Ox or the Sheep may experience accidents or illness. Reciting the Medicine Buddha mantra, caring for the physical health, being mindful to especially avoid contagious illness during the Wood Dragon year, and/or performing a ritual of ransom to reinforce the life force are all methods to avert the potential obstacle. To a much lesser degree, those born under the sign of the Mouse and the Monkey might also encounter obstacles, illness, or problems during the Wood Dragon year. 

In general, making an effort to engage more with virtuous activities of body, speech and mind and endeavoring to engage less with non-virtuous activities increases merit, removes obstacles, and supports all the forces of our vitality, health, and good fortune. According to the words of Buddha Tönpa Shenrap Miwoché, the practice of developing sincere, unbiased and unlimited compassion is the greatest of all protections.

A common prayer within the Yungdrung Bön tradition that is used to remove obstacles is the Bar Che Lam Sel, The Spontaneous Wish-fulfillment of Removing Obstacles from the Path. The English, Spanish and Portuguese translations of this prayer are offered free for the personal use of any sincere practitioner. Click on the Publications tab above and scroll down to the download links for the prayer.

People born during Dragon years will have an emphasis of the specific qualities associated with the Dragon. The element which governs the life-force of the Dragon is Earth and its direction is Southeast. Therefore, if a Dragon person wanted to strengthen their life-force, they would focus upon strengthening the element of Earth internally and externally. The positive direction is Southeast. Facing this direction while meditating, doing healing rituals, or just relaxing and taking deep breaths is beneficial for those with the Dragon as their natal animal..

In general, the Dragon is flamboyant and impulsive.  It has a fiery disposition whose energy and drive seem endless. Convinced of its superiority of destiny and vision, it wants to live life to its fullest and is often frustrated and impatient with the perceived limitations of others and circumstances. The Dragon always wants more. It has lots of charisma, wit, and enthusiasm that is admired by others and are thus often placed in leadership roles. The Dragon can also be unrealistic in its demands and can become angry to the point of deeply wounding others due to its lack of tact.  However, the Dragon easily forgives, and is sincere and generous in its relationships. The Dragon‘s intentions are clear since it is difficult for it to conceal whatever it is feeling.

The Dragon’s soul day is Sunday and its life-force day is Wednesday. These are the best days for beginning new projects and activities. The obstacle day is Thursday.  This day is best for cleansing and letting things go and for not taking risks or speaking mindlessly. It is not a favorable day for beginning new things such as starting a fundraising effort, signing contracts, groundbreaking for construction, and so on.

Dragon years include: 1940, 1952, 1964, 1976, 1988, 2000, & 2012

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