It is quite fascinating that all what is taking place is happening in the year of wooden horse. What is interesting about it is that element wood which represents tree with all the different characteristics and phases of the growth and life of the tree. It represents beginning, maturation and action. It represents the whole interdependence of the trunk, branches, leaves, seeds and roots. The life of tree is in the unseen roots. The leaves never dies. It is only the shallow shell that falls when the essence of the leaf returns to the roots so that it can emerge once again after the winter.

Growth is action but when understood negatively it represents anger and force. But as Taoists explained us, the growth of the tree is Wu-Wei, effortless/non-force such like every action that is in harmony with nature.

What is even more interesting is that it is said that Shakyamuni Buddha was born in the year of horse. Horse is very important in Tibetan and in fact in all mythology. The Tibetan player flags are called as lungta, windhorse. It is said that windhorse is the messenger that takes the prayers throughout the whole creation to benefit all beings.

2014 is a year of great potential and new beginnings. But growth is know of its pains. Perhaps it is the year 2014 when the birth pains begins. Just like a chick has to break through the Eastern egg, we have to break through the bubbles we have created.