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...
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INDICATORS - The pattern components that continuously rotate per year, month, daily, lunar or solar phase. The indicators below articulate the current alignment.
LUNAR YEAR: YANG EARTH DOG 4716 - Faithful Vigilance
“Charged: loyal, caring, protective, direct, helpful, intuitive, insightful, private, calm under
fire, just, expansive, congenial and quiet.
Deplete: stubborn, argumentative, spiteful, vain, rigid, frozen with anxiety, stingy and
excessively critical.
Image: The Dog talked about in Chinese Astrology is the Chow. This dog has been domesticated for more than 5000 years, both as an aggressive house guard and a battlefield companion. The battlefield Chow was ferocious at crippling the horses of the enemy chariots while never losing sight of its trainer (whose corpse it would protect even with its own life). The Dog epitomizes loyalty."
YANG EARTH DOG (1898, 1958, 2018, 2078) ‘Mountain Dog’
EARTH is the native element of the Dog Earthly Branch. Earth Dogs are modest, funny
and independent characters. They are light-hearted and generous, often quitting difficult
situations and avoiding confrontations. A short temper is hidden behind their joking. Strong
idealistic aspirations fill their youth and soften as the hardships of life close in. They do not
express their feelings or thoughts easily. They are prone to qi stagnation and poor circulation."
LUNAR MONTH: YIN EARTH GOAT (1859, 1919, 1979, 2039) ‘Mountain Goat’
Earth is the native element of the Goat Earthly Branch. Earth Goats are proud, obstinate and aloof characters. Their friends are loyal but their fate is uneven. They often have conflicts of confusion with the opposite sex. A strong and powerful person protects them. Their doubting character creates a constant tension in their lives that undermines their kidneys and nervous system.
QI NODE: 12 Great Heat
Malignant Yang
"Great Heat refers to the extreme heat in the yang twilight of the year. Oppressive heat draws up the dampness of the Earth. At this time declining Yang partners with the inter-seasonal Earth and creates Damp Heat. Damp Heat has an oppressive quality (mold, rot) in this qi node and it fosters unprecedented growth and a legion of illnesses. Though much continues to grow and flourish we must avoid the pernicious quality of the season. The great mantle of Yang must be handed down to Yin. The wise prepare for transference not defeat.
During this qi node the environmental qi (Heaven/Earth) is best at 2pm. Practice neigong several times a day facing due south. Dress lightly, wash your hair often and stroll about to avoid the damp. Chew well. During the day eat two meals, rest (nap) after lunch, snacks of fruit (melon, grapes) are good on hot days. Drink green and flower tea (jasmine, honeysuckle, lily) and in the evening enjoy a light savory soup.
It is a good time for initiating new and practical disciplines of conservation (that anticipate autumn). Activity should slowly turn from forward to reverse - begin to edit what has been accomplished. Cut back on obligations. Pace yourself. It is not a time for laziness and indolence but it is auspicious to edit what is 'unrighteous' - do not store what will mold or close down too soon.
Upon waking and before bed bucket bathe (with a final cold salt rinse), watch the sunset and go to sleep not long after dark. Rest, relax, travel (vacation by the sea), exercise and do not be exposed to coastal winds.
Guard the heart (shen) by modestly expressing your feelings - it is natural to feel emotionally lethargic or distant. Expect less from those around you to avoid emotional congestion. Be real! Honestly clear away emotional heaviness - denial. Damp heat inspires denial. Neurosis can easily go psychotic."
LM The Way of the Three Treasures
Malignant Yang
"Great Heat refers to the extreme heat in the yang twilight of the year. Oppressive heat draws up the dampness of the Earth. At this time declining Yang partners with the inter-seasonal Earth and creates Damp Heat. Damp Heat has an oppressive quality (mold, rot) in this qi node and it fosters unprecedented growth and a legion of illnesses. Though much continues to grow and flourish we must avoid the pernicious quality of the season. The great mantle of Yang must be handed down to Yin. The wise prepare for transference not defeat.
During this qi node the environmental qi (Heaven/Earth) is best at 2pm. Practice neigong several times a day facing due south. Dress lightly, wash your hair often and stroll about to avoid the damp. Chew well. During the day eat two meals, rest (nap) after lunch, snacks of fruit (melon, grapes) are good on hot days. Drink green and flower tea (jasmine, honeysuckle, lily) and in the evening enjoy a light savory soup.
It is a good time for initiating new and practical disciplines of conservation (that anticipate autumn). Activity should slowly turn from forward to reverse - begin to edit what has been accomplished. Cut back on obligations. Pace yourself. It is not a time for laziness and indolence but it is auspicious to edit what is 'unrighteous' - do not store what will mold or close down too soon.
Upon waking and before bed bucket bathe (with a final cold salt rinse), watch the sunset and go to sleep not long after dark. Rest, relax, travel (vacation by the sea), exercise and do not be exposed to coastal winds.
Guard the heart (shen) by modestly expressing your feelings - it is natural to feel emotionally lethargic or distant. Expect less from those around you to avoid emotional congestion. Be real! Honestly clear away emotional heaviness - denial. Damp heat inspires denial. Neurosis can easily go psychotic."
LM The Way of the Three Treasures
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LUNAR HEXAGRAM: 10 Lu: Treading
"The process contains danger because you do not have the power to create success with certainty. Everything depends on exactly how you conduct yourself. Humility, caution, fear-management, and contemplation bring success.”
LM Changing: Zhouyi
LUNAR HEXAGRAM: 10 Lu: Treading
"The process contains danger because you do not have the power to create success with certainty. Everything depends on exactly how you conduct yourself. Humility, caution, fear-management, and contemplation bring success.”
