My Year of the Tiger 2022 Forecast Nailed It: Wars, Lithium Boom, and That Massive Earthquake

In early 2022, as we entered the Year of the Tiger in the Chinese zodiac, I shared a prediction on the 22nd of January 2022 based (which can be found here) on feng shui intuition, zodiac symbolism, and my own insights. In 2026, we explore whether those 2022 aspects came into fruition of that year when looking back in retrospect. I also used Gabylon System - which is circular science system, guiding me also on these predictions.

I described a fast-paced year with an emphasis on travel and migration, international conflicts, aggressive male leadership standing out more than female leadership, worries about wars or battles, male athletes in the spotlight, and a big focus on lithium and electric cars. I also specifically mentioned concerns about "earthquakes in 2022 and tectonic plates shifting and having some negative impacts” and many other aspects.

Looking back now from 2026, many of these themes aligned surprisingly well with what actually happened in 2022. Here's a reflection on the key points I got right, with direct quotes from my original prediction and comparisons to real events, backed by reliable sources.

1. Aggression from Male Leaders, Conflicts, and Worry About WarsI wrote: "Men in power will be luckier... over powering and want to take more control... aggression with male leaders between each other, even fights... I worry about wars... male leaders at opposition to one another... older male leader in conflict with a younger male leader."

I also said “For this reason in the 2022 Year of the Tiger, I worry about wars”.

This captured the year's dominant energy. On February 24, 2022, Russia's Vladimir Putin launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine—the largest European conflict since World War II—clashing intensely with Ukraine's Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Headlines worldwide focused on these male-driven oppositions, alliances (like NATO support), and battles.

2. Challenges for Female Leaders, Especially Jacinda Ardern, where I predicted: "Women in power may not be as popular... could become overwhelmed by a powerful man... I wonder about Jacinda Ardern’s leadership, maybe fade and weaken in 2022?... she will find it difficult more difficult to keep closed [borders]... could even lose her power or be close to it”.

I also said about her “She could even lose her power or be close to it, from a man whom might take it from her?”.

Ardern's popularity declined sharply in 2022 due to pandemic fatigue, economic pressures, and protests. New Zealand shifted away from strict COVID policies amid backlash, and her leadership weakened noticeably—leading to her resignation announcement in January 2023 (citing burnout), though the fade was evident throughout 2022. She was replaced in January 2023 with male leader, Chris Hipkins.

3. Specific Worry About TaiwanI noted: "I worry also about Taiwan in 2022 Year of the Tiger also, because it is ruled by a women... Women in power... overwhelmed by a powerful man."

Tensions escalated in August 2022 with U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's visit to Taiwan, prompting China (under Xi Jinping) to launch massive military exercises encircling the island—missiles overflying it, ships and aircraft simulating blockades—one of the most serious escalations in decades, pressuring Taiwan's female leader Tsai Ing-wen.

4. Travel, Migration, and Border Conflicts (Including New Zealand)I said: "Emphasis to travel, more migration... disagreements and conflict with international travel, immigration... New Zealand... so focused on keeping everyone out. They will have to let go, yet they will have trouble and conflict doing this."

Global travel rebounded massively post-COVID, with huge migration surges from the Ukraine war (millions of refugees). New Zealand reopened borders in stages through 2022 (fully by July), facing protests, backlash, and internal conflict over the shift from isolation.

5. Male Athletes and Sports Spotlight, Starting with Djokovic where I highlighted: "Male athletes make the rounds... emphasis to male sport players... Djokovic... is on the news and being refused... soccer stars... speed are on the map."

The year began with Novak Djokovic's deportation from Australia in January 2022 over vaccine rules, sparking massive controversy. Men's sports dominated headlines, including the FIFA World Cup (Messi's win), track records, and F1 racing.

6. Lithium and Electric Cars Taking Center StageI predicted: "Lithium standing out... prosperity element... up and down... electric cars... take potentially center stage... much more input... to do with electric cars and progress."

While I mentioned other elements I specifically stated “Lithium may take the limelight in the Year of the Tiger 2022”.

Lithium prices surged dramatically in 2022 (peaking at record highs), driven by booming electric vehicle demand and supply constraints—making it a volatile "prosperity" element in headlines. EV sales and industry focus exploded globally.

