Calibrating for summer

Today (Tuesday, June 16th, 2015) is the first day of the fifth moon (Water Horse Moon in 2015)

The 5th moon is when yang is “full-on”. Though it is the very nature of growth, yang has a dark side, related to aberration and calamity. It is almost as if Life and Death are at odds with each other right now. What does not grow to fullness will very quickly wither or rot. Fire is a wonder but it is also a danger. When fire touches Earth without the response of Heaven’s rain – calamity and famine may occur. Human beings must appropriately participate (gan ying) in Heaven and Earth’s affairs to bring about their natural abundance.
The educational process (precautions) of spring is now certainly tested. The sincerity and precision (musical tone) of ritual must be impeccable. The chain of command must be reliable and unquestioned (see Zhouyi hexagram #07).

Many of the images regarding the 5th moon relate to the exorcism of, or cure for, excessive yang. Red amulets against the damaging heat (represented by greedy, ruthless, blood-drinking demons) are offered at all temples to protect parishioners from the excesses of yang. Excesses controlled, the 5th moon is very rich. If good choices and sound management get us here, the rewards are extraordinary. Abundance is the response.

This is Daoist month (Tianshi and Zhuanzhen lineages). Because yang can get out of hand in this moon (especially 5::5) daoist amulets are made and distributed against infant mortality, fire, fever and drought. Daoists invoke their demon-quelling protectors and their lineages to quell yang and keep it in balance. Xuan Mu, the Dark Mother, patron of Astrologers is commemorated. On the full moon Zhang Daoling (founder of Orthodox Daoism) and his lineage is commemorated.

It is a good month to sit back and watch things grow of themselves and do only what is in concert with growth and community.

Da Yuan Circle