12 Animal Fortunes for the Fire Horse Month

Posted on May 29, 2022June 4, 2022 by Stephanie Stewart

Fire Horse 丙午 Month
June 6 00:58-July 7 11:22

Here are the Animal Fortunes for the month of the Fire Horse. To get the most out of the fortunes you’ll want to know all four of your pillars which are based on your birth date and time.

If you don’t know them just ask! Each of the four animals of your BaZi correlates with an aspect of your life.

Year Pillar
Has to do with your physical body and what you do with it, ancestors, family traits. In terms of luck the year pillar is said to take the first “hit” of any event, good or bad.

Month Pillar
Relates to career, work environment, training, age mates and peers, siblings, exes and your modus operandi

Day Pillar
Yourself and true partner; your immediate environment and home life.

Hour Pillar
Your innermost self, your children, future, hopes and dreams.

The Fortunes

午 Horse
Years: 1942, 1954, 1966, 1978, 1990, 2002, 2014, 2026
Month: June roughly.
Thoughts of bolting again? Feeling too exposed? Do your best to keep showing up for those you care about. Need to close your eyes? Don’t keep them shut for too long. You’ll be glad about that later.
Hint: Plan on downtime from the 16th-24th. You may need a break.

未 Sheep
Years: 1943, 1955, 1967, 1979, 1991, 2003, 2015, 2027
Month: July roughly.
This month you have the capacity to control fear, to calm others. Not saying you are care free, just that you have that to offer if you want to. It’s kind of a big deal.
Hint: Hold the fort.

申 Monkey
Years: 1944, 1956, 1968, 1980, 1992, 2004, 2016, 2028
Month: August roughly.
Monkeys may be dealing with some kind of aftermath. If you can embrace both mourning and the celebration of life, that will influence the rest of the year. In a good way.
Hint: Give the grace to yourself now. Movement or travel will help.

酉 Rooster
Years: 1945, 1957, 1969, 1981, 1993, 2005, 2017, 2029
Month: September roughly.
Don’t make up your mind before you know all of the possible outcomes. If you’re feeling anxious, talk about it. I know you’re tired and might feel you’re in a very vulnerable position.
Hint: This month that’s actually the best place to be if you want progress and change.

戌 Dog
Years: 1946, 1958, 1970, 1982, 1994, 2006, 2018, 2030
Month: October roughly.
Within change there is stability too. Time to rise to the occasion and be the consistent one. Bring people together for a common purpose. Be your own boss.
Hint: Working remotely, family adjacent.

亥 Pig
Years: 1947, 1959, 1971, 1983, 1994, 2007, 2018, 2030
Month: November roughly.
Dynamic. Time to start ramping things up again. There are brief opportunities to make money or increase reputation. Next month is a more static kind of situation so consider where you want to land.
Hint: Take on temporary gigs as you continue to build toward the peak.

子 Rat
Years: 1936, 1948, 1960, 1972, 1984, 1996, 2008, 2020
Month: December roughly.
No stopping the truth now. If there’s any tea left to be spilled, hasten to act before it’s done for you. Acknowledge what you’ve been doing since the Fire went out in 2018. Be honest.
Hint: If you’ve been getting away with bad behavior this could be the end of your deceit.

丑 Ox
Years: 1937, 1949, 1961, 1973, 1985, 1997, 2009, 2021
Month: January roughly.
A harsh light penetrates your veil. Information overload creates deep uncertainty. This may be difficult, but don’t let analysis paralysis take the place of action. It might be better than non-action.
Hint: Seek the unfamiliar. Start with spontaneity. Put on your sunglasses.

寅 Tiger
Years: 1938, 1950, 1962, 1974, 1986, 1998, 2010, 2022
Month: February roughly.
It’s been a long time since 2019 and not easy for a Tiger so I hope you are prepared for the success you’re due for this month. You could get away with almost anything. Hint hint.
Hint: Earth, Metal and Water Tigers knock things over in pursuit of justice.

卯 Rabbit
Years: 1939, 1951, 1963, 1975, 1987, 1999, 2011, 2023
Month: March roughly.
It’s likely you’re on the receiving end of the break up but some people are just too demanding no matter how charismatic, sexy and fun they are. I doubt you’ll be alone for long unless you want that.
Hint: Stand up for yourself or you might end up feeling used. Trust your intuition.

