Wood Snake 乙巳 2025 Feng Shui Basics

It’s time to start planning for for the year of the Wood Snake and moving things around to receive (or not receive) the new energies that are coming in 2025. How will this energetic shift affect you and your home? The information in this post will help you to set up and it is accurate, however, it’s somewhat generic because it doesn’t address the specifics of your situation. If you want to go beyond the basics, the application of Feng Shui must be tailored to you and your home.

As the energy changes, some of the areas of your house that you have been avoiding or keeping quiet in 2024 will be more favorable now. In 2025 the energy of the south is safer, while the energy of the east is a bit compromised. When is it time to clean and rearrange furniture and things? There are multiple markers for the start of any year – it’s not as if a switch is flipped and we’re in new territory.

The first marker that I observe is the winter solstice. The second marker (sometimes third) is the Lunar New Year. This year, the third marker is the Solar New Year at beginning of spring in early February. All this to say – January is often the best time to do a deep clean of the entire house without any negative effects. If you’ve already missed that window, you can still make changes. It will help if you use good timing. Let me know if you need help with that.

This next part is a bit complicated so skip down to the end for 2025 Feng Shui guidelines if that’s how you scroll.

太歲 Tai Sui, 歲破 Sui Po and 三煞 San Sha

The Year of the Wood Snake opens on February 3rd at 22:10. The Tai Sui or Year Boss is in the SE where the Snake is located because the Snake is the boss. Jupiter is in the NW and the Tai Sui sits opposite, mirroring.

Finally moving out of a Wood phase, we are entering a big season of Fire, meaning we have three years of Fire energy from 2025-2027. The Snake, Horse and Sheep branches (also years, months, days) relate to Fire and the season of summer. In a cycle of 12 years, we are beginning summer.

If you’re not already familiar with the concept of the Tai Sui you can think of it as the ruling energy of the year. In some years people born under the same Animal branch as the year are considered to be offending the Tai Sui. The Snake is not one of these signs.

Directly opposite the Snake in the SE, is the Pig in the NW. That means in 2025 the Pig is called the Sui Po or “year breaker”. The Pig is considered to be in opposition to the Snake. Their relationship is a clash, meaning they bring changes to each other.

Energetically the Snake sends force towards, pressures or stimulates the Pig. The clash between Pig and Snake is a clash of Water and Fire. To put it in the broadest terms, this clash might involve emotions, accusations, lies, truths, transportation and loss of mobility.

If you’re feeling worried about the clash because there’s a Snake or Pig in your BaZi, book a BaZi reading with me and I will help you find practical and applicable solutions. I can help you to navigate safely, mitigate and sometimes take advantage of a clash.

The San Sha or Three killings in 2025 covers the entire area between Tiger (NE3) and Dragon (SE1). The Rabbit, centering at 90 degrees in the east, is in a difficult position on the compass but we can’t ignore that Tiger might be even more in need of help. The energy of the San Sha this year is Metal element (west) vs Wood element (east).

Lest you get lost in the technical stuff, it’s important to remember that Feng Shui is all about relationships. You can take that perspective and work with Feng Shui every day. Stick to first principles: Wu Xing and yin/yang. If you want to know how the energy moves around, it’s elemental and elementary.

The annual calculations are expressions of the relationships of elements. They point out the Tai Sui, Sui Po, and San Sha: the relationships that may need more of your attention in any given year. You can think of them as representations of roles we may be called to play.

Flying Stars

Flying Stars is a system used to identify energy pockets within a building, city, country…The base energy for each area is indicated by the traditional Lo Shu where Star 5 is in the center. This arrangement is also called the Magic Square, partly because the numbers add to 15 in any direction.

Lo Shu or Magic Square

There are different layers to consider when working with Flying Stars. In addition to these base stars which are static, each house has it’s own collection of Flying Stars, which some would say is similar to a natal chart. The best results come when you’ve understood and dealt with these static and underlying energies first. There are dynamics in their interactions but they do not change.

Once you’ve done that, you can play with the dynamic stars, the ones that move and change. Those would be the stars of the time Period (currently we are in the 9 Fate), the annual stars, monthly Flying Stars and daily Flying Stars which you may be familiar with if you read my daily forecasts.

Each star corresponds to a trigram from the Later Heaven Bagua and so each one also has an elemental nature. Some stars naturally pair up. Some stars play well together and some don’t. Some are helpful and some not so much. I won’t try to explain it more here.

In 2025, we have the 2 Star in the center, setting the tone of the year. The map below will tell you the locations of the annual Flying Stars within your home for the Wood Snake year. They will interact with the monthly Flying Stars in a guest/host relationship. This interaction of the annual and monthly stars is used for Feng Shui, forecasting and other forms of divination.

Annual Flying Stars for Wood Snake 2025

As a general practice, we want to avoid the annual Wu Huang or 5 yellow.

