Chinese Almanac Astrology February 8 - 14, 2021 Happy New Year!

 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: 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: Spring Begins

Yang Reverses Yin

"Though Spring Begins means the return of yang qi it is really mostly theoretical. We feel that Yin is done, but Yang is still only active 'under the surface'. The overall trend has shifted towards Yang but it may not be accompanied by much apparent change, like warm weather or increased stamina. The first new moon begins the Spring Festival (Chinese New Year). Spring Festival, celebrated for the 2 weeks of this qi node, in China is like Christmas, New Year, Fourth of July and everyone's birthday all rolled into one. Everyone celebrates and is very generous and sociable to encourage spring to grow. This is the gan ying principle. It is a celebration of yang renewal.

"During this qi node qi is best at 3am. One should practice neigong just before dawn facing - northeast. Do not exert yourself, but let the yang qi play - this renews us and gives us longevity. During the day eat several small meals with family and friends. Renew relationships.

"Acts of renewal and generosity are auspicious and rewarding. Avoid being very productive and do not sign agreements.

"With the beginning of spring the Liver/hun 'comes alive'. In the early nodes of spring dreams can be very revealing of our physical and spiritual condition and the state of our ancestors. As the ghosts (yin) of winter fade into the background the beneficent ancestors (yang) come forward. Spring qi has a kind of hope in it - we dream both day and night during this time. Though our qi resources are not yet solid, it is very auspicious to being cultivating new and renewable projects. The caution is important - if we move too fast the weak underpinnings of spring yang collapse. If impulse accepts education all goes well."

LM The Way of Three Treasures

LUNAR HEXAGRAM: 15 Qian: Modesty

“With true modesty anything can be accomplished. In modest steps a great journey can be accomplished. Even when strong action needs to be taken, do not abandon modesty.”

LM Changing: Zhouyi 15 Qian

::: ::: :::

 

MONDAY February 8, Yin Fire Pig 27

Hexagram 54 Guimei: A Girl is Married

Lunar Mansion: The Bow / Deer

Solar Indicator: Harvest

 

"Things are auspicious for the underdog, but early success collapses. The situation is touch and go. Things can end up okay if some sacrifices are made."

LM Changing: Zhouyi 54 Guimei

 

“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 February 9, Yang Earth Rat 28

Hexagram 38 Kui: Incompatible

Lunar Mansion: The Wings / Serpent

Solar Indicator: Open

 

“Unfavorable for planning or forward progress. Expect to be frustrated but make small gains. It is a good time to seek counsel from those with expertise and wisdom...Try a little self-reflection and humility."

LM Changing: Zhouyi 38 Kui

 

“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

WEDNESDAY February 10, Yin Earth Ox 29

Hexagram 58 Dui: Pleasuring
Lunar Mansion: The Chariot / Earthworm
Solar Indicator: Shut

 

"Generally auspicious and associated with a light-handed approach to things. It is not how you find pleasure, but how you express it that will determine the longevity of your happiness."

LM Changing: Zhouyi 58 Dui

“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

THURSDAY February 11, Yang Metal Tiger 30

Hexagram 10 Lu: Treading
Lunar Mansion: The Horn / Crocodile
Solar Indicator: Design

"The process contains danger because you do not have the power to create success with certainty. Everything depends on exactly how you conduct yourself. Humility, caution, fear-management, and contemplation bring success.” LM Changing: Zhouyi 10 Lu

“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

::: ::: :::

LUNAR YEAR: YEAR of the OX

“Charged: Calm, dignified, sincere, tenacious, uncompromising, dependable, quiet, independent, just, punctual, outdoorsy, loyal and supportive.

Deplete: Insensitive, ruthless if crossed, humorless, sullen, slavishly conventional, fearful of change, aloof and dull.

Image: The Ox talked about in Chinese Astrology is well known to all Chinese farmers. When China turned away from the wily horse to the sedate ox as the plow animal, rice productivity greatly increased. As a plow animal the Ox plows straight furrows and needs no coaxing. Ox are linked with the profits of consistent hard work and the Confucian virtue of perseverance in what is right. Naturally strong they are at their best when they are constantly challenged. Their sense of justice (and the law) makes them good leaders. Though often materially successful, they lack attachment to material things.

