Year of the Wood Dragon Part 2: What’s Ahead for Each Sign

The Wood Dragon year arrives on February 4, 2024 as spring begins in the Northern Hemisphere according to the solar calendar. While Lunar New Year is celebrated on February 10 in 2024 as the Moon turns new in Aquarius at 6:59am China Standard Time, Chinese metaphysics practitioners consider February 4 as the first day of the Wood Dragon astrological year. Babies born between February 4, 2024 – February 3, 2025 will have the Wood Dragon in the year pillar of their birth charts.

Read on below for insights into the year of the Wood Dragon according to the animal signs that are in the Year and Month pillars of your natal chart, with the Month pillar written according to Western astrology sun signs.

Check out my earlier post on the Wood Dragon astrology outlook for insights on what to expect in the year ahead.

*If your birthday falls between January 1 to February 3, read the previous year’s animal sign. Keep in mind that these are very general insights to the signs, as each of us has four signs and four heavenly stems (the Yin or Yang manifestation of the five elements) in a birth chart.

Dragon (1940, 1952, 1964, 1976, 1988, 2000, 2012)

This is your year! The Grand Duke Jupiter visits your sign in 2024, presenting you with opportunities as well as challenges and major changes. This is the year to step it up. The universe is offering you a chance to start a new phase of life.  Major changes may include changing jobs, starting a new career, moving to a different city or country, getting married, starting a family, going back to school, or retiring.  The year one encounters the animal sign of their birth is usually a life-changing one, and it often coincides with Jupiter return in one's natal chart (though not always, especially if you were born in the early or later part of the year as Jupiter has a not so exact twelve-year cycle).

The Dragon as a Yang Earth sign is resilient and highly confident. Dragons are naturally lucky and successful thanks to their intelligence combined with strong intuition. Be conscious of self-sabotaging behaviors in the year of the Wood Dragon, however, as the Dragon is afflicted with the “Double Dragon” penalty, which can lead to self-doubts and self-defeating thoughts and actions. A Dragon return year is a big year and you have the power to turn your life around for the better. Maintain a positive mindset and believe in yourself.  With star 2 of illness visiting the Southeast sector where the Dragon resides in the Bagua map (which is the Eight Directions chart used by Feng Shui practitioners), the Dragon must remember to practice self-care and take necessary breaks. It’s a good idea to carry a charm or symbol of the Bird or the Rooster as the Dragon’s secret friend this year for protection. I especially recommend symbols of the Phoenix, the Dragon’s celestial soulmate and the guardian spirit of Period 9, a 20-year cycle that starts in the Wood Dragon year. In The Chinese Five Elements Oracle, Card 46 (the Earth Bird) and the back of each card in the oracle feature the Phoenix.

Those who have their Western astrology Sun sign from 15° Aries to just before 15° Taurus were born in the month of the Dragon (around April 5 - May 5). Your career and your parents may occupy your mind in the year of the Dragon.  Those born in the second half of the Dragon month will start the year on a high note with Jupiter breezing through 5 - 15° Taurus from the new year through March, bringing optimism and blessings of wellness. Jupiter helps you dream and think big, but remember to keep yourself grounded by defining your goals and committing to them, so you can follow through any lucky break and make things happen. Those born in the first week of the month will also have the support of Chiron in their healing journey.

Snake (1941, 1953, 1965, 1977, 1989, 2001, 2013)

This is a year of preparation for those born in the year of the Snake. As a travel star, you embrace change, and you can already feel change coming. The Dragon year brings excitement, and with many positive stars in your chart, visualize where you’d like to be in 2025, the year of the Snake, and start taking the steps now to get you there. Get ready for your Snake return year! Since the Snake shares the same Southeast palace as the Dragon in the Bagua map, visited by star 2 of illness, prioritize your health. As a Yin Fire sign, the Snake’s energy level and emotions can be up and down – check in often with yourself and rest to recuperate.

Those born in the month of the Snake (around May 5 - June 4) have their Western astrology Sun sign somewhere from 15° Taurus to just before 15° Gemini. With Jupiter going through the degrees from late March to early August, you will finally receive recognition and rewards for the hard work that you’ve been putting these past two years. Those born in the first half of the month enjoys an exciting year ahead thanks to Uranus in Taurus. Saturn in Pisces brings pressure on the job front for those born in the second half of the month – take the challenge, be open to change, and the world is yours!