7. Emphasis on Earthquakes and Tectonic Shifts – Including the Cusp Event into 2023

I wrote: "I also see... earthquakes in 2022 and tectonic plates shifting and having some negative impacts... more extreme weather this year than last year... maybe an emphasis to earthquakes and tectonic shifts?"

While 2022 had several significant earthquakes (e.g., two magnitude 7.6 events in September—one in Mexico and one in Papua New Guinea—plus others like a 7.3 in Tonga in November), none reached catastrophic global scale in terms of death toll or widespread devastation during the calendar year.

However, the energy felt like it built up and spilled over dramatically right at the transition out of the Year of the Tiger. The Year of the Tiger ended on February 4, 2023 (Chinese New Year 2023 began February 5, shifting to the Year of the Rabbit). Just two days later, on February 6, 2023, a devastating magnitude 7.8 earthquake struck southern Turkey and northern Syria at 04:17 local time, followed by a 7.5 aftershock. This was one of the deadliest natural disasters in modern history, with estimates of over 50,000–59,000 deaths (53,537 confirmed in Turkey alone), massive destruction across 11 provinces, and millions displaced or homeless. The event's timing so close to the zodiac cusp feels like a powerful "carryover" of the Tiger year's disruptive, shifting tectonic emphasis—almost as if the intense energy released right as the cycle turned.

Interesting enough I also said “young men with authority, like young big name movie stars, do something outstanding more or male leaders whom are quite young, like Justin Trudeau, could make the headlines more than usual, as well as Emmanuel Macron and Boris Johnson. They could be a sign of prosperity as well and better changes to come. Perhaps there is another replacement of one of them?”

This actually happened and one of them was replaced, this was Boris Johnson who was replaced by Liz Truss in September 2022. What happened in that prediction is, I kept on getting Justin Trudeau, Emmanuel Macron and Boris Johnson (all three) - somehow how one of the three would be replaced, but I didn’t know who at the time. It turned out to be Boris Johnson in 2022. Emmanuel Macron stayed in power and Justin Trudeau stayed in power for a more more years yet resigned in 2025. I thought it was a shame that Boris left as I thought he was good in the role (my own personal opinion).

I also said quite specifically about “Trump, jack in the box type, come back?” - it happened a few years later not in 2022. As I saw him having success with politics despite that he had gone. And it kept on coming up and recycling around in my mind.

Overall drawing on Chinese zodiac themes, it foresaw male leaders overpowering females, wars brewing, protests escalating, and industries like electric vehicles booming. With a special nod to male athletes breaking records and movie stars like Tom Cruise soaring. It was a mix of uncanny hits, partial matches, and a few misses—but the emphasis on masculine breakthroughs, especially in sports and Hollywood, proved remarkably prescient.

Male Dominance in Leadership: Hits and Shifts. The prediction emphasized "male leadership becoming stronger" while female counterparts weakened, with conflicts between leaders—particularly older versus younger males—and potential alliances or battles.

This nailed the geopolitical turbulence of 2022. Russia's invasion of Ukraine in February pitted older Vladimir Putin (then 69) against younger Volodymyr Zelenskyy (44), sparking a war that dominated headlines and drew in global alliances like NATO. Male leaders like Boris Johnson (UK) resigned amid scandals, replaced by short-lived female PM Liz Truss, who lasted just 49 days before male Rishi Sunak took over. In New Zealand, Jacinda Ardern faced mounting protests over COVID policies and border reopenings but held power until her 2023 resignation—close to the predicted fade. Women in power did compromise or step back: Taiwan's female President Tsai Ing-wen navigated heightened tensions with China without escalation, but the year highlighted male-driven aggressions globally. Not all was doom; some male turnovers, like Australia's Scott Morrison losing to Anthony Albanese amid international criticism (e.g., the Novak Djokovic visa fiasco), echoed the forecast of "risky decisions" backfiring. Overall, a strong hit on male-centric power struggles.

I also mentioned emphasis to space and UFOs: NASA's Artemis I moon mission launched, and the U.S. held its first UFO hearings during May 2022 in decades, with the Pentagon reporting 366 new sightings.