辰 Dragon
Years: 1940, 1952, 1964, 1976, 1988, 2000, 2012, 2024
Month: April roughly.
With so many fans present, doors open. Time to choose. It’s the commitment that’s the hard part, right? How do you maximize your unlimited potential?
Hint: I mean, what if you get bored?!

巳 Snake
Years: 1941, 1953, 1965, 1977, 1989, 2001, 2013, 2025
Month: May roughly.
Outshined, but you’re probably okay with that. Like the Monkey, this may be an aftermath for you too. Head back to the den for a while to rest and recover.
Hint: Write letters. Plan. If you have anything to advertise, do that.

Stevie Wonder : A Fire Penalty Life

Posted on May 16, 2022May 13, 2024 by Stephanie Stewart

In a Ba Zi, the relationship between the Tiger, Snake and Monkey is called a Fire Penalty. Sometimes you will hear it called the Penalty of Ingratitude.

Each player involved in this three way relationship has the potential to assist and the potential to destroy. Which will it be? As always, choice is a factor, but when events suddenly accelerate we might make bad decisions. That’s the nature of Fire. We feel like we only have a short window to act; it’s pressing.

The experience of the Fire Penalty can carry with it feelings of hate, worry, and dislike, or we might feel we are perceived as hateful, hysterical or unlikeable. The Fire Penalty is sometimes accompanied by anxiety or panic attacks. It can give people a feeling of being cast adrift, so you may find many people in cult-like environments have the Fire Penalty. They are attracted by the rare opportunity to belong.

Sometimes the Fire Penalty manifests as people passing the buck of responsibility, often by way of blame or accusation. The Fire Penalty involves triangular situations. There are three parties involved but they may not always be aware of that at first. You see, this penalty can be best understood by way of the hidden Heavenly Stems within the Earthly Branches of the Tiger, Snake and Monkey. With the Fire Penalty there’s a lot to unpack. That’s technical stuff – the kind of stuff I teach in my Foundations of Ba Zi class so I won’t go into it here.

The Tiger, Snake and Monkey, along with the Pig, make up the four Earthly Branches that begin each season. Tiger month begins spring. Snake month begins summer. Monkey month begins autumn. Pig month begins winter.

I mention this because I think the Fire Penalty is actually seasonal. I think it covers a whole season of a year. The Fire Penalty is almost always present, but the noticeable manifestations of the Fire Penalty arrive in Tiger, Snake or Monkey years. In those years, we notice the penalty more in Tiger, Snake or Monkey months or on Tiger, Snake or Monkey days. The year adds a certain emphasis.

In a Tiger year, the Snake and Monkey branches are at a slight disadvantage because the Tiger is in charge. Remember, in the destructive cycle of elements, Metal can conquer Wood. A Tiger year is probably not as bad for a Monkey as a Monkey year is for a Tiger if you get my meaning. But don’t take that as a rule. Every chart is different.

When you study Ba Zi, you begin by learning lots of rules just to get a toehold. Once you start to climb, you learn how they actually apply. Context is everything, which is why general questions about Ba Zi are often met with the answer “it depends”. Apply your question to a chart and I can give an answer.

Elementally speaking, when the Tiger, Snake and Monkey come together there’s a big burst of Fire, hence the name. In a Tiger, Snake or Monkey year, naturally there are more days where this will happen.

If Fire is not a helpful element, we might associate the penalty with health issues involving inflammation, heart or liver, travel accidents, injury or actual fire. If Fire is a helpful element, we might associate it with becoming famous, powerful or successful, as is the case with Stevie Wonder.

Stevland Hardaway Morris, now known as Stevie Wonder, was born 6 weeks premature on May 13, 1950. The machine that was used to help him breathe was the mechanism that led to his blindness. This is still a risk for premature babies who require assistance to breathe.

When my daughter was born 8 weeks premature in 1998 (Earth Tiger year) and was in the NICU for 3 months, they called that particular machine used for preemies “the oscillator”. The air pressure is lower than the standard ventilator, so it lowers the risk of blowing a hole in the fragile lungs of an intubated infant, but the vibration of the oscillator may abort development of the retina and cause it to detach, leading to blindness. For better or worse, there are choices in life that are too difficult to make unless they are rushed.

