With the start of another lunar new year upon us, you might be wondering what’s in store for your Chinese zodiac sign.
This year we bid farewell to the feisty Tiger and get ready for the quick-minded and ingenious Rabbit!
When you have a quick google search, you’ll find as many different predictions as there are astrology websites.
Talk about a stressful and confusing way start to the new year!
So maybe it’s better to calm down and ease those frayed nerves. And what better way than with essential oils. Better still, you can even choose the right essential oil for your Chinese animal sign.
There are 12 Chinese zodiac animals, matched to the year you were born. According to Chinese mythology, the zodiac started with a race organised by the Jade Emperor – one of the most important traditional Chinese gods.
Twelve animals turned up to take part. As they raced, the animals had to cross a huge river. The sneaky rat persuaded the kind ox to let it sit on its head as it navigated the water. But as soon as they reached the other side, the rat leapt off and scampered to the finish line, claiming first place, with the ox coming second.
So, in the zodiac, the rat is first of the twelve-year cycle, followed by the ox. The rest of the years follow the order that each creature finished the race.
When you use essential oils, concentrated essences of plants and flowers, they can powerfully affect the nervous system. Essential oils have a huge range of healing properties – soothing, calming, stimulating, reviving.
People from the same Chinese zodiac year are thought to have common personality types and particular qualities – both good and bad.
So, it makes sense that certain essential oils will work best with each Chinese zodiac sign, boosting their good traits and balancing the bad bits.
Birth years: 1936, 1948, 1960, 1972, 1984, 1996, 2008, 2020
In the great race, the Rat used its smarts and smooth-talking skills to outwit the other racers, nabbing first place even though it was the tiniest competitor.
You are clever, quick-thinking, charming, persuasive and funny. Generous and outgoing, you also have excellent taste, are shrewd in business and are a whiz at making money.
You can be pessimistic at times and sometimes fall into a downward spiral of negativity. And like the animal you’re named after, you often feel restless and nervous, finding hard to be still.
The woody, deeply grounding scent of Cedarwood oil helps you feel balanced and calm. If you’re nervous and your mind is racing with worry, Cedarwood oil boosts your courage and regulates your mood.
Find out how Rats can use Cedarwood oil
Birth years: 1913, 1925, 1937, 1949, 1961, 1973, 1985, 1997, 2009, 2021
The gentle ox would have won the great race if it wasn’t for the cunning rat. However, to its credit, the ox was content with second place.
Ox people work hard and steadily, and are a symbol of prosperity through persistence. You are dependable, calm, and methodical. Patient and tireless, you are also a good listener.
Oxen are sometimes a bit too traditional and serious. You can be attached to your routine: change can be hard for you. You tend to be stubborn and can hold strong views. And if you do get angry, people should watch out – you can literally be a bull in a china shop!
If you’re feeling stuck and heavy, the sweet citrus and rose scent of Geranium oil will relieve your tension and bring you a joyful feeling to Ox people. Geranium oil dissolves stagnation and lets your mind release negative thoughts.
Find out how Ox-year people can use Geranium oil
Birth years: 1926, 1938, 1950, 1962, 1974, 1986, 1998, 2010
The tiger bounded across the finish line in third place. Even though he was strong and agile, he had to face some tricky currents in the river.
People born in Tiger Year thrive on adventure and excitement. You are rebellious, colourful and are often unpredictable. Restless and reckless, you Tigers are always ready for action. You aren’t attached to money and can be extremely generous and kind.
Tigers often have to face challenges in life and this can make you suspicious. But you’re also impulsive, so this combination also means you can be indecisive. If you feel wronged, your tiger fury will cloud your judgment and you might do something you regret.
If you’re feeling like a Tyrannical Tiger, Clary Sage oil is powerfully soothing and will help you see things with a clear mind. Inhale it or add it to a diffuser so you can think rationally and make good, fair decisions.
Clary Sage oil calms and relaxes your entire system, balances the emotions and promotes a positive outlook.
Find out how Tigers can use Clary Sage oil
Birth years: 1939, 1951, 1963, 1975, 1987, 1999, 2011
The genteel rabbit hopped nimbly from stone to stone across the river until it missed its footing and almost fell in. Luckily, it grabbed onto a log and floated to the other side, taking fourth place in the race.
Rabbit-born people are gracious, well-mannered and sensitive to beauty. Naturally shy and reserved, Rabbits prefer a tranquil life and dislike conflict. You are often artistic and have good judgment. And you are also rather good at money-making!
