Chinese Almanac Astrology August 20 - 23, 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: YANG WOOD MONKEY (1824, 1884, 1944, 2004, 2062) “Climbing Monkey”

“Wood Monkey’s are versatile, adventurous and ambitious. Hurt by uncaring parents or orphaned in childhood, they tend to live unsettled lives. They often work at more than one job and live in more than one place - and have an untrusting character. Their ambitions can land them in lawsuits or in prison. A strong mentor or partner can release them from some obstructions. Strong in their youth, they decline in old age plagued by sleep disorders, congenital heart disorders and psychosomatic complications. They are prone to madness and depression.

 

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: 12 Pi: Obstruction

"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 

::: ::: :::

 

THURSDAY August 20, Yin Wood Goat 2

Hexagram Consult the Oracle

Lunar Mansion: The Well / Tapir

Solar Indicator: Shut

“It is auspicious to build, remodel, do fengshui adjustments, take exams, and maintain routine industry. The earth can be dug (gardening = wealth) and it is a good day to donate, buy or sell (investment) real estate. Community or charity projects will flourish. It is favorable for apologies. It is favorable for medical treatments (particularly for initiating a series of treatments for a chronic condition). 

“It is not auspicious to postpone needed repairs, apologies or difficult tasks. It is not good for funerals or burials of those who died by suicide, violence or sudden illness because others will soon follow.”

LM Notes: The Well

“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

FRIDAY August 21, Yang Fire Monkey 3

Hexagram 32 Heng: Constancy

Lunar Mansion: The Ghost / Sheet

Solar Indicator: Design

 “Heng is very favorable for carrying out routine work. Maintaining and practicing what is durable in life brings good fortune."

LM Changing: Zhouyi 32 Heng

“It is especially auspicious for funeral/burial (resolution of fate). It is also good to make gifts/donations to temples and offerings to the divinities, spiritual guardians and make memorials for the dead (ancestors/lineage). It is advantageous for entering retreat, meditation, fasting, spiritual initiation, ordination and ‘crossing over’ into transitory states. 

“It is not auspicious for worldly industry of any kind. It is a bad day to go to war (many casualties) or get married (husband will die early). One should avoid the wilderness (possession/illness will result).”

LM Notes: The Ghost

 

“It is an excellent day to recover wisdom by stepping back, planning, recalling alliances and reassessing our position.”

LM Notes: Design

 

 ::: ::: :::

QI NODE: 14 Heat Ends

"Yin Seduces, Metal

"The End of Heat qi node is just that. It is the end of what the Chinese call 'late summer'. In this qu node autumn winds, though still slightly damp, turn slowly drier. Summer's yang is completely exhausted and harvest can begin in earnest.

It is common for the body to feel slightly 'heavy' at this time of year because the fluids and qi are slowing down in anticipation of the Dry and Cold. Harvesting is the main qi pattern. Gather in your resources, plan for the less productive months ahead.

What we harvest now is what we will rely on during the months ahead.

The dreams and aspirations of spring/summer must now be edited with sound and practical strategies.

During this qi node qi is best at 4 pm. Neigong should be practiced in short sessions in morning and afternoon. Afternoon naps are recommended (10 - 25 min). Plan to be at home most evenings. Party's over, time to clean house and tighten up the protocols." 

LM The Way of the Three Treasures 

::: ::: ::: 

SATURDAY August 22, Yin Fire Rooster 4

Hexagram 50 Ding: Tri-Pod Vessel

Lunar Mansion: The Willow / Roebuck

Solar Indicator: Divide

 

"It is a time of education and great spiritual and material success. Don’t rush. Your superiors notice you. Opportunity is abundant. Alliances are offered to you on all sides.”

LM Changing: Zhouyi  50 Ding

“It is especially auspicious for seclusion and the composing of memorials. It is favorable to make offerings and practice divination. It is fruitful on this day to fast, enter retreat, practice meditation and receive spiritual initiation and/or ordination (lineage). It is ideal for funerals / burials and the complete resolution of the unsettled dead (exorcism).

“It is not auspicious for marriage. Do not indulge in lawsuits (as it will ruin 3 generations).”

LM Notes: The Willow

 

"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

 

SUNDAY August 23, Yang Earth Dog 5

Hexagram 28 Da Guo

Lunar Mansion: The Birdstar / Horse

Solar Indicator: Full

 

“Da Guo contains instructions on how to avoid disaster in heavy, grave or weird and unconventional circumstances. When you get entangled in excess, going forward with caution may be the best thing to do. Excess and eccentricity have their place. Something greater than the usual mechanical sense of cause and effect is at work in Da Guo."

LM Changing: Zhouyi 28 Da Guo

 

“Think powerful, but gentle succeeds...It is auspicious for building and routine work (you will meet / hobnob with the powerful). Good auspice is directly related to continuity, convention and not innovation.

“It is not auspicious for funerals/burials or marriages (rape, divorce). It is a dangerous day for travel and/or medical treatments.”

LM Notes: The Birdstar

 

“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

::: ::: :::

 In resolution and adventure...

Warmly,

 

Jamie Shulander

Instagram@jamieshulander

jshulander@gmail.com