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...
(::: ::: ::: preceeds change)
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 WOOD OX (1865, 1925, 1985, 2045, 2105) ‘Ox at Sea’
Wood Ox are particularly humble and
naive characters. They do well in school and in any conventional activity
involving strength and commitment (romance, marriage and family). They often
imagine their own resources (material and emotional) to be more limited than
they are and this leads to miserliness and shyness. Their constitutions are
strong and they have few illnesses when young. Sleep is a remedy for most
ailments. In later life (after 48) they age quickly and may suffer from chronic
digestive disorders.
Qi Node: 24 Great Cold
Malignant Yin
"The Great Cold qi node is Big
Yin's last stand for the year - 'Cold rolls up into Heaven'. The fact is Yin
power is nearly exhausted. It is the systole of yin/yang transformation - a
pause and stillness before the stirring of spring and the return of Yang. It is
time to remain withdrawn and silent. Cold and Damp unite and ride the Wind. The
Cold is ghostly and hollow but still dangerous and penetrating.
"During this qi node Great Cold
qi is best at 2 am. One should practice neigong in the evening before bed and
just before dawn facing the northeast. Do not exert yourself, but let the yang
qi stir - feel warm. During the day eat two small meals. Is is still the dead
of winter so do not abandon the conservation of your yang qi. Rest often and
throughout the day and work indoors. Do not think too much.
"During this time the Great Yin
of winter is fallen - a cold Damp (pernicious qi) spreads, along the ground. Go
to bed early and avoid the cold night winds that harm the lungs. Your genetic
predisposition for illness and death (ghosts) are on the surface (abroad) and
can be adjusted, cleared or subdued. Heavy phlegm and cold diarrhea that do not
respond to treatment are dangerous signs of possession. Stay warm. Stimulating
massage is okay but should not stir up yang. Warm baths and brushing the skin
red are good.
"The groundless feeling of
depression, fear and 'just surviving' are common symptoms of malignant yin. The
unsettled dead cause outbursts of emotion (possession/fear) that hurt the Lungs
and Colon - try to stay calm, but not lethargic. Strange and/or profound dreams
are good signs of the transformation and resolution of ghosts."
LM The Way of Three Treasures
LUNAR HEXAGRAM: 15 Qian: Modesty
“With true modesty anything can be
accomplished. In modest steps a great journey can be accomplished. Even when
strong action needs to be taken, do not abandon modesty.”
LM Changing: Zhouyi
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WEDNESDAY January 30, Yin Fire Rabbit 25
Hexagram 42 Yi: Increase
Lunar Mansion: The Wall / Porcupine
Solar Indicator: Full
Today's character is unstable and
demanding though very domestic. Calm any idealism that bubbles up, eat
nourishing foods and slowly work on adjustments throughout the day.
“Yi is about the
natural progress of things when it is enhanced by the best of conditions. Sun
and water and good soil help the tree grow strong; yet a tree is also
subordinate to the warmth, the rain and the soil. The tree also naturally
"knows” what to take and leave. Yi is the “knowledge” of nature.”
LM Changing: Zhouyi 42 Yi
"It is auspicious
to build, remodel and make fengshui adjustments (increase
opportunities/wealth [public part of home]). It is auspicious to initiate
business, sign contracts and get married (strengthen family ties). It is
auspicious for investments, banking (gardening [increase fertility]) and study
(the classics). It is an especially good day to exercise (martial arts),
socialize (create parties, feasts and celebrations). It is also advantageous to
travel, start a journey or vacation. NOT complying with the auspice of this
indicator may lead to madness and suicide.
"Contraindicated
activity: It is inauspicious to withdraw, begin an austerity or retreat."
LM Notes: The Wall
“This is an optimum day
for education, preparation, polishing, gathering resources and firming up
plans. Confidence grows as the right time and necessary resources are now part
of the vision. The qi is forming patterns and remaining in the channels.
