Chinese Almanac Astrology January 18 - 24, 2021

  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...

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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 EARTH OX (1829, 1889, 1949, 2009, 2069) ‘Penned Ox’

EARTH is the native element of the Ox Earthly Branch. Earth Ox are active, stubborn and highly motivated. They struggle to make sense of the world. They work hard for little reward and have a very uneven fortune, but are uncomplaining. Their strength makes more problems than solutions in their life. They are financially strapped, depressed and isolated when young but slowly overcome these limitations. Though capable of caring for others they rarely find a compatible partner or have children. They are prone to stomach/spleen disorders and arthritis.

QI NODE: 23 Little Cold

Yin Declines

“In the Little Cold qi node yin inclines gracefully toward its demise. The ground may freeze and thaw and freeze again. The sheer weight of Yin compresses yang but it does not succumb. It may be too cold to snow. Retreat is natural gesture. The ice is cracking but it is hard to notice the change. Yang is imagining its recovery. The qi is best at 1 am! If your bed points East and you sleep on your right side - you face north all night. You should be dreaming in such a way that you are reinventing yourself down to the very depths of your being. This qi node is the inherent birth found in every death. The impulse of immortality played out in the myriad ephemeral phenomena.

You may wake from a dream cured of a chronic condition. You may wake from a dream remembering your true nature. Do neigong while asleep!”

LM The Way of Three Treasures

LUNAR HEXAGRAM: 19 Lin: Approach

"You must be patient and appropriate in your progress, but do not procrastinate. The auspice is for forward action."
LM Changing: Zhouyi 19 Lin

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MONDAY January 18, Yand Fire Tiger 6

Hexagram 3 Zhun: Sprouting

Lunar Mansion: The Heart / Fox

Solar Indicator: Divide

“Zhun is favorable for young people, fresh thinking, new alliances, and gentle progress. Zhun is an inspired, delicate and new situation needing unpretentious leadership and experienced advice to grow. When Zhun is divined inexperience is the basis for difficulties, there are no real outside obstacles. Delays should be expected."

LM Changing: Zhouyi 3 Zhun

“It is auspicious to comply with superiors, make offerings to the ancestors, move home and/or immigrate. Only routine work may avoid negativity. Contraindicated activity: If you start a lawsuit (making your case) you will lose everything (imprisonment). If you construct a building, get married or bury the dead, disaster follows. Everything sold today will be at a loss to the seller. Pushing forward (forcing progress) on this day will have three times the negative result of other days.”

LM Notes: The Heart

"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

::: ::: :::

3 Zhun: Sprouting

“Zhun is favorable for young people, fresh thinking, new alliances, and gentle progress. Zhun is an inspired, delicate and new situation needing unpretentious leadership and experienced advice to grow. When Zhun is divined inexperience is the basis for difficulties, there are no real outside obstacles. Delays should be expected."

LM Changing: Zhouyi 3 Zhun

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TUESDAY January 19, Yin Fire Rabbit 7

Hexagram 42 Yi: Increase

Lunar Mansion: The Tail / Tiger

Solar Indicator: Full

“Yi is about the natural progress of things when it is enhanced by the best of conditions. Sun and water and good soil help the tree grow strong; yet a tree is also subordinate to the warmth, the rain and the soil. The tree also naturally "knows” what to take and leave. Yi is the “knowledge” of nature.”

LM Changing: Zhouyi 42 Yi

“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

“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

::: ::: :::

QI NODE: 24 Great Cold

Malignant Yin

"The Great Cold qi node is Big Yin's last stand for the year - 'Cold rolls up into Heaven'. The fact is Yin power is nearly exhausted. It is the systole of yin/yang transformation - a pause and stillness before the stirring of spring and the return of Yang. It is time to remain withdrawn and silent. Cold and Damp unite and ride the Wind. The Cold is ghostly and hollow but still dangerous and penetrating.

"During this qi node Great Cold qi is best at 2 am. One should practice neigong in the evening before bed and just before dawn facing the northeast. Do not exert yourself, but let the yang qi stir - feel warm. During the day eat two small meals. Is is still the dead of winter so do not abandon the conservation of your yang qi. Rest often and throughout the day and work indoors. Do not think too much.

