So, what
is the conventional wisdom about the Iron
Tiger?
The folk
astrology of Tibet indicates that Tigers in general are brave,
daring, ferocious, intelligent, and often audacious, with a
tendency toward harsh speech and risk taking, i.e. gambling and
business adventures. The ideal companions are those born in the
year of the Dog, Horse, and Pig. Those to avoid are born in the
year of Ox, Monkey, and to a lesser degree, Snake. Many people will
try to have sons this year.
In
particular, Iron Tigers are generous to the poor, and protective of
the underdog, but can become wrathful and bloody minded, and
without moral instruction may become fond of killing.
Somebody
better tell Jamgon Kongtrul II, and Orgyen Thinley Dorje -- to give
but two examples-- both Tigers, but neither of whom were or are
bloody minded and fond of killing, as far as anyone
knows.
Iron Tigers
greatly enjoy meat, alcohol, the opposite sex, and comfortable
living circumstances. They speak directly, with an authoritarian
air of command. They are to some extent vulnerable to
haunting spirits (bstan) and gyalpos,
particularly those gyalpos associated with knives and
other weapons. They will have two to four children. Their average
lifespan is sixty years. They will face five major
obstacles.
Iron Tiger
dharma practitioners are known to be highly stable and extremely
faithful, with unusual powers that are expressed in unconventional
ways. As such, their actions are often liable to
misinterpretation. They have the potential
to exist in this lifetime as reborn spirits, i.e. they were not
precisely human in their immediately previous lifetime. In the
lifetimes prior to that, they were kings or princes, and in most
lifetimes previous to that, they were siddhas, acharyas, or
wandering yogis. In this lifetime, they are often characterized by
wide learning and extreme intelligence. However, they may be prone
to procrastination, and indecision brought on by physical
ailments.
As 2010 is
the fourth of a five year run of inauspicious element combinations
for Tigers, (2011 will be incredibly troublesome) one is advised to
take practice to heart. Speaking very personally, I would recommend
that Tigers vigorously save the lives of beings otherwise
marked for death. I would also recommend the creation of
images, printing of dharma books, and other good works. In
particular, and at all costs, one should cause at least one
statue of Shakyamuni Buddha to be made. If conditions permit,
Tigers should seriously consider going into retreat until 2012 at
the earliest. What is wrong with that?
If you are
born in the Year of the Iron Tiger, you are in the closing chapters
of an extremely troublesome Mercury-Ketu transit, but if you
survive, you are at the threshold of an extremely auspicious run of
good luck. The operative word in that last sentence is "if." In
Tibetan astrology, the Mercury-Ketu transit is described as
"certain death." Of course, as an Iron Tiger, you don't care, but
let me say the beginning of the transit, circa 2006, while no
picnic, had the elements showing mercy. For the end of the transit,
which begins now, the elements show no mercy. Are you impressed
yet? Again and again, I want to emphasize that spiritual
practice throws all astrological indications to the winds. This is
why even very great lamas go into retreat for obstacle years, and
live to tell the tale.
You should
also be aware that people who have formerly been good friends may
turn into bitter enemies. I hate to say this, but Iron Tigers have
an astrological propensity to fall victim to murder.
Stay away
from weapons of all kinds: indeed, be extremely careful of sharp
instruments such as knives, axes, saws, and so forth. Taking this
energy as a clue, all persons should beware of accidents,
misadventure, assault, robbery, and so forth in this wild year of
sudden surprises.
http://tibetanaltar.blogspot.com/2009/12/astrology-for-tibetan-new-year-2010.html