2010 - Year of the Metal Tiger Pt. 1

by Robert Wilkinson

Today we explore what the coming Year of the Metal Tiger will hold for us all by examining the qualities of this sign. It'll continue to be a time for grounding and practicality in the midst of upheavals, where we mobilize what we began 2 years ago and stabilized the past year. This year is about pursuit, capture, and defending what's been established.

The Year of the Metal Tiger occurs once every 60 years. The last time we had a Metal Tiger year was 17 February 1950 to 5 February 1951, and the one in front of us lasts from 14 February 2010 (Valentine's Day!) to 2 February 2011.

Remember that we've just finished the Year of the Earth Ox, also marked by an Aquarius Solar Eclipse last year on January 26-27, 2009 that began the year. You can find more about the past year by checking the archives for the Year of the Earth Ox. And now, without further adieu, here's this year's composition on the Tiger!

THE TIGER

Tigers are tough, bold, generous, and ferocious. They work hard, play hard, and are pretty much always on the prowl except the times they're chasing the prey or enjoying the catch.

As the third sign of the Chinese zodiac, these powerful, swift, beautiful creatures symbolize bravery, unpredictability, and control their domain. After all, who really wants to mess with a tiger? As consummate competitors, they love a good challenge, and will go the distance to protect their loved ones as well as their domain and honor.

Like most creatures in the family of felines, large or small, this sign knows how to land on its feet, even when falling from a height. Though they exude calm and control, they're actually always on the alert, ready to pounce if they feel the need.

Tigers do need to rest after the chase, since they put their all into catching the object of their desire. Pursuing the prey is exhausting to the Tiger! Thus it's always a good thing to evaluate whether they should chase after a thing, since the catch must be worth the effort. However, their strength always returns after a short time, so take the time to rest after you catch your prey during this Tiger year!

Because of their need to rule their domain, they take the lead, and will defend to the death if need be. That said, they don't mind sharing the catch with others (as long as they get to feast first!)

This sign is extremely perceptive and alert, intelligent, adaptable, and magnificent in their strength and focus. Usually Tigers are liked or admired by others due to their inherent charm and elegance. This helps them become the natural leaders they are.

Like most in the cat family, they are family oriented (with them at the head, natch!), and love to groom to show off their natural beauty. Tiger people tend toward being creative and trustworthy, but again, they do tend to dominate their environment, and thus their relationships.

Here I must state that there are both evolved and unevolved members of all the signs. Some Tiger people do not show many of the lower traits of the sign, while others are so obvious in their attachment to the lower that they barely show the virtues of the sign. And of course, in Chinese Astrology there are other modifying factors than just the element and sign of a given year. Just as we are more than merely the Sun sign in Western Astrology, we are more than the year sign in Chinese Astrology.

TIGER QUALITIES

The Good: Courageous, respected, magnetic, strong, quick, bold, generous, intelligent, adaptable, independent, determined, fights for what is right, active, sensitive, introspective, lucky, honest, adventurous, charming, warm, lovable.

The Bad: Fault finding, rebellious, obstinate, stubborn, too forceful and intense, sometimes hesitant, other times impulsive or rash in judgment and action, quarrelsome, willful.

THE METAL TIGER

Metal Tigers are sharp, swift, serious, courageous, upright, energetic, and alert. They have a toughness and "fighting spirit" which assures them victory most of the time, if they don't exhaust themselves through pushing beyond safe limits. They are firm but unpredictable, and love a good challenge.

The Metal Tiger is competitive, assertive, and determined to do what it takes to achieve their aims. They must learn to weigh possibilities and use some foresight to determine possible consequences before they pounce into action. Their conservatism helps them here, since Metal tends not to leave things unfinished. That's also why they really don't like to be kept waiting!

Adventurous, they make friends easily, and their positivity and optimism attracts friends and allies. They have a strong need to be around positive people, and love being at the center of attention.

They are honest in expressing themselves, expecting the same from others. Their charm usually ensures them the popularity they love, as long as their need for obedience doesn't get too pushy.