YIN METAL OX (1841, 1901, 1961, 2021, 2081) ‘Traveling Ox’

Metal Ox are accommodating, strong and reliable. They never shy away from difficulty or back down in confrontation. They promise more than they can deliver. Hurtful trauma in childhood (orphaned, immigration) and repressed anger ultimately polish their cold-heartedness into a calm and generous character. They are good parents and friends to a small in-crowd. They are rarely sick, and live long lives. Though their fortunes wax and wane they have comfortable old age.

LM Notes: Metal Ox

LUNAR MONTH: YANG METAL TIGER (1830, 1890, 1950, 2010, 2070) ‘Tiger Descends’ - Metal Tigers are demanding, candid and vigorous characters. They are contentious, aggressive, sensual and yet forgiving. They are generous to temples and to their friends. To avoid anxiety they do not hide their feelings or thoughts, but regret it later. When young they are wasteful and their fortune is limited and obstructed but as they age it consistently improves without reversal. They are physically strong and more likely to be injured than ill. They are susceptible to pernicious wind when depressed.

LUNAR HEXAGRAM: 11 Tai: Great

“Tai is favorable for going forward and expanding. When Tai is divined natural growth is inevitable - all plans succeed, if you do not push or rush them. Do not over analyze the situation. Recognize that things unfold by themselves.” LM Changing: Zhouyi 11 Tai

::: ::: ::: 

FRIDAY February 12, Yin Metal Rabbit 1

Hexagram 11 Tai: Great
Lunar Mansion: The Neck / Dragon
Solar Indicator: Divide

 

“Tai is favorable for going forward and expanding. When Tai is divined natural growth is inevitable - all plans succeed, if you do not push or rush them. Do not over analyze the situation. Recognize that things unfold by themselves.” LM Changing: Zhouyi 11 Tai

 

"It is auspicious to comply with the orders of superiors and/or let assistants/helpers lead the way. The image is auspicious, in a preordained sense, but can be ruined by unnecessary effort. It is about the useful conventions of education. Collecting data before action.

"Contraindicated activity: Industry, marriages and weddings, signing contracts and starting or initiating production invite calamity. These activities will bring ruin over the following 10 days. Building on this day causes strokes for fathers and eldest sons. Burying the dead will cause the spread of disease. Going to battle is disastrous. Travel by sea invites shipwrecks."

LM Notes: The Neck

"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

SATURDAY February 13, Yang Water Dragon 2

Hexagram 26 Da Chu: Great Store
Lunar Mansion: The Root / Badger
Solar Indicator: Full

 

“Routine work brings about unexpected results. At the highest level of success is an opportunity to be extraordinarily generous."

LM Changing: Zhouyi 26 Da Chu

"It is auspicious to go to school, make offerings to ancestors, consult oracles and/or physicians. Avoid abandoned buildings and the wilderness (as spirits that cause illness are active). Comply with superiors and taboos (follow conventions/traditions).

"Contraindicated activity: Marriages and weddings bring accidental death. Contracts signed today invite betrayal and embezzlement. Travel by sea invites shipwrecks."

LM Notes: The Root

“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

SUNDAY February 14, Yin Water Snake 3

Hexagram 5 Xu: Waiting
Lunar Mansion: The Room / Hare
Solar Indicator: Level

 

"Xu suggests that waiting is a part of the natural unfolding (fate) of all situations. Xu is about making the most of waiting - using the power of patience and procrastination to avoid struggle and develop wisdom in action. Accepting fate is not about abandoning intelligence. A wise and able person has the sensitivity to find the freedom within fate. The wisdom of Xu is the clarity to hold back and go forward at the right times.” 

LM Changing: Zhouyi 5 Xu

 

"It is auspicious to make (sincere) offerings to ancestors, consult oracles, practice ritual and meditation, move home, begin construction and add rooms (remodel) to homes and shops. It is a good day for fengshui adjustments, acquiring luxuries, medical treatments (esp food/herb cures) and making investments. Success will visit anyone who studies and/or takes exams today. Funerals on this day benefit both the living and the dead. Straight-forwardness and sincerity bring success."

"Contraindicated activity: Finalizing divorce, excessive ambition and ingratitude. Exaggeration and hypocrisy bring disaster. Not a good day for taking leadership or management responsibilities."

LM Notes: The Room

“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

::: ::: :::

In resolution and adventure...
 
Warmly,

Jamie Shulander
Instagram@jamieshulander
jshulander@gmail.com