2007 - The Year of the Fire Boar, or Fire Pig, for all signs

by Robert Wilkinson

Following up on yesterday's article introducing how Chinese Astrology works and the qualities of recent years, today we continue with what the coming Year of the Fire Boar (Pig) will hold for us all by examining the qualities of this sign and the qualities of these years, past and present. It's going to be a wild ride with some radical transformations, so get ready to enjoy yourself as friends appear and things accelerate to warp drive speed.

The Year of the Fire Boar occurs once every 60 years. The last time we had a Fire Boar (Pig) year was Jan 22, 1947 to Feb 9, 1948, and the one in front of us lasts from Feb 18, 2007 to Feb 6, 2008. There is also an alternative theory of computing the beginning of the Chinese New Year, and I've included it at the end of this article for those who may be interested.

THE BOAR

In China, the Boar is associated with fertility, virility, fun and activity. The hardworking Boar is usually a thoughtful, straightforward, understanding, optimistic and patient person, a modest, shy character who prefers to work quietly behind the scenes. It is easy to put trust in the Boar, as they usually don't let you down and want to do everything right according to social norms. Thus they are usually admired by others.

Boars are conservative creatures of habit. They dislike being made to travel too far from familiar surroundings, unless it is a trip to the country. They love freedom, beauty, and nature and are never happier than when they are out somewhere, far from the city.

Boar people are noble and can be very generous, as well as gallant, sincere, quiet, studious, and thorough. On the other hand, they can have a quick temper, and may have trouble controling their passions. Sometimes too impulsive, they can be egocentric, scattered, willful, obstinate, and oblivious to the obvious, yet in their honesty don't care to hide their faults, mistakes, or indulgences.

However, their tremendous inner strength and fortitude usually gets them through the challenges of life. Boars usually have an abundance of good fortune and an abundance of years, and know a life filled with serenity and riches. They know how to enjoy life to the fullest and share it with others.

There is a tolerant, compassionate, and peaceful side to their character. They love freedom, and tend to allow others their own freedom of expression; they do not want to cause arguments and tend to avoid them. They are not weak, however, and if pushed, will defend themselves or those close to them. If someone tries to take advantage of him/her, the Boar protectively withdraws to examine the problem while planning the counter move.

They are reserved with those they do not know well, but as time passes those around them may discover a lively, supportive, and warm-hearted person behind that mask of aloofness. Though having a wide circle of friends and acquaintances, they have few close friends who share their inner thoughts and feelings. That said, they are friends for life. Their relationships are very deep, devoted, and rich beyond measure.

BOAR QUALITIES

The Good: Obliging, loyal, indulgent, sensitive, caring, intelligent, sincere, impartial, sensual, decisive, loving, charitable, outgoing, hospitable.

The Bad: Naive, insecure, hyper-sensitive, willful, earthy, hot-tempered, competitive, authoritarian, feel victimized, and mad at the world.

THE FIRE BOAR

Bold and adventurous, the scintillating Fire Boar makes a huge show of things. This is a major player who makes things work through adaptability and cleverness. They can be too power-oriented, even power hungry, and don't want anyone else to outdo them. They are long term planners, and usually are very successful.

Even when they stumble, usually they right themselves quickly, and all in all usually do well in life and enjoy themselves immensely. They are quite pleased with themselves whatever they do, love comforts, are very sensual and sometimes tends to overdo it. They can be very abrasive when things don’t turn out as they like, since they will not be deterred from the object of their efforts.

THE YEAR OF THE FIRE BOAR

Given the capacity for wealth and enjoyment this sign holds, this should be a good year for business with surpluses and lots of resources. Thus it should be good for venture capitalists, bankers, international trade, as long as the flow doesn't overdo it. The Marshall Plan, the Ford Foundation, and the transistor, now known as the semiconductor, were created in the year of the Fire Boar. Also this year should be good for educators, intellectuals, visionaries, and socializers. Anyone who takes care of others, or is in a helping and assisting position, will do well this year. The party industry should thrive.

The other main quality for the coming year stems from the energetic nature of the Fire Boar, so situations will accelerate, gathering speed very quickly in the coming year. We will all feel a distinct quickening. Because the Boar is about justice and enjoyable things, there will be much social and political activism this coming year. We will see "crusades," as well as the reaction by those who oppose whatever cause is being espoused.