They get very dejected when they seem to fail at something, or are criticized beyond a certain point. Still, they never stay down for long, since they cannot pass up an opportunity or a challenge once their strategy is set.

They can seem cold, and don't tend to express weakness. They are very strong, tough, even heroic, and will do as they please. They are natural leaders, knowing precisely when to make their move to achieve victory.

They are capable of great foresight, and they usually know what's happening in the moment. They can keep secrets, and when they get their restlessness under leash, they can focus their power in short bursts while throwing off hassles that would discourage other signs.

The Tiger is said to be most compatible with Dragon, Horse, and Dog. They are somewhat neutral for those born the year of the Rat, Rabbit, Tiger, and Pig. Tigers are least compatible with Ox, Rooster, Snake, and Monkey. It is believed that depending on the strength of compatibility, that will also hold true for those born in those years.

We are told that this year will be fairly successful for people born the years of the Tiger, Dragon, Horse, Goat, Dog, and Boar. Signs that need to show caution are Rat, Ox, Monkey, and Rooster. Hares (or Cats) and Goats need to re-think some things and adapt, while Snakes need to rest and depersonalize when they can.

Tomorrow we'll continue to examine more about the qualities of the coming year, and what we can expect from this sign indicating major upheavals and instability, as well as dynamic and lucky possibilities for those who are both bold and circumspect!

© Copyright 2010 Robert Wilkinson

Comments

[Micheline]

yahoo! I am a wood dragon!!!

yahoooooooo
thanks a lot for this I love the chinese astro signs

[Jorge Torres]

Thank You Robert Your Point of View is Always Enlightening !!!

Best Wishes !!!

[Elizabeth]

Hi Robert,

My husband is celebrating his 60th birthday on 2/25...a metal tiger. This must be an especially strong birthday for him, just trying to understand how it will affect him as a metal tiger. Maybe this is the best year ever?

Thanks, Elizabeth
A rabbit

[cheryl]

Right On!! I am a metal tiger. I am so happy. I feel it, this is my year!!!

[larry]

This is a wonderful spin on astrology. Thank You

Larry

[Isabel Nobre]

Dear Robert,

This is, by far the best explanation of Chinese signs written by a westerner that I have ever read! You turn Chinese Astrology into something clear and understandable, which is more than can be said for much that is written about it!

I feel very happy. I am a TIGER, just not a Metal one, still, I am starting what feels like a GOOD year! I think when I was born it was the year of the Water Tiger (10 FEB 1962) but I am not sure... But my Husband IS A METAL TIGER - and we really get along perfectly and Love each other! Ever since we found each other our lives totally changed and I have never been happier than with this Tiger Couple!

I think and hope, accordingly with your article, that it may still be a great year for us as a couple?

Much Love and thanks for a wonderful idea!

Isabel

[Wendy]

Thank you again Robert!
I really love reading your articles. I am a water tiger.
Meow!!
My husband is a rat. It took us years to figure out our differences. We have such different approaches. But.....20 years later it is a good healthy supportive relationship.
His cautious, practical, steady, calm and mediator-type personality has helped me at times balance my instinctual need to cream some prey.
Heeheeee did I just admit that?

PurrrrrrPurrrrrrr

[Robert]

Hi all - Yes, we're now in the Year of the Tiger. And of course, please remember that what I've written is subject to being modified by what month and day a person is born (but that's just way too much work for me, given everything else that has to be written or responded to!) Best of everything to all the Tigers out there, as well as the rest of us!

[Lesley Phillips]

This Metal Tiger loved this. But I want to know more: Where can I find information about how the month and day of birth will modify your info? Thank you!

[Regan Santry]

YAY. I'm a metal Tiger and I know a lovely Fire Dragon! Should I run to or run away?!?!?!

[Robert]

Hi Lesley - Many websites and books.

Hi Regan - If there's a 16 year difference, there are many factors at work between the charts, more than can be answered in a comment stream.