December - Month of the Yang Water Rat

Dec 7, 2022 (12:49pm) - Jan 4, 2023 is the Solar Month of the Yang Water Rat (Ren Zi 壬 子). Rat is the 12th Zodiac Animal and the 11th month of the Solar Calendar. In the month of the Pig energies were shifting towards softening and righting the wrongs of the current and previous years. The Rat month will continue with that energy. According to Asian culture, the Rat is known for its competence and high level of survival skills. This month will bring strategic competence and high energy. With two Horses in the month’s BaZi (double clash with Rat) the “changing energy” is strong internally and in personal relationships, investments, creativity, and output.

2022 Month of the Yang Water Rat

As you can see, there is a lot of water energy, which in turn supports wood energy. Water is very reflective and for people who have a water day master (Ren or Gui), this is a month of self-reflection. Water people tend to be affected by ‘the reflection’ of outside influences and this month it is important for those who have a water Day Master to move more toward your own self-interests and focus on what YOU want…what matters to YOU, rather than being so heavily influenced by others. Prioritize yourself. In your career, guard your time jealously. Socialize and network more (this is a companion month). Pay more attention to your health and get the labs/bloodwork that you may have been neglecting.

Other Day Masters (Wood, Fire, Earth, and Metal) also have their own unique energetic interaction with this month’s energy:

• Wood: This is a resource month for you so it’s a good month to work with your knowledge base by either enhancing your knowledge or monetizing it.

• Fire: It is important to get clear on your direction, solve problems, reduce stress through action, and intensify your abilities to gain clarity.

• Earth: This is a power/wealth month for you and it’s important to use this wisely through time management, a focus on what provides the greatest return on resources, investing in your health, and spending time with loved ones.

• Metal: This is your output month, which focuses on overall investment and creativity. Because you may feel overwhelmed and pressured to produce, it’s important to manage stress-related anger. Rather than grandiosity, seek small innovations. Enjoy creative people and venues…they’ll provide inspiration and a way to decompress. And be cautious about over-indulgence as it may negatively affect your health.

If you don’t know your day master, you can generate a free Bazi natal chart online by entering your birth information (year, month, day, time).

As always, specific Zodiac Animals are more affected in specific ways. These may fall in your hour, day, month, or year pillars. If you have any of these in your BaZi chart, be mindful of how you use this energy. It can be either helpful or create distress, but it’s up to you to manage or take advantage of it. For instance, if you have Ox, Dragon, or Monkey in your month pillar, look into collaborative solutions in your career or workplace:

This is a Nobleman month for you if you have Yin Wood or Yin Earth in any pillar or were born in years ending with 5 or 9. Don’t waste precious resources or opportunities when they present themselves. Often inane, the Nobleman energy will be there to get you through difficulties or give you a leg up.

If you are interested in learning how you can use BaZi for understanding what career you’re most suited for, and strategizing each month, year, and further into the future, send me a message HERE.

March - Month of the Water Rabbit

Welcome to Gui Mao 癸 卯…the month of Yin Water Rabbit, which marks Jing Zhu, or the awakening of the insects. Rabbit is a Wood element, as was Tiger. But while Tiger was Yang Wood (think trees), Rabbit is Yin Wood (flowers). Spring is full swing and this month we will also experience the vernal equinox (equal daylight and darkness) on March 21st.

The Rabbit is refined, diplomatic, and calm, in contrast to the Tiger’s adventurous, impulsive nature. Let’s hope that some of the Rabbit energy will influence the high energy of the Tiger to bring about some diplomacy and quell some of the aggressiveness that’s going on in the world right now.

If you have Monkey or Yang Metal in your Bazi, this will be a clash month for you, with potential for obstacles. However, even when we have obstacles on our journey, those are very often times of learning and growth. As they say, there’s no growth without discomfort.

If you have Rat in your BaZi, this is a month of 2 Penalty, which can indicate relationships issues. Be mindful of how you interact with others.

If you have Tiger, Horse, or Dog in your Bazi, the outlook is good for your social life and relationships with the Flower of Romance star.

If you have Yin Water or Yang Water in your Day Master or were born in a year ending with a 2 or 3, this is a Nobleman month for you! So, if you need a little help or are looking for a mentor, look around you and reach out for that helping hand.

If you want to have your BaZi chart analyzed, you can reach out to me HERE.

Jan 2022 Yin Metal Ox 辛丑

Jan 5 - Feb 3 2022 is the 12th month of the Chinese year. It’s the transition month to the Chinese New Year/Spring Festival. This year, January is also the Grand Duke month of the Ox year with all eyes on the methodical, hard-working Ox. While we have been working with the characteristics of the Yang Metal Ox this year (the metal of the sword), January will shift a bit with the element of Yin Metal, the metal of jewelry. This will be the crowning glory of the Ox with the hidden stem of the Ox being supported by the branch. It’s very likely that the hard work of the Ox will finally come to fruition. What a lovely way to end the year as we transition from Winter! However, there’s a caveat with the post-holiday Covid surge this month. With this concentration of yin metal, it’s important to be vigilant and mindful of your lung health. I urge you to take proper precautions to boost your immune system and mitigate your exposure in public indoor venues.

This is a Clash/transition month if you have Goat in your BaZi chart. Welcome the life lessons this month and don’t let obstacles deter you. This is your transition into an amazing year of opportunities.

