Chinese Almanac Astrology August 12 - 15, 2020

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 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: YIN WATER GOAT (1883, 1943, 2003, 2063) ‘Herded Goat’

Water Goats are talkative, sentimental and persevering characters. Their emotional attachments to people and things cloud their wisdom. Their consideration of others undermines their success. Egalitarian idealists they work very hard ‘against all odds.’ Their generosity is unfailing. Rarely thanked for their work they nevertheless are strong helpers. They are often robbed or make poor judgements in financial matters and their fortune does not smooth out until old age (60+). Though rarely ill their illness tends to be complex and hard to diagnose and/or treat.

 

QI NODE: 13 Autumn Begins

"Yin Reverses Yang

“In Autumn Begins there is the reversal of what the Chinese call "late summer". At this time autumn qi (particularly in evening/night), which is Dry, will reverse the lingering damp heat pattern. It often causes typhoons and tornadoes.

During this qi node qi is the best at 3pm.

Now and then, during the day, practice neigong facing southwest. Do not overexert yourself (or sweat); let the qi move the blood and transform nutrients. Dress lightly (cover well), and stroll about in the morning to avoid the damp.

Chew well. During the day eat two meals, rest (nap) after lunch, snacks of fruit (pears) are good on hot days. Drink green and flower tea and in the evening enjoy a light savory soup.

Vegetarian meals are fine.

Activity should turn from outward to inward - begin to edit and then store what has been accomplished. Continue the cautions of Great Heat.

Before bed bucket bathes and go to sleep not long after dark. Do not go about in the evening or by the coast. Rest, relax, travel (inland), exercise (modestly) and do not be exposed to coastal or night winds." 

LM The Way of the Three Treasures

 

LUNAR HEXAGRAM: 59 Huan: Overflowing

"Huan is generally favorable and associated with getting rid of the old and bringing in the new. It is the refreshment that comes from deep and honest spiritual revelation."

LM Changing: Zhouyi

 

::: ::: :::

 

WEDNESDAY August 12, Yin Fire Pig 23

Hexagram 40 Jie: Release

Lunar Mansion: The Wall / Porcupine

Solar Indicator: Level

 

“...Nowhere to go means you have no particular goal or purpose because the freedom to choose is new. You can let things come and go, that is just let them open up by themselves. After every period of restraint there is a release (southwest). Inhibition naturally thaws like ice in the spring.”

LM Changing: Zhouyi 40 Jie

 

"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

“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

THURSDAY August 13, Yang Earth Rat 24

Hexagram 64 Weiji: Not Yet Across

Lunar Mansion: The Stride / Wolf

Solar Indicator: Settle

 

"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

 

"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

“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

 

::: ::: :::

 

LUNAR HEXAGRAM: 55 Feng: Abundance

"Feng is about an enormous windfall, harvesting a bumper crop or a fated reward that comes (and goes) naturally. It expresses the mysterious and fertile generosity of nature. The mention of astronomical and astrological influences in several of the lines indicates that success is a matter of fate-synchronicity with the cycles of time. Do not waste time feeling unworthy or claim the success is yours. Honor all co-factors and reward all co-workers. Celebration and generosity express abundance."

LM Changing: Zhouyi 55 Feng

 

::: ::: :::

 

FRIDAY August 14, Yin Earth Ox 25

Hexagram 47 Kun: Beset

Lunar Mansion: The Mound / Dog

Solar Indicator: Maintain

 

"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 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

 

“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

 

SATURDAY August 15, Yang Metal Tiger 26

Hexagram 6 Song: Disputing

Lunar Mansion: The Stomach / Pheasant

Solar Indicator: Destroy

 

"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 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

“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

 

::: ::: :::

 

In resolution and adventure...

Warmly,

 

Jamie Shulander

Instagram@jamieshulander

jshulander@gmail.com