Guidelines for 2025

  • Don’t face SE, meaning the Snake who is centered at 150 degrees. You can spend time in the SE location of your house but don’t face that direction.
    Remember that the Dragon is in the SE too, centering at 120 degrees. It’s a fine line! If your head points SE when you are in bed, you’ll want to consider changing that. Having your back to the SE is fine. Be precise to avoid having your back to the E.
  • Avoid Rabbit (E2) and the areas directly adjacent. The scope of the San Sha covers Tiger-Dragon. Don’t have your back to the San Sha (east).
  • The energy of the Wu Huang or 5 Yellow is in the NE this year indicating volatility and upheavals. Now that we are in Period 9, in 2025 Star 5 is paired with Flying Star 3 which is the star of arguments and lawsuits. Avoid construction or other noisy activations in the NE.
  • Star 2 in the center is still a little tricky, meaning it could bring goodies or illness; probably minor illness but I don’t recommend you do activations there without some knowledge and/or guidance. Make sure you know the underlying Flying Stars of your home before you try this.
  • If your house faces SE or NW I recommend you have a Feng Shui survey of your home and mitigate any potential issues, especially if a door is located in the SE, E or NE.

Consult a professional if you want to activate or make major changes to either NE, E, or SE locations.

These locations and directions can be fine tuned further by applying Ba Zhai (8 House or 8 Mansions). In Period 9 I think East Group people may have an advantage over West group when it comes to helpful orientations.

When to Act

Moving things around the house, changing rooms, and placing Feng Shui cures and enhancements is best done between 冬至 Dong Zhi or winter solstice, and 立春 Li Chun which is usually around February 4th or 5th. The exact dates vary slightly depending on the year. The winter solstice occurs December 21st 2024 at 17:20. The Solar New Year or Li Chun begins February 3rd 2025 at 22:10.

You can maximize the results of your changes and adjustments by using date selection. If you want help with that, I invite you to subscribe to my monthly newsletter or, contact me to find a date that’s specific to you and your house. If you’d like to learn how to track these timings yourself, I recommend a copy of my Wood Snake 2025 Almanac.

If you’re familiar with applying Feng Shui you can use the information in this article to set up your house. You’ll also need to know your Ming Gua to make the most of the energy of 2025. Just compare your good directions with the “rules”. And of course I’m available if you want to enhance or mitigate rather than simply avoid.

Wood Snake 乙巳 2025 – Your Good Directions

Ming Gua, East and West Life Groups

The Ming Gua is a number that is calculated using gender and birthday in order to employ the Feng Shui method called 8 House, 8 Mansions or Ba Zhai. Each number corresponds to a trigram and an element in the Later Heaven Bagua. The Ming Gua is also known as the Natal Trigram, Destiny Number or Life Star number.

Do you know your Ming Gua? Send me your birthday and gender and I can tell you. Once you know your number you will be able to use your best directions for setting up your home and/or choosing a home that fits you.

The Guas fall into two categories in this system: East Life Group and West Life Group. If you already know your number, you can use the chart below to figure out which group you belong to.

East Life Group Numbers West Life Group Numbers
1 2
3 6
4 7
9 8

Your Ming Gua indicates the Life Group and the good directions for you. Each person has four, and they support in different ways, but all are considered beneficial. Use them to set up your desk, bed, computer, tv and other furnishings. If you’re remodeling your kitchen or moving house, you can use Ba Zhai to set up your stove as well. This requires a higher level of expertise.

Good Directions for East Group Good Directions for West Group
E W
N NW
S SW
SE NE

N.B. When you are lying in bed you are facing the direction your head is pointing. Think of your body as the compass needle.

What I haven’t addressed here is that there are also four house orientations that are appropriate for each Life Group. Do you know if your house supports your Ming Gua? Email me if you’re curious about your house.

And one more thing – you’re going to need to know if any of your four good directions are not so good in 2025. You may want to rule some out temporarily. This will apply to both East and West Group people. I’ll be explaining that in my next post.

12 Animal Fortunes for the Fire Rat Month

Fire Rat 丙子 Month
December 6th 23:17-January 5th 10:33

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

If you don’t know your Four Pillars, just ask! Each of the four animals of your BaZi correlates with an aspect of your life. Start with that interpretation.

If you’d like to know more about how your natal chart works, or what to expect in 2025, you can book a reading here.

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

Rat
Years: 1948, 1960, 1972, 1984, 1996, 2008, 2020, 2032
Month: December roughly.
Understandably, Rats have their minds on their money and their money on their minds. Open your perspective. Actions this month underlie the patterns you’re setting for the Year of the Wood Snake.
Hint: I know you want 2025 to be about more than money.

