Chinese Almanac Astrology October 17 - 20, 2019

In honor of my Teacher, Liu Ming,


 




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: 17 Cold Dew

Yin Collects Yang

"In the Cold Dew qi node autumn inclines toward winter. The door of the storehouse is closed; the harvest has been tallied. It is a time of descending temperatures (especially in the early mornings) that mark the growing strength of the annual Yin qi. The mornings show dew or frost. If snow falls, it suddenly melts. Yang drains downward and in. Quiet becomes silence.

As the autumn peaks and descends into winter, natural activity appears to subside. In fact, all activity withdraws inward. The northwest wind (qi) arises carrying the cold and the season of autumn peaks and declines towards winter. In the south winter crops are planted and in the north the fall harvest is stored away. Leaves fall from the trees. Our healthy bodies continue to crystallize their fluids for winter and the environmental qi supports the process. Light moisture (yin) in the system, used to guard against the summer heat, now crystallizes and concentrates. This fluid transformation, parallel to the descent of frost, indicates a 'slowing' of the heart. In this period we should garner resources (eat heartily), conserve qi (guard Heart) and routinize qi (strengthen Kidney qi).

During this period then environmental qi is best at 7pm. Neigong is practiced inside where it it warm - but do not sweat. Your behavior in the early morning and evening should be ritual or routine. Slow down and it is easy to stay healthy at this time of year! It is not yet time to tonify yang - remember that yang tonics are called 'dangerous' and yin tonics are not. Applying yang when it is not needed or in excessive doses can impair your health."

LM The Way of Three Treasures

::: ::: :::

LUNAR HEXAGRAM: 36 Mingyi: Pheasant Call

“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

::: ::: :::

THURSDAY October 17, Yin Fire Pig 19

Hexagram 38 Kui: Incompatible

Lunar Mansion: The Well / Tapir

Solar Indicator: Divide

“Unfavorable for planning or forward progress. Expect to be frustrated but make small gains. It is a good time to seek counsel from those with expertise and wisdom...Try a little self-reflection and humility."

LM Changing: Zhouyi 38 Kui

“It is auspicious to build, remodel, do fengshui adjustments, take exams, and maintain routine industry. The earth can be dug (gardening = wealth) and it is a good day to donate, buy or sell (investment) real estate. Community or charity projects will flourish. It is favorable for apologies. It is favorable for medical treatments (particularly for initiating a series of treatments for a chronic condition). 

“It is not auspicious to postpone needed repairs, apologies or difficult tasks. It is not good for funerals or burials of those who died by suicide, violence or sudden illness because others will soon follow.”

LM Notes: The Well

"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

FRIDAY October 18, Yang Earth Rat 20

Hexagram 54 Guimei: A Girl is Married

Lunar Mansion: The Ghost / Sheep

Solar Indicator: Full

"Things are auspicious for the underdog, but early success collapses. The situation is touch and go. Things can end up okay if some sacrifices are made."

LM Changing: Zhouyi 54 Guimei

“It is especially auspicious for funeral/burial (resolution of fate). It is also good to make gifts/donations to temples and offerings to the divinities, spiritual guardians and make memorials for the dead (ancestors/lineage). It is advantageous for entering retreat, meditation, fasting, spiritual initiation, ordination and ‘crossing over’ into transitory states. 

“It is not auspicious for worldly industry of any kind. It is a bad day to go to war (many casualties) or get married (husband will die early). One should avoid the wilderness (possession/illness will result).”

LM Notes: The Ghost

“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

SATURDAY October 19, Yin Earth Ox 21

Hexagram Consult the Oracle

Lunar Mansion: The Willow / Roebuck

Solar Indicator: Level

Today's character is highly motivated and stubborn, while the auspices otherwise suggest both retreat, taking stock and going with the flow. Be open to alliance, honor ancestors and when in doubt, relax and/or get consultation.

“It is especially auspicious for seclusion and the composing of memorials. It is favorable to make offerings and practice divination. It is fruitful on this day to fast, enter retreat, practice meditation and receive spiritual initiation and/or ordination (lineage). It is ideal for funerals / burials and the complete resolution of the unsettled dead (exorcism).

“It is not auspicious for marriage. Do not indulge in lawsuits (as it will ruin 3 generations).”

LM Notes: The Willow

“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

SUNDAY October 20, Yang Metal Tiger 22

Hexagram 61 Zhongfu: Holding the Center

Lunar Mansion: The Birdstar / Horse

Solar Indicator: Settle

Today's character is demanding, candid and vigorous, while discipline and patience succeed.

"The action that arises from stillness is able to ‘work wonders.’ A Zen archer lets the arrow find the target without meddling."

LM Changing: Zhouyi 61 Zhongfu: Holding the Center

“Think powerful, but gentle succeeds...It is auspicious for building and routine work (you will meet / hobnob with the powerful). Good auspice is directly related to continuity, convention and not innovation.

“It is not auspicious for funerals/burials or marriages (rape, divorce). It is a dangerous day for travel and/or medical treatments.”

LM Notes: The Birdstar

“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

In resolution and adventure...

Warmly,

Jamie Shulander

Instagram @jamieshulander

jshulander@gmail.com

415-450-7884