An old dragon in the year of the dog
Japanese New Year card by Isshu Fujiwara: Year of the Dog 2018
So, the Year of the Dog is underway now, and so is my next year of life. Last Saturday I had a bunch of super-special friends here for a party, knowing that at my age, every birthday is a gift, a stroke of luck, and should be celebrated to the hilt.
I checked my prospects for 2018 in a desultory way. I’ve thinking about messages for those born in a Year of the Dragon — in my case, 1940. Let me quote a couple of sources at random. I have no idea whether they have any authority and that doesn’t matter: they are starters for fruitful contemplation.
It is advisable that anyone born in the year of the dragon wears either a red string around his waist or wears red underwear or red socks all year for protections from any challenges the dog may want to throw his way.
Low profile is the name of the game for the Dragon this year. Undoubtedly the Dragon is a well-respected character and one to always be ahead of the field but everyone deserves some time off and 2018 is an ideal time to do so.
It will be a wise Dragon who rests on his laurels and even takes a sabbatical this year. (Daily Mail)
Dragons are advised to exercise extreme caution this year. And also restraint. Do not retaliate, not yet. Tolerance is key. Even endurance. What you endure this year can be a harvest. (Kiss925)
Does this astrological advice make sense for me in 2018?
Well, yes, sort of. I’ve had a tough couple of years with stuff comin’ at me, and now would be a great time to step back and take it easy. Thank you, Dog.
A sabbatical? Sure! In the good old days when academics had sabbaticals as of right, the word meant taking time off from their job every seventh year to refresh and renew and research and write.
As I’ve just completed my 77th year, the timing is perfect.
Not sure about the red string.
The New Year card is by my friend Isshu Fujiwara, and features the aptly named terrier, Joy. This is her year and she is extra joyful.
Best wishes figuring what to do and how to lie low relative to the dog/s…
It’s kind of liberating!
Red socks or underwear might be more fun than string.
Yeah but every day?
Go for the red underwear! 🙂
I sense a theme here…
I just checked. I was born in Year of the Rooster. Now I will have to see what this year of the dog holds in store for me. Loved the article!
Thanks Laurie. You too might get permission for red underwear!
I’m a “rabbit” but not going to attempt any more fate today – looking at the status of rabbit2dog… personal planets appear to be out of alignment in the technology field!
computer playing up badly (been on a downhill slope for some weeks) – lost today a number of things in documents (all kind of gooblygook error messages/boxes) – not serious what isn’t lost but can’t afford to get my collaged book writing disappearing up in smoke. Won’t even wear the memory stick (another error box)….
And the printer prints stuff, but apparently it has no idea where the computer is either…the rolling ball mouse rides off into a storm – the next day it works!
My landline phone also throwing a wobbly but it did decide a few hours later, that may “she indoors isn’t amused…” and it then worked again!
considering going back to a desktop – for grunt – more than anything else..plus I rarely take my laptop out with me nowadays. Although it’s convenient to have it move with me indoors.
Red underwear AND a sabbatical? Man, you hit the jackpot! 🙂
Dreams are free.!
I’m going to tell my older brother, born in 1940, about the options he has in the year of the dog. He’ll be appalled. Thanks, Rachel.
Hmm. This red underwear practice is starting to sound suspicious. A fellow dog told me we must wear red underwear. Is this a Victoria’s Secret promotion?
A red string might work. In one sense.
Birthdays are good for your health. The more you have the longer you live.
Nicely put.