If you have Dog and Goat in your BaZi chart, this month forms an Earth Penalty of worry and adversity. This is a good month for you to go within. Take some time for yourself and your spiritual needs. Don’t let the speed bumps of life deter your resolve. If you don’t already have a meditation practice, this is a good month to develop one. If you need a meditation coach, contact me and I’ll send you information about my remote meditation coaching sessions. I teach a method based on TM techniques that is simple and life-changing..

If you have Yang Wood, Yang Earth, or Yang Metal in your chart, or if you were born in a year ending with 0, 4, or 8, this is your Nobleman month. There will be helpful people to support you when you need them. All you have to do is reach out to them and ask.

More to come about the Year of the Yin Water Tiger! Follow me on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter!

For more information about having your personalized BaZi reading for the year, contact me HERE.

The Importance of Ownership

I work with people who are looking for ways to change their lives. Most often there are three top areas of concern: relationships/love, money/career, and health/vitality. It’s rare that someone is not in crisis, are in a state of transition, or have run out of options in some specific area of their life, when they seek a consultation with me.

There are many ways that I help people with the support they seek. Yes, Feng Shui augments the energetic support that your environment can provide (earth qi). BaZi helps people with an awareness of themselves (human qi). Both Feng Shui and BaZi incorporate the element of how the passage of time affects them (heaven qi). These three energy sources are the “holy trinity” of Chinese Metaphysics…and of life in general. However, since I truly believe that a holistic approach is not only important, but necessary, I often provide additional ways for my clients to connect with the resources they need to assist them on their “hero’s journey.”

One of our most important tools is a mindfulness practice. When you own your life and can see it from a detached vantage point, you have the ability to see not only the world around you, but yourself, in an entirely new light. And once seen, it cannot be unseen. It’s truly an inflection point for enlightenment and higher consciousness. That’s when you take ownership and make the commitment to do the personal work that leads to your transformation on many levels.

When you feel creatively blocked/stuck, by taking a detached look at yourself and your environment, you’ll gain insights into why you’re distracted, unfocused, and uninspired. Once you’re willing to see yourself as a co-conspirator, it’s well within your ability to take next steps to change. When your personal or business relationships have seemingly gone off the rails and you’re feeling victimized, taking detached ownership of your part of the equation can be the epiphany you need to help you resolve those interpersonal clashes. Recognition of your role and taking a moment to empathize with the other people in your life is the first step toward more compassionate relationships. When you’re feeling anxious and depressed, taking a detached view and ownership of those feelings can provide insights that help you take actionable steps toward change. In almost every instance, the common denominator in how our lives advance or stall boils down to our responses to life as it comes to us. If we haven’t learned to take ownership of that, then we will always be looking for an external fix rather than resolution through personal accountability and commitment. Once we accept responsibility, and are willing to take steps toward change, we become our own healer, rather than expecting someone else to heal us.

This is a critical step in our personal growth on our journey. Understanding ourselves helps us understand others. Having compassion and love for ourselves, makes us see others more compassionately. It comes down to a higher state of consciousness (aka, empathy) in which we feel the world around us as part of ourselves. What we say, do, and think (internal world) in response to the external world will define our journey. If you want less drama in your life, avoid histrionics. Practice detachment and declare ownership of your part in the complex world of quantum entanglement.

To schedule a consultation or submit an inquiry, please use the Contact Us form. I respond quickly to all inquiries.

Oct 2021 Yang Earth Dog (Wu Xu 戊戌)

The month of the Yang Earth Dog (Oct 8 - Nov 6) brings an abundance of damp Earth energy as we transit between the Fall and Winter months of this Ox year. Dog is the 9th month of the year and is associated with the 15 degrees of Northwest 1,. As we approach the last quarter of the year, we can begin to feel the transitioning energy from the Yin Metal Ox to the Yang Water Tiger (Ren Yin 壬寅 of 2022.

The Dog has a friendly, loyal nature, and Dog month is connected with Spirit. It’s time to go inward. For the Dog, communicating is not a strong point. Since we are going to be experiencing Mercury Retrograde simultaneously through the middle of October, there may be issues with communications. Be mindful of this, especially when it comes to social media. We live in a world that cranks out information at an alarming rate and there are often errors as a result. Try to be patient, embrace the overall friendly nature of the Dog energy, and give the benefit of the doubt with regard to miscommunication.

Dog is a clash month if you have Dragon in your chart, or were born in the years ending with 8 (1968, 1978, etc).. This simply means that you may have a tendency to view life’s challenges as obstacles to progress. However, we learn and transform more from life’s challenges, so take these life lessons as opportunities for growth.

If you have a Goat/Sheep in your chart, this month will be an Earth Penalty for you. This means that you may tend to worry about things too much. Keep in mind that all of life’s travails have solutions or are at the very least generally short lived. Go within and take care of your physical and mental health.

There is no Nobleman for Dog month. But if you have a Nobleman in your natal chart or in one of your current luck pillars (annual or 10-yr), you’ll still be finding those helpful people when you need them.

Feng Shui energy: The overall Flying Star energy for October is unhealthy for lung disease. With the current surge in Covid transmission, we are not likely to get any significant relief in October. Additionally, this is a month of “double energy”…as the monthly stars land in the same configuration as the annual stars. That means that wherever there is unfavorable annual energy, it is twice as strong. But the same can be said for the areas where the favorable stars show up.