Stevie Wonder
b. May 13, 1950 at 16:15

Hour	Day	Month	Year
Yang Metal	Yang Earth	Yin Metal	Yang Metal
庚	戊	辛	庚
申	申	巳	寅
Monkey	Monkey	Snake	Tiger

We can see in Stevie’s chart that he has all three branches that make up the Fire Penalty: Tiger, Snake and Monkey. The order in which they appear in the natal chart is significant too because it supports the strength of the Fire.

This Ba Zi consists mostly of Metal while Stevie is a yang Earth day master. Fire is his resource, his fans and his supporters. Fire is his mother.

Wood is related to the eyes and in this chart it is void and very weak. In this Ba Zi, Wood will sometimes be cut by Metal, one possible outcome being his retinas are damaged by the oscillator.* Another possible outcome is that Wood combines with Metal, meaning that Wood is no longer functional as Wood.

Another way to look at Wood is that it is his challenge element, and he has very little. His challenge is that he cannot see. That may be his advantage too.

Stevie is not the most disciplined guy, especially in the romance department. Maybe this was an issue for his father too. With all of Stevie’s creativity, he is probably not that concerned about self control. In his Ba Zi, the Fire and Metal are hard on the Wood. We can look to the Tiger in this chart, isolated and seemingly useless, as representing his father. I imagine Stevie is motivated in some ways by his father’s non-presence.

Metal is Stevie’s output, his music and singing. It’s in every pillar! Output isn’t always indicative of children for a man but here I think it is. The Metal element in this chart is at the birth stage which means it has lots of room to grow. It also tells us he can explore and produce different styles of music successfully.

With so much Metal in his Ba Zi, Fire is a helpful element. It makes the Metal useful. The Fire Penalty helps him to become famous and rich. Fire gives him vision, ideas and optimism.

Stevie is currently in the Big Fate (10 year luck cycle) of Earth Rat so now he is in Water luck. He had a kidney transplant in 2019, a reminder that even if an element is good for you, it can wear on health in the longterm. What I mean is, the Fire that helps his career wears out the Water (kidney health). Aging is what exposes the problem. Stevie’s conception pillar shows that his Water element is vulnerable.

Since his Big Fate before this one was Fire Pig, Stevie’s kidney problems were probably already beginning in his mid to late 50s. The Pig is considered to be the solution for the Fire Penalty, but Fire is good for him so the Pig is not helpful. Water attacks his resource (health) which is Fire.

This current 10 years of Earth Rat Stevie is going through is a little worrisome, creating Water combinations in the chart this year and next year. The luck cycle ends in 2028, which is an Earth Monkey year but before that comes, we’ll see the Wood Dragon of 2024. I’m not interested in forecasting what that might mean, but I wish him well and hope that he will continue to make music for years to come.

*Interesting to note, the oscillator is Metal, dealing with a Metal function: breathing.

Life on Earth

Posted on May 6, 2022May 7, 2022 by Stephanie Stewart

I didn’t grow up here in Seattle and that’s probably a good thing. This corner of the country has to do with the Metal element and there’s a ton of Water too. These are elements I already have in abundance so adding more wears on my health. They are also the elements that attract me, and that’s something I’ve learned the hard way. When I was younger, Seattle was the best, most fun place to be ever. The music alone was enough. I still love the environment here. The health part wasn’t as much of an issue when I was younger and feeling immortal.

I’m kind of like the giant Antaeus who was the child of Poseidon and Gaia. He was able to beat all comers until Heracles figured out that if you just kept him off of the Earth long enough he could be defeated. If you keep me away from the dry and heat long enough, I can be defeated too. Feng Shui has taught me that in some years I can’t spend too much time in my north located office. North is Water and cold, but the 4 star is here this month so I’ll risk it. Star 4 is good for academic pursuits and writing.

Like Antaeus, I too have to touch my origin to renew my health. I grew up in Arizona where Fire and dry Earth are strong. Being there makes my body feel good, and I’ve been missing the Sun since I got back to Seattle in early April. These days I go to Arizona more often than I used to, partly to strengthen my health. When my boots hit the desert and I look up at that endless sky, I feel I could go anywhere. I feel free, like I could move in any direction at a moment’s notice. It’s so lonely though that it’s hard for me to stay. That was always the problem of being there.

