HAPPY CHINESE NEW YEAR OF THE DRAGON

It’s Chinese New Year today (January 23) and, of course, the True Believers (morons/idiots) who see 2012 as the End of Days, have a conspiracy theory concerning it.

On the plus side, the beginning of the Chinese New Year triggers a 15-day celebration as we enter the Year of the Dragon.

Within the framework of Chinese mythology, there are twelve specific animals that represent years. These include Dragon, Horse, Monkey, Rat, Boar, Rabbit, Dog, Rooster, Ox, Tiger, Snake, and Ram. Last year was the Year of the Rabbit. A Chinese New Year website explains:

“While the Year of the Rabbit was characterized by calm and tranquility, the Year of the Dragon will be marked by excitement, unpredictability, exhilaration and intensity. The Rabbit imbues people with a sense of cautious optimism, but people respond to the spirit of the Dragon with energy, vitality and unbridled enthusiasm, often throwing all caution to the wind – which can be an unwise move: The Dragon is all about drama but if you take unnecessary risks, you may find yourself starring in your own personal tragedy.”

Note that among the 12 creatures representing Chinese years, all are real animals save for the dragon. Of course that adds some mystery and drama and tension to the whole end of the world thing. I mean, is the rabbit, the rooster or the monkey a worthy End of Days critter? Certainly not. But the Dragon! Heaven help us!

Another website proclaimed that 2012 is not just the Year of the Dragon, but the year of the Black Water Dragon, a time of “uncertainty and unexpected developments.”

Or so say the fortune cookies.

Thus if you mix the pending appearance of the Black Water Dragon with the Maya calendar countdown and the general hysteria about solar flares, rogue planets, polar shifts…holy crap! We’re all in for a hell of a time.

Or not.

As one Chinese astrology site explained: "You can have either bad luck or good luck in 2012, and will have a chance to turn it into better or worse luck."

That’s what I call covering the spread.

HAPPY CHINESE NEW YEAR!