In honor of my Teacher, Liu Ming,
I offer the following:
CHINESE ALMANAC ASTROLOGY
I offer the following:
CHINESE ALMANAC ASTROLOGY
To support grace and ease / For the resolution of all beings
Commentary and compilations by Jamie Shulander
All notes from class notes/works by Liu Ming
INDICATORS Listed: Yearly, Monthly, Lunar then Daily
::: ::: ::: = 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: YEAR of the BOAR
"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: YIN METAL GOAT (1871, 1931, 1991, 2051) ‘Wealthy Goat’
Metal Goats are gentle, forgiving and aesthetic characters. Their humility does not make them quiet - they gossip allot. An uneven fortune, connected to enemies, visits them when young but is resolved. Old age brings a brighter fate. They find good partners, but often have no children or only difficult children. An oldest son born this year will not support his parents/siblings. Though physically strong, they have a weak memory and often suffer from kidney ailments.
QI NODE: 12 Great Heat
LUNAR HEXAGRAM: 55 Feng: Abundance
“A Shut day is a day of rest, whether you like it or not. Qi resources are spent and the notion of a spender (yang) is long gone. Dispersion has ended in exhaustion (big yin) and no memory exists to create joy or negativity. Struggling to act on such a day borrows qi from fantasy and sets up a ghostly pattern of bad qi credit. What’s it like to float down the river with no boat, no river and no protagonist? It is ideal day for retreat, mediation and severing ties with everything - don’t worry, it is not the end of anything! Let go anyway - feel the freedom and inaction, disconnectedness, because it offers limitless insight. Focus on your golf swing and forget about how the kids are squandering their inheritance on cocaine. It’s that kind of day! The river has reached the sea and even the water is confused.”
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
"Feng is about an enormous windfall, harvesting a
bumper crop or a fated reward that comes (and goes) naturally. It expresses the
mysterious and fertile generosity of nature. The mention of astronomical and
astrological influences in several of the lines indicates that success is a
matter of fate-synchronicity with the cycles of time. Do not waste time feeling
unworthy or claim the success is yours. Honor all co-factors and reward all
co-workers. Celebration and generosity express abundance."
LM Changing: Zhouyi
::: ::: :::
MONDAY July 29, Yin
Fire Rabbit 29
Hexagram
34 Da Zhuang: Great Strength
Lunar
Mansion: The Bow / Deer
Solar
Indicator: Complete
Today's domestic character blends
well with the month and year, and should support today's auspices of restful
momentum.
“The spontaneous use of
force may work in some situations, but injury and difficulties surround the
misuse of force. Being rambunctious leads to costly mishap, injury and failure,
but also survival. The auspices are mixed.”
LM Changing: Zhouyi 34 Da Zhuang
“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
“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
TUESDAY July 30, Yang
Earth Dragon 28
Hexagram
Consult the Oracle
Lunar
Mansion: The Wings / Serpent
Solar
Indicator: Harvest
Today's character is powerful
and popular yet cannot stay within ordinary (social, political) boundaries
and cannot listen to advice. Consult the oracle for advise and seek
opportunities to support others.
“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
“What makes this day
smooth is a sense of fearlessness. It is not so much how it goes (yang) as what
it shows (yin). Rise and fall are no longer the point - the wide view can be
taken. Ease is possible - effortless continuity on all sides. The qi seems to
float us forward quite naturally - ebbing and flowing are both acceptable. The
lessons of earthly life are found in both maturing and declining. Everything
succeeds. Cleverness and survival give way to courage and directness. Be like
the beloved monarch and not an ambitious merchant. Let new resources and
assistants come forward by standing back.”
LM Notes: Harvest
WEDNESDAY July 31, Yin
Earth Snake 25
Hexagram
9 Xiao Xu: Minor Force
Lunar
Mansion: The Chariot / Earthworm
Solar
Indicator: Open
Today's character has "a
midas touch": determined, talented and successful. Be
open-hearted, observant and patient.
"It is best to subordinate to or ally yourself with the
strong or wait to accumulate more strength and resources. Do not be
rambunctious, distracted or diverted. Small projects done well will eventually
add up to success. Obstacles and delays can be expected in any forward action.”
LM Changing: Zhouyi 9 Xiao Xu
“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 choice here is
whether to call fate something to fight or something to embrace....An open
heart gives the option to acquire great wisdom.”
LM Notes: Open
::: ::: :::
YANG WATER MONKEY (1812, 1872, 1932, 1992, 2052) ‘Elegant Monkey’
Water Monkey is
high-strung, sharp and observant. Their uneven fortunes come from an
unpredictable and dramatic emotional character. Though an appearance of
competence bring success and leadership, the Water Monkey is easily distracted
and often loses all that is gained through silly negligence. They mesmerize
competent helpers but are prideful and often ungrateful. Emotional turmoil
gradually undermines their health. Nourishing food is the best method of
healing.
12 Pi: Obstruction
"Pi is not a time for
going forward. You are blocked by your own pretense or by external
circumstances. Be humble and patient, and cancel or postpone great plans.
Adaptation and patience are the keys to positive change in the future." LM
Changing: Zhouyi 12 Pi
::: ::: :::
THURSDAY August 1, Yang
Metal Horse 1
Hexagram
5 Xu: Waiting
Lunar
Mansion: The Horn / Crocodile
Solar
Indicator: Shut
Today's auspices are mixed, where
waiting, initiation and chaos are all possible and appropriate. Be gentle in
speech today and wise in action...start with observation.
"Xu suggests that waiting is a part of the natural
unfolding (fate) of all situations. Xu is about making the most of
waiting - using the power of patience and procrastination to avoid struggle and
develop wisdom in action. Accepting fate is not about abandoning intelligence.
A wise and able person has the sensitivity to find the freedom within fate. The
wisdom of Xu is the clarity to hold back and go forward at the right
times.”
LM Changing: Zhouyi 5 Xu
“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
“A Shut day is a day of rest, whether you like it or not. Qi resources are spent and the notion of a spender (yang) is long gone. Dispersion has ended in exhaustion (big yin) and no memory exists to create joy or negativity. Struggling to act on such a day borrows qi from fantasy and sets up a ghostly pattern of bad qi credit. What’s it like to float down the river with no boat, no river and no protagonist? It is ideal day for retreat, mediation and severing ties with everything - don’t worry, it is not the end of anything! Let go anyway - feel the freedom and inaction, disconnectedness, because it offers limitless insight. Focus on your golf swing and forget about how the kids are squandering their inheritance on cocaine. It’s that kind of day! The river has reached the sea and even the water is confused.”
LM Notes: Shut
::: ::: :::
In
resolution and adventure...
Warmly,
Jamie
Shulander
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@jamieshulander
jshulander@gmail.com
415-450-7884
