In honor of Liu Ming
my teacher
To support grace and ease / For the resolution of all beings
CHINESE ALMANAC ASTROLOGY
commentary and compilations
by Jamie Shulander
All notes from class notes/works by Liu Ming
Scroll down to find the days of the week...
INDICATORS
YEAR of the FIRE MONKEY 4714
(Native Yang Metal) Imaginative/Clever/Playful
"Charged: curious, capable, funny, adaptable, intelligent, resourceful, innovative, playful, imaginative, responsive and heals fast.
Deplete: manipulative, deceptive, unfocused, cunning, erratic, crafty, frantic, nervous, compulsive, anxious and possibly criminal.
Image: The Monkey talked about in Chinese Astrology is well known to the Chinese peasant as a god. The Tibetan and Zhou people both have fables of a Monkey ancestor. The most famous Monkey in China is the wily Monkey who aids a monk in bringing the Buddhist sutras from India. All the images portray the Monkey as godlike but with the weaknesses commonly associated with humans (desire). This is the perilous balancing act that gives us an understanding of the Monkey character. Poised between the profound and the mundane, Monkeys are capable of a broad awareness of their environment. Nothing is left to convention. For Monkeys the greatest danger is selfish fantasy, the evil sister of visionary wisdom. Monkeys fluctuate between materialism and austerity. Material possessions must not block a Monkey’s need for flexibility.
Fire Monkey (1836, 1896, 1956, 2016, 2076) ‘Mountain Monkey’
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."
LUNAR MONTH: YIN METAL RAT ‘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.
QI NODE: 20 Little Snow
Yin Expands
“In the Little Snow qi node the continued growth of the cold/yin continues and our adaptation to Big Yin should have set in. The first snow seems beautiful like a young princess. The wisdom of the Past (ancestors) is proven true. The pattern of withdrawal seems just and truthful. Yin is now well established.
“Now it is easy to feel winter has begun. As winter grows cold and the maturation of the annual yin qi develops the cold and damp unite to create snow. Days get shorter - the dark grows quickly. The ground hardens and may freeze, insects disappear and rainbows no longer appear. The qi is best at 10pm. During this period the environment grows ever more yin and yang inhibition grows stronger. Every being/thing must rest. A trip south (winter vacation) is recommended for those with insufficient yang. We must guard our inner yang as it recedes from the environment. Cancel your activities in preparation for retreat. Earphones and iPod should replace public concerts. Check your insulation! Catch up on classic movies.”
LM The Way of Three Treasures