Being overly sensitive means that Rabbit-born people tend to be moody. You can also be too timid and hesitant, missing out on opportunities. Sometimes, you are superficial and your mind jumps too quickly from one interesting thing to the next, leaving people behind quite easily.
Diffusing Cinnamon oil benefits you by bringing back your drifting mind. Its grounding character calms frayed nerves and eases stress and feelings of depression or failure. Its warm, nurturing scent helps Rabbit-year people to release negativities and habitual patterns while still feeling safe and comforted.
Find out how Rabbits can use Cinnamon oil
Birth years: 1928, 1940, 1952, 1964, 1976, 1988, 2000, 2012
The powerful Dragon came fifth in the race because it was delayed, stopping in a village to bring rain to the villagers. It then saw the helpless rabbit clinging to the log and used its mighty breath to blow it to safety.
People born in Dragon year can be selfless and can do acts of greatness for humanity. You have courage and confidence and are full of energy. You are honest, warm and lucky. Chinese people see you as the guardian of wealth and power. This is indeed a prosperous sign to belong to.
You will stop at nothing to achieve your goals but you have so much energy that you can burn yourself out. You need to be careful about losing touch with reality and feeling that the rules of the world don’t apply to you. Your power can intimidate others and you can be too blunt.
Adding few drops of Lavender oil on the pillow or diffusing it in your working area will help you feel calm and anchored to reality, guiding you to achieve your dreams without creating too many enemies.
Lavender oil brings the spirit into balance and is said to be a universal healing oil. Let it create peaceful, grounded energy, supporting your amazing intuition, imagination and focus.
Find out how Dragons can use Lavender oil
Birth years: 1929, 1941, 1953, 1965, 1977, 1989, 2001, 2013
The clever snake slithered into sixth place by winding itself around the horse’s leg. Close to the finish line, it uncoiled and gave the horse a fright, beating it across the line.
Snake-born people are strategic, deep thinkers and fast learners. You like to be in control and are ambitious. Elegant in speech, dress and manners, you avoid useless small talk but can be very charming. You’re also reliable, extremely loyal and very supportive during a crisis.
Snake-year people can be suspicious, sceptical and secretive, sometimes plotting and thinking too much. You never forget a betrayal and find it hard to let things go, seeking “justice”, which is more like revenge. You can also be ruthless when chasing your goals.
Fresh, fruity Sweet Orange oil is ideal for the Snake person. Sweet Orange encourages you to be more open minded, cheerful and reduces mistrust, creating happier relationships with others.
Sweet Orange oil boosts optimism and a sense of overall “okayness”. It helps you to remember that life is full of limitless opportunities and reawakens childlike curiosity. And it helps you tune into your innate strength and intuition.
Find out how Snakes can use Sweet Orange oil
Birth years: 1930, 1942, 1954, 1966, 1978, 1990, 2002, 2014
Recovering quickly from its fright, the horse galloped into seventh place in the great race.
Horse-year people are cheerful, popular and quick-witted. You are down-to-earth, warm and perceptive and quite fearless, with a strong, magnetic personality. Just like the horse, you are a free spirit and love to roam, especially enjoying the outdoors.
Your nature is changeable and you can be hot-tempered, rash and headstrong. Your strong personality is sometimes aggressive and you can be blunt and impatient, forgetting that other people may be more sensitive.
As a Horse, you’ll know how swiftly and suddenly things can change; life is never dull for you, but you can be overwhelmed. Lemongrass oil helps combat this stress – especially if you slow down and take the time to pour a few drops in boiling water, then inhale for 10 to 15 minutes.
Find out how Horses can use Lemongrass oil
Birth years: 1931, 1943, 1955, 1967, 1979, 1991, 2003, 2015
In the race, the next three animals worked together to cross the raging river. The Rooster found a small raft and the Sheep and Goat pulled it out of the weeds. After sailing across the river and arriving at the finish line, the Jade Emperor put the Goat in eighth place.
The sheep is the most feminine sign of Chinese zodiac. You are usually mild-mannered and have a soft, pure heart. You are sincere, compassionate and can be artistic and creative. You are generous with time and money and have a quiet inner strength. Luck follows you.
You tend to be naïve and placid, and you cannot tolerate too much discipline or criticism, making it hard for you to work under pressure. You also have a pessimistic, moody streak and can be overwhelmed by your emotions and withdraw.
