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
::: ::: :::
LUNAR YEAR: YEAR of the RAT
"Charged: Charming, diligent, perseverant, methodical, social, cooperative, discrete, frugal and observant. Rats are capable and fun loving.
Depleted: Complaining, nervous, nit picking, annoyingly analytical, stingy, scheming, cowardly, overly concentrated (mono-maniacal) and selfish.
Image: The Rat talked about in Chinese Astrology is well known to all Chinese farmers throughout history. If there is grain, rats appear, so rats are linked to prosperity. A rat year is expected to be profitable. Rats always appear in groups and, though not individually strong, they can undermine an enormous barn by gnawing and nibbling away the foundation piece by piece. Rats often view their social life as central to their existence. Sociability is required to survive. Their acute social observation makes them good mimics or actors. When they are being someone else (acting) they love center stage. Though not a sensual materialist, like the Pig, rats are hoarders and often live in clutter. They are likely to become more capable as they age..."
YANG METAL RAT (1840, 1900, 1960, 2020, 2080) ‘Rafter Rat’
Metal Rats are sensitive, meticulous and resourceful. They easily win the attention and support of others and love to compete and win. Their ambition is modified by a strong personal sense of moral and spiritual values. They enjoy independence and are ruthlessly calculating in matters of the heart and finance. Though not without enemies, they experience relatively even fortunes. Jovial in appearance they internally brood and worry over the slightest things. They are susceptible to contagious and common illnesses but live long because of treatments from expert physicians and meticulous personal habits."
LUNAR MONTH: YANG EARTH TIGER (1818, 1878, 1938, 1998, 2058) ‘Mountain Tiger’
Earth Tigers are obstinate, emotional and cavalier characters. Their youth goes badly and makes them homeless wanderers. This wandering makes them excellent planners or cons and tricksters. Their unique fortunes rest on the fact that they actually benefit from harming others (strange karma debts to collect). They have awesome energy and physical strength that can only be made sick by powerful spells and/or demons.
QI NODE: 24 Great Cold
Malignant Yin
"The Great Cold qi node is Big Yin's last stand for the year - 'Cold rolls up into Heaven'. The fact is Yin power is nearly exhausted. It is the systole of yin/yang transformation - a pause and stillness before the stirring of spring and the return of Yang. It is time to remain withdrawn and silent. Cold and Damp unite and ride the Wind. The Cold is ghostly and hollow but still dangerous and penetrating.
"During this qi node Great Cold qi is best at 2 am. One should practice neigong in the evening before bed and just before dawn facing the northeast. Do not exert yourself, but let the yang qi stir - feel warm. During the day eat two small meals. Is is still the dead of winter so do not abandon the conservation of your yang qi. Rest often and throughout the day and work indoors. Do not think too much.
"During this time the Great Yin of winter is fallen - a cold Damp (pernicious qi) spreads, along the ground. Go to bed early and avoid the cold night winds that harm the lungs. Your genetic predisposition for illness and death (ghosts) are on the surface (abroad) and can be adjusted, cleared or subdued. Heavy phlegm and cold diarrhea that do not respond to treatment are dangerous signs of possession. Stay warm. Stimulating massage is okay but should not stir up yang. Warm baths and brushing the skin red are good.
"The groundless feeling of depression, fear and 'just surviving' are common symptoms of malignant yin. The unsettled dead cause outbursts of emotion (possession/fear) that hurt the Lungs and Colon - try to stay calm, but not lethargic. Strange and/or profound dreams are good signs of the transformation and resolution of ghosts."
LM The Way of Three Treasures
LUNAR HEXAGRAM: 11 Tai: Great
“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
::: ::: :::
WEDNESDAY January 29, Yin Metal Goat 5
Hexagram 18 Gui:
Contamination
Lunar Mansion: The Wall
/ Porcupine
Solar Indicator: Destroy
"Gu
indicates that life is a continuous flow, not just an individual personal
experience. Success is not simply a matter of personal control. Unseen
environmental forces do affect us."
LM Changing: Zhouyi 18
Gu
"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
“The successful prince
as warrior must now lose his youthful ambitions and develop into a proper
king….Today calculated loss (cancellation) succeeds”
LM Notes: Destro
THURSDAY January 30, Yang Water Monkey 6
Hexagram 46 Sheng:
Ascending
Lunar Mansion: The
Stride / Wolf
Solar Indicator: Danger
"Since Sheng
is about ascending naturally, the auspices stay favorable if you are receptive
and subordinate. Your talents are recognized and they suit the times. Steady
gradual progress is indicated."
LM Changing: Zhouyi 46
Sheng
"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
“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
::: ::: :::
LUNAR HEXAGRAM: 62 Xiao Guo: Small Succeeds
"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
::: ::: :::
FRIDAY January 31, Yin Water Rooster 7
Hexagram 6 Song:
Disputing
Lunar Mansion: The Mound
/ Dog
Solar Indicator:
Complete
"When a situation lacks clarity it is best to
retreat and wait for fortunes to change. Using litigation is a costly and risky
way to succeed. If disputes are successfully resolved, caution is still
required in handling the outcomes. Do not exert yourself in complicated or
obstructed situations. Do not force things. It is favorable to self-reflect and
to seek counsel.”
LM Changing: Zhouyi 6
Song
"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
“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
SATURDAY February 1, Yang Wood Dog 8
Hexagram 47 Kun: Beset
Lunar Mansion: The
Stomach / Pheasant
Solar Indicator: Harvest
"The situation is
harsh, fated and seemingly irreversible. When Kun is divined efforts to
escape often lead to the worsening of circumstances. Diving Kun is
inauspicious in all cases...Time will tell whether enduring such hardship and
pain will make you a stronger person. The good news is, the pain will pass.”
LM Changing:
Zhouyi 47 Kun
"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
“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
::: ::: :::
In resolution and
adventure...
Warmly,
Jamie Shulander
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@jamieshulander
jshulander@gmail.com
415-450-7884