Horse (1942, 1954,1966, 1978, 1990, 2002, 2014)

The Horse enjoyed a sociable 2023 with the Rabbit as the Horse’s Peach Blossom star. The Wood Dragon year is poised to be a quieter year for the Horse as the Dragon will likely leave the Horse alone, giving the Horse a chance to create their own stories this year and carve their own path. Support may be lacking, but as a Yang Fire sign, the Horse is naturally charismatic and optimistic. Keep a positive mindset and thrive in your love for freedom and independence. With hostile star 7 visiting the South palace where the Horse is located in the Bagua map, do a thorough research and read your contracts carefully before committing to a project or a financial commitment. A Yin Metal star, star 7 is also associated with speaking – this is a great year for those who’d like to train to be a better public speaker.

Those born in the month of the Horse (around June 5 - July 6) will have their Western astrology Sun sign somewhere between 15° Gemini to 15° Cancer. Those born in the first week of the month get to receive Jupiter’s blessings and support from early August to mid December – these are exuberant months despite pressure from Saturn in Pisces. Chiron in Aries offers support – let your inner joy be a source of healing. If you were born in the second half of the month, you will have to rely on your inner strength this year. Keep doing the work - rewards will come in 2025.

Sheep (1943, 1955, 1967, 1979, 1991, 2003, 2015)

Those born in the year of the Sheep (also called the Goat or the Ram) enjoyed a year of harmony and support as an ally of the Rabbit in 2023. The Wood Dragon is poised to be a bumpier, slower year for the Sheep as the Dragon squares the Sheep, but as a Yin Earth sign the Sheep is highly resourceful and can find solutions to any problem. Support comes from your peers – collaborate instead of competing with those who can help you. Have a pen and paper ready as inspiration comes easy this year with star 9 of joy and prosperity visiting the Southwest sector where the Sheep resides in the Bagua chart. As a star of relationship, star 9 helps you find partners and allies.

If you were born in the month of the Sheep (around July 7 - August 6), your Western astrology Sun sign will be somewhere from 15° Cancer to just before 15° Leo. The side clash with the Dragon may manifest as increased responsibilities or a heavier workload, but Jupiter going from 15° Taurus to 15° Gemini between late March to early August brings ease and positive thinking. There’s excitement in the air for those born in the first half of the month thanks to Uranus in Taurus.

Monkey (1944, 1956, 1968, 1980, 1992, 2004, 2016)

Those born in the year of the Monkey can expect a more harmonious year as an ally of the Dragon. As a Yang Earth sign, the Dragon provides support and grounding to the fast-paced Monkey. As a travel star and a Yang Metal sign, the Monkey is swift and doesn’t hesitate to step outside of the comfort zone. This is an ideal year to keep expanding your boundaries. Rely on your sharp instinct in taking a leap into the unknown. As Metal is the element that controls Wood, you’re the one in the driver’s seat. You have the power and the skills to make 2024 one of your best years. With star 9 of joy and prosperity, associated with the Fire trigram and the heart, in the Southwest sector where the Monkey resides in the Bagua chart (shared with the Sheep), follow what excites the heart.

If you were born in the month of the Monkey (around August 7 - September 7), your Western astrology Sun sign will be somewhere between 15° Leo to 15° Virgo. Jupiter squaring those degrees from late March to early August may bring overconfidence. Cut back when you feel you’ve taken too much work. Saturn will present more restrictions as well as more responsibilities to those born in the last week of the month (with their Sun between 7° to 15° Virgo) as the taskmaster opposes the degrees in the first two months of the Dragon year and again from late September through end of 2024. Turn those restrictions into positive starting and ending points instead of seeing them as limitations.

Rooster / Bird (1945, 1957, 1969, 1981, 1993, 2005, 2017)

The Bird (the Rooster) can take a sigh of relief now that the Dragon has arrived. As the sign opposite the Rabbit, the Bird was under heavy pressure from the Grand Duke in 2023, which may have affected important relationships as both the Rabbit and the Bird are Peach Blossom stars. As the Dragon’s secret friend, a special relationship aspect even more beneficial than a trine/alliance, the Bird is now the most favored sign of the zodiac. As a Yin Metal sign, the Bird loves being the center of attention, and in 2024, everyone wants to be your friend! Sacrifices made in 2023 will pay off in the next 2 years as you will also have support in 2025 as an ally of the Snake.

Use your sharp mind and laser-like focus to design the life you envision. You have a lot of support from Heaven and Earth, with many opportunities to make your mark. Take advantage of this great momentum and be proactive in collaborating with your allies. Align your dreams and visions with the right actions, and doors will keep opening for you. With star 5 of misfortune in the West sector where the Rooster resides in the Bagua map, however, be discerning with your time and energy. You love to socialize, but in this busy year, prioritize and choose your activities wisely.

