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 FIRE RAT (1876, 1936, 1996, 2056) ‘Field Rat’
Fire Rats are aggressive, excitable and brave characters. They hide their resources then burst forward and break rules. They enjoy uncovering other people’s secrets and have more than a few themselves. Their fortune starts out obstructed but clears in midlife, when their previous misconduct begins to resolve. Think reckless Robin Hood. They have a constitutional weakness in stomach/spleen and are prone to heart problems. If they reach old age they have wisdom and gain respect. They will have “been there and done that”.
QI NODE: 19 Winter Begins
Yin Hides Yang
“The qi node called Winter Begins is a time of growing cold and the development of Big Yin qi. Days get short and nights grow long. The ground hardens (but does not freeze), insects disappear and the last harvest must be stored away. During this period the environment grows ever more Yin and is characterized by cold (water element). The winter is the great Abyss of Yin. If yang is not stored the world is barren.
As the last of the autumn qi subsides, a cold north wind (qi) appears and the season of winter begins in earnest. Dampness (Earth) riding the cold wind is only occasional. Winter is here and there is a chance to enjoy the Cold. During this period the environmental qi is best at 9pm. Neigong is practiced in the morning and just before bed. Dream with intention.”
LM The Way of Three Treasures
LUNAR HEXAGRAM: 63 Jiji: Already Across
"Everything is ending well but decline and disorder is inevitable. Do not hurry or press for completion...Do not imagine that change ever stops. Things do not come to an end. When you succeed, do not assume things are complete or finished. To maintain success is no easy matter. When we are triumphant, we are fated to have the same decline and loss as our predecessor."
LM Changing: Zhouyi 63 Jiji
::: ::: :::
QI NODE: 20 Little Snow
Yin Expands
“In the Little Snow qi node the
continued growth of the cold/yin continues and our adaptation to Big Yin should
have set in. The first snow seems beautiful like a young princess. The wisdom
of the Past (ancestors) is proven true. The pattern of withdrawal seems just
and truthful. Yin is now well established.
“Now it is easy to feel winter has
begun. As winter grows cold and the maturation of the annual yin qi develops
the cold and damp unite to create snow. Days get shorter - the dark grows
quickly. The ground hardens and may freeze, insects disappear and rainbows no
longer appear. The qi is best at 10pm. During this period the environment grows
ever more yin and yang inhibition grows stronger. Every being/thing must rest.
A trip south (winter vacation) is recommended for those with insufficient yang.
We must guard our inner yang as it recedes from the environment. Cancel your
activities in preparation for retreat. Earphones and iPod should replace public
concerts. Check your insulation! Catch up on classic movies.”
LM The Way of Three Treasures
LUNAR HEXAGRAM: 24 Fu: Return
“Short-term plans succeed in the
context of a broad view. Things are turning for the better. Routine work comes
to fruition. It is favorable to have a clear goal before setting out."
LM Changing: Zhouyi
::: ::: :::
SATURDAY November 30, Yin Metal Goat 5
Hexagram 31 Xian: To Be Moved
Lunar Mansion: The Maiden / Bat
Solar Indicator: Complete
“The growth of influence and
inspiration described by Xian is at first calm with awe, then stirred up
by enthusiasm and, finally, confident enough to act. Though the progress is
gradual, patient and intuitive - success is inevitable. The fullness of success
is in the discovery of the natural reciprocity and support of a partner or a
group. This qi sensation is deeply moving and difficult or impossible to
put into words. Do not expect words to express such deep connection; let
inspiration radiate from your actions.”
LM Changing: Zhouyi 31 Xian
“It is auspicious to stay home,
enjoy the arts, self-reflect, do inner panning and practice austerity
(meditation, fasting and rest). It is beneficial to guard your health and
conserve your qi. It is favorable to support others. Building may be safe but
not profitable.”
“It is not auspicious to
take risks, medical treatments, bury the dead (cause epidemics, bowel
disorders). To initiate industry (dig earth) and production on this day invites
calamity.”
LM Notes: The Maiden
“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
SUNDAY December 1, Yang Water Monkey 6
Hexagram 56 Lu: Sojourner
Lunar Mansion: The Void / Rat
Solar Indicator: Harvest
The Water Monkey, high-strung,
sharp and observant, may lend energy that could be misdirected, if not
plugged into routine, restful activity and supporting family.
"Favorable for
small accomplishments and temporary appeasement, but inauspicious generally.
Discretion is vital in whatever you do."
LM Changing: Zhouyi 56 Lu
“It is auspicious to
stay home, strengthen family ties and protect your children. Sleep and rest are
recommended (be cautioned by your dreams).”
“On this day it is not
auspicious to marry (your children will be delinquent or handicapped), bury the
dead or make offerings to ancestors (ghosts/dead will become demonic - causing
illnesses for 3 years!). Extra-marital affairs begun on this day will
eventually ruin your family, reputation and health. Medical treatments today
can cause injury and expose constitutional weakness.”
LM Notes: The Void
“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
::: ::: :::
64 Weiji: Not Yet Across
"Expect to be
unfulfilled at first and then later satisfied. The old has not quite turned
into the new...Good for waiting and preparation, education and growth. Bad
for pressing forward, conflict, lawsuits, examinations, and travel."
LM Changing: Zhouyi 64 Weiji
::: ::: :::
MONDAY December 2, Yin Water Rooster 7
Hexagram 62 Xiao: Guo
Lunar Mansion: The Roof / Swallow
Solar Indicator: Open
Be cautious, make repairs, keep
projects small and be gentle.
"Success in small
matters. The judicious and timely use of small force succeeds. Being an
assistant is favorable. Things go well if you avoid pretense."
LM Changing: Zhouyi 62 Xiao Guo
“The key to the auspices has to do
with how you act in a dangerous situation…It is auspicious to stay home, repair
walls (security), remodel, take tonics and comply with superiors. It is
favorable for medical treatments, exercise and eating well. It is favorable to
raise roof beams and rafters (begin new construction). It is auspicious for
family gatherings at home. Alliances and collaborations come to fruit and good
'luck'. This day is inauspicious for travel because you will be robbed (road)
or drowned (sea). Strangers and strange (foreign) places offer calamity.”
LM Notes: The Roof
“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
TUESDAY December 3, Yang Wood Dog 8
Hexagram Consult the Oracle
Lunar Mansion: The House / Pig
Solar Indicator: Shut
There are mixed auspices to the
day...let the articulate, talkative and active Dog character of the
day, roll into submission and be playful. When in doubt, rest and reactivate.
“It is auspicious to
build, remodel and make fengshui adjustments (especially to enhance
career office/shop). It is auspicious to initiate business, negotiate and sign
contracts and get married (all of which have long-term benefit). Expect to be
generously compensated for work done today.
“Public welfare projects
succeed. Temple buildings brings benefits for many generations.
Conversely it is
auspicious to enter retreat if there is great sincerity (renunciation) and
strong resolve (compassion for others). The benefits you receive on this day
should be shared with others (living and dead). Burials on this day are
celebrated by both the living and dead ancestors (bring great wealth).
“It is not auspicious to
wait, procrastinate or be confrontational.”
LM Notes: The House
“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
Creativity is the state of consciousness in which you enter into the treasury of your innermost being and bring the beauty into manifestation ~ Jewels Garden
ReplyDeleteYes, faith manifests in worship, or what I call practice. Faith without practice can't be called faith, only a concept of it. Interestingly, faith also helps to manifest what we want, as long as we believe in the Higher Power's guidance. manifestationmagicalexanderwilson.com
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