No elemental situation is perfect, nor is it static. This is why it’s helpful to know yourself and to consider what to do when. We are dynamic systems. The only constant is change, however, there are patterns within change and we can use them to keep up with what is, as well as what we want. Why study destiny if there’s nothing you can do about it? I wouldn’t.

I’m still reading Ba Zi for people and doing all of my usual stuff, but I’m also teaching now, which means going over everything I’ve ever learned. I’m digging up class notes from 20 years ago because it’s time to go back to the basics: yin/yang, Wu Xing, trigrams, baguas. It’s not that I had lost touch with them, this is more like a renewing of vows; a commitment to stick with first principles.

In the context of life on Earth, I’ve been thinking about the difference between the Early Heaven Bagua and the Later Heaven Bagua. The Early Heaven version is a representation of a primordial or ideal order like Eden, while the Later Heaven version is representing how life is after Eden perhaps. The Later Heaven Bagua describes life on Earth. Maybe I will write about that another time.

In a Tiger year, here on Earth we experience the energy of Wood. The primary emotion associated with Wood is anger, but I think that sells Wood short because Wood also relates to kindness and compassion. Wood has to do with being conceived, waking up, becoming conscious, being born. Helpful stuff, but none of it is easy or comfortable. It seems important to note here that anger has a purpose too. Let’s not criminalize it.

Wood energy is most available in the east (see above), in the months of February and March, and on any day between the hours of 3-7 am. Wood qi helps us to get things started, so there’s something to be gained for everyone when Wood is present. If you are committed to accomplishing a big endeavor in a short amount of time, it helps to get up early. If you need more sleep, go to bed earlier.

Elementally speaking, Wood gives us our aspirations and ambitions. It won’t stop moving. Wu Xing deals in verbs and processes, not static absolutes, so when I think of Wood I think of the Spanish expression tener ganas, which means “to have a desire for”. If you have the ganas, it’s a physical feeling. Possession, possessing, possessions, and/or being possessed are implied, and by that I don’t mean that you’ll need an exorcist.

As a result of all this Wood qi, lately it’s seeming like it’s time to find a new…everything. For example, I’m feeling uncertain about working with people I have worked with for years, not in the context of my business, but of theirs. It’s a feeling of waking up to what was always there but is now intolerable. Because change is inconvenient and it will take up my time and energy, I feel torn between sticking with these relationships and finding new people to work with. I know that is petty. I know what to do but I’m still questioning it.

What things should be accepted out of loyalty and humanity? Which ones should be rejected because you know the truth? How long can I put these decisions off?

I think those are the questions that sum up this Wood Snake month. Fire is finally getting strong again and Fire is what will bring out the truth. Fire will express this Wood, this anger, compassion and kindness. We already know that exposing the truth is not enough to change things, but when enough truth has spread, that’s when revolutions start.

And so, lawsuits and legal entanglements are quite likely this month, or as a result of this month’s actions, possibly more so for those who have a Tiger or Monkey in their Ba Zi. Yin Earth and yin Fire daymasters may experience some anger management problems, exacerbating their potential for conflict.

What do you do? Get creative. Turn the Wood into Fire. Take a deep breath and figure out how to direct your anger to create the results you want. Events are about to accelerate.

12 Animal Fortunes for the Wood Snake Month

Posted on May 5, 2022 by Stephanie Stewart

Wood Snake 乙巳 Month
May 5 20:45-June 6 00:58

Here are the Animal Fortunes for the month of the Wood Snake. To get the most out of the fortunes you’ll want to know all four of your pillars which are based on your birth date and time.

If you don’t know them just ask! Each of the four animals of your BaZi correlates with an aspect of your life.

Year Pillar
Has to do with your physical body and what you do with it, ancestors, family traits. In terms of luck the year pillar is said to take the first “hit” of any event, good or bad.

Month Pillar
Relates to career, work environment, training, age mates and peers, siblings, exes and your modus operandi

Day Pillar
Yourself and true partner; your immediate environment and home life.