If you were born in the month of the Bird (around September 7 - October 7), your Western astrology Sun sign will be somewhere from 15° Virgo to just before 15° Libra. Jupiter in harmony with those degrees in the first six months of the Dragon year brings an abundance of support and progress at work. Saturn may throw a few challenges to those born early in the month from May through September – rise up to the occasion and turn those challenges into opportunities.

Dog (1946, 1958, 1970, 1982, 1994, 2006, 2018)

The Dog has enjoyed growth and plenty of support in the past 2 years as an ally of the Tiger and secret friend of the Rabbit. Big changes are in store for the Dog in the year of the Wood Dragon as the sign opposite the Dragon. It's a transformative, pivotal year whenever the animal sign of your birth year opposes the Grand Duke. You may find yourself at a crossroads in one or more aspects of life. Initiating your own changes instead of fighting them can help you gain the upper hand in managing the challenges coming your way, especially if you’ve been thinking of changing your job, your place of residence, or your status (for example, through marriage or divorce or pregnancy) – this is the year to do so as change is inevitable. Since both the Dragon and the Dog are Yang Earth signs, the opposition is more of a directional conflict rather than a typical clash of the elements. As such, be mindful in your movements and keep a high awareness of your surroundings, especially when you’re in an unfamiliar territory. It’s also a good idea for the Dog to carry a charm or symbol of the Bird or the Rooster, the Dragon’s secret friend, for protection this year.

Think back to when you were about 18 – you were most likely graduating from high school and entering college, perhaps moving away from your city or country for the first time. It was a whole new world then, and life may have been scary but exciting - that is how a Grand Duke opposition usually manifests. Are you ready for a whole new world again? With star 4 of studies visiting the Northwest sector where the Dog resides in the Bagua map, there may be opportunities to further your studies. Those who are single may date more during the year as star 4 is also a star of romance / seduction, but practice discernment if you’re already partnered as the star can also cause affairs.

Those born in the month of the Dog (around October 8 to November 6) will have their Western astrology Sun sign somewhere between 15° Libra to 15° Scorpio. The Dragon – Dog opposition may manifest as heavy workload or conflicts at work – this is a year you’re being called to step it up, but remember to prioritize your well-being and practice self-care. Chiron in Aries may present some health challenges to those born in the early part of the month. Jupiter brings support, however, from early August to mid December, while Saturn provides structure to those born in the later part of the Dog month.

Pig (1947, 1959, 1971, 1983, 1995, 2007, 2019)

Those born in the year of the Pig / the Boar have enjoyed a blessed couple of years as the secret friend of the Tiger in 2022 and ally of the Rabbit in 2023. The good luck continues in 2024, although the Pig may start feeling some growing pressures on the work front. This is a year to solidify your position as the Snake will oppose your sign in the following year, bringing once-in-a-lifetime opportunities as well as challenges to overcome. Visualize where you’d like to be in 2025, and start taking the steps to get there in this year of the Dragon. As a travel star, the Pig thrives in a fast-paced environment and is comfortable with change. With star 4 of studies and romance / popularity in the Northwest palace where the Pig resides in the Bagua map (shared with the Dog), invest in higher education or new certifications if needed, and collaborate with partners who believe in you.

If you were born in the month of the Pig (around November 7 - December 6), you have your Western astrology Sun sign somewhere from 15° Scorpio to just before 15° Sagittarius. If you were born in the first half of the month, be innovative in your problem solving as Uranus in Taurus may throw a few surprises at work during the year. Be mindful of excess (which can include taking on too much or overscheduling yourself) around late March to late May as Jupiter finishes his round in Taurus. Those born in the second half of the month have been feeling career related pressure since Saturn entered Pisces in 2023, which will continue through the year. Jupiter opposing your Sun from late May to early August may bring overconfidence – take care not to overextend yourself.

Rat (1948, 1960, 1972, 1984, 1996, 2008, 2020)

Those born in the year of the Rat experienced a half clash with the Rabbit in 2023, which affected various relationships and partnerships. The Rat can expect a more supportive 2024 as an ally of the Dragon. Lessons learned in 2023 will help the Rat refine their interpersonal skills to improve their personal and professional relationships. Work in the spirit of collaboration and use your clever mind to expand your influence – you have the Dragon power backing you! This year the universe puts you in a positive light, and the more you put in, the more you will get in return. With star 8 of wealth visiting the North palace where the Rat is located in the Bagua map, be proactive and strategic in your actions to monetize opportunities coming your way.

