Donna Stellhorn on the Chinese New Year and the Year of the Water Tiger

February 1st is my brother David’s birthday. It’s also the Chinese New Year, ushering in the Year of the Water-Tiger. 

According to Chinese Astrologer, Feng Shui Expert, and author Donna Stellhorn, Chinese Astrology 2022: Year of the Water Tiger, this year will be filled with energy and excitement, with abundant opportunities to take thoughtful risks and succeed. She also says that while this is the year where whirlwind romances and new friendships arise, there can also be territorial fights, the shattering of brittle partnerships, and impulsive actions which lead to missed opportunities. 

Stellhorn book is a great guide for learning what might be in store for you. My Chinese Zodiac sign happens to be the Rabbit which Stellhorn opines in the book: 

“It may surprise many, but I consider Rabbit one of the strongest Chinese Zodiac signs. Most imagine him as a fluffy bunny, an animal who cannot speak and has no claws and short little legs to hop away with. But the Rabbit sits between the Chinese Signs of the Tiger and the Dragon in the Chinese Zodiac wheel, and he alone keeps these two powerful forces apart.”

The book based on thousand-year-old traditions is filled with information about the year ahead while offering an exegesis for each individual sign. Not meant to be a book that you read through in one sitting, it better serves as a guide that you refer to over and over again over the course of 2022. 

Used skillfully, it can offer valuable insights for planning, strategizing, setting goals and setting goals and intentions for the year ahead. You are offered monthly perspectives based on your Chinese Zodiac sign for boosting your good fortune and luck all the while attracting what you want in life. 

Upon purchasing a copy of her book, I reached out to Donna who was gracious enough to respond back to a brief set of questions I had. Here’s what she had to say: 

Please share a little about your life journey and what led you to begin writing the Chinese Astrology series.

I've been doing Western astrology for many years. And I also studied feng shui. Chinese astrology was a natural extension of feng shui. Western astrology and Chinese astrology are different systems, but they both offer very interesting insights into personality and a look at what's ahead.

What is the biggest misconception people have about Chinese Astrology? And what are a few common mistakes people make in terms of integrating it into their life?

Chinese astrology and all astrology systems should be used like a GPS. The chart tells you what's potentially ahead on the road of life. Once you find out that information, you have the ability to change course. If you read your horoscope and it sounds negative, it's time to look at what you can change in your life, so you don't get stuck in proverbial traffic.

What 3-4 emerging trends are you keeping an eye on in this year of the Water Tiger?

Water Tiger energy wants more freedom. We are tired of being stuck inside, and we want to go do things. Because we have been cooped up for a couple of years, we may break free and go a little wild. This could mean many more parties, festivals, travel, and some uncontrolled spending. This can also mean some wild swings in the financial markets too.

Water Tiger energy can be territorial. This means that countries, states, and groups of people could all set up boundaries between each other. There could be a lot of emphasis on borders, who can cross, and when. This could lead to some civil unrest, especially in May, June, and October. Or you may have an argument at any time with your neighbor about where they put their trash cans or park their car.

Water Tiger energy rewards confidence. When you're looking for a new job, negotiating contracts, finding a new place to live, or anytime when you're interacting with others, the person who has the most confidence and strongest vision will win. It's helpful to find a way to feel confident in situations, either by being very prepared, putting the situation on your terms to work, or bringing your big brother to back you up. There will be no points for being humble this year.

What is your greatest hope in terms of what people walk away with from reading your book?

I hope people learn about themselves through their animal signs and about the energy that's coming up. There's information about feng shui, which is the helpful practice of putting your personal environment in harmony with your goals. 

There's information about Mercury retrograde and eclipses, which are volatile times during the year. During these times, you want to avoid making big decisions like buying a car, moving, or changing jobs. And there are predictions for each sign for every month of the year so that you can find the positive energy to capitalize on and to avoid the traffic jams.