Let’s jump to the two locations where the monthly metal adjustments will be: The Illness and Misfortune stars are double trouble in the Southeast and North. So if you have been keeping up with those monthly adjustments, move your coins (6 in each direction) to those locations.

This month, you will notice the double 7s in the Northwest. This star is known as the Violence/Loss Star and it’s already being supported by the element of that Palace so I’d consider this a “danger” zone. If your entry is in the Northwest, be mindful of security. If you haven’t already added water here this year, adding a water element will help mitigate those Fighting Swords.

The 3 Aggressive Star is already in a tense relationship with the Earth element of the Southwest sector. There’s a lot agitating energy here so avoiding any kind of interpersonal interactions that could escalate into arguments or other aggressive behavior.

Zones that are beneficial to spend time are the West (Wealth Star x2), Northeast (Growth/Celebratory Star x2), and the South (Reputation Star x2).

To schedule a consultation or submit an inquiry, please use our Contact Us form. I respond quickly, generally within a couple of hours or less.

Sept 2021: Yin Fire Rooster (Ding You) 丁酉

The month of the Yin Fire Rooster (Sept 7 - Oct 7) brings us into the fullest expression of Fall with the Metal element of Rooster. Rooster is proud and concerned with outward aesthetics. But this Rooster will be in a clash with the Fire element so there could be changes for those involved in the fields of fashion and design. The rooster is also very organized and practical. It likes to plan and strategize for the future.

Rooster is a Clash month if you have Rabbit 卯 in the hour, day, month or year of your BaZi chart. Clash energy can present obstacles but very often it’s a signal of change or transition.

Rooster is a Self Penalty month if you have Rooster in your chart. Be mindful of how you speak to or about yourself and any self-sabotaging behavior.

Rooster is your Nobleman month if you have Yin Water 癸 or Yang water 壬 in the hour, day, month or year of your BaZi chart or if you were born in a year ending with a 2 or 3. Nobleman provides a little extra help when help is needed.

If you don’t have your BaZi chart, there is a free generator HERE. You will have to create a free account to use it, but there is no fee.

If you are interested in having your Chinese Astrology /BaZi chart analyzed, you may leave a message for me HERE. I charge $247 per chart, but I also offer family discounts. BaZi charts contain a LOT of information about your innate gifts, times of opportunity, and specific challenges. For that reason they’re extremely valuable when it comes to selecting career options and moves.

August 2021 Yang Fire Monkey (Bing Shen) 丙 申

Welcome to the month of the Yang Fire Monkey 丙 申 (Bing Shen)! This month begins on August 7 and ends on September 6.

The Monkey is a tricky character, full of high jinks. Tthere’s always an energy of fun and surprise when Monkey is around. The element of the Monkey is Yang Metal 庚 (Geng). Monkey, the 8th zodiac animal, signals the dawn of the Autumn season and the 7th month of the Chinese year. The fire element that rules this month will subdue Monkey, but Monkey’s hidden elements of Earth, Metal, and Water will insult the Fire. This can relieve the tension of the Fire-Metal relationship, resulting in a more harmonious overall energy.

The YiJing Hexagram for this month is #40: Deliverance. This represents Thunder above Water. July was a tough month for some, with clarity being elusive. August will bring relief and renewal. Thunder represents action and water represents darkness. This means that it’s a time for you to let go…it is fear that makes you hang on to something that makes you unhappy. So set yourself free! Find clarity on your purpose and goals and when the time is right, take action. If you don’t have clarity, however, taking action will only find you in more darkness. If you need help with this, look for the mentors and resources that can help you. A BaZi analysis is one way to reveal your innate abilities and point you towards the path of least resistance. If you want to know more about this, you can contact me HERE.

Hexagram 40 Deliverance - Graphic by Ben Finney

This is your Nobleman month if you have Yin Wood 乙 (Yi) or Yin Earth 己 (Ji) in your Day Master or you were born in a year ending in a 5 or 9.

This month is a Clash if you have Tiger 寅 (Yin) in your year, month (Feb), day, or hour (3-5am). Depending on where in your chart this occurs, there could be challenges. This is not to be feared, since challenges signal a change of some kind, and that means growth. Lean into it and learn from it.

The Traveling/Flying Horse Star arrives if you were born on a day or year of the Tiger 寅 (Yin), Horse 午 (Wu), or Dog 戌 (Xu). This star denotes movement, either physically or through growth of either a personal (Day) or relationships (Year) nature.

This month’s Feng Shui energy gets a boost with the benevolent 8 White Prosperity Star visiting the center Palace to combine with and support the 6 White Star of Heaven. This creates a benevolent and harmonious energy that’s supportive and peaceful. This combination can signal a time of prosperity and healing. During these uncertain times with a pandemic still nipping at our heels and economies still struggling to find equilibrium, we can use all the help we can get! This area of your home or office will have especially supportive energy this month, which will radiate out into the rest of the building, helping to mitigate areas that are not as favorable.

The areas of concern where you will place your monthly remedy of 6 coins are the Southwest and the Northeast. The Southwest is visited by the 5 Yellow Misfortune Star, and combines with the 3 Wood to create tension. This isn’t a particularly supportive zone for working, so if your office is in this area, either move to another area for the month, or be focus and mindful of your day to day work. The Northeast is visited by the 2 Black Illness Star. In addition to your 6 metal coins, be mindful of your health if you spend a lot of time in this area this month, since the 2 Earth combines with the 9 Fire, enhancing the energy of the Illness Star.

