Seven Feng Shui Trends for 2024 Year of the Green Wood Dragon
Fiery Period 9 and the new Year of the Dragon are finally here, and not a minute too soon for anyone longing for change; you'll be seeing lots of it starting today. This article is specifically about the seven most important trends of this new Year of the Green Wood Dragon (February 4, 2024 – February 3, 2025), but it's best understood in the context of the new 20-year Period 9 cycle, also commencing today and extending through February 3, 2043). The Green Wood Dragon year will best be understood, and its helpful qualities maximized, if you consider it in the context of Period 9. I wrote in depth about it here: 9 Things to Know About Period 9
[Note: This article is offered for entertainment purposes only. I do not offer medical advice, make financial recommendations, or do psychological counseling. Please consult professionals in those fields for your related concerns.]
Period 9 and 2024's trends – and indeed all of classical Feng Shui -- are best understood within the framework of the Gaia hypothesis, which according to Wikipedia ". . . proposes that living and non-living parts of the Earth form a complex interacting system that can be thought of as a single organism . . . the biosphere has a regulatory effect on the Earth's environment that acts to sustain life.” It connects all things on Earth – and I believe it connects things beyond Earth as well – into a " . . . biosphere that has a regulatory effect on the Earth's environment . . . to sustain life."
This energetic interconnectedness is why, for example, the compass degree to which our front doors are aligned interacts with the local landforms, trees, roads and waterways, nearby buildings and even structures like utility poles or church steeples to create conditions that either enhance or diminish our life experience. When a new Period and to a lesser degree, a new year commence, we feel these influences shifting in ways subtle and obvious, and life is never be the same again. We need to adapt ourselves and the environments in which we live and work to be in harmony with them. Unlike any other Period in the 180 year cycle, Period 9 changes are markedly strong, sweeping, fast, and big.
Classical Feng Shui theory evaluates years through the interplay of the five Chinese elements of Fire, Water, Earth, Metal, and Wood. Not really elements at all in the sense of the periodic table, they are transitory phases that interact with each other in complicated ways that affect our daily lives. Now they motivate us to change course, for some that means a new life path; others may have their life path changed for them if they refuse to change voluntarily.
You might already have some changes in progress, because Period 9 started drifting gradually into the collective consciousness dating back to 2022. The more you know about Period 9 and the Year of the Green Wood Dragon, the better able you'll be to flow with the new vibes and reach your goals.
Year of the Dragon overview
2024 (remember, it does not end until February 3, 2025) features numerous interactions amongst the elements with Fire, Water, and Wood being the star players. This will be a demanding yet highly productive year. Fire clashes with Water and Wood drains Water, but Wood also feeds Fire. In your home or office, the key is to get the balance of these three elements right at key areas like the front door. It's a tricky combo to work with but when done right, can produce spectacular results. I've been working with clients to create the delicate balance of these three elements for several months now and we're already seeing good results.
It'll be an active year of movement in many directions at once. With Wood as its ruler, 2024 will "grow" in all directions just as a tree does: up towards the sky; down into the earth; to all sides as branches expand; with many offshoots and "paths within paths" that produce tangible results -- think of leaves and fruit and nuts growing from each branch. You'll be busy this year. Wisely-planned and executed expansion is the way to go.
The clashes found in the Bazi (astrological chart) for 2024 will affect you to varying degrees and areas of your life based on how they interact with your personal Bazi, and I always check your Bazi before making Feng Shui recommendations for your property. As a collective regardless of our personal charts, we'll be seeing more:
Gifts
Much-needed life-enhancing change
Growth and expansion
New opportunities
Eliminating old, draining situations and people from your life
Exciting travel
Major life moves: where to live, do business, find opportunities
Changing jobs or careers or adding a new sideline that you welcome
Creating a whole new paradigm in your work, personal life, or creativity
Innovating and expanding your life
but also . . .
Challenges
Instability
Misunderstanding
Separation and divorce
Injury
Conflict/arguments/fighting
Robbery/loss through fraud, theft, or trickery
Being forced to change if you are loathe to do so
There's an interesting Fu Yin configuration in the year's chart to consider. This will present some of us with a sticky situation (perhaps more than one) that brings annoying obstacles, health challenges, dealings with people or groups that withhold something from us, or conditions that keep us stagnant or stuck. These can be overcome by working with the elements in your chart to help neutralize the Fu Yin configuration as it is affects you.