This is a fervent, idealistic energy wanting progress and well being as soon as possible. There will be noble, as well as misguided, efforts this year to create positive change. Some things need to be evaluated as to how realistic they are, or are the rewards worth the effort? The best way to use the energies of this year is to find means of securing quick yet moderate gains, one step at a time, so that things don't spin out of control. There will be a tendency for some to feel victimized by others not recognizing their efforts.

In the year of the Fire Boar, because things can spin out of control so quickly, it's not good for inflamed parts of the world. Thus it's a year for radical transformations in lives and events, and things will erupt pretty quickly this year.

1947, the last year of the Fire Boar, wasn't very peaceful. There was tremendous political upheaval and unrest everywhere. In world affairs we got the Truman Doctrine, the National Security Act and the CIA, Eastern European Bolshevists seized Hungary and Romania, the Jews accepted and the Arabs rejected the partition of the Holy Land, while India was partitioned resulting in widespread death, destruction, and displacement of millions. Fighting broke out in Kashmir, Thailand, Taiwan, Paraguay, and Indonesia.

This is a stubbornly opinionated energy, and we will see battle lines being drawn between the progressives and regressives everywhere. Convictions run high and strong during this year, so flexibility will be the virtue to bring to all encounters, as well as a moderating calm. This will be most needed when people get grumpy or start complaining about things. The best thing is to stay open to new ideas, read more, learn more, blending the wisdom of the old with the acceleration of new energy in the present. This can be good for building bridges with others who have different points of view.

There is an element of Water in the Boar, and the meeting of Fire and Water can create steam and fogs that either obscure things or when contained, create steam that can power huge engines. Intrigues are en vogue this year, so look for lots of clandestine activity that ultimately is exposed when things erupt. Since Water can so easily go out of control this year, it could create a lot of damage through floods or hurricanes. It would seem that weather patterns would be more unstable during these years.

These are years of dramatic changes in terms of the luck of wealth, career and relationships. For good or ill, the changes tend to be fairly extreme among all the signs.

The Boar does best having people around, so socialize this year, but in the party atmosphere of the year don't overdo it! Maintain good health practices, make sure your stomach and intestines are taken care of, watch your your diet, get enough vitamins and minerals each day and get a daily exercise routine.

Active, outgoing and extroverted, this year should breathe new life into our efforts. This year we should reap the rewards of perseverance in the year of the Fire Dog, so be bold, take calculated risks, and show some Spirit as you work hard to bring things into being.

It's a year when creativity and comfort should be cultivated, as well as enthusiasm for taking on new responsibilities and helping others in need. Just be careful to moderate income and outflow, since it's easy to overdo things in this year. Knowing boundaries will be important, as will knowing when to stop, whether giving or pushing or striving.

FAMOUS BOARS

Titans who commanded their worlds: John D. Rockefeller, Henry Ford, William Randolph Hearst, and Al Capone

Historical political figures: St. Ignatius Loyola, Henry VIII, Otto Von Bismarck, and Oliver Cromwell

Presidents Thomas Jefferson, James Buchanan, Ronald Reagan, and Fire Boars John Q Adams and Andrew Jackson

Political physicist Henry Kissinger

Legendary directors Irving Thalberg, Alfred Hitchcock, and Woody Allen

Timeless silver screen stars Hume Cronym, Humphrey Bogart, Jimmy Cagney, Lucille Ball, and Julie Andrews

Televison trailblazers Phil Donahue and Tracey Ullman

Literary giants Ernest Hemingway, Tennessee Williams, and Edgar Rice Burroughs

Musical legends Jerry Lee Lewis, Herb Alpert, and Luciano Pavarotti

FAMOUS FIRE BOARS

Boris Karloff, Hillary Clinton, Billy Crystal, Carlos Santana, Glenn Close, Arnold Schwarznegger, Kevin Kline, and Elton John

What the Year of the Fire Boar means for the Rat, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit (Cat), Dragon, Snake, Horse, Sheep (Goat), Monkey, Rooster, Dog, and Boar (Pig)