LM Changing: Zhouyi
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MONDAY July 30, Yin Water Pig 18
Hexagram 2 Kun: Earth
Lunar Mansion: The Bow / Deer
Solar Indicator: Settle
The character of today is volatile, open-minded and gregarious. Alliance, cooperation and enjoyment are key. It’s not about forcing progress, but rather allowing for pause to invite others to join, support and bring fresh resources to the cause.
“Let things naturally fulfill themselves. Let go of planning and meddling. Wait. Restraint is rewarded. It is favorable for peace and inaction.”
LM Changing: Zhouyi 2 Kun
“Auspicious activity: It is auspicious to build and buy new property. It is an especially good day to get married. It is favorable for divination, signing contracts, romance/courtship and all forms of partnership. Good auspice is especially related to festive group events, banqueting, family gatherings and/or community celebrations. It is an excellent day to take office (begin a new job).
Contraindicated Activity: It is not auspicious for funerals/burials (become unsettled: ghosts). Seclusion or isolation is unfavorable (miss opportunity).”
LM Notes: The Bow
“Preparedness makes action timely and successful. Tradition, convention, training, education - all forms of readiness, inspire action. Forces join together and new alliances produce unexpected results. Action taken with such thorough preparation is bound to succeed. The qi of the day is stable, progressive and functional. Clarity and calm (yin) are not unseated by action (yang). Focus and repetition succeed. Procrastination and equivocation is contraindicated.”
LM Notes: Settle
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LUNAR HEXAGRAM 59 Huan: Overflowing
"Huan is generally favorable and associated with getting rid of the old and bringing in the new. It is the refreshment that comes from deep and honest spiritual revelation."
LM Changing: Zhouyi
TUESDAY July 31, Yang Wood Rat 19
Hexagram 2 Kun: Earth
Lunar Mansion: The Wings / Serpent
Solar Indicator: Maintain
Today has a precarious nature: be studious, follow convention and be generous. Alliance and celebration enhance brewing potential.
“Let things naturally fulfill themselves. Let go of planning and meddling. Wait. Restraint is rewarded. It is favorable for peace and inaction.”
LM Changing: Zhouyi 2 Kun
“It is auspicious to continue routine work and to uphold and support your superiors. It is auspicious for religious rituals (not ancestral), divination (and compliance), family gatherings and celebrations. It is favorable for sponsoring and/or attending public and cultural events.
“It is very unfavorable for marriage (cause chronic illness and premature death for both partners), funerals and burials. It is inauspicious for traveling far from home. Buildings begun today become money pits (need constant repair) and the construction will cause injuries and/or accidental deaths.”
LM Notes: The Wings
“Allies appear from all quarters. True majesty succeeds without pressing forward. Today success breeds more success and everyone may be included in the new victories. Generosity is a prophylactic to decline - giving is a sign of strength and cements alliances. It is the sun at noon.”
LM Notes: Maintain
WEDNESDAY August 1, Yin Wood Ox 20
Hexagram 23 Bo: Erosion
Lunar Mansion: The Chariot / Earthworm
Solar Indicator: Destroy
The conventional path will be supportive for today’s indicators. It’s auspicious for continuity, and highlighted with wisdom. When the timing doesn’t feel right, it may be opportunity for release.
“History has recorded many failed revolutions. Bad timing or inappropriate (selfish) motive has undermined many attempts to restructure the powers that be. If you wish to revolt, do not be blinded by idealism, choose the time wisely, be just, and of impeccable virtue. Remember that leadership and eminence are matters of fate."
LM Changing: Zhouyi 23 Bo
“Auspicious Activity: Great success comes to anyone who initiates and continues industry. Business booms, all prosper. Building and remodeling go well (bring prestige). Marriages will inspire both partners to be their best and they will produce brilliant offspring. Funerals, memorials and burials will allow the dead true peace (and produce scholar offspring). Contraindicated activity: It is very unfavorable to procrastinate and/or postpone.”
LM Notes: The Chariot
“The successful prince as warrior must now lose his youthful ambitions and develop into a proper king….Today calculated loss (cancellation) succeeds”
LM Notes: Destroy
THURSDAY August 2, Yang Fire Tiger 21
Hexagram 8 Bi: Alliance
Lunar Mansion: The Horn / Crocodile
Solar Indicator: Danger
Land minds of emotion are possible today. Keep actions focused and moving with alliance, forward momentum and elegance. Be respectful, open-minded and disciplined wherever possible.
"Bi is about those who strengthen their power through new and renewed alliances with capable people. It is about the confidence to go forward when trustworthy allies and coherent plans unite. Those who do not use this wisdom (join late) do not succeed.”
LM Changing: Zhouyi 8 Bi
“It is auspicious to begin or initiate any activity (marriage) or series of activities. It is a good day to buy property, plant a garden, apply for and/or begin a new job. It is ideal to apply to or enter school, begin a construction or remodeling project. It is auspicious for marriage proposals and making your case as asking permission is favorably received. All activities related to children and/or young people are auspicious. Its first appearance each year (or any Spring season) is particularly auspicious. A child born on this day will be intelligent and fortunate.
“Contraindicated activity: Funerals, memorials, constructing tombs and burials will bring about disaster to a family. It is not time for exerted effort or overcoming obstacles. The qi is fresh and unformed and therefore should not be pressed into fixation (slavery).”
LM Notes: The Horn
“Elegance becomes the mask of cleverness and intrigue. Doing only what needs to be done is best. Old habits or patterns of pressing forward will invite catastrophe. Beware grudges.”
LM Notes: Danger
Play with resilience...
Polestar Astrology
