Chinese Almanac Astrology February 3 - 6, 2019 NEW YEAR!

 

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 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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SUNDAY February 3, Yin Metal Goat 29

Hexagram 17 Sui: Pursuit

Lunar Mansion: The Watchers / Cock

Solar Indicator: Destroy

There is benefit today in holding back. Today's character offers a gentle, forgiving and aesthetic nature, so going with the flow and relaxing may work out with ease...

“In this hexagram, the source of clarity and the strength that bring true success is subordination to fate - the act of following. When your efforts are rewarded it is stopping that brings success. Getting caught up in pursuit for its own sake will make you mad and diminish your resources."

LM Changing: Zhouyi: 17 Sui

“It is auspicious to stay home (familiar places / people), study, enter retreat, initiate austerities and make offerings to the dead. It is wise to postpone everything proactive (marriage, building, funeral, burials).

“It is not auspicious to be industrious in any way (building will bring loss). All positive events that occur today will ultimately have negative results (marriage will end in disloyalty and divorce). Medical treatments on this day will complicate existing illness - turn acute into chronic (possibly bring on premature death). Confrontation or battle on this day will lead to injury or death.”

LM Notes: The Watchers

“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

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QI NODE: 1 Spring Begins

Yang Reverses Yin

"Though Spring Begins means the return of yang qi it is really mostly theoretical. We feel that Yin is done, but Yang is still only active 'under the surface'. The overall trend has shifted towards Yang but it may not be accompanied by much apparent change, like warm weather or increased stamina. The first new moon begins the Spring Festival (Chinese New Year). Spring Festival, celebrated for the 2 weeks of this qi node, in China is like Christmas, New Year, Fourth of July and everyone's birthday all rolled into one. Everyone celebrates and is very generous and sociable to encourage spring to grow. This is the gan ying principle. It is a celebration of yang renewal.

"During this qi node qi is best at 3am. One should practice neigong just before dawn facing - northeast. Do not exert yourself, but let the yang qi play - this renews us and gives us longevity. During the day eat several small meals with family and friends. Renew relationships.

"Acts of renewal and generosity are auspicious and rewarding. Avoid being very productive and do not sign agreements.

"With the beginning of spring the Liver/hun 'comes alive'. In the early nodes of spring dreams can be very revealing of our physical and spiritual condition and the state of our ancestors. As the ghosts (yin) of winter fade into the background the beneficent ancestors (yang) come forward. Spring qi has a kind of hope in it - we dream both day and night during this time. Though our qi resources are not yet solid, it is very auspicious to being cultivating new and renewable projects. The caution is important - if we move too fast the weak underpinnings of spring yang collapse. If impulse accepts education all goes well."

LM The Way of Three Treasures

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MONDAY February 4, Yang Water Monkey 30

Hexagram 25 Wu Wang: No Expectations

Lunar Mansion: The Net / Crow

Solar Indicator: Destroy

Keep it light another day, be ready to adjust, cancel or seek council. Nourishing foods are what my teacher, Liu Ming, would recommend to balance today's character: high-strung, sharp and observant.

“Relax plans, open up and let go of goals. When Wu Wang is divined, good fortune is based on being free of fear and expectation but ready to act if an easy opportunity arises. Do not over focus on goals and gains and you can avoid disaster. Just let things happen naturally."

LM Changing: Zhouyi 25 Wu Wang

"To consult a physician and consult oracles (divination of all kinds) will bring clarity. It is a good day for industry (labor/gardening = long term wealth), building (restores clarity) and burying the dead (enhance intuition). It is inauspicious to take anything for granted. It is inauspicious for revolution, confrontation, breaking taboos, neglecting responsibilities or travel (someone at home dies/gets sick)."

LM Notes: The Net

“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

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HAPPY CHINESE (LUNAR) NEW YEAR!!!

YEAR of the BOAR Honest

Charged: plain speaking, caring, sensuous, compromising, eloquent, tolerant, humanitarian, reliable, unselfish, funny, hard-working, lucky and gregarious.

Deplete: self-indulgent, indulgent, oversexed, luxury loving, flamboyant, secretive, long-suffering, gullible and self destructive.