To schedule a personal BaZi or Feng Shui analysis, or to find out more about it, contact me through the Contact Form. Please feel free to leave your comments below.

Yin Wood Goat (Yi Wei)

Yi Wei (乙 未 ) Month

July 7 - Aug 6 is the Yin Wood Goat/Sheep/Ram Month. July is the end of the Summer season and the Fire element. This forms the Contemplation Hexagram (#20) of Wind over Earth, which brings an energy of contemplation…of observation, introspection, perception, and contemplation of the world and work. Contemplate your motivations and discern the purity of your intent. Be an example, looking outward from within. Make adjustments/changes to thinking or actions that aren’t supporting you in context with the greater good. Remember that you are connected on a cellular level with the world around you. Your actions have a ripple effect.

Hexagram 20 - Contemplation

This is your Nobleman month if you were born in a year ending with 0, 4, or 8, or if you have Yang Wood (Jia 甲), Yang Earth (Wu 戊 ), or Yang Metal (Geng 庚) in the day of your birth. Helpful people will be around you if you need them.

This is your Clash month if you have Ox in your year, month (December), day, or hour (1a-3am). Overall, however, this is a Year Breaker clash month. This can create obstacles or disturbances. Clash often results in changes or growth but both are uncomfortable. Be careful not to put yourself in harms way or take risks. Leverage the clash energy to your benefit.

This is an Earth Penalty month for those with both the Dog & Ox in their birth chart and/or luck charts (10-yr or annual). If you have this combination, this month can be challenging, so stay focused and don’t let the day-to-day drama unnerve and derail you. This, too, shall pass and the results may be an opportunity. Your behavior/actions will determine the outcome.

The overall Feng Shui energy for this month is expansive and celebratory, as the 9 Purple Star (Fire) of Growth enters. There’s a bit of tension due to the dominance of the annual 6 White metal, but the Earth element of the Center Palace mitigates this into a productive, harmonious cycle that will support inner work. between the BaZi and Feng Shui energy this month, it’s overall very supportive. Make good use of it through your actions. Stay focused and firm, but flexible in your approach. 2021 Is a year for spiritual alignment, so be willing to do the inner and outer work that will align you spiritually with the approaching Era 9, and the so-called “Age of Aquarius.” There’s much work to do!

Add or move your monthly adjustments of 6 metal coins each to the North (misfortune) and West (illness). These coins can be of any denomination, just as long as they’re round and made of metal. Keep in mind that this monthly adjustment is in addition to your annual adjustments and don’t affect them.

Qi Men Dun Jia for July

The Qi Men Dun Jia sector that offers the most opportunity in July is North. The Black Tortoise Deity that pulls in positive energy and filters out negative energy resides here this month. There are three stars that Black Tortoise boosts this month:

The Assistant Star attracts Noblemen, or helpful people. It’s also helpful in education/learning. So if you want to attract the right teacher, doctor, or other helpful people into your life this month, this star is active.

The Scenary Star attracts an optimistic mindset. Some call it the star of hope or faith. If you need a healthy dose of optimism, use this star this month.

The Wu Earth Star attracts wealth. If you’re trying to attract investors, ideas, or a fresh cash flow, command this star’s assistance this month.

To use the energy of the North, sit with your back to the north and settle into a quiet meditation. Command the star of choice to assist you in whatever it is you want to attract. Spend a little time in meditation to clarify your command. The best time of day is between 7a-9a, local time, but you may do this at any time.

If you want to schedule a Feng Shui evaluation of your home or workplace, or a personal BaZi analysis, you may contact me HERE.

June 2021 Yang Wood Horse Month（Jia Wu 甲 午）

Jia Wu

June 5 - July 6 is the Yang Wood Horse Month. June is the season of Summer, the Fire element. This forms the Heng hexagram (#32) of Thunder over Wind, which brings an energy of consistency/duration. This is the most stable moth so far this year and is a month to commit to relationships or other endeavors for smooth progress.

This is your Nobleman month if you were born in a year ending with 1 (1961, 1971, etc.) or if you have Yin Metal in the day of your birth. Helpful people will be around you if you need them.

This is your Peach Blossom month if you were born in the year or day of the Snake, Rooster, or Ox. Relationships, both intimate and within your professional network can benefit.

This is your Clash month if you have Rat in your year, month (December), day, or hour (11p-1am). This can create obstacles or disturbances. This may lead to changes or growth. Be careful not to put yourself in harms way or take risks. Leverage the clash energy to your benefit.

This is a Self Penalty month for those born in the year of the Horse. If so, be mindful of self-sabotage or negative self-talk since you may have feelings of unworthiness or self doubt. Self awareness, discipline, and self-control are essential during a period of self penalty. There’s no other way to get through it gracefully. Just remember that good things are worth fighting for and stay focused.

The overall Feng Shui energy for this month is in a productive, supportive, harmonious cycle, with the entry of the 1 White (water) Star of Reputation being supported by the annual 6 White metal. Add to that, the 8 White Star of Wealth and Benevolence, and you get the auspicious combination of 1-6-8! So, between the BaZi and Feng Shui energy this month, you can look forward to very auspicious energy! Make good use of it through your actions. Don’t waste it on complacency!

