In honor of my Teacher, Liu Ming,
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Commentary and compilations by Jamie Shulander
All notes from class notes/works by Liu Ming
INDICATORS Listed: Yearly, Monthly, Lunar then Daily
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LUNAR YEAR: YEAR of the OX
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.
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
Water Snakes are cunning, gifted and restless characters. Their seductive qi brings them assistance from people of knowledge and power. Their good fortunes rely upon others (previous causes). Their inner life is secret and they do not reveal their real thoughts or feelings to anyone. They dislike personal commitment and are unlikely to parent children. Natural renunciates, who enjoy the wilderness, their potential for the practice of wisdom traditions is great. They are prone to contagious disease and cold illnesses (pain). They are not easily ‘read’.
QI NODE: 7 Summer Begins
Yang Ascends
"In Summer Begins the Yang heat that was trapped in the Earth (In Winter) is now full-fledged and in the Sky. The sun shines brightly. Hawks soar, frogs croak and earthworms are abundant. Though Yang has nearly matured it can still be impulsive, reckless. If the weather (our conduct) is not seasonal, storms can be destructive to crops. Yang in Summer Begins is like an unskilled soldier anxious to prove his valor on the battlefield. This sense of aggression invites the occasional hot wind invasion so caution is recommended in your exposure to the sun and wind.
“The qi is best at 9am, get up early and do not practice neigong in the direct sun. Several short practice sessions instead of one long one is a good idea. A relaxed sense of confidence and a clear Appetite can be your guide. When in doubt, eat several small meals rather than 2 or 3 big ones. Spring vegetables and fish are still the main course. Vegetarian meals are suitable for anyone now as the produce ripens. Yang activity is ‘full-on’ now so do not sit around lethargically - get up and circulate. Be preserving and maintain connectedness to your springtime dreams and projects."
LM The Way of Three Treasures
"Qian is the natural endless progress of time as symbolized by the onset of spring. Time is celestial movement, like the wind in the sky - not the product of human effort. The first hexagram is like the head of a circle; it is the beginning or renewal of a constant and endless cycle of time."
LM Changing: Zhouyi 1 QianSolar Indicator: Complete
“The key to the auspices has to do with how you act in a dangerous situation…It is auspicious to stay home, repair walls (security), remodel, take tonics and comply with superiors. It is favorable for medical treatments, exercise and eating well. It is favorable to raise roof beams and rafters (begin new construction). It is auspicious for family gatherings at home. Alliances and collaborations come to fruit and good 'luck'. This day is inauspicious for travel because you will be robbed (road) or drowned (sea). Strangers and strange (foreign) places offer calamity.”
LM Notes: The Roof
“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
"Favorable for small accomplishments and temporary appeasement, but inauspicious generally. Discretion is vital in whatever you do."
LM Changing: Zhouyi 56 LuHexagram 62 Xiao Guo: Small Succeeds
Lunar Mansion: The House / Pig
Solar Indicator: Harvest
"Success in small matters. The judicious and timely use of small force succeeds. Being an assistant is favorable. Things go well if you avoid pretense."
LM Changing: Zhouyi 62 Xiao Guo“It is auspicious to build, remodel and make fengshui adjustments (especially to enhance career office/shop). It is auspicious to initiate business, negotiate and sign contracts and get married (all of which have long-term benefit). Expect to be generously compensated for work done today.
“Public welfare projects succeed. Temple buildings brings benefits for many generations.
Conversely it is auspicious to enter retreat if there is great sincerity (renunciation) and strong resolve (compassion for others). The benefits you receive on this day should be shared with others (living and dead). Burials on this day are celebrated by both the living and dead ancestors (bring great wealth).
“It is not auspicious to wait, procrastinate or be confrontational.”
LM Notes: The House
“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
Hexagram 56 Lu: Sojourner
Lunar Mansion: The Wall / Porcupine
Solar Indicator: Open
"Favorable for small accomplishments and temporary appeasement, but inauspicious generally. Discretion is vital in whatever you do."
LM Changing: Zhouyi 56 Lu"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
Lunar Mansion: The Stride / Wolf
Solar Indicator: Shut
“The growth of influence and inspiration described by Xian is at first calm with awe, then stirred up by enthusiasm and, finally, confident enough to act. Though the progress is gradual, patient and intuitive - success is inevitable. The fullness of success is in the discovery of the natural reciprocity and support of a partner or a group. This qi sensation is deeply moving and difficult or impossible to put into words. Do not expect words to express such deep connection; let inspiration radiate from your actions.”
LM Changing: Zhouyi 31 Xian"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
“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
QI NODE: 8 Grain Sprouts
Yang Expands
"Yang in the Grain Sprouts qi node agrees to leadership through education - yang qi agrees to stay in the channels. Yang matures and takes on a less impulsive quality - it becomes steady in its discipline. The Prince leads his first successful campaign. What were fertile fields now show sprouts. The promise is strong. Trees and shrubs flourish. There is a 'small fullness'. The sages gather herbs from mountains in peace. Some early fruits are harvested.
The qi is best a 10am, get up early and practice neigong in the shade, away from the wind. Several short sessions in the day would be best. Bucket bath before bed and retire shortly after dark. Working closely with others on big projects is auspicious. Be a part of something big - something that concerns more than your personal comfort and routines."
LM The Way of Three Treasures
Lunar Mansion: The Mound / Dog
Solar Indicator: Design
“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 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
“It is an excellent day to recover wisdom by stepping back, planning, recalling alliances and reassessing our position.”
LM Notes: Design
Solar Indicator: Divide
"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"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
"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
Solar Indicator: Full
“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“It is auspicious to stay home (familiar places / people), study, enter retreat, initiate austerities and make offerings to the dead. It is wise to postpone everything proactive (marriage, building, funeral, burials).
“It is not auspicious to be industrious in any way (building will bring loss). All positive events that occur today will ultimately have negative results (marriage will end in disloyalty and divorce). Medical treatments on this day will complicate existing illness - turn acute into chronic (possibly bring on premature death). Confrontation or battle on this day will lead to injury or death.”
LM Notes: The Watchers
“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
Jamie Shulander
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