Sports in the Spotlight: Male Athletes Roar Ahead. A core prediction was "male athletes make the rounds," with breakthroughs in speed-based sports like soccer, football, golf, and racing. Potential record-breaks and challenges around stars? 2022 was a banner year for male dominance here, aligning closely with the Tiger's aggressive energy. Lionel Messi led Argentina to FIFA World Cup glory in Qatar, a "magical" triumph watched by billions, cementing his legacy.

Formula 1's Max Verstappen shattered records in a dominant season, embodying the "lightning bolts" forecast for speed sports. In athletics, Armand Duplantis set a pole vault world record at 6.21 meters, while golfer Cam Smith won The Open. The ESPYs highlighted breakthroughs: Eileen Gu won Best Breakthrough Athlete, but males like Shohei Ohtani (Best MLB Player) and Stephen Curry (Best NBA Player) stole the show.

Challenges abounded: Djokovic's Australian Open deportation sparked global debates on discrimination, just as predicted. The LIV Golf controversy divided the sport, and the Ukraine war led to bans on Russian athletes.

While females shone (e.g., England's women's Euro win), the year tilted male, as foretold.

Even elements like lithium prospered amid volatility, fueling an EV sales explosion to over 10 million globally.

Male Movie Stars Take Flight: Young male movie stars achieving "unexpected fame" or facing risks? The prediction where I also singled out Tom Cruise for "emphasis to men... with speed or planes," predicting standout stunts amid challenges. I time prediction made, I had no idea Tom Cruise was working on a movie or that one would be released in 2022. This movie of his was facing release issues since 2019 and I was not aware of this at the time. Not until now in 2026. He just kept on flashing in my mind for 2022 but there was much risk with it and I didn’t want to make any promises. I said exactly “I wonder about Tom Cruise standing out a bit more with his stunts? Or it could be a jetfighter pilot? There is great challenge around people like him too and I can’t promise complete success, it is risky, very risky”.

This was a bullseye—Cruise's Top Gun: Maverick not only revived his career but redefined blockbusters. Released in May 2022, the sequel grossed over $1.5 billion worldwide, becoming Cruise's highest-earning film ever and surpassing Avengers: Infinity War domestically with $683.4 million. It earned Cruise $100 million+, topping highest-paid actors lists, and was hailed for exhilarating aerial scenes filmed practically—risky stunts that paid off.. The film revived theaters post-COVID, with global premieres featuring flyovers and red carpets on aircraft carriers. Social buzz exploded: Posts lauded emotional reunions with Val Kilmer, and Cruise's influence even boosted Ray-Ban Aviator sales by 150%.

Other males stood out: Brad Pitt in Bullet Train, Will Smith amid Oscar slap controversy, and rising stars like Timothée Chalamet. But Cruise embodied the "brilliant outstanding men" targeted for fame, facing production delays but achieving triumph.

Conclusion: A Tiger's Tale of Prescience. From 2026's vantage, my predictions captured 2022's essence: A year of male-driven drama, from battlefields to box offices. Hits on wars, weather, and breakthroughs outweighed misses like absent revolutions (yet a slow one is unfolding?) Sports electrified with male records, and Tom Cruise's Maverick flight proved the prediction's high-flying accuracy. Whether feng shui or intuition, it reminds us: In uncertain times, patterns emerge. What's next for the zodiac? Only time—and perhaps another prediction—will tell.

Not everything was a perfect hit—extreme weather and earthquakes were notable but not dramatically outlier during the core of 2022, and no full revolution wave emerged—but the overall "Tiger" energy of aggression, male dominance in crises, travel rebounds, lithium/EV focus, and even this seismic cusp event felt spot-on in retrospect. It's fascinating how the zodiac lens picked up these patterns, sometimes extending just a little beyond strict calendar boundaries. Thanks for reading my reflections—happy to dive into predictions for other years maybe later on!


Gabriella

If we sit still long enough and focus we can find the truth, however first we must be severely patient - this skill must come to you naturally, otherwise if not you are not destined to find the ultimate truth. Then after much suffering of another kind, only then can we learn to see without our eyes - Gabriella