About the Chinese New Year, and when it actually begins:

The Chinese New Year day is on February 18th, 2007. This day is a new moon day and the first day of the first Chinese lunar month in the Chinese Lunar Calendar. The New Moon occurs at 8:14 am PST February 17, 2007, and 11:14 am EST. This means 4:14 pm GMT, and an hour later for Europe between Madrid and Warsaw, including Amsterdam, Stockholm, Munich, Rome, and Prague. For the next time zone east, including Helsinki, Tallinn, Kyiv, Istanbul, Athens, Beirut, and Johannesburg, it falls at 6:14 pm, while in India it occurs at 10:14 pm February 17, 2007. In China it falls just after midnight February 18.

However, it also seems that there is a different way of measuring our signs that starts from the beginning of Spring in the Chinese lunar calendar. From one source:

The First Day of Red Boar Astrology Year in China's time zone is February 4th, 2007 because that day is the first day of Tiger month and the Tiger month is the first month of the year in Chinese Fortune-Telling Calendar system.

In the Chinese Fortune-Telling calendar, the first day of the first month, Tiger month, is called "Start of Spring", which is when the sun enters the 315th degree on the tropical zodiac. In China the time of Start of Spring is at Feb-04 13:18, so the first day of the Red Boar year 2007 is 04-Feb-07. This is 12:18 am EST Feb-04, and 9:18 pm PST.

Many people born in late January or early February confuse their birth year Chinese astrology animal signs because they think the astrology animal signs are from Chinese New Year day when they should be based on the Start of Spring, the first day of astrology year. For example, If a baby was born on Feb-10 2007 before the Chinese New Year day, then its animal sign is Boar because the birthday is after Start of Spring.

(If any of my readers is particularly adept at explaining why one system is superior to another, please feel free to weigh in at the comment stream. I'm sure many would be interested in why one system should or should not be favored over the other.)

© Copyright 2006 Robert Wilkinson

Comments

[Olga]

I read somewhere that Steven Spielberg was born on 18 décembre 1946 (donc, French web) - which means he turned 60 this year and he must be a 'Dog'. I am also intrigued that you are not listing Mrs Clinton : indeed a famous Fire 'Boaress' ! 2007 might be her year, after all ....you'll probably write a lot about her and her bid for presidency, if not win (God forbid !)!! Looking forward to your good articles. Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year !

[Robert]

Hi Olga - Upon checking, of course you're right re: Spielberg. Thanks for the heads up. Spielberg was born the year of the Dog (of course) and I did omit Hillary in the generic section, though I listed her for the specific year in question. As a former political analyst, we can only hope her ego doesn't provoke a run in 2008 which she would assuredly lose for reasons I won't go into here. Though amazingly intelligent and qualified, she cannot win the presidency under the present corrupted circumstances. And Merry and Happy to you as well. Aum and blessings, and thanks for pointing out what I should have caught earlier.

[Didi]

I was born on February 12th, 1948. Could you tell me what Chinese animal sign I was born under?

[Robert]

Hi Didi - You were born in the year of the Earth Rat, the same as Irving Berlin, Maurice Chevalier, T.S. Eliot, James Taylor, and Olivia Newton-John. Very smart and sensible, you should be able to find your way to your goals despite obstacles.

[Michael]

I was born March 22, 1953, what is my Chinese Astrological sign?

My brother was born February 3, 1961, what is his Chinese Astrology sign based on the "Start of Spring" date for that year?

Thank you...

[Robert]

Hi Michael - I believe you are an Aries born the year of the Water Snake. In 1961, the Sun hit the 315th degree on Feb 2 or 3, depending on where one was born. Then there's the problem of defining the "315" degree; is it 15 or 16 Aquarius? The 315th degree starts at 314 degrees and 01 minutes of longitude. Or do they mean when it hits 315 exactly, which is one longitudinal minute before the 316th degree. In other words, is it the beginning of the degree (314.01) or is it the culmination of the degree (315.00)? Oh what a difference a day makes......