Reach your goals by embracing the following:
Thinking and living in new, different, even unconventional ways
Getting creative on a new level
Networking more with like-minded people – in person if possible
Embracing adventure
Fearlessly expanding your horizons
Letting go and moving on
Starting over/updating your whole life/refreshing your image
Being courageous
Finding your joyous inspiration and following it like a lodestar
Handling business and money in new ways
Expanding your circle of friends and contacts
Seeking a new life in a faraway place
Seven trends to watch in 2024
1. Great deeds require great effort: Commanding Noble v. Tai Yang
Strongly influencing 2024 is the Commanding Noble star and Tai Yang a/k/a the Sun. These two represent powerful benefactors as well as the men in your life; if you are a man, then the Sun addresses you personally along with your father, sons, and other important males in your life. For women, the Sun shows the roles and level of influence men are playing and exerting in your life. Think of Commanding Noble as being about the great things that result when you have a strong and powerful VIP as your ally; traditionally Commanding Nobles were always male but today they can be male or female in my experience.
Together these two are creating a conflict between old and new. Clashes can sometimes bring out the negative side of Commanding Noble, which includes people with power over you who have quick tempers, abuse their strength, power, and authority, and who lack emotion, empathy and diplomacy. The Sun star, usually characterized by warm, generous, kind, and benevolent people and social interactions, can bring interpersonal challenges, fears, and worries when conflicted. This combination can push you to have to try new, unusual, and creative ways of getting things done and getting along with others. Success may depend on how you handle volatile VIPs to get what you want. You'll have to take some risks to reach certain goals, so be strategic and calculate the risk-to-reward ratio very carefully when making your plans. It's crucial that the palaces and sectors of your home and business properties are properly configured with classical Feng Shui countermeasures and enhancements so you can attract and profit from powerful benefactors and mentors this year.
Still, 2024 is a good year overall for transitioning your life regardless of your current stage in that process; obstacles will pop-up periodically - that happens every year - but don't let them throw you off course and definitely don't misinterpret them as signs that you are headed in the wrong direction. As long as you have a solid, adaptable plan with practical steps for execution, stay the course; deal with things as they come up and make the most of new and innovative solutions. Going all-in with the new and different, even if it sits outside of your comfort zone, may be the only way to get what you want.
Power and authority at all levels will be challenged this year as it has not been for a very long time and that trend will amplify beyond 2024. As old structures crumble and Old Power recedes, New Power rises in proportion to replace it. The resulting stress will be worth it because what results is what you and the world, need now and because the time is right. The push-pull between Sun and Commanding Noble will run like an undercurrent of tension beneath the surface of 2024.
2. Relationships: Earthquake alert + beware of the Peach Blossom
This year the Tai Yang, or Great Star is conflicted, making all relationships (not just romantic ones) tricky from 2023 – 2025. This star is about problem solving and supports the Fire element. It helps women in particular in their relationships and has the power to make helpful stars even better and destructive ones less harmful. Tai Yang is a power broker when you are networking, building new relationships and people-connections, and to those working in sales. Businesses large and small need a benevolent, active and strong Tai Yang to grow and thrive.
This doesn't meant that all relationships will fail or that you cannot start a healthy, new one; however, a destabilized Tai Yang means long-established couples can shock everyone and break up, especially those that have been staying together for the wrong reasons. Some will survive, whether they should or not, but you may be surprised at hearing of a couple that you knew that you thought would last forever going their separate ways in 2024 - 2025.
The same holds true at work, in your friendships, with bosses and employees, and within groups and organizations to which you belong. You may suddenly feel that it's time to separate and go your own way, they might separate from you. In the latter case, let them go; accept this as a sign pointing you toward a new and better life, although you might not be able to see this at first.
If you are single and looking or in a new relationship, be aware that 2024 is a Red Peach Blossom year. Sounds nice, right? Not so fast. Peach Blossom configurations do increase your chances to meet potential partners and fall in love. They cause certain people to seem wildly attractive and even seductive and they will present themselves as being ready to become involved with you and move quickly to advance the relationship. The problem is that they will present this way whether or not they are already in another relationship. Red Peach Blossom makes some people restless and in "always looking" mode – again, even if they're already committed to someone else.