Add your monthly adjustments of 6 metal coins each to the South (misfortune) and Northwest (illness). These coins can be of any denomination, just as long as they’re round and made of metal. This adjustment is in addition to your annual adjustments and don’t affect them.

If you want to schedule a Feng Shui evaluation of your home or workplace, or a personal BaZi analysis, you may contact me HERE.

May 2021 Yin Water Snake (Gui Si 癸 巳）

May 5 - Apr 4 2021 is the month of the Yin Water Snake. Snake element is Yin Fire, so this month has the energy of rain over fire. Picture droplets of water dancing on a hot pavement. This characterization depicts movement; May will be a month of movement. This can play out in a literal sense such as physical movement from place to place/travel, an ideological movement, a change of heart or enlightenment, changes in employment status, or even changes due to diplomacy or communications.

The Snake marks the transition to summer. Its character is graceful, calm, composed, expressive, sensible, intellectual,but she moves with purpose and strength according to plan. As such, the movement of this month will most likely have a certain elegance to it. Rather than violent upheavals, it will come thoughtfully, through decent, sophisticated, eloquence. While the water droplets of Yin Water may dance on the Yin Fire of Snake, use this energy as you seek changes in your own life. The gentle, deliberate nature of Snake can help your deliberations and underscore your movement with the strength of your convictions within a composed and thoughtful framework.

BAZI:

This is a clash month if you have Pig in your year, month, day, or hour of your BaZi. A clash has the potential for discomfort and obstacles. Often a clash month is one of growth so if this is a clash month for you, use this month to be more vigilant of your actions, re-assess your past actions, and take a close look at your current trajectory.

This is a nobleman month if you have Yin Water or Yang water in your year or day pillar of your BaZi. You’ll have guardian angels at your disposal if you meet them half way.

Be cautious this month if you were born in the year of the Tiger, Horse, or Dog. It’s not a good month for making important decisions, but if you have no other choice, move slowly, deliberately, and take precautions. Avoid anything that’s high risk.

FENG SHUI:

The Center Palace of every building this month brings potential for illness as the 2 Black Illness Star (earth) visits, where it is fed by the earth of the Center Palace and the annual 9 Purple Star (fire). The dense, damp earth can definitely put a damper on things. It’s advisable to avoid taking risks.

The least favorable locations in the building are the Center (Illness) and the Northeast (Misfortune) sectors. Avoid activating or occupying these areas. Place 6 round metal coins of any denomination or origin in each of these two sectors to reduce the dense earth. This metal acts as acupuncture for your home or office, reducing the the dense earth and opening meridians to enhance qi flow.

The most favorable sector this month is the East, where the expansive 9 Purple star visits a wood sector with a wood annual star to “feed the fire” of this expansive star. This is a great sector to spend time, for planning, doing business, and gatherings. If your front door is located here, it will activate a joyful, celebratory energy.

If you have questions or want more information about scheduling your Feng Shui or Bazi reading, send me a message via the Contact form HERE.

Your Spiritual Lessons for the 2021 Year of the Ox

Chinese Metaphysics works with the energy of the realms of Heaven, Earth, and Human. Human energy is complex, with a spiritual aspect that is sometimes defined by dogma, but in the purest sense, it is the essence of who we are…it is the core of our humanity.

Every year, based on the energy of the year, combined with our personal energy, we each have spiritual “development” that will be apparent throughout the year. There are 10 elements in BaZi and of those 10 elements, each person has 4 elements in the Heavenly Branches of their personal chart. Most people are aware only of their annual animal, but Chinese Astrology, like Western Astrology, is intricate and multidimensional. The “annual” forecasts for a birth year animal is nothing short of entertainment and reveals a fragment of the story that’s taken out of context. This article will examine the top line of the Four Pillars (BaZi) natal chart.

If you don’t have your BaZi chart, you’ll need to plot it. You can do so by going to https://JoeyYap.com/bazi. You’ll have to register to get your chart but the chart is absolutely free and there are no strings attached. Once registered on the site you will enter your name, year, month, day and hour of your birth. You will then generate the report and you can print it. Most of this chart you won’t understand, but you’ll only be using a small section that looks like this, which is known as the Four Pillars:

The top row of the Four Pillars are known as the Heavenly Stems. Of the four elements, you will be concerned with only the Day and Hour elements. If you don’t have the time of your birth, that’s okay. The Day Master is the most important, and accounts for 80% of this particular exercise. Otherwise, you’ll have two spiritual lessons based on your Day and Hour of birth.

Match your Day and Hour elements with this list to find your 2021 spiritual lessons:

• Yang Wood: Synchronicity. You’ll notice more synchronistic moments this year. You may be thinking about someone and they will call, or a place and then see something that reminds you of it. You may even recognize that you’ve “manifested” something in your life that you’ve been focused upon.

• Yin Wood: Imagination. Ideas and creativity may flow more easily this year. You may be the person with the imaginative solution…thinking outside the proverbial box.

• Yang Fire: Courage. You’ll feel more courageous about how you approach life this year. It’s time to find your inner Captain America!

• Yin Fire: Authenticity. This will be your year to acknowledge your truth and to embrace who you are.

• Yang Earth: Compassion. Connecting with the empathetic aspect of your humanity and finding compassion for others over your personal desires.

• Yin Earth: Letting Go. This is a big step for all of us, but learning to let go is one of the greatest spiritual gifts we can receive.

• Yang Metal: Intuition. This will be a year of developing your 6th sense and learning to trust your intuition.

