In honor of Liu Ming
my teacher
To support grace and ease / For the resolution of all beings
CHINESE ALMANAC ASTROLOGY
commentary and compilations
by Jamie Shulander
All notes from class notes/works by Liu Ming
Scroll down to find daily indicators...
INDICATORS
YEAR of the FIRE ROOSTER 4715
(Native Yin Metal) Analytical
"Charged: critical, intelligent, confident, alert, social, dignified, articulate, forthright, spontaneous, inspired, financially adept, challenging, meticulous and tidy.
Deplete: volatile, rude, proud, argumentative, blunt, vulgar, tactless, close-minded, hypochondriac, vain, snobby, aloof, harshly competitive and fanatical.
Image: The Rooster talked about in Chinese Astrology is well known to the Chinese as the ordinary version of the phoenix. This bird is an ancient amulet used to ward off the 5 poisonous creatures (snake, scorpion, spider, centipede and toad). The Rooster (not hen) is sacrificed only at rituals requiring oaths (trustworthy). The most familiar image is, of course, the Rooster lording over hens in the yard and dueling to the death in a cockfight - extrovert extraordinaire. There is the precision of its sharp beak (intellectual), the powerful wings (competitive) and the call to sun at dawn and dusk (eloquence). Basic materials become luxury items when chosen by the Rooster eye. Roosters collect books and documents.
Fire Rooster (1837, 1897, 1957, 2017, 2077) 'Solitary Rooster'
Fire Roosters are skillful, sensual and restless characters. They are excellent craftspeople and have a strong ambition to escape the limitations of poverty and class. They flip-flop from iron self-confidence to hopelessness and back. Though apparently strong willed they collapse in the face of difficulties. Their unapologetic, anti-social attitudes will complicate their relationships and dim their fortunes. Their sexuality is ferocious and embarrassment unknown to them. They often carry the burden of unresolved ancestral (congenital) illnesses and are haunted by the unsettled dead."
LUNAR MONTH: YIN WATER RABBIT ‘Forest Rabbit’
"Water Rabbits are skittish, intuitive and untrusting. They sleep very deeply (troubles appear and resolve in the night). They have a paranoid attitude toward others that is not the product of bad experience in this lifetime. They therefore cannot dedicate themselves to any particular relationship to society and drift through various career choices without success. Though they are good at business and frugal with their finances their fortunes wobble. They may have strong ideas regarding the maintenance of their health, but are uneven in applying them. A strong protector in the form of a partner of mentor, whom they trust, can reverse their wishy-washy fortunes. Most illness are caused by spirit possession."
"Water Rabbits are skittish, intuitive and untrusting. They sleep very deeply (troubles appear and resolve in the night). They have a paranoid attitude toward others that is not the product of bad experience in this lifetime. They therefore cannot dedicate themselves to any particular relationship to society and drift through various career choices without success. Though they are good at business and frugal with their finances their fortunes wobble. They may have strong ideas regarding the maintenance of their health, but are uneven in applying them. A strong protector in the form of a partner of mentor, whom they trust, can reverse their wishy-washy fortunes. Most illness are caused by spirit possession."
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