Hour Pillar
Your innermost self, your children, future, hopes and dreams.

The Fortunes

巳 Snake
Years: 1941, 1953, 1965, 1977, 1989, 2001, 2013, 2025
Month: May roughly.
Are you helping intentionally or accidentally? Does it matter? I think it does. You are first to issue a challenge to power this year. Disrupt the pattern. No big deal.
Hint: Hack the system. Shine a light. Let your values be seen, not secret.

午 Horse
Years: 1942, 1954, 1966, 1978, 1990, 2002, 2014, 2026
Month: June roughly.
In case you’re starting to realize how full of yourself you’ve been, I want to remind you that’s it’s been awhile so – enjoy! Don’t be guilty, be present.
Hint: Stay conscious. Check the calendar. Check your watch.

未 Sheep
Years: 1943, 1955, 1967, 1979, 1991, 2003, 2015, 2027
Month: July roughly.
The Snake’s challenge to the Sheep sinks in deep. How did the universe find your vulnerable spot again? If last year changed you then this is a challenge you can handle. Words can’t hurt you now.
Hint: Get to know the neighbors. They can help.

申 Monkey
Years: 1944, 1956, 1968, 1980, 1992, 2004, 2016, 2028
Month: August roughly.
What if you were asked to help someone out and they had done you wrong in the past? If you knew they might revile you again, what would you do? Get ready to find out.
Hint: Is there any common goal that would make it worth the risk?

酉 Rooster
Years: 1945, 1957, 1969, 1981, 1993, 2005, 2017, 2029
Month: September roughly.
Roosters find they have friends in influential places and they can solve your technology problems. If you’ve had a data loss, you can easily find someone to help you recover.
Hint: Ask for referrals so you know you can trust.

戌 Dog
Years: 1946, 1958, 1970, 1982, 1994, 2006, 2018, 2030
Month: October roughly.
Who would have guessed how similar you are to the Snake? It’s the qualities you might try to keep hidden that give it away. Be obvious. Be you. Be on the lookout for quick bursts of approval.
Hint: Not all promotions involve your job.

亥 Pig
Years: 1947, 1959, 1971, 1983, 1994, 2007, 2018, 2030
Month: November roughly.
Yes the Snake clashes you, but you have certain advantages this year, should you choose to accept them. You don’t have to battle. Don’t worry about disappointing anyone. It’s just for one month.
Hint: What I’m telling you is that it’s time to invoke your privileges. Feel safe.

子 Rat
Years: 1936, 1948, 1960, 1972, 1984, 1996, 2008, 2020
Month: December roughly.
Entering uncertain territory now, but there are learning opportunities that have to do with the meaning of power. Avoid big expenditures. Plan accordingly.
Hint: Learn to work with Fire. Incorporate joy however you can. Encourage happiness. Why not?

丑 Ox
Years: 1937, 1949, 1961, 1973, 1985, 1997, 2009, 2021
Month: January roughly.
Close the deal now. Reap rewards. Whatever you feel like you’ve given up, realize that now you don’t have to. Maybe you never did. Scary isn’t it?
Hint: If you’ve been pinned in place you can get free now.

寅 Tiger
Years: 1938, 1950, 1962, 1974, 1986, 1998, 2010, 2022
Month: February roughly.
Here’s the first real challenge of the year. It’s likely not straightforward but I know you will wait for the right moment to strike with solutions. You’re so good at that.
Hint: Stay aware of what/who is around you. Observe relationships. Process, then act.

卯 Rabbit
Years: 1939, 1951, 1963, 1975, 1987, 1999, 2011, 2023
Month: March roughly.
Snake month may bring some back handed compliments, pushiness, or even jealousy. You’re encouraged to express yourself, at the same time you might get a lot of “coaching” about it.
Hint: Use the coaching as an opportunity to further your own agenda. Get in people’s heads.

辰 Dragon
Years: 1940, 1952, 1964, 1976, 1988, 2000, 2012, 2024
Month: April roughly.
If last month was lonely, take time to sit with your thoughts about that. Would you want to be friends with someone who would want to be friends with you? What if they admire you? Aren’t you curious?
Hint: Not every relationship is meant to be that deep, but one leads to another right?