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/aka Auspices 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
Fire Monkey’s are organized, industrious and frank characters. They have strong sexual energy and work on their appearance. They are late to settle down. Their fortunes are good (though their motivation may be inspired by escaping hardship) and they are successful in business. They are particularly capable of avoiding negativity, but they will unfortunately need this skill. Though vigorous they are susceptible to wind disorders and may have coronary problems.
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 qi 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
LUNAR HEXAGRAM 60 Jie: Juncture
"Favorable for the practice of circumspection and restraint. Being observant and conservative with resources is auspicious. Knowing how to see and when to use limits brings success."
LM Changing: Zhouyi 60 Jie: Juncture
Hexagram 7 Shi: Army
Solar Indicator: Harvest
"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“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
“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
QI NODE: 15 White Dew
“Yin Descends
"White Dew qi node shows the shifting relationship between collapsing yang and ascendant yin. When yin 'descends' it is actually taking charge - yin style. In the morning white dew is the harbinger of change. The clouds are high in the sky. The growing west wind is cool. Dew is fresh yin qi - a fragile, glimpse of snow. The growing yin almost goes unnoticed. As the last of the summer qi subsides, a cool west wind (qi) appears and the season of autumn begins and develops. Geese migrate south and fall harvest continues in earnest.
“White Dew is a time of clarity and stillness. During this period the environment grows ever more yin and is characterized by a cool, dry wind (metal element). During this qi node the environmental qi is best at 5pm. Neigong should be done indoors. Do not eat at all after 7pm.
In the imagination of the poets and hermits of China it is a time of year when white nymphs are offering inspiration. Unlike their superiors, the Jade Lads and Ladies, these nymphs inhabit the sea and forest, not the Celestial realms. White dew, a rare or first form of frost of the year, is the signal of their presence. They show us white dew to remind us to prepare for the arrival of the Celestials (yin).”
LM The Way of the Three Treasures
Fire Roosters are skillful, sensual and restless characters. They are excellent craftspeople and have a strong ambition to escape the limitations of poverty and class. They flip-flop from iron self-confidence to hopelessness and back. Though apparently strong willed they collapse in the face of difficulties. Their unapologetic, anti-social attitudes will complicate their relationships and dim their fortunes. Their sexuality is ferocious and embarrassment unknown to them. They often carry the burden of unresolved ancestral (congenital) illnesses and are haunted by the unsettled dead.
LM Notes: Fire Rooster
"The situation is delicate and one in which the observance of details and tradition is of great importance. Progress is based on concentration."
LM Changing: ZhouyiSolar Indicator: Harvest
“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 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
Lunar Mansion: The Wall / Porcupine
Solar Indicator: Open
“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 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
“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
THURSDAY, September 9, Yang Metal Monkey 3
Lunar Mansion: The Stride / Wolf
Solar Indicator: Shut
"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 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
Lunar Mansion: The Mound / Dog
Solar Indicator: Design
"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 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
Lunar Mansion: The Stomach / Pheasant
"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
SUNDAY, Setember 12, Yin Water Pig 6
"Jian is the omen read from the gliding, settling, gliding and settling of migrating birds. It is about gradual and instinctive progress. Jian also represents the growth of plants, a traditional courtship, the gracious acceptance of fate, and our natural continuity with the ancestors. It is the story of a long and predestined journey, the power of perseverance, and the predisposition (character, nature and fate) inherent in our birth.”
LM Changing: Zhouyi 53 Jian
“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
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