Red Peach Blossom can be a lot of fun if all you want is flirting, romance, seduction, hook-ups, lots of partners, and you're amused by falling in and out of love quickly. Typical Peach Blossom relationship problems arise because one partner is sincere and hoping for steady, monogamous commitment, while the other one secretly wants only temporary involvement. They don't want to settle down and you won't change them, no matter what they tell you. This can also manifest within an existing relationship if one or both partners have this Peach Blossom at a sensitive point in their Bazi chart, contributing to the relationship break-ups I described previously.
If you want a true-blue, steady and reliable partner, future commitment, and a relationship you can trust, you must take great care this year. All may not be as it seems with your partner or love interest. Pace yourself. Make sure their actions and words are in alignment. Certain placements of a Peach Blossom in your home, especially the bedroom, can bring out the worst in it and attract relationship disaster; I use classical Feng Shui countermeasures and enhancements to create relationship stability and safety.
One last manifestation of Peach Blossom that can occur if you have certain Flying Star combinations active in your home's geomantic chart, is truly dangerous. Sometimes Peach Blossoms attract sexual predators and deviants who are dangerous because they seem so harmless or trustworthy initially. I've been contacted by clients who've experienced this and we were able to make changes in a couple of areas within their homes to stop them attracting these types of partners. Children living in your home are potentially at risk as well. Get the Feng Shui fixed asap and in the meantime, tread slowly and carefully in relationships and take nothing at face value.
3. 2024, year of the Vision Quest: empowered autonomy or lonely isolation
2024 will see an increase in isolation for many of us. Some of us will enthusiastically choose to spend more time alone, especially those leaving outdated relationships and work situations to forge a new and autonomous life. Others will adopt isolation as a temporary or permanent lifestyle, to pursue spirituality or religion, to go on a vision quest, or to study a deep and esoteric subject. Sometimes, taking a break from the world is exactly what we need. You have strong backing from this year's chart to do just that.
Others, though, won't choose it and won't know how to handle the increased sense of isolation they feel. Involuntary isolation is tough for many people and their challenge will be how to forge new connections and weave those into the fabric of the new life that Period 9 is presenting to them. Still folks need to learn to have some quality alone time for introspection and thought. Having the courage to grow, change, and expand one's circle (and for some, to seek the counseling that'll help with the transition) will be the antidote to loneliness. Be alert for those who are isolated for the wrong reasons, like elderly or disabled people. Reach out and bring them into your life.
Caveat: if you're too cut off from business and personal contacts and the isolation is crushing your prosperity and happiness, it's probably time to look at certain Feng Shui structures and palaces outside your property as well as inside. I frequently address such imbalances to restore flow with money, health and relationships.
4. Learning something big, new, ambitious, and deep
This should be a standout year for anyone working with the super-strong Hua Gai star, which is about spirituality, wisdom schools, philosophy, literature, history, religion, writing, the arts, and literature. Many advanced professional skills are also included under the Hua Gai umbrella, so if you are pursuing higher learning within your extant career – for instance a lawyer doing continuing legal education to specialize in a niche field—that's greatly favored in 2024 as well.
2024 is perfect for pursuing all Hua Gai-related matters, and you can do it formally at a university, on your own, or however you like. Combine this with 2024's penchant for big change and lots of travel and who knows where Hua Gai's unlimited horizons will let you go. The sky's the limit!
Designers, fine artists and architects, Hua Gai makes 2024 this is a go year for you, too; it could be the pivotal point as you shift your spiritual and/or creative lives into a higher gear that leads to recognition, career advancement, personal fulfillment, and financial windfalls. It can be great, but it won't be easy; you'll have to 1) be super-productive; 2) embrace new ways of presenting your work and making it accessible; 3) be open to going places you have not been before, literally and figuratively; and 4) ready to seize opportunities that may materialize out of nowhere and disappear just as suddenly. If you hesitate, you can lose out so have those antennae up and don't dither when opportunity knocks or materializes.
To unlock the many gifts Hua Gai has to offer, key parts of your home or office/business space will need to be configured to suppress destructive forces and enhance supportive ones using classical Feng Shui.