If you were born in the month of the Rat (around December 7 - January 4), you have your Western astrology Sun sign between 15° Sagittarius to 15° Capricorn. Those born early in the month may find it challenging to balance their work and life between May to September as Jupiter in Gemini and Saturn in Pisces bring more responsibilities and pressure to perform. Prioritize and focus – you got this! Saturn offers steady support to those born in the second half of the month, a good year to strengthen your reputation in the field.

Ox (1937, 1949, 1961, 1973, 1985, 1997, 2009, 2021)

Success is in store for those born in the year of the Ox, but it comes with hard work and dedication as the Dragon squares the Ox in the Chinese zodiac. As Earth signs, both the Dragon and the Ox are known for their resilience and consistency. The Ox may even find the year of the Dragon to be a relief after an unpredictable year of the Rabbit. Trust that all your hard work will be rewarded, especially in 2025 the year of the Snake, an ally of the Ox. With star 6 of power and authority, associated with the Heaven trigram, visiting the Northeast sector where the Ox resides in the Bagua chart, the Ox’s biggest supporter in 2024 comes from the heavenly realm. Connect to the spirit within whenever you need guidance from your inner wisdom. Your tenacity and strength will empower your moves.

Those born in the month of the Ox (around January 5 to February 3) have their Western astrology Sun signs between 15° Capricorn to 15° Aquarius. Jupiter going through Taurus and Gemini brings blessings of growth, support, and positivity through the year. Pluto in late Capricorn has brought so much transformation in the past few years to those born in the first half of the month, with Uranus in Taurus adding more exciting changes in 2024. Pluto moving to 0° Aquarius just before the year of the Dragon begins will start transforming the lives of those born in the second half of the month, albeit slowly, as Pluto will be in Aquarius for 20 years, around the same time as Period 9.

Tiger (1938, 1950, 1962, 1974, 1986, 1998, 2010, 2022)

The Tiger enjoyed a sociable Peach Blossom year in 2023 with the Rabbit, the Tiger’s Peach Blossom star, activating the Tiger’s popularity. In 2024, those born in the year of the Tiger can expect to travel more as the Tiger is the travel star to the Dragon. Whether it’s for work or leisure, the Tiger will be going places near or far. Keep a high awareness of your surroundings, however. As a travel star, the fast-paced Tiger loves to be on the move but may find the pace of the Dragon to be too slow and as such will have to slow down every now and then to let everyone else catch up. As a Yang Wood sign, the first of the ten heavenly stems, the Tiger is naturally always ahead of the times. As the Tiger shares the same Northeast palace in the Bagua map with the Ox, visited by star 6 of power and authority, believe in your own originality. What you start in 2024 may be what your community needs later – they just can’t see it yet – you’re the one uniquely blessed with the foresight and creativity.

If you were born in a Tiger month (around February 4 - March 5), your Western astrology Sun sign is somewhere between 15° Aquarius - 15° Pisces. Be mindful of excess as Jupiter squares your Sun from late March to early August. You may wake up feeling overly energetic and overschedule yourself only to feel exhausted before the end of the day. Redefine your boundaries as needed. Those born in the first half of the month may also have to deal with the unexpected with Uranus in Taurus, while those born in the second half of the month may feel bound by too many duties and obligations with Saturn in Pisces passing by their Sun. Keep doing the work - this is just one of Saturn’s ways of showing you that more success also means more work and responsibilities.

Rabbit (1939, 1951, 1963, 1975, 1987, 1999, 2011, 2023)

After a big 2023, the Rabbit can expect a much quieter year of the Dragon. You can take a big sigh of relief, but don’t sit back yet. Celebrate your wins from 2023 as the year of the Dragon starts, and use those wins as a stepping stone toward something even bigger. As a Yin Wood sign, the Rabbit is visionary and able to turn the mundane into extraordinary, original works. You just began a new phase in 2023. Now is a time to grow and nurture the seeds you planted in 2023. Follow your curiosity to keep opening up your consciousness.  With star 1 of wisdom and future prosperity occupying the East sector where the Rabbit is in the Bagua map, focus and invest on a long term vision.   

Those born in the month of the Rabbit (around March 6 - April 4) have their Western astrology Sun sign between 15° Pisces to 15° Aries. Use the first half of the year to refine your goals and visions as Jupiter brings blessings of growth and positive thinking from late March to early August. Saturn may present those born early in the month with restrictions from May through September, but with Neptune going through late Pisces, turn those limitations into a source of inspiration. Enrich the creative within with what makes your heart sing.

*You can calculate your birth chart here to discover the elements and animal signs of your birth day and hour pillars. For daily insights of the pillar of the day, follow my Instagram account @5elementsoracle.