Chinese Almanac Astrology February 23 - 25, 2016

In honor of Liu Ming, my teacher

CHINESE ALMANAC ASTROLOGY

YEAR of the FIRE MONKEY 4714

(Native Yang Metal) Imaginative/Clever/Playful

"Charged: curious, capable, funny, adaptable, intelligent, resourceful, innovative, playful, imaginative, responsive and heals fast.

Deplete: manipulative, deceptive, unfocused, cunning, erratic, crafty, frantic, nervous, compulsive, anxious and possibly criminal.

Image: The Monkey talked about in Chinese Astrology is well known to the Chinese peasant as a god. The Tibetan and Zhou people both have fables of a Monkey ancestor. The most famous Monkey in China is the wily Monkey who aids a monk in bringing the Buddhist sutras from India. All the images portray the Monkey as godlike but with the weaknesses commonly associated with humans (desire). This is the perilous balancing act that gives us an understanding of the Monkey character. Poised between the profound and the mundane, Monkeys are capable of a broad awareness of their environment. Nothing is left to convention. For Monkeys the greatest danger is selfish fantasy, the evil sister of visionary wisdom. Monkeys fluctuate between materialism and austerity. Material possessions must not block a Monkey’s need for flexibility.

Fire Monkey (1836, 1896, 1956, 2016, 2076) ‘Mountain Monkey’

Fire Monkey’s are organized, industrious and frank characters. They have strong sexual energy and work on their appearance. They are late to settle down. Their fortunes are good (though their motivation may be inspired by escaping hardship) and they are successful in business. They are particularly capable of avoiding negativity, but they will unfortunately need this skill. Though vigorous they are susceptible to wind disorders and may have coronary problems."

LUNAR MONTH: YANG METAL TIGER

"Metal Tigers are demanding, candid and vigorous characters. They are contentious, aggressive, sensual and yet forgiving. They are generous to temples and to their friends. To avoid anxiety they do not hide their feelings or thoughts, but regret it later. When young they are wasteful and their fortune is limited and obstructed but as they age it consistently improves without reversal. They are physically strong and more likely to be injured than ill. They are susceptible to pernicious wind when depressed." LM Notes

QI NODE: 2 Rain Water

New Yang and Old Yin

"Rain Water is the gentle, first yin response to the new, emerging yang. Heaven and Earth renew their active relationship. The moisture of the first spring rains refreshes the Earth. This Yin rain gives the Yang trapped in Earth (seeds, grains) nourishment. If the response of the Yang of Earth is weak, or if rain does not come, decay, rot and mold may occur. If yang responds well seed break open under ground.

Yang is ‘jump started’ in this wi node, but there may still be very few signs. Yang has survived another winter. Though Spring Festival is over, fresh offerings are made at ancestor and Earth altars to support Yang. This is the gan ying principle. Yin is weak and yang is still unformed, effort or exertion must be avoided.

During this qi node qi is best at 4am. One should practice neigong just before dawn facing the sun as it rises in the northeast. Do not exert yourself, but let the yang and yin play - this renews us and gives us longevity. When the sun is up walk about the courtyard with arms akimbo. Loosen up. The environment is becoming very ‘friendly’ and ‘yangish’ - it is no longer pernicious, but it is our own impulsiveness (inner yang) that is dangerous. Impulse is the renewal but caution, rather than enthusiasm, makes it work.

Yang is also beginning to move on its own. Mild and inspired, new actions are auspicious and rewarding. Avoid being ‘very productive’. Cultivate the qi of spring by reading new fiction, watching the latest film, go for short walks outdoors and enjoying and/or playing music."

LM The Way of Three Treasures

LUNAR HEXAGRAM 53 Jian: Gliding

“Jian follows the flight pattern of migrating birds that glide and settle, and glide and settle on their long intuitive journey home. Jian has no shocking revelation, no catharsis and ends with no vainglorious hero’s parade. It is the routine, monotonous work of a migrating bird’s instinctive return to an alpine lake.”

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TUESDAY February 23, Yin Wood Pig 16
Hexagram 64 Weiji: Not yet across

Lunar Mansion: The Tail/Tiger

Solar Indicator: Harvest

Eat lightly and keep your ambitions modest. A great day for self-cultivation, starting a building, burying the dead and educating the young.

"Let new resources and assistance come forward by standing back."
LM Notes: Harvest

WEDNESDAY February 24, Yang Fire Rat 17

Hexagram 40 Jie: Release

Lunar Mansion: The Basket/Leopard

Solar Indicator: Open

"Conply with the divine omens (foxes, arrows and hawks), avoid presumption and freedom will come. The release is not due to your own skillfulness."
LM Zhouyi: The Heart of the Yijing

Take advantage of the momentum present in the day. Review and reinvest rather than laziness or gossip. 

THURSDAY February 25, Yin Fire Ox 18

Hexagram: Consult the Oracle

Lunar Mansion: The Ladle/Griffon

Solar Indicator: Shut

Today offers both an opportunity to learn from restrained situations and a window for transformation experience. Consult the Oracle for details and use consideration with your actions, words and motives - restraint or transformation is up to your own perception.

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With playful reciprocity and gratitude for our connection, please know that I offer the following:

• Polestar Astrology Readings
• Almanac Astrology Consultations
• Fengshui Consultations  

In resilient relations,

Jamie Shulander

jshulander@gmail.com

415-450-7884