• Yin Metal: Inner Peace. Finding your inner peace will be a gift that will keep on giving. This doesn’t mean you’ll not be dealing with chaos, but that you’ll learn to find the quiet place within yourself to sort it all out.

• Yang Water: Awareness. Self awareness, situational awareness, awareness of others, awareness of something greater than yourself. Be open to being more aware of the world and the people around you.

• Yin Water: Connections. Your year will be enriched by development of your connections with others, whether it be your network of friends and business associates, or your family. Learning to cultivate those connections on a deeper level will be your spiritual gift for the year.

If you have an interest in learning more about your personal BaZi chart and how you can use the information to plan your daily activities, maximize opportunities, and minimize challenges, contact me at: HelenKstyles@gmail.com or use the contact form on this website.

2021 Year of the Yin Metal Ox

The Year of the Yin Metal Ox is uniquely different from that of the current Yang Metal Rat. The Hexagram (6) of the current year speaks to conflict and arguing, while the Hexagram (45) of the Ox speaks of gathering and congregation…of coming together of many wise people to work for the benefit of the community, both on the local and global levels.

Additionally, the Feng Shui Xuan Kong central energy in the current year is the 7 Red trigram, which is energetically linked to the harsh energy of violence, bloodshed, robbery, and illness of the lungs. The new Solar year arrives on February 3 @ 10:58p) with a central energy of the 6 White trigram, which is energetically linked to positive leadership and stability.

The frenetic energy of the current Rat year will give way to the deliberate and stable energy of the Ox year. The severe, violent energy of the 7 Red Star gives way to the more benevolent and supportive 6 White Star, and that energy shift is already being felt. We can see a light at the end of the tunnel.

That’s not to say that there’s smooth sailing ahead…but there will be less trauma while we pick up the pieces. The character of the Ox is that of slow, methodical, hard work. Diligence will be required, and so we must be ready to put our shoulder to the plow and accept the burden of rebuilding or re-creating something new in the wake of the current disaster.

The other aspect of this year is that as of the Winter Solstice, it marked the beginning of the transition to the next Era/Period. We are moving from an earth energy to a fire energy. This will come to full form in February of 2024, but its energy is already beginning to show up in technological innovation and a hopeful outlook. You can bring more fire into your life through conscious decisions and a hopeful attitude.

Let’s take a look at the Xuan Kong/Flying Stars for the year of 2021:

Central Energy: 6 White Metal- is associated with “Heaven” energy, and is associated with wealth & power. It is connected to the father/husband or eldest male of the household. It can also be the CEO or President of a company or leader of a country. 6 White is known as Hard Metal and associated with Jewelry, since it’s beautiful on the outside and firm on the inside. It is hosted by Earth energy, which produces Metal, so this is productive and stable energy. You’ll feel this stable energy in every building in 2021…and it will be inherited as part of the natal chart of all new construction.

Northwest: 7 Red Metal (violence) is hosted by Metal energy, giving this violent star even more energy. We’ve already seen what the 7 Red is capable of, so this is a zone that we don’t really want to activate. If this zone is in a bathroom or closet/storage, all the better. If it’s at a front door, you’ll want to be mindful of security. Water can help mitigate this energy.

West: 8 White Earth (wealth) is hosted by Metal, so even though this is a star of prosperity, it’s not going to achieve it’s full potential in this reductive zone. However, this isn’t an area of concern, so if it’s located at the main entry or in any areas that are often occupied, that activation will be favorable.

Northeast: 9 Purple Fire (expansive, joyful) is hosted by Earth, which reduces Fire, so once again, it will not achieve its full potential. While the Star is favorable, the Annual Affliction of the Tai Sui sits here this year, so keep this area quiet, tidy, and no construction or earth work. This isn’t a good location for an entry that has a lot of activity. Use an alternative, if possible…and if not, keep this area as peaceful as possible. Sitting with your back to the NE will provide support from the Grand Duke…but don’t face it as it is considered a challenge.

South: 1 White Water (fame, luck) is hosted by Fire, which is conflicting energy that can create tense or conflicting energy. Be mindful of this, especially if this is a bedroom. This conflict can be mitigated with Earth.

North: 2 Black Earth (illness) is hosted by Water, which brings conflict. Be mindful of the conflicting energy here. Keep it peaceful, tidy, and there should be no construction or earthwork here this year. Introduce metal to create a productive cycle.

Southwest: 3 Jade Wood (quarrels/disputes/lawsuits) is hosted by Earth, which is in conflict. The Sui Po also resides here this year, which, when activated, will agitate the Tai Sui (NE). Keep this zone quiet, tidy, and no construction or earthwork. Fire will create a productive cycle and release the tension here.

East: 4 Green Wood (academics, relationships) is hosted by Wood, so will be well supported. This is a good area for studying or learning a new skill. However, the Three Sha will be centered in this area, so activation will agitate the Three Killings energy. To help mitigate this, add a bright light in the corner.

Southeast: 5 Yellow Earth (disaster), also known as the Wu Wang, is the most disastrous star of the year. It is hosted by Wood, which controls it…creating a lot of tension. It’s best to avoid activation of his area. Definitely no construction or earthwork here this year. Metal will help take the edge off.

