In the year of living with the dragon

MANILA, Philippines - Pantone already called it late last year: Tangerine Tango is the color of the new year, “sophisticated but at the same time dramatic and seductive...an orange with a lot of depth to it,” described Pantone Color Institute executive director Leatrice Eiseman. A warm shade that lies in the perfect middle between red and yellow, it is a highly visible color, neither as off-putting as red nor as juvenile as yellow but is packed with its own kind of heat and energy just the same.

But how much sway would a color swatch really hold over our lives once the Water Dragon enters on the new Moon of January 22 (11:39 p.m. PST)?

The most powerful sign of the Chinese zodiac, the Dragon embodies passion and new beginnings; in short, those ruled by this sign are enterprising hotheads who are big on the gung-ho (but maybe not so much on the follow-up). With this animal ruling most of 2012 until February 9 of next year, astrologers claim that this year is auspicious for starting a business, getting married, having a child, and generally pursuing risks ? maybe the peppy tangerine is a great color match for the year, after all. Plus, yellow is the color of the Dragon and red is always auspicious for the new year, making tangerine a shade for the win-win.

Bad dragon, good dragon

More than just color, 2012, as with any other year, has its specific feng shui energies. This year, the southeast direction will be a pit of the bad energy called Five Yellow, a harbinger of obstacles and misfortune. Should entryways and bedrooms are located at the southeast part of the house, metal wind chimes must be hung in these areas to dissolve the bad chi. Major renovations and construction work in this area should also be postponed for the year.

Another areas to watch out for: the north, where the bad star 2 is said to arrive, bringing with it sickness that can be alleviated by hanging a string of six metal coins; the southwest where bad star 3 of conflict and robbery will place itself (use red accent pieces to decorate and protect the affected area); and the northwest direction with the bad star 7’s energy representing scandals, which can be alleviated by placing three small shoots of bamboo placed in a clear glass vase filled with water.

Coming attraction: Citrine crystal decor placed in the west area of the house attracts wealth.

The west area of the house has great energy for 2012. It’s the best part to spend more time in, either reading or listening to music. Liven up this area with citrine and pyrite accent pieces, as these crystals are associated with wealth. Tiger’s eye is also good for its strong protective energy, and amethyst for its purifying qualities. For those who want to put an end to a relationship dry spell, some rose quartz hearts or a pair of decorative mandarin ducks placed in the western area have been said to do wonders. Keep the energy in the west direction fresh and flowing by keeping the western part of the house clean and bright.

The northeast is also a great area to spruce up to invite more wealth into the house. House plants and flowers and a nine motif (nine candles, nine stalks of bamboo, nine dzi beads) are some lucky and easy interior improvement changes.

Elementally, my dear Watson

The usual fiery quality of the Dragon is balanced this year by the Water element. Surprisingly, this animal sign’s fixed element isn’t Fire but Wood, an element that is nourished by Water. With the Dragon’s forward-thinking quality paired with the flowing energy of water, 2012 is set to be a year of changes; the last thing it will be is boring.

In fact, the flurry of activities happen early in 2012, as, according to Chinese astrologers, the Dragon is associated with spring; those who made the most out of the slower 2011 by planning and preparing would be in a good position to catch the lucky breaks that the year offers.

The changes, whatever they will be, are of a transitory nature, though; just as the Dragon is the center of attention in new year parades, it also goes back into the storage bin after the festivities are over. Taking advantage of the luck and the strength of this sign is just the first step to living better.