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: 1 Spring Begins
Yang Reverses Yin
"Though Spring Begins means the return of yang qi it is really mostly theoretical. We feel that Yin is done, but Yang is still only active 'under the surface'. The overall trend has shifted towards Yang but it may not be accompanied by much apparent change, like warm weather or increased stamina. The first new moon begins the Spring Festival (Chinese New Year). Spring Festival, celebrated for the 2 weeks of this qi node, in China is like Christmas, New Year, Fourth of July and everyone's birthday all rolled into one. Everyone celebrates and is very generous and sociable to encourage spring to grow. This is the gan ying principle. It is a celebration of yang renewal.
"During this qi node qi is best at 3am. One should practice neigong just before dawn facing - northeast. Do not exert yourself, but let the yang qi play - this renews us and gives us longevity. During the day eat several small meals with family and friends. Renew relationships.
"Acts of renewal and generosity are auspicious and rewarding. Avoid being very productive and do not sign agreements.
"With the beginning of spring the Liver/hun 'comes alive'. In the early nodes of spring dreams can be very revealing of our physical and spiritual condition and the state of our ancestors. As the ghosts (yin) of winter fade into the background the beneficent ancestors (yang) come forward. Spring qi has a kind of hope in it - we dream both day and night during this time. Though our qi resources are not yet solid, it is very auspicious to being cultivating new and renewable projects. The caution is important - if we move too fast the weak underpinnings of spring yang collapse. If impulse accepts education all goes well."
LM The Way of Three Treasures
::: ::: :::
LUNAR HEXAGRAM: 4 Meng: Immaturity
“What is unformed has great
potential but is also lacks clarity - so success, even progress, is difficult.
It is unfavorable for those who are anxious and impulsive. People of limited
capacity may miscalculate their ability to make use of an opportunity. Read the
advice patiently and do not consult the Zhouyi again on this matter. Meng
is often divined when you are obsessed and anxious about something."
LM Changing: Zhouyi
::: ::: :::
TUESDAY February 18, Yin Metal Rabbit 25
Hexagram 12 Pi: Obstruction
Lunar Mansion: The Tail / Tiger
Solar Indicator: Divide
Today's mixed auspices may feel a bit confusing. Roll with today's intelligent, quiet and humble character and things may work out alright...
"Pi is not a time for
going forward. You are blocked by your own pretense or by external
circumstances. Be humble and patient, and cancel or postpone great plans.
Adaptation and patience are the keys to positive change in the future." LM
Changing: Zhouyi 12 Pi
“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
"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
::: ::: :::
QI NODE: 2 Rain Water
New Yang and Old Yin
"Rain Water is the
gentle, first yin response to the new, emerging yang. Heaven and Earth renew
their active relationship. The moisture of the first spring rains refreshes the
Earth. This Yin rain gives the Yang trapped in Earth (seeds, grains)
nourishment. If the response of the Yang of Earth is weak, or if rain does not
come, decay, rot and mold may occur. If yang responds well seed break open
underground.
Yang is ‘jump started’
in this qi node, but there may still be very few signs. Yang has survived
another winter. Though Spring Festival is over, fresh offerings are made at
ancestor and Earth altars to support Yang. This is the gan ying principle. Yin
is weak and yang is still unformed, effort or exertion must be avoided.
During this qi node qi
is best at 4am. One should practice neigong just before dawn facing the sun as
it rises in the northeast. Do not exert yourself, but let the yang and yin play
- this renews us and gives us longevity. When the sun is up walk about the
courtyard with arms akimbo. Loosen up. The environment is becoming very
‘friendly’ and ‘yangish’ - it is no longer pernicious, but it is our own
impulsiveness (inner yang) that is dangerous. Impulse is the renewal but
caution, rather than enthusiasm, makes it work.
Yang is also beginning
to move on its own. Mild and inspired, new actions are auspicious and
rewarding. Avoid being ‘very productive’. Cultivate the qi of spring by reading
new fiction, watching the latest film, go for short walks outdoors and enjoying
and/or playing music."
LM The Way of Three Treasures
::: ::: :::
WEDNESDAY February 19, Yang Water Dragon 26
Hexagram 45 Cui: Assembly
Lunar Mansion: The Basket / Leopard
Solar Indicator: Full
Today is a go day. Resources and timing have lined up...be open hearted and practice discipline.
“Beneficial for all
joint efforts. Be receptive to the inevitable success that comes from joining
together with others. Expect emotions to run high and epiphanies on all sides.”
"When we sincerely
open our hearts in this way we are naturally purged of our selfishness and
wantonness. Through this exchange we may enter into the depths of human
spirituality. There is no greater gesture than this ritual of rituals."
LM Changing: Zhouyi 45 Cui
"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
“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
THURSDAY February 20, Yin Water Snake 27
Hexagram 35 Jin: Advance
Lunar Mansion: The Ladle / Griffon
Solar Indicator: Level
Utilize today's Water Snake character: cunning, gifted and restless. Times call for attention, appropriate action and grace...prepare for a weekend of retreat.
"Jin is not about the prize, or what you did to win
it; but about the expressions of grace in the face of good fortune. This grace
demonstrates itself in humility and generosity. Cultivating oneself (caring for
the ancestral shrine) makes one ready for the gifts of fate. The truth is,
nothing is accomplished without a network of co-factors and helpers (family and
friends [alive and dead]). Modesty and grace express our
interconnectedness.”
LM Changing: Zhouyi 35 Jin
"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
“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
FRIDAY February 21, Yang Wood Horse 28
Hexagram 16 Yu: Comfort
Lunar Mansion: The Oxboy / Ox
Solar Indicator: Settle
When in doubt, pull back. Perhaps not so natural to the character of today: impulsive, reclusive and focused.
"Pleasure, in its
many forms, though powerful, is not long-lived. The auspice is good for
enjoyment but self-indulgence can ruin it. Enjoy and share the results of the
success, but do not make pleasure a goal in itself."
LM Changing: Zhouyi 16 Yu
“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
“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