[Micheline Cloutier]

HI, What a great web site and what a great writer you are Robert. I think you are brilliant. All the stuff that has been going on with me has been all this crazy pluto and saturn going around us. Wow.
Reading all of it gave me some important insights. I am a dragon sagatarius. I love a pig scorpio. I am born in 1964 and he is 1971. I am wondering if we are going to progress. Actually, it says that pigs do not like to travel far. But he is very far away from home and so am I. Well, from our respective countries. He being from the US and I being from Canada. Unfortunately, we have not seen each other (and we have tried to meet up because we are not that far away but due to work and other responsiblities it has been difficult) for quite a while. I am wondering if we are going to move into a new phase. A higher plane. I am also at a huge crossroad and I need all the energy to change so many things right now. I am happy about that because I like change and embrace it. He was born on the 10 of november and I on the 6 th of december. I really care for this persona and admire him. thanks for your site...any clues has to how to deal with this person. I guess he is really taking his time.

[LOW KIM KEE]

I was born on 12th. Feb 1959. could you forcast whwt is in store for me in 2007?

[Robert]

Hi Micheline - He began his new 12 year adventure last Autumn, while you will begin yours soon. He will probably do as he pleases his whole life, and you are as practical as it gets. With your Grand Earth Trine, go for the profession, go for the grounded life, and focus your intense genius. You're an amazing worker in whatever field you choose. He has Mercury, Venus, Jupiter and Neptune in Sag, so he'll always like you and you'll always open doors for him. With your Venus conjunct Neptune in Scorpio, you'll always like him. In many respects, you're each other's ideal.

Hi LOW KIM KEE - You are an Earth Boar. Besides what I've already written, this should be a very good year for you, with major new beginnings and abundant resources, material and non-material. You could receive an unexpected or sudden windfall. Don't let your Earth smother the Fire of 2007, be energetic and creative, and be more decisive in responding to what will light up your life.

[Don]

Robert-
I'm learning to growl baby...alto sax two weeks intense practice..."letting things develop naturally" and "learning to do through order and structure" in ALL of my activities.

Is it possible to bring out Matt's band for a sample again?

Don.

[Robert]

Hi Don - Down and dirty sax always sounds dramatic and very soulful, so hang in there. To me, Alto seems more versatile than Tenor, tho Bari sax and Bass Clarinet also have major virtues re: a unique sound that few play and most like. From a long time saxman I know and love, I hear biting down on the reed offers variations on "the growl." As for Matt Schulman, he just played last weekend in NYC, probably magnificent and surrealistic as usual. If you want, get on his mailing list by going to his site. Then you'll be in the loop.

[Judi]

Hi, I love you site, thanks for doing it! I have been into studying feng shui for my personal use for about 4 years now but I would like to get something clarified. I was born July 15, 1958 at 7:17am and my husband was born Feb 8, 1958 at 6:05pm. From what I read we are not suppose to get along at all. Can you please tell me if I am doing the calculations right?

[Robert]

Hi Judi - What you ask is a very complicated issue that can't be adequately discussed in a comment stream. I'm not sure what you've read regarding feng shui and relationships, so I can't comment on that. I have some knowledge of how it relates to living space, but none regarding relationship speculations.

Often people born the same year have issues, due to the other's stuff being similar to our own. With what you offered, you're probably a triple Cancer (Sun, Moon, Asc) with many planets in Fire and Air signs, while your husband has three planets in Aquarius, Venus RX, and several planets in Earth and Water. It would seem there is much compatibility, but again, this is waaaay beyond the scope of a comment stream.

[linda]

I was born 1/27/1960 everything I have read for the coming year of the pig for me seems to be doom and gloom....Is this year really going to be bad for me?

[Robert]

Hi linda - It seems you were born on the last day of the year of the Earth Boar, 8 Feb 1959-27 Jan 1960. That would imply you'll have a great year. Though Saturn in on your Uranus, putting limits and discipline on your genius, you're having a Jupiter return this year, always good for beginning a new 12 year adventure. Plus, in December 2007 Jupiter enters Capricorn, where it conjuncts your Venus, Mars, and Saturn, which should open major new doors and opportunities. The past year should have been illuminating, where you harvested the fruits of a two to three year labor. The coming year will deepen you, and offer opportunities to embrace a greater compassion and understanding which will affect your life from 2009 on.

