Chinese Almanac Astrology March 14 - 15, 2016

In honor of Liu Ming 

my teacher

CHINESE ALMANAC ASTROLOGY

commentary and compilations 

by Jamie Shulander

May this offer

Playful engagement

Spring rains

All notes from class notes/works by Liu Ming

Scroll down to find the days of the week...

INDICATORS:
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: YIN METAL RABBIT

"Metal Rabbits are intelligent, quiet and humble characters. They are social, quick-witted and generous to those in need. They thrive in intimacy with a select inner-circle, but are otherwise aloof. Though their own fortune is modest, they enjoy the company of social and religious leaders. They enjoy spiritual practices and study, but struggle with their application. They do not have strong constitutions and are susceptible to cold illness with pain symptoms. They die from accidental injuries." LM Notes

QI NODE: 3 Insect Stirs
Yang Rises
"Insect Stirs is a time of 'awakened movement'. The cold ground softens. Insects awaken from their hibernation. The heat rises up from below and cool wind descends from Heaven. Wind has the subtle freshness of spring but no great or abiding force. The hibernation of dragons ends. In winter dragons (the symbol of spring) are locked in frozen alpine lakes. Their stirring cracks the ice and causes thunder and lightning. The world is startled. Rivers and creeks swell.

Below the surface of Earth the insects stir - wake from their hibernation. In this qi node the insects do not reproduce, develop or burst out of the ground - they only stir. The union of Heaven and Earth is an occasional temperate wind - invisible and inconsistent.

During this qi node qi is best in the hours around dawn. One should practice neigong facing the rising sun. Do not exert yourself, but let the neiqi wiggle and play - this renews us and gives us longevity. Be creative, follow your instincts in neigong.

There is a slightly mischievous quality to the qi of insect stirs. When the baby reaches for the stove, one has to admire curiosity, but curtail enthusiasm."
LM The Way of Three Treasures

LUNAR HEXAGRAM 34 Da Zhuang: Great Strength

“The wise use great strength with great caution, because they know it is costly (great injury). In general, the authors of the Zhouyi give great strength no value, unless it is paired with wisdom.

"However, it is also observed that even the weak, when in a desperate situation, naturally possess great strength - the will to survive. The force or instinct to survive has great strength and can have a successful result. This kind of great strength should not be confused with belligerence or mere violence.” LM Changing: Zhouyi

MONDAY March 14, Yin Wood Goat 6
Hexagram Consult the Oracle
Lunar Mansion: The Bow/Deer
Solar Indicator: Settle

"Unity with others is a wonderful feeling. Cui describes a ritual that bares our collective spirit to its Source (ancestors) in a festive ritual that is devoid of hypocrisy and artifice. The gathering identifies our spiritual roots - our commonality. This feeling of unity is the source of all true human emotions."
LM Changing: Zhouyi

"Holding back on this day is related to deeper self-reflection, education of all sorts and consulting with experts and elders - rather than forward action. It is not about mature reluctance or cowardice but about shedding inessentials."
LM Notes: Divide

And so that I can catch up with this Fire Monkey, I lean to my friend Scott Zook, 
fellow Almanac Astrology Student:

"Tuesday, the 15th of March, 2016
Fire Monkey day in a Metal Rabbit moon in a Fire Monkey year (2/7)
Lunar Lodge: The Wings/Serpent
Solar Index: Maintain

Without some measure of stillness, self-reflection or humility from yesterday, the vigorously outward directed Qi of today could bring a cascading series of troubles. While it's true we might well wake up to find all the deck chairs aren't exactly where we left them, we may also be gripped by a compulsive suspicion that an iceberg will be hammering us at any moment, even in the middle of the Pacific. Hyperactive minds and passionate visions take the floor but obsessive imaginations could leave us feeling exposed, anxious and wanting to dO something about it. Bravery is one thing but the need for preemptive strikes is another. Without checking in and getting some guidance with natural customs, loyalty or even conventions being proactive could stir up a nest of vipers. Overt rebellion or escape brings retribution.

However, today is quite excellent for brilliantly creative improvisational solutions to seemingly insurmountable situations but our courage in this is only capable of leadership if we're not trying to create the conditions we're looking to remedy. The inspiration for the spontaneity we use becomes a new tradition only through discipline and generosity. Collaborate. Let go of selfish myopia, dynamically turn toward the policies and practices of inclusion and custom, and feel the honor of tribal federation. That said, be methodical, vigilant and watchful of the protocols and alchemical power dynamics of our environment. If we can stay still enough we will observe more than we can imagine and be given the delightful window to narrowly escape calamity by noT acting. Stalk ourselves through our risky stimulations. Track all the relative movements of our concern but refrain from shaking the tree just yet. Having a watchful eye to the subtle adjustments of a constantly shifting environmental protocol is a kind of dynamic divination. Collect intelligence for the rebellion without defaulting on commitments. Today would be a great day to go dancing or play music with your tribe..."

Scott Zook: FB
::: ::: :::

Playful reciprocity and gratitude, please know that I offer the following:

• Polestar Astrology Readings 
• Almanac Astrology Consultations 
• Fengshui Consultations 
• Qigong Instruction 

In resilient relations,

Jamie Shulander
jshulander@gmail.com
415-450-7884