Chinese Almanac Astrology October 21 - 24, 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

::: ::: :::

MONDAY October 21, Yin Metal Rabbit 23

Hexagram 60 Jie: Juncture

Lunar Mansion: The Bow / Deer

Solar Indicator: Maintain

Today's character is intelligent, quiet and humble. It's a good day for relaxation, domesticity, and gatherings. Consider decisions that prepare the homestead for winter.

"Favorable for the practice of circumspection and restraint. Being observant and conservative with resources is auspicious. Knowing how to see and when to use limits brings success."

LM Changing: Zhouyi 60 Jie: Juncture

“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

“Spontaneous action and inspiration (yang) become the new tradition (yin). Qi assertion (yang) is repeated again and again to hold and harden gains (yin). Establishing a new state is the focus. The qi of practice and the drilling of troops is awesome. Allies appear from all quarters. True majesty succeeds without pressing forward. Today success breeds more success and everyone may be included in the new victories. Generosity is a prophylactic to decline - giving is a sign of strength and cements alliances. It is the sun at noon.”

LM Notes: Maintain

TUESDAY October 22, Yang Water Dragon 24

Hexagram 41 Sun: Diminish

Lunar Mansion: The Wings / Serpent

Solar Indicator: Destroy

Be observant and on the ready. Today's auspices suggest upholding superiors and making edits. The Water Dragon character of today is hard working, restless and taciturn, and expansive...consider what opportunities may arise with release.

“Sun is about how sacrifice brings good fortune. It is also about the enlightened management of diminished resources and the transformation of reduced circumstances into an advantage. Sun is about attracting new resources into your life by eliminating inessentials. It is a time when recycling the trappings of success allows you to stay in power. It is when less is more.”

LM Changing: Zhouyi 41 Sun

“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

“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

::: ::: :::

LUNAR HEXAGRAM: 25 Wu Wang: No Expectations

“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

::: ::: :::

WEDNESDAY October 23, Yin Water Snake 25

Hexagram 19 Lin: Approach

Lunar Mansion: The Chariot / Earthworm

Solar Indicator: Danger

 Today's character is cunning, gifted and restless. Be elegant and timely.

"You must be patient and appropriate in your progress, but do not procrastinate. The auspice is for forward action."

LM Changing: Zhouyi 19 Lin

“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

“To roust hypocrisy in his new alliances the leader must bait his hidden enemies (yin) by showing vulnerability. This day is a qi expression of true power but all the action is fraught with danger and risk. The games of political power are also the precursors of decline. The power plays show yin to be drawing life from the heart of yang. Success is limited now to a kind of survival. Manipulation and covert action succeed. Elegance becomes the mask of cleverness and intrigue. Doing only what needs to be done is best. Old habits or patterns of pressing forward will invite catastrophe. Beware grudges.”

LM Notes: Danger

::: ::: :::

QI NODE: 18 Frost Descends

Yin Encloses Yang

"The Frost Descends qi node is when autumn collapses into winter. Lesser Yin gives way to Great Yin. On Earth stasis and frost are prevalent. As the autumn descends into winter, natural activity appears to subside. In fact, activity simply withdraws deeper and deeper inward and down. The northwest wind carries in the growing cold with transitional dam. Days grow short (yang diminishes). During this period the environment grows ever more yin and is characterized by hoarfrost. Dampness (Earth) rides the cold wind and is variable. Snow threatens. The blustery wind is pernicious cold/damp.

Yang, withdrawing in and downward, must not be called back up and out. Dress warmly and stay out of the wind. During the period qi is best at 8pm. Neigong is practiced inside where it is warm, rub your belly until it turns red. Eat warm and nourishing meals and go to bed early. Even if the weather is not cold (temperature) do not get caught in the wind."

LM The Way of Three Treasures

::: ::: :::

THURSDAY October 24, Yang Wood Horse 26

Hexagram 13 Tong Ren: Community

Lunar Mansion: The Horn / Crocodile

Solar Indicator: Complete

Notice the descent into winter. Keep out of the cold or be prepared when you're in it. Today's character is impulsive, reclusive and focused. Let your hands be your guide today, tend to your community and go with simplicity.

“It is favorable to go forward in concert with others after reflection and alliance is established."

LM Changing: Zhouyi 13 Tong Ren

“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

“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

In resolution and adventure...

Warmly,

Jamie Shulander

Instagram @jamieshulander

jshulander@gmail.com

415-450-7884