"During this time the Great Yin of winter is fallen - a cold Damp (pernicious qi) spreads, along the ground. Go to bed early and avoid the cold night winds that harm the lungs. Your genetic predisposition for illness and death (ghosts) are on the surface (abroad) and can be adjusted, cleared or subdued. Heavy phlegm and cold diarrhea that do not respond to treatment are dangerous signs of possession. Stay warm. Stimulating massage is okay but should not stir up yang. Warm baths and brushing the skin red are good.

"The groundless feeling of depression, fear and 'just surviving' are common symptoms of malignant yin. The unsettled dead cause outbursts of emotion (possession/fear) that hurt the Lungs and Colon - try to stay calm, but not lethargic. Strange and/or profound dreams are good signs of the transformation and resolution of ghosts."

LM The Way of Three Treasures

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WEDNESDAY January 20, Yang Earth Dragon 8

Hexagram Consult the Oracle

Lunar Mansion: The Basket / Leopard

Solar Indicator: Level

"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 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 January 21, Yin Earth Snake 9

Hexagram 51 Zhen: Thunder

Lunar Mansion: The Ladle / Griffon

Solar Indicator: Settle

"Zhen indicates a time for a dramatic breakthrough from lethargy. Good fortune here has everything to do with staying calm. Zhen denotes a situation where, though things are in turmoil at first, they sort out and become beneficial in the long run. Whether you are the rebel leader or the deposed ruler there is good reason to proceed with standard protocol, good manners, and determination.”

LM Changing: Zhouyi  51 Zhen

"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

“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

FRIDAY January 22, Yang Metal Horse 10

Hexagram 21 Shihe: Biting

Lunar Mansion: The Oxboy / Ox

Solar Indicator: Maintain

"A Zhou leader was both a warrior and a sage, not a brute. Good leaders know that it is their own miscalculations and poor management that lead to the need for a strong use of force (war). When we resort to harsh punishments we must do so cautiously - even humbly."

LM Changing: Zhouyi 21 Shihe

“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

“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 January 23, Yin Metal Goat 11

Hexagram 17 Sui: Pursuit

Lunar Mansion: The Maiden / Bat

Solar Indicator: Destroy

“In Sui goals (hunt) are reached but it is important not to make pursuit (killing) itself the goal. An important aspect of successful leadership is knowing when to subordinate and who or what to follow.

“In this hexagram, the source of clarity and the strength that bring true success is subordination to fate - the act of following. When your efforts are rewarded it is stopping that brings success. Getting caught up in pursuit for its own sake will make you mad and diminish your resources."

LM Changing: Zhouyi: 17 Sui

“It is auspicious to stay home, enjoy the arts, self-reflect, do inner panning and practice austerity (meditation, fasting and rest). It is beneficial to guard your health and conserve your qi. It is favorable to support others. Building may be safe but not profitable.”

“It is not auspicious to take risks, medical treatments, bury the dead (cause epidemics, bowel disorders). To initiate industry (dig earth) and production on this day invites calamity.” 

LM Notes: The Maiden

“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

SUNDAY January 24, Yang Water Monkey 12

Hexagram 25 Wu Wang: No Expectations

Lunar Mansion: The Void / Rat

Solar Indicator: Danger

“Relax plans, open up and let go of goals. When Wu Wang is divined, good fortune is based on being free of fear and expectation but ready to act if an easy opportunity arises. Do not over focus on goals and gains and you can avoid disaster. Just let things happen naturally."

LM Changing: Zhouyi 25 Wu Wang

“It is auspicious to stay home, strengthen family ties and protect your children. Sleep and rest are recommended (be cautioned by your dreams).”

“On this day it is not auspicious to marry (your children will be delinquent or handicapped), bury the dead or make offerings to ancestors (ghosts/dead will become demonic - causing illnesses for 3 years!). Extra-marital affairs begun on this day will eventually ruin your family, reputation and health. Medical treatments today can cause injury and expose constitutional weakness.”

LM Notes: The Void

“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

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In resolution and adventure...
 
Warmly,

Jamie Shulander
Instagram@jamieshulander
jshulander@gmail.com