In honor of my Teacher, Liu Ming,
CHINESE ALMANAC ASTROLOGY
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: YANG WOOD DOG (1875, 1935, 1995, 2055) ‘Gate Dog’
Wood Dog is an articulate, talkative
and active person. Success comes easily and good fortune fills their lives.
Social skills and an attractive appearance aid them in acquiring wealth,
position and even leadership. They find fated relationships quickly and easily
- recognizing ‘old friends’ at first glance (intuitive eye). They can easily
comply to others due to good previous causes. They respond to medical treatment
well and recover from illness quickly and thoroughly.
Qi Node: 16 Autumn Equinox
Yin and Yang Equality
"When the qi node Autumn
Equinox arrives annual Yin qi is established. Day and night are equal. During
this period the environment grows ever more yin and is characterized by a cool,
dry wind (metal element). It is one of four annual pivots that rectify the
annual qi. Yin and yang are equal - day and night are equal. Storehouses are
filling up and the work of harvest is nearly complete. There is a pleasant
stillness.
During this qi node qi is best at
6pm. Neigong should be done indoors morning and evening in short sessions. When
yin/yang equality is reached and yin is about to take charge, it is best to eat
food that has a higher jing/qi concentration. Breakfast can be eaten a little
bit later than in spring/summer but is should be hearty. Do not eat at all
after 7pm. All meals should be experienced in a quiet and undistracted setting.
You needn't be a hermit, but avoid being social at every meal."
LM The Way of Three Treasures
LUNAR HEXAGRAM: 23 Bo: Erosion
“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
::: ::: :::
TUESDAY October 1, Yin Metal Goat 3
Hexagram Consult the Oracle
Lunar Mansion: The Tail / Tiger
Solar Indicator: Open
Today's character is gentle,
forgiving and aesthetic. Use these sensitivities for investments,
resolutions, and self cultivation. Be artful.
“It is auspicious to
start a building (brings prosperity), get married (brings fertility), bury the
dead (resolves karma) and educate the young (secure longevity) on this day. It
is a good time to move house (into a city). These actions today cause a person
or family and all their projects to flourish. On this day investments increase
in value. It is ideal to give or receive (spend) inheritances. Enjoying the
arts is appropriate. Lost treasures can be found on this day. It is ideal for
self-cultivation, meditation and enjoyment. It is a time of recognizing and
acknowledging achievement with rewards. Evening is less auspicious.”
LM Notes: The Tail
“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
WEDNESDAY October 2, Yang Water Monkey 4
Hexagram 20 Guan: Observance
Lunar Mansion: The Basket / Leopard
Solar Indicator: Shut
Today's mixed auspices may be made
more complicated by a high-strung and dramatic character. When in doubt, be
humble, rest and review...
"The situation is
delicate and one in which the observance of details and tradition is of great
importance. Progress is based on concentration."
LM Changing: Zhouyi 20 Guan
"It is auspicious
to marry, work hard, purchase, build and remodel (new door = new
resources) on this day. It is auspicious to continue your routine work, review
and reinvest. Acquiring wealth (work, invest and collecting debts) is
highlighted. Good for burials, memorials and funerals (rain of blessings from
the ancestors). Contraindicated activity: Laziness, gossip and slander."
LM Notes: The Basket
“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
THURSDAY October 3, Yin Water Rooster 5
Hexagram 8 Bi: Alliance
Lunar Mansion: The Ladle / Griffon
Solar Indicator: Design
Fresh ideas and renewed alliance
mark the day with opportunity, though today's character may be insensitive and
clever. Seek balance through keen observation and honoring ancestors. Prepare
for a weekend of retreat...
"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 a most
auspicious day for Daoist religious rites, initiations and transmission of
(esoteric) teachings. It is an auspicious day to start up a business and build
a new building (home, temple). It is a safe day to dig foundations (wells,
trenches) and get married. New opportunities (news) abound - taking exams and
routine work bring great success/reward on this day. It is an auspicious day to
bury the dead - they will rest peacefully and benefit the surviving relatives.”
"Contraindicated
activity: Hypocrisy, irreverence, breaking taboos and sloth."
LM Notes: The Ladle
“It is an excellent day
to recover wisdom by stepping back, planning, recalling alliances and
reassessing our position.”
LM Notes: Design
FRIDAY October 4, Yang Water Dog 6
Hexagram 23 Bo: Erosion
Lunar Mansion: The Oxboy
Solar Indicator: Divide
Today's character is kind
and frugal. It is most auspicious to retreat, be gentle and focused.
“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
“It is auspicious to
stay home, guard resources, meditate and focus. It is auspicious to initiate
austerity, enter retreat, recover and economize.”
LM Notes: The Oxboy
"Holding back on
this day is related to deeper self-reflection, education of all sorts and
consulting with experts and elders - rather than forward action. It is not
about immature reluctance or cowardice but about shedding inessentials."
LM Notes: Divide
In resolution and adventure...
Warmly,
Jamie Shulander
Instagram @jamieshulander
jshulander@gmail.com
415-450-7884