5. Chaos reigns as climate and weather affect the supply chain, food supply, and more
We're in a Fire Period and a Wood year. Combine Fire + Wood and you get more Fire. That means increased heat and in some cases, resources being burned up (literally, unfortunately, at times). There is also a strong Water element at work in 2024. Fire + Water = major conflict and sometimes disaster. On the one hand, Water extinguishes excess Fire; but big Fire also dries-up Water. This means extreme weather conditions worldwide, in a mixture of drought and flood, excessive Fire and excessive Water. There is some possibility of a productive collaboration between Fire and Water, as seen when they combine to create steam heat or a cooling mist. As I write this, an atmospheric river is wreaking havoc throughout California with flooding and high winds. These three elements must be kept in careful, delicate balance to protect you from harm and to bring out the best in them, this can be done with classical Feng Shui; it won't change the climate or the weather, but it can create the conditions that allow you to survive and thrive even in the face of threatening influences. In this year of change, consider carefully where you want to live long term; no place is immune to climate challenges but some are more imperiled than others. Plan ahead and choose or design your new home using the principles of classical Feng Shui for enhanced security and stability.
What'll be more prominent in 2024 is the way the food supply and the transport systems – especially shipping via waterways – will be disrupted. Some crops will fail and others are going to become scarce in ways we've not seen in our lifetimes. Supply and distribution chains will be disrupted because large shipping vessels can't get through canals since water levels are too low to allow them entry. This will create back-ups at crucial points in the supply chain, like at the Suez Canal where it's already happening. Additionally, there will be a shortage of workers to plant, maintain, harvest and process crops, causing prices to rise.
This trend will become more apparent in your daily life than ever before as 2024 and Period 9 progress. Certain foodstuffs and other items we take for granted will be hard to find at any price. Investors, take note: these disruptions will bring volatility to some markets which creates the potential for very big losses but even bigger gains if your time is good and you make wise choices. For those in affected businesses, make sure the Feng Shui of your office or property is configured to prevent losses and attract new income streams to replace old ones.
6. Travel, movement, expansion on a large scale
There are two Sky Horse signatures in 2024's chart. Sky Horse brings lots of movement and travel. Many of us will be at some stage in the process of relocating their home or business – and not just within the same city. Sky Horse x 2 means travel writ large in this year's chart. This includes travel for any reason, vacations or business or house-hunting or relocating to another part of the world to live.
Even if you are not contemplating a big physical move, it may be time to consider how far-flung locales will affect you in other ways going forward. Your business might need to expand to new places or eliminate some that exist now. You may be called to spend time, or send money or devote other resources like your expertise, to some cause or place on the other side of the world. Sky Horse often brings new international connections that we did not foresee.
Period 9 and Green Wood Dragon year urge us to Think Big and open the doors to all t that's new, different and expansive. This applies to your mind and worldview as well as to your physical life. Also up for re-evaluation is how you travel. It might be time to change from one mode of transportation to another, for example cutting back on airline flights to do more virtual work or getting there by train or car, or maybe it's time to shift from a combustion engine car to EV. Everything is on the table now.
7. Animals + factory farming = new diseases
The odds are good in 2024 that some kind of important news will come from the farming-industrial complex, a system which is already morbidly-toxic for animals within it but increasingly so for the human workers. Out of these huge industrial factory farms and processing (killing) plants we may see at least one important new disease emerge that will threaten both humans and non-human animals. If this happens, it will most likely have originated within the farming-industrial complex which includes meat packing and processing plants.
In 2024's chart, there is potential for mass deaths amongst the animals imprisoned and unable to escape these places of death and suffering, perhaps in an attempt to arrest the pathogen and keep it from reaching larger human populations. If such a thing does develop, workers at the "farms" and plants would be the first to be afflicted and it would spread from there. Diseases aside, these places will become even more dangerous for workers in other ways with many more accidents and even deaths of works occurring.
All domesticated animals are at some level of risk this year from new or mutated disease or epidemics, including companion animals living in our homes, backyard chickens, even birds visiting our yard feeders. It's impossible to say what these new health threats might be as they could manifest in so many ways. It's my fervent hope that none of this happens, but I must mention the possibility since it's there in the year's Bazi. I audit your home to make sure the Feng Shui supports not just humans living there, but animal friends and family as well. Their health suffers from the same bad Feng Shui conditions as we do; therefore, Feng Shui countermeasures and enhancements that work for your well-being also benefit them.
Katarina Lang, MArch, MA, advises clients on classical Feng Shui projects for residential, investment, commercial, and corporate properties. She works with individuals, businesses, and corporations from all over the world to improve their well-being, encompassing career, relationships, health, creativity, and wealth. In addition to holding master’s degrees in both Architecture and Anthropology and being a master of classical Feng Shui, Katarina graduated from culinary school and is a professional Dowser.