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 WATER HORSE (1882, 1942, 2002, 2062) “War Horse”
“Water Horses are independent, hard-working and thrifty characters. They are particularly gifted craftspeople and have a friendly demeanor. They easily offer themselves to protect and ‘save’ others (military). They are not adverse to intentional ‘tragedy’ (heroism). Their fortunes are likely to improve as they grow old. The most emotional of all Horses they tend to compromise their health with repressed feelings. Their livers are weak and they are susceptible to curses and spells.
QI NODE: 10 Summer Solstice
Yang Rules
"At Summer Solstice there is the longest day (yang) and the shortest night (Yin) of the year. The sun is at its zenith, directly above us at noon. It is the Yang peak of the year. Activity is highly motivated. Summer Solstice is one of four annual pivots that rectify annual qi.
"The Yang growth, that began in spring, peaks and turns towards its inevitable decline. Flowers blossom and many fruits and vegetables ripen but this explosion of splendor is a gesture of survival (launching seeds). The force of Yang, if not tempered, will destroy rather than ripen. The Chinese character for summer depicts a farmer at rest (idle) - growth in this part of summer needs no nursing. Yang is raging on its own.
"During this qi node the environmental qi is best at Noon. When you wake, practice neigong facing due south. Do not overexert yourself; but sweating is not harmful. Chew well. During the day eat two or three small meals, rest (nap) after lunch, drink green and chrysanthemum tea and in the evening enjoy a light soup. Guard the heart from strain by expressing your feelings, singing, dancing and socializing. Before bed bucket bathes with a final cold rinse. Go to sleep just after dark. Rest, relax, travel (vacation by sea or high mountain), exercise modestly and do not get burned by the sun. Do not work or rest directly in the sun of midday!"
LM The Way of Three Treasures
LUNAR HEXAGRAM: 14 Dayou: Prosperity
"Through
good management, prosperity is established and, through generosity, prosperity
is translated into great benefit."
LM
Changing: Zhouyi
::: ::: :::
MONDAY June 29, Yin Water Rabbit 9
Hexagram 29 Kan: Pit
Lunar Mansion: The
Bow / Deer
Solar Indicator: Harvest
Today's
character is not particularly good at commitments: skittish, intuitive
and untrusting. It may be beneficial today to find a grounding rod, whether
in mentor, partner or piece of property. Keep it light whenever possible, it's
not that deep to begin with...
“You are repeatedly
trapped and struggling. You must stoically accept restraint. If you accept that
you are in a sinkhole, find the message in it, and develop patience, things go
well."
LM
Changing: Zhouyi
29 Kan
“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
“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
TUESDAY June 30, Yang Wood Dragon 10
Hexagram 4 Meng:
Immaturity
Lunar Mansion: The Wings
/ Serpent
Solar Indicator: Open
Though
today's character is artistic, righteous and ingenious, it may be advantageous
to aim for the routine. Be ingenious about the routine then...let patience and
celebration be your guide.
“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 4 Meng
“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 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
WEDNESDAY July 1, Yin Wood Snake 11
Hexagram 7 Shi: Army
Lunar Mansion: The
Chariot / Earthworm
Solar Indicator: Shut
Today's
aim in calm. The honest, shy and popular character of the the Wood
Snake, should balance the quiet and industrially mixed qualities of the day
just fine...snakes can do both, easily.
"Shi is time for order and cooperation. Agreements
and alliances foster good fortune. When Shi is divined teamwork and
personal discipline can transform danger into success, but losses will
occur.”
LM
Changing: Zhouyi 7 Shi
“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
“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
THURSDAY July 2, Yang Fire Horse 12
Hexagram 33 Dun: Pig
Lunar Mansion: The Horn
/ Crocodile
Solar Indicator: Design
Today's outspoken,
quick-tempered and skillful character should navigate today mostly well,
good at initiations though dampened with pause...go with the pause...expand
with the pause.
“There will be modest
gains. Do not be overly concerned about limits and restrictions. Stay put and
you will grow strong. Success is acquired gradually but reward is
inevitable."
LM
Changing: Zhouyi
33 Dun
“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 an excellent day
to recover wisdom by stepping back, planning, recalling alliances and
reassessing our position.”
LM Notes: Design
::: ::: :::
In resolution and
adventure...
Warmly,
Jamie Shulander
Instagram@jamieshulander
jshulander@gmail.com