Note: this is a universal energy grid for 2021. Your home or building has a natal chart that can interact with this annual energy with a different outcome and change how you navigate the annual energy. For a personalized audit, contact me through this website or email me at HelenKstyles@gmail.com

Feng Shui + BaZi for September 2020

September is the month of the Yin Wood Rooster, (Sep 7 to Oct 8). The Rooster month is associated with Yen Metal and the fullest expression of Fall, which is so this is a powerful month.

The second half of 2020 will continue to have a lot of energy as we get into the water months of winter (Nov, Dec). So, hang onto your hat because this Rat energy will continue to be frenetic. I know this isn’t the news you want, but if you can get through this Rat year, a slower, more deliberate pace awaits you in the Ox year of 2021.

This month, the Feng Shui chart shows that the 1 White Water Star will visit the universal Center Palace, which will help mitigate some of the agitation of the Annual 7 Red Star. The other aspect of the 7 is that it’s associated with diseases of the respiratory system. So, let’s hope we get some relief from the current pandemic and typical seasonal flu as children return to school. The 1 White is also known for its potential for fame and fortune, but the earth of this zone will block that potential.

The areas of your home or office that you want to update this month are the South and the Northwest.

In the South this year, the 2 Black Illness Star visits. In September it is joined by the 5 Yellow Disaster Star. The combination of these is particularly unfavorable and even more so since the element of the South is Fire, which feeds both Earth Stars. Mitigate this with metal. For a monthly cure you can add 6 round metal coins. Put them in a bowl or dish somewhere in the South zone of your home or office. If your home or business entry is in the South, it’s a good idea to add the metal cure both inside and outside.

The Northwest will host the 2 Yellow Illness Star this month, so you’ll want to cure this with the same metal remedy you used in the South.

Another area of concern is the East, which is home to the annual 5 Yellow Disaster Star. The benevolent 8 White Wealth Star will join the 5 and it will support the 5. But the metal you have there for the annual star should be sufficient to mitigate the additional earth. However, make sure you don’t further activate it with earth or fire elements (e.g., crystals, red decor, candles, etc.).

Your BAZI for September:

If you were born in the year or day of the Monkey, Rat, or Dragon, this is your Peach Blossom month. This is helpful for all relationships. If you want to add some spark to your romantic relationship, this month will support that. If you want to launch a PR campaign for your business, this will be a good month to do that.

If you have the Rooster anywhere in your 4 Pillars, this is your Penalty month. Make sure you are cognizant of any tendencies for self-sabotage or low self-esteem and balance the Feng Shui in your home or workplace. Stay on top of your tasks and keep your eye on your goals.

If you have Rabbit anywhere in your 4 Pillars, this is your clash month. It may be a moment of transformation and growth for you…but remember that growth is often a painful and hard work.

This is your nobleman month if you were born in a year ending in 6 or 7, or if you were born on a Yang Fire or Yin Fire day or year. Nobleman is your “guardian angel” that can either help you through troublesome times or enhance your efforts toward your goals and relationships.

Please feel free to leave comments below. If you are interested in having a Feng Shui audit or your BaZi chart done, you may contact me via the Contact form on this site or email me at: HelenKstyles@gmail.com

June 2020 Feng Shui + BaZi

Here is your Feng Shui and BaZi for the month of the Yang Water Horse (壬 午 Ren Wu), June 5-July 5, 2020

The Horse Month (Yang Fire 丙) is the most powerful fire element of the year, coinciding with the middle of Summer in the Chinese calendar. It generally brings with it high energy and optimism. But this year, the Horse is in a destructive cycle with Yang Water 壬. So while we are feeling the optimism of Summer and moving out of lock-down, there’s a bit of a “wet blanket” putting a damper on the party. Additionally, the Horse is in direct conflict/clash with the Rat this year, undermining its energy; making it weaker and unstable. So, proceed with a solid plan, caution, and the realization that this year will continue to be a bumpy ride. At the risk of being a doomsday prophet, it’s a good idea to be mentally, physically, and emotionally prepared to take on this wild ride of a Rat year. Take care of yourself in every way, to help you weather the storm.

Flying Star Feng Shui 玄空風水

The 4 Star enters the Center Palace this month, creating some unstable energy as the Annual 7 (metal) is in a destructive cycle with the 4 (wood), which will create tension and instability. So, the overall energy of the month doesn’t receive much help from the Flying Stars.

North Palace: The 9 (fire) enters the North, where the Annual 3 (wood), which is supported by the water of the Palace, will feed the fire and weaken the quarrelsome/courageous 3. This area will support reputation/fame this month so it’s a good area to spend time.

Northeast Palace: The 7 (metal) star of aggression and scandal meets the Annual 1 (water), which is weakened by the earth of the Palace. Use yin water or wood to reduce the 7.

East Palace: The 2 (earth) illness star meets the Annual 5 (earth). Both of these earth stars are inauspicious, with potential for loss and sickness, especially when paired. The Annual star is being drained by the wood Palace, but it’s a good idea to use metal here to help mitigate the overall energy. This is not a good area for a front door, bedroom, or work/study space. As was suggested in the annual analysis, avoid this area and keep it quiet and tidy…and absolutely no construction.

Southeast Palace: The aggressive 3 (wood) visits the 6 (metal) career star. Since metal chops wood, there is potential for unstable energy. If you need to boost your courage, use water, which will erode the metal and support the wood. But be mindful about your interactions with others because the 3 can encourage quarrels. You can also leave this area as is, and be mindful to avoid arguments. A third option would be to neutralize all the energy here with fire, making it a safe place.