Practice and disciplined cultivation bring confidence. The prince (yang) is
gaining support. Discipline in small matters succeeds. True confidence requires
no aggression. Though nothing needs to be done, the natural maturation of
strength occurs.”
LM Notes: Full
THURSDAY January 31, Yang Earth Dragon 26
Hexagram Consult the Oracle
Lunar Mansion: The Stride / Wolf
Solar Indicator: Level
Today's character has a grand
capacity, a boundary breaker, leadership qualities to the extreme. Focus on
fortification and engaging others with generosity.
"It is auspicious
to build, remodel or repair property (line clothing for winter) - in the sense
to fortify or strengthen. It is auspicious to transact routine business,
banking (anything that parallels the storing for winter), to plan but not
speculate. It is beneficial to receive medical treatments (qi in channels) It
is favorable to make amulets.
"It is inauspicious
to travel, argue or press lawsuits. It is not advised to dig the ground or bury
the dead."
LM Notes: The Stride
“This is a day when
stable readiness and the qi of confidence blooms into activity. Youthful
anxiety and ambition are replaced by personal strength and confidence. From
this position all things look and are possible. Educated choices are easily
acted upon. Others join you to enlarge the success of activity. The prince
(yang) is mature, if inexperienced, but ready to act independently of his
mother (yin). Pleasure is the outcome of disciplined practice. Yang qi’s
previously renegade quality is matured, integrated and dominant.”
LM Notes: Level
FRIDAY February 1, Yin Earth Snake 27
Hexagram 51 Zhen: Thunder
Lunar Mansion: The Mound / Dog
Solar Indicator: Settle
Liu Ming described the quality of
the Earth Snake is determined, talented and successful and them having a
“Midas Touch.” See what is possible today snakelike; Use caution, appropriate
timing and graceful deportment.
"Zhen
indicates a time for a dramatic breakthrough from lethargy. Good fortune here
has everything to do with staying calm. Zhen denotes a situation where,
though things are in turmoil at first, they sort out and become beneficial in
the long run. Whether you are the rebel leader or the deposed ruler there is
good reason to proceed with standard protocol, good manners, and determination.”
LM Changing: Zhouyi 51 Zhen
"It is time to
build (thresholds, public buildings) and add on (growth of family: new baby,
new bride) to property. It is auspicious to initiate and continue routine
business. It is a day for feasting, gatherings and romance. Marriages
contracted/performed today produce resourceful and wealthy children. It is an
excellent day for assemblies, parties and celebrations.
“This day brings fresh
breezes in Spring, cooling mist in Summer, light rain in Fall and thin ice in
Winter. It is inauspicious to enter retreat, practice renunciation or travel
alone. Avoid confrontation."
LM Notes: The Mound
“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
SATURDAY February 2, Yang Metal Horse 28
Hexagram 21 Shihe: Biting
Lunar Mansion: The Stomach /
Pheasant
Solar Indicator: Maintain
Be active and mindful with your
speech.
"A Zhou leader was
both a warrior and a sage, not a brute. Good leaders know that it is their own
miscalculations and poor management that lead to the need for a strong use of
force (war). When we resort to harsh punishments we must do so cautiously -
even humbly."
LM Changing: Zhouyi 21 Shihe
"It is auspicious
to build, bury the dead (increase status/rank) and marry (your children will
hobnob with kings) on this day. It is a good day to make your case, to push
forward and to ask for what you are due (collecting receivables). It is a good
day for gift giving and charity (canceling debts owed you)."
“Contraindicated
activity: It is inauspicious to be confrontational, break the law or squander
resources (gamble); such activities will bring years of loss and regret.”
LM Notes: The Stomach
“Spontaneous action and
inspiration (yang) become the new tradition (yin). Qi assertion (yang) is
repeated again and again to hold and harden gains (yin). Establishing a new
state is the focus. The qi of practice and the drilling of troops is awesome.
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
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In resolution and adventure...
Warmly,
Jamie Shulander
Instagram @jamieshulander
jshulander@gmail.com
415-450-7884