Image: The Chinese character for home includes the character for this Pig. Needless to say in Chinese astrology, Pigs are the most domestic of signs. A modest sacrificial animal since ancient times, it has become a mainstay of the Chinese diet - considered a ‘great transformer,’ able to make garbage into sweet white meat. In parts of China a family’s wealth is measured in the number of Pigs one owns. The wild boar mother is considered one of the fiercest animals alive. The mother boar will attack a Tiger seeking its young without an interest in surviving - the ultimate expression of aggression. Pigs collect material objects and derive great sustenance from them. They see stuff as art/food.

YIN EARTH BOAR (1899, 1959, 2019, 2079) ‘Monastery Pig’

Earth Boars are sensual, lethargic and aimless characters. They are hard to teach and hold very strong opinions. Their previous causes are strong but may support a hardened view of life. Attractive and popular socially they cannot maintain committed relationships (overly protective then cold). Those closest to them often become their worst enemies. Their material fortunes are however good and they live in comfort and luxury. Though they appear healthy they are plagued by chronic dampness.

LUNAR MONTH: YANG FIRE TIGER (1866, 1926, 1986, 2046, 2016) ‘Forest Tiger’

Fire Tigers are risk-takers and landmines of emotion and passion. Uncontrolled drama and half-baked scheming make their lives calamitous and their fortune dark. They are suited to warfare, but do not make good soldiers (lack education, discipline and respect). Many Fire Tigers die with more fate entanglements than they had at birth. A teacher/mentor can be a savior. They are likely to die young from wounds or accidental injury. If they live long their powerful constitutions make them insensitive to minor signs and symptoms that accumulate to crippling respiratory and circulatory illness in later years.

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TUESDAY February 5, Yin Water Rooster 1

Hexagram 36 Mingyi: Phesant Call

Lunar Mansion: The Beak / Monkey

Solar Indicator: Danger

The resourceful but unstable character of today may miss opportunity where elegance will succeed.  

“When integrity demands action, be cautious and prepared to fail. The situation is unfavorable because, the clear warnings of doom are being ignored by the powerful."

LM Changing: Zhouyi 36 Mingyi

"It bodes well to follow superiors, practice austerity and/or pool resources with others. It is a good day to sincerely comply with divination and maintain taboos meticulously.

"It is inauspicious to push forward, be industrious or initiate new ventures. Revolution or demanding idealistic justice on this day will be catastrophic."

LM Notes: The Beak

“Doing only what needs to be done is best. Old habits or patterns of pressing forward will invite catastrophe. Beware grudges.”

LM Notes: Danger

WEDNESDAY February 6, Yang Wood Dog 2

Hexagram 22 Bi: Ornament

Lunar Mansion: The Trio / Gibbon

Solar Indicator: Complete

Go for simplification, be generous and practice discipline. It is possible to respond well to treatment and get results with routine study and editing.

"Bi is favorable when appearances match the inner nature of things. Simplicity, rather than extravagance, is recommended as the aesthetic of confidence. Beware of the deception that comes from superficial decoration."

LM Changing: Zhouyi 22 Bi: Ornament

"It bodes well to dispose of inessentials (haircuts), edit, fast, study (Classics), take exams, enter retreat and practice meditation. It is good to be industrious close to home (house clean). Initiating business (particularly group enterprise) will be fruitful if planning has been thorough.

"It is inauspicious to push forward aggressively. Do not get married, finalize divorce, bury the dead (it will create family dissent), spend savings or speculate financially as these all lead to losing resources and cooperation."

LM Notes: The Trio

“It is a day for resting on your laurels. Success is established and secured and the new state seems to govern itself. Enemies are few. It is a time for inward reflection (yin) on the bare face of reality (yang). Struggle (yang) is no longer possible or necessary (yin). Decline is not feared and success not celebrated. Wisdom approaches and withdrawing succeeds. Art is the demonstration of confidence, dignity and wisdom - be artful. No more accumulating - decorate with modesty. The way of perfecting power is austerity and restraint. Do less, have less, show less and seek nothing. Enjoy what is already manifest.”

LM Notes: Complete

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In resolution and adventure...

Warmly,

Jamie Shulander

Instagram @jamieshulander

jshulander@gmail.com

415-450-7884