South Palace: The 8 (earth) wealth star visits the 2 (unhealthy earth) illness star, with the potential to be supportive of real estate and wealth, but there’s also potential for falling ill. Considering the underlying energy this year, the most prudent action would be to use metal here to mitigate all the earth.

Southwest Palace: The 1 (water) fame star visits the 4 (wood) Annual creativity star, creating a supportive area for creativity and relationships. It’s also supportive of academics, so it’s a good place for a bedroom, office, front door, or study area.

West Palace: The 6 (metal) career star visits the fiery and expansive 9 star. There’s potential for conflict with the father/husband, or male authority figure. Use earth here to mitigate the clash between the metal and fire.

Northwest Palace: The 5 (earth) misfortune star visits the benevolent 8 (earth). Use metal here to mitigate losses.

BaZi 八字

The Yang Water of this month is wild and powerful. The Yang Fire of the Horse is at the peak of the fire season, which is generally a very dynamic time of year. When in balance it’s a month of hope, celebration, and freedom. However, in this case, there’s a clash of elements as well as a clash with the Rat Tai Sui, which creates tension and uncertainty. Proceed with caution, intention, and with mindfulness.

June is your nobleman month if:
You were born in a year ending in 1 (1961, 1981, 2001, 2011, etc.)
You were born in a Yin Metal year
Your day master is Yin Metal

Nobleman helps mitigate any misfortune or bad luck that may come your way, to lessen its effects. If you weren’t born with this guardian in your chart, you’ll be under the care of Nobleman this month if you meet any of the criteria above.

June is your clash month if:

You were born in the year of the Rat
You were born in the month of the Rat (Dec 7/8 - Jan 5/6)
You were born on the day of the Rat
You were born in the hour of the Rat (2300 - 0100 local time)

This is a double clash month for you in the case of any of these criteria. When in a clash, be especially careful about your communications and actions. Slow down and proceed with caution. Be mindful of how your personal and business relationships. With a double clash you need to be especially aware and careful of your actions this month. It’s not a month for needless risk taking.

June is your self penalty month if:

You were born on the day of the Horse. Self penalty presents as self-sabotage in any number of ways. Take care of yourself and be aware of the energy that surrounds you. Make sure you’ve taken care of all the Feng Shui adjustments in your home and office to support you to the greatest extent.

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If you have an interest in obtaining your Feng Shui and/or BaZi chart(s), contact me using the Contact form on this site.

Feng Shui and the Chinese Arts

Literally translated, Feng Shui means “Wind and Water.” Most people think Feng Shui is all about the interior décor of your home. But it is a method or science of harnessing the environmental energies to enhance human lives. Feng Shui is a relatively new term that describes what the ancient Chinese philosophers called “Ham Yu,” understanding how nature/mother nature flows and how to harmonize with it so it can help humans.

There are many factors and sources of energy that affect human lives based on placement and the passage of time. Feng Shui practitioners gather ALL the environmental and human energy, analyze it to detect imbalances or idiosyncrasies, and use five natural elements (wood, fire, earth, metal, water) and positioning to harmonize the interior environment of a building. There are also exterior environmental aspects that affect a building and the people who live or work there. These are addressed and adjusted in several ways, from building maintenance to altering the landscape. Since Feng Shui is intended to enhance human lives, their real-life challenges (health, relationships, career, etc.) are addressed, as well as their aspirations.

There are multiple layers involved in Imperial Chinese Feng Shui, based on the historical systems that accrued over time, beginning with the most intuitive (land formation/topographical), to the very complex (Xuan Kong). BaZi, a complex divination system based on planetary and galactic movement, is also used by most advanced Feng Shui practitioners and masters. Their origins are the I Ching, the same source as Chinese medicine and acupuncture. Understanding the flow of energy is the underlying principle for all Chinese arts. There are basically two systems of Feng Shui: San He (3 harmony), which is based in external environment and alignment and is used for long term projections, such as land development; San Yuan (3 cycle), which is cyclical and used for short term needs; Zhong hup (a combination of San He & San Yuan), which is used with individual clients who want to address both long and short term goals/needs.

While cultural and religious practices have found their way into modern Feng Shui, all methods are based on the same basic earth-science systems that evolved over thousands of years. I take the more science-based approach, but I understand the psychology of using cultural imagery such as pendants and statues to impart confidence. Not unlike wearing your lucky socks to take exams or hanging an image of an angel on your car’s rear view mirror, these items focus your intentions on a positive outcome. It is your response to the energy of the world around you that determines the ultimate outcome and human beings have long used imagery to focus them on specific energy. What you think, do, and verbalize are powerful energies that are mirrored back to you in some way.

Feng Shui is used in a predictive and prescriptive way by spotting potential energy patterns and responding to them…whether by enhancing supportive or mitigating unfavorable patterns. As ancient cultures observed specific patterns in nature over time, they recorded them and eventually an entire system evolved that used a kind of “shorthand” to explain these energy patterns. Xuan Kong is applied to determine the energy of a specific time or era on a global scale. The interactions of the “Flying Stars” accurately tell a complex story, along with Ba Zhai, and BaZi. All of this knowledge can assist us to plan proactively and responsively for our greater good.

If you want to know more about how to enhance your personal space to support you and your family or employees, contact me through this website or email me at: HelenKstyles@gmail.com