[marie]

will my boyfriend ever come and live with me

[Robert]

Hi marie - He will if he decides to, you want him to, and there's no one to say no.

[Julia]

Hi

My partner is a Virgo snake born in 77 and I am Aries pig born in 1971, we have been together for two years, and had a lot of turbulence but still care for each other deeply but I feel a little nervous about 2007, and feel that maybe we will go our separate ways. What do you think is instore for snakes born in 1977 and 1971 pigs?

Thank you

[jeanette]

Hi robert i was born 8 april 1960 will i finally get over this unrequited love interest that has been with me for 25 years !!!! he is a 1952 dragon???please say yes !!!

[Robert]

Hi Julia - As I pointed out in this article, the forecast for the Snake is "Your wisdom is an asset this year. Be accepting, even of imperfections. If you feel out of synch, consolidate resources, do research, and bring your knowledge up to date. Going incognito leads to discoveries." Your partner is going through their Saturn Return, so check out the linked article.

The forecast for Boars is "A happy, optimistic, comfortable year where you can find help. Avoid excess, restlessness, indulgence, being carried away in the moment, imagining worst case scenarios, misjudging situations & making promises you can't keep. There may be moves, and in any case, travel is promised." You're leaving the first year of your 7 year cycle, and about to enter a year of financial and social shifts, where you claim what you can and cannot live with anew. Enjoy the freedom of your Jupiter return, see the wider possibilities opening to you, since by August 2007 your adventure begins in a BIG way.

Hi jeanette - As a fellow Aries, I can say your power and light work best by embracing the new and turning away from the old dream forever as quickly as possible. I've had to "get over" more than one 1952 Dragon, so I speak from experience. Besides, the past is an echo of a memory of a perception of a memory of a perception of... and so an unworthy timewasting of the precious energy of the NOW. Once you've gotten your "buy-in" on why you're clinging to something with zero substantial reality except as an attachment, then you free up valuable subconscious space where you could attract someone much more worthy of your heart in the present.

[Nic]

Hi,
I have been having a difficult period careerwise, especially since I am trying to find a firm ground in a foreign land. I am a virgo snake (aug 31 1977) adn I am feeling very insecure. Do u think Pig year will bring more badluck to me than before?

[jeanette]

Merci beaucoup robert!!!!! love the advice of a fellow aries...so the moral to our love dragons story is .....they are not for us!!!!i have been blaming my venus in pisces compassionate,romantic heart....anyway i am more interested in whats happening out there in the cosmos and the sad state of our planet she needs our LOVE AND COMPASSION....Jeanettexxx

[Robert]

Hi Nic - Sorry you've been having a hard time. You're very smart, hardworking, but sometimes you focus on the small stuff rather than the bigger picture of where your present challenges are leading you. You should do better this year and 2008, but you need to get inspired. The year does not "bring bad luck" as much as it reveals the quality of the atmosphere we must work and play within. The Boar promises general tendencies to prosperity, but we are the ones who must secure it through doing our Dharma. Definitely re-read the article about what happens when Saturn conjuncts a planet, since it's on your Sun, and you're also having a Saturn return, so check out that article as well. You have major changes coming that should put you squarely where you need to be, whether you think so or not.

Hi jeanette - Well, Dragons can make good mates for some signs, it's just I chose Dragons from the year next to mine, which the Chinese think is not a good combo, since Dragon supposedly does not do well with Rabbit/Cat.

[nic]

Hi Robert,
I just heard from my boss, that if we do not get any fundings, I may have to leave by June. I am not sure what to do..y is this happening to me??? can i hopw for better days... (aug 31 1977)

[Robert]

Hi nic - With Saturn approaching your Sun, it's the end of a long cycle, and the beginning of a major new one. You're also going through a Saturn return so you're learning that it's not what happens that counts, but your reaction to it and handling of it. It's happening because a) the world is unstable, b) companies usually don't care about individual cogs in the wheels, and c) all things eventually come to an end. You don't have to "hope" for better days, as they are an inevitability; all you have to do is let go of fear or any bad attitudes, get prepared for the changes, and accept responsibility to steering your ship of consciousness through this impermanant reality we call life on Earth. Open your imagination to opportunities you don't even know exist, and more than one will show up pdq.