This year, the Chinese Lunar New Year or Spring Festival, begins on the 19th of February 2015. This date coincides with the second new moon after the Chinese winter solstice. Celebrations for the year of the Wood Goat will begin in earnest. On the other hand, for feng shui treatment for example, the Chinese Solar year is used and that began on the 4th of February 2015.
In China, the same word is applied to both goats and sheep but the Goat is the preferred translation due to many myths and legends, including the legendary unicorn-goats, or Xiezhi.
Following hot on the galloping heels of 2014’s Yang Wood Horse comes the Horse’s best friend, the Goat, who would not be galloping, but rather, jumping and prancing in a deft and graceful manner. The Yin and feminine qualities prevail in 2015.
The Horse and the Goat pair are referred to as the Sun (Yang and masculinity) and the Moon (Yin and femininity). The Goat’s two other best companions are the Pig and the Rabbit. These three signs combine in the triangle of the ‘Wood Structure’ or ‘Earthly Branches Three Combinations’.
The Goat, who is one of six Yin animal signs, has the heavenly stem of Yin Wood this year. The elements or 10 Heavenly Stems always follow two years in a row, one Yang and one Yin. It was 60 years ago when the Wood element or stem last joined with the Goat in 1955.
In Chinese Astrology the planet Jupiter is associated with the Wood Element and all things creative, feminine, and all forms of plant life. The Goat’s natural element is Yin Earth (and also Yin Fire). Wood controls Earth, so for direction and stability in 2015 we have Yin Wood controlling Yin Earth, with Yin Fire smouldering in the background.
Wood Goat People
This Chinese New Year 2015, Wood Goat people are extremely creative and artistic. Generally, unmotivated by money or fame, they spend all their time on creative and artistic pursuits. Generous to a fault, Wood Goats are compassionate and caring. The Wood Goat is said to be a ‘serious Goat’ because career and business are such weighty matters. Through hard work and determined effort they can obtain wealth.
According to Chinese tradition, the principal qualities of a person born in a Goat year are peaceful and adaptable with an easy-going and gentle character. They are very creative, artistic, imaginative, ingenious, passionate, ardent, elegant and very family-orientated. Sensitive, sincere, cautious, refined, optimistic, romantic, friendly, sympathetic, pleasant and honest, are many of their virtues.
Ideal occupations for a Goat are Artist, Martial Artist, Actor/Actress, Architect, Musician, Poet, Professional Dancer, Writer, Entrepreneur, Landscaper, Interior Designer, Fashion Designer, Therapist, etc. Chinese tradition says that if they are to blossom and give the best of themselves, Goats need a patron to take charge of administration, leaving the Goat to develop his creative talents.
In our Golden Lion Tai Chi community we have two lovely ladies who are preparing to celebrate their 60th birthdays, making them ‘Golden Goats’, during this year of the Wood Goat.
Firstly, we have Sifu Arlene McLeod, who says: “Over 22 years ago, when I started Tai Chi, I had the view, like many of my students, that I would never learn it all. To those students I say, “It is all about the journey.” Not only has Tai Chi taught me about leading a healthy lifestyle which includes my martial art, but also a calming of the mind and finding my spirit. It is the internal and external components that make it so interesting to learn. Just when you think you might have learnt a move, there are so many aspects to think about. So you can call me a sheep, goat or ram, I will answer to them all! Looking forward to this exciting year ahead, hopefully sharing it with you.”
Secondly, we have Si Jie Sandra Neal: “20 years ago, as a ‘nervous Nellie’ I entered the door at the Rowville Academy. I wasn’t sure what to expect when invited to watch a class of seniors practising the Beijing 24 Form. I was amazed to see the beauty, co-ordination and grace of their movements. I had always been fascinated by martial arts and was looking for a discipline that would enable my busy mind to relax, whilst conditioning my body. I soon learned that Tai Chi comprised both these elements, requiring mindfulness and perseverance; that it wasn’t about the ‘big picture’, rather, it was about being in the moment; following one small step after another in a safe and welcoming, encouraging, environment.” says Si Jie Sandra.
Sandra Neal goes on to add “I felt the calming effect of Tai Chi and developed clarity of mind that I had not experienced before. The sense of achievement gained, enhanced self-confidence, self-esteem and sense of awareness. It didn’t take long before I was hooked. Over the years, through life’s highs and lows, Tai Chi has always remained constant. I feel most privileged to have been taught by wonderful Masters and look forward to many more years of studying this wonderful Art together with my Tai Chi family.”
From our Golden Lion Kung Fu community, we have Sifu Steven Orloff who is a 1979 Earth Goat. Sifu Steven, who just last year at the Golden Lion Show, was bestowed with the honour of reaching the pinnacle of Master/Sifu in Kung Fu and at a young age, so he must be very talented in his discipline. A great achievement!
Some famous (and not so famous) Goats are:-
1931 Metal Goat: James Dean, Rupert Murdoch, William Shatner, Leonard Nimoy, Anne Bancroft, Shirley Short
1943 Water Goat: George Harrison, Mick Jagger, Robert de Niro, Paul Keating
1955 Wood Goat: Sifu Arlene McLeod, Si Jie Sandra Neal, Steve Jobs, Bruce Willis, Chow Yun-Fat, Bill Gates, Whoopi Goldberg, Mel Gibson
1967 Fire Goat: Jamie Foxx, Nicole Kidman, Keith Urban, Julia Roberts, Mark Ruffalo
1979 Earth Goat: Sifu Steven Orloff, Zhang Ziyi, Claire Danes
1991 Metal Goat: Ed Sheeran, Shailene Woodley, Louis Tomlinson
In Chinese Astrology one year is a Yang year and the next year, is a Yin year. Let us enjoy the Yin and feminine qualities of 2015 and hope that the Year of the gentle Wood Goat will bring a happy, healthy, harmonious and peaceful year to all members of the Golden Lion Community, their families and friends. Happy Chinese New Year of the Wood Goat!
Xīn nián kuàilè (Happy new year)
Gōng xǐ fā cái (Happiness and prosperity)
We thank Dagmar Trewin our Berwick Golden Lion Tai Chi student for this article.