Life can be harsh on your gentle soul. Sometimes you just want to drift far away from stress and conflict. Frankincense is the perfect essential oil for you, reducing your anxiety and grounding you so that you can meditate in your own world where you can use your creative powers to their greatest extent!
Find out more about how Sheep can use Frankincense Oil.
Birth years: 1920, 1932, 1944, 1956, 1968, 1980, 1992, 2004, 2016
After working with his friends, the Monkey was ninth in the great race.
Those born in the Monkey year are hilarious, curious and intelligent. The Monkey is an inventor, improvisor and the motivator. You are witty and charming, the life of the party but you’re no fool — you’re clever and lighting fast at learning and solving problems. With all these gifts, you have an innate talent for business.
The Monkey has an inborn superiority complex and sometimes you don’t respect others. You can be competitive but you hide this behind your playful nature. Because your mind moves so fast and you lose interest in things quickly, sometimes people feel that you are superficial and uncaring.
Myrrh oil, with its deep, earthy scent is fantastic for grounding your wild energy. It helps you to control your emotions and your mind. It will put your nervous system in a blissful state, calming your jitters and distractions so that you can gain trust from others.
Find out more about how Monkeys can use Myrrh oil
Birth years: 1921, 1933, 1945, 1957, 1969, 1981, 1993, 2005, 2017
The rooster was next in the race, finishing tenth.
People born in the Rooster year have a brave spirit and are not afraid to pursue wild dreams. You don’t really care what others think about you and are often ahead of your time. You are organised, analytical and resourceful. You’re good at expressing yourself in speech and in writing.
Rooster-year people can be egoistic, opinionated and too critical of others. Although you appear confident and cocky, inside you may feel uncertain and need assurance. You are your own worst critic.
Adding Rosemary oil in your diffuser will help you to ground and focus better. Rosemary oil can transform negative energy and help you boost your self-confidence. You can also use it to increase creativity, sensitivity and to open your heart to love.
Find out more about how Roosters can use Rosemary oil
Birth years: 1922, 1934, 1946, 1958, 1970, 1982, 1994, 2006, 2018
Even though the Dog was a skillful swimmer and runner, he finished the great race in eleventh place because he was more interested in playing in the river than crossing it!
Dog-year people are loyal, honest, intelligent and faithful. You know how to get along with others and are not too demanding. No matter how busy you are, you cannot ignore a real call for help. You are straightforward and responsible and will often be put in leadership roles.
While you seem bright and cheery, Dogs are pessimistic by nature. You tend to worry unnecessarily and often see trouble to lurking in every corner. Sometimes you can be either too aggressive or too unmotivated; your challenge is to find the middle way.
You will benefit enormously from the powers of Thyme oil. You are prone to worried, anxious thoughts because you care deeply for those who struggle, and sometimes this is overwhelming. The “linalool” in Thyme oil has relaxing properties, calming your heart and relieving anxious thoughts. It also promotes concentration, focus and courage.
Find out more about how Dogs can use Thyme oil
Birth years: 1923, 1935, 1947, 1959, 1971, 1983, 1995, 2007, 2019
The good-natured Boar was the last in the great race — and almost didn’t make it. Feeling hunger pangs during the race, he stopped for a snack, fell asleep and crossed the line just before the Emperor called off the race.
This is the sign of honesty, simplicity and great fortitude. Sturdy and courageous, you can take on many tasks. You are warm, friendly and reliable and you seek universal harmony. You are also generous and trust-worthy.
The Pig person tends trust everyone and you can be gullible, believing almost anything you’re told. Sometimes you are too willing to forgive and see the best in people, even when they don’t really deserve it. Like your animal counterpart, you can be a bit “piggy” and over-indulge in life’s finer things.
You can’t go wrong with Peppermint oil. Peppermint oil is perfect for brightening the Boar. It helps your clear your senses, improving your clarity, focus and concentration. It keeps your mind sharp and so that unkind people won’t take advantage of you.
Find out more about how Boars can use Peppermint oil
As the new lunar year begins, why not try the oils that are best for your Chinese zodiac and see if they usher in a smoother new year.
With our organic food-grade essential oils, produced in our own laboratory, which was recently achieved Good Manufacturing Practice certification, you can be sure of using the purest quality essential oils.
And even if you think all this interest in astrology is for people with their heads in outer space, don’t worry, the power of plants will work their magic, with or without the help of your zodiac.
Wish you a happy and prosperous Tiger Year.
Source: The Handbook of Chinese Horoscopes by Theodora Lau.