Chinese Almanac Astrology October 17 - 20, 2020

Sorry for the lapse! 
As the roots of life revolve, I wish us all grace, adaptability and creativity!
May we work together to create solutions and connect...          

 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.

 

AND SO WE BEGIN...

::: ::: :::

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 FIRE DOG (1886, 1946, 2006, 2066) ‘Guard Dog’

Fire Dogs are patient, persevering and kind-hearted. Strong (even aggressive) at standing up for others, they forget to speak for themselves. Their strength isolates them. They are poor planners but excellent and dedicated problem solvers. The problems they solve are often of their own making. They may lose a home or business to fire. They do not enjoy good health due to inherited liver and heat disorders. Their fortunes are shaped by the vague and unresolved longings of their dead ancestors (which must be resolved).

Qi Node: 17 Cold Dew

Yin Collects Yang

"In the Cold Dew qi node autumn inclines toward winter. The door of the storehouse is closed; the harvest has been tallied. It is a time of descending temperatures (especially in the early mornings) that mark the growing strength of the annual Yin qi. The mornings show dew or frost. If snow falls, it suddenly melts. Yang drains downward and in. Quiet becomes silence.

 As the autumn peaks and descends into winter, natural activity appears to subside. In fact, all activity withdraws inward. The northwest wind (qi) arises carrying the cold and the season of autumn peaks and declines towards winter. In the south winter crops are planted and in the north the fall harvest is stored away. Leaves fall from the trees. Our healthy bodies continue to crystallize their fluids for winter and the environmental qi supports the process. Light moisture (yin) in the system, used to guard against the summer heat, now crystallizes and concentrates. This fluid transformation, parallel to the descent of frost, indicates a 'slowing' of the heart. In this period we should garner resources (eat heartily), conserve qi (guard Heart) and routinize qi (strengthen Kidney qi).

 During this period then environmental qi is best at 7pm. Neigong is practiced inside where it it warm - but do not sweat. Your behavior in the early morning and evening should be ritual or routine. Slow down and it is easy to stay healthy at this time of year! It is not yet time to tonify yang - remember that yang tonics are called 'dangerous' and yin tonics are not. Applying yang when it is not needed or in excessive doses can impair your health."

LM The Way of Three Treasures

 

LUNAR HEXAGRAM: 23 Bo: Erosion

“History has recorded many failed revolutions. Bad timing or inappropriate (selfish) motive has undermined many attempts to restructure the powers that be. If you wish to revolt, do not be blinded by idealism, choose the time wisely, be just, and of impeccable virtue. Remember that leadership and eminence are matters of fate."

LM Changing: Zhouyi 23 Bo

::: ::: :::

SATURDAY October 17, Yin Water Snake 1
Hexagram 33 Dun: Pig
Lunar Mansion: The Willow Roebuck
Solar Indicator: Danger

 “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 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

“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

 

SUNDAY October 18, Yang Wood Horse 2
Hexagram 7 Shi: Army
Lunar Mansion: The Birdstar / Horse
Solar Indicator: Complete

 "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

 “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

 “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

 

MONDAY October 19, Yin Wood Goat 3
Hexagram 4 Meng: Immaturity
Lunar Mansion: The Bow / Deer
Solar Indicator: Harvest

“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

“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 October 20, Yang Fire Monkey 4

Hexagram 29 Kan: Pit

Lunar Mansion: The Wings / Serpent

Solar Indicator: Open

 “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 

“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

 ::: ::: :::

In resolution and adventure...
 
Warmly,

Jamie Shulander
Instagram@jamieshulander
jshulander@gmail.com