Chinese Almanac Astrology July 17 - 20, 2019

In honor of my Teacher, Liu Ming,


 

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: 11 Slight Heat

Yang Declines

“In Slight or Small Heat qi node Yang begins its inevitable decline but growth is extended. The weather turns mild. Fruits and vegetables are abundant. Cicadas and crickets choruses are heard day and night. Twilight is beautiful. Barns bulge with the abundance. The Prince ascends the throne (yang matures) and becomes King. What will Yang’s legacy be? Is it survival at any cost (brutishness) or the fullness of true and elegant majesty (wisdom)?

“The name “Slight Heat” refers to the mild heat that appears as the yang of the year begins its decline. In this and the next Qi Node (“Great Heat”) the declining yang partners with the inter-seasonal earth and creates damp (or mucus) – that is thick and sometimes sticky qi and fluids. During this node, hot wind continues to prevail and may cause dry Lungs, coughs, hemorrhoids, constipation and fevers. It can aggravate existing (chronic or constitutional) heat conditions like insomnia, heart irregularities and low- grade systemic inflammations of the blood (eczema, dental infections, yeast infections, herpes, skin rashes). Yang qi is past its abundant stage and clings to earth causing damp. Contagious diseases that “rode the hot wind” in the Summer Solstice now take root. Anxiety may crowd into dreams.

“Flowers blossom and fruits and vegetables can be harvested and continue to ripen but this explosion of splendor is about survival. It is the time when many plants extend their qi to produce strong roots and fertile seeds (create future). The Chinese character for summer depicts a farmer at rest (idle) – growth in this part of summer needs little or no nursing (prayer is common). Fall harvests will dependent on this Qi Node being mild. Mild winds can clear damp (avoid mold). Strong summer-style activity takes much more qi to maintain. Though sustained activity is recommended (wind clears damp) it is becoming important to pace oneself. Summer storms can destroy crops and excess activity can purge yang before its Autumn harvest.

“During this qi node the environmental qi (Heaven/Earth) is best at 1pm. When you wake practice neigong facing due South. Do not overexert yourself (sweat); let the qi move the blood and transform nutrients. Dress lightly, untie your hair and stroll about to avoid the damp.

Chew well. During the day eat two meals, rest (nap) after lunch, snacks of fruit (melon) are good on hot days. Drink green and chrysanthemum tea and in the evening enjoy a light savory soup. Guard the heart (shen) from strain by modestly expressing your feelings – it is natural to feel a bit anxious (sudden decline of yang) – but avoid drama/anxiety. Before bed bucket bathe (cold salt rinse) and go to sleep at dark. Rest, relax, travel (vacation by sea), exercise (modestly) and do not get burned by the sun. Do not work or rest directly in the sun of midday!!!”
LM The Way of Three Treasures

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

::: ::: :::

WEDNESDAY July 17, Yin Wood Rabbit 15

Hexagram 11 Tai: Great

Lunar Mansion: The Wall / Porcupine

Solar Indicator: Complete

“Tai is favorable for going forward and expanding. When Tai is divined natural growth is inevitable - all plans succeed, if you do not push or rush them. Do not over analyze the situation. Recognize that things unfold by themselves.” LM Changing: Zhouyi 11 Tai

"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

“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

THURSDAY July 18, Yang Fire Dragon 16

Hexagram 26 Da Chu: Great Store

Lunar Mansion: The Stride / Wolf

Solar Indicator: Harvest

“Routine work brings about unexpected results. At the highest level of success is an opportunity to be extraordinarily generous."

LM Changing: Zhouyi 26 Da Chu

"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

“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

FRIDAY July 19, Yin Fire Snake 17

Hexagram 5 Xu: Waiting

Lunar Mansion: The Mound / Dog

Solar Indicator: Open

  

"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 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

“The choice here is whether to call fate something to fight or something to embrace. It is a day with an easy qi. It is a day to appreciate how things really operate beyond the desire that creates images and appearances. Accepting should be a boundless (yin) act beyond goals - the goal has always been return to our beginningless origin (Dao). There is no protagonist (yang) that should relax - there is only relaxation itself (yin). Look around for a successor (new plan, idea, task) and resume the heart/mind of a novice. The son of a rebel leader may become the second emperor of a new dynasty. An open heart gives the option to acquire great wisdom.”

LM Notes: Open

SATURDAY July 20, Yang Earth Horse 18

Hexagram 9 Xiao Xu: Minor Force

Lunar Mansion: The Stomach / Pheasant

Solar Indicator: Shut

"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

"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

“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

Instagram @jamieshulander

jshulander@gmail.com

415-450-7884