Ox
Years: 1949, 1961, 1973, 1985, 1997, 2009, 2021, 2033
Month: January roughly.
Funny time of year for such productivity from the Ox. Ideas come from the sky and the rewards are there for you on earth. Nothing in your way at the moment.
Hint: You’d think a new elemental phase is imminent!

Tiger
Years: 1950, 1962, 1974, 1986, 1998, 2010, 2022, 2034
Month: February roughly.
This month Tigers accept resources: offers, proposals, backing and endorsements. There’s a demand for your long term work – and it will be demanding but you’re a Tiger.
Hint: If you’re signing up or signing on, get a Rat to go over the paperwork too.

Rabbit
Years: 1951, 1963, 1975, 1987, 1999, 2011, 2023, 2035
Month: March roughly.
It’s time for the annual questioning of the ancestors’ intentions towards you. Or maybe that feels less important now? Let hope spring anew.
Hint: Seek definition and expression to get a head start on the year. Hiding isn’t it.

Dragon
Years: 1940, 1952, 1964, 1976, 1988, 2000, 2012, 2024
Month: April roughly.
Back in the flow now, Dragons realize it’s been over a year of tremors and aftershocks. The biggest changes have happened, let the rest ripple out and settle.
Hint: Direct your attention outward.

Snake
Years: 1941, 1953, 1965, 1977, 1989, 2001, 2013, 2025
Month: May roughly.
For the Snake, acknowledging the truth is a way of taking care of yourself. Transform darkness into new ideas now.
Hint: You might think it’s the truth that makes things worse, but maybe it’s you avoiding it.

Horse
Years: 1942, 1954, 1966, 1978, 1990, 2002, 2014, 2026
Month: June roughly.
When you don’t want others to know your feelings, but you’re not good at hiding them, do you really not want them to know? In a Rat month, people might perceive the Horse as looking for a fight.
Hint: Are you? Talk it out instead.

Sheep
Years: 1943, 1955, 1967, 1979, 1991, 2003, 2015, 2027
Month: July roughly.
Destruction is nearby but not yours. Sheep may be called in as proxy in a conflict where they are not directly present or involved. Commit to family alliances.
Hint: This might not feel safe.

Monkey
Years: 1944, 1956, 1968, 1980, 1992, 2004, 2016, 2028
Month: August roughly.
Monkeys get what they want in the Rat month. Naturally, there is some stress that accompanies these new developments. If it gets in your head, let it come out of your hands. Be productive.
Hint: Yang Metal likes to choose the hard things right?

Rooster
Years: 1945, 1957, 1969, 1981, 1993, 2005, 2017, 2029
Month: September roughly.
Roosters: tap into the zeitgeist. Come out of the past and get acquainted with current events. Learn a new word that the kids use. Let people shock you, astonish you and make you laugh.
Hint: Take it all in. Pay attention. Talk about it.

Dog
Years: 1946, 1958, 1970, 1982, 1994, 2006, 2018, 2030
Month: October roughly.
Follow your optimism. Wrap up the old. With all the cracks the year created in your life, is there one you might slip through to another dimension? Is it time for something new?
Hint: Can you be your own boss now?

Pig
Years: 1947, 1959, 1971, 1983, 1995, 2007, 2019, 2031
Month: November roughly.
Deep diving into emotions yet needing to focus on financial matters … how might these things be related to your patterns? The things we don’t enjoy are part of life too.
Hint: When we reject one feeling, eventually the rejection extends to all the feelings.

12 Animal Fortunes for the Wood Pig Month

Wood Pig 乙亥 Month
November 7th 07:49-December 6th 23:17

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

If you don’t know your Four Pillars, just ask! Each of the four animals of your BaZi correlates with an aspect of your life. Start with that interpretation.

If you’d like to know more about how your natal chart works, or what to expect in 2025, you can book a reading here.

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

Pig
Years: 1947, 1959, 1971, 1983, 1995, 2007, 2019, 2031
Month: November roughly.
Take a chance on being embarrassed by disclosure. Find out that you could be loved and that it might not look the way you thought it should/would. Then what?!
Hint: Control isn’t the only option.

Rat
Years: 1948, 1960, 1972, 1984, 1996, 2008, 2020, 2032
Month: December roughly.
So much Water! It could be hard to sort out the friends from the competitors. Alliances that are nearby may compromise long standing relationships simply because they make you feel free.
Hint: Take care with decisions about who stays and who goes.

Ox
Years: 1949, 1961, 1973, 1985, 1997, 2009, 2021, 2033
Month: January roughly.
Further breaking free of Earth might mean things feel a little out of control. Returning to the flow can be that way. Come back to life.
Hint: Let it happen. You can make more introvert choices in December if you want to.

Tiger
Years: 1950, 1962, 1974, 1986, 1998, 2010, 2022, 2034
Month: February roughly.
Will you be the mentor or the mentee? The best relationships provide a chance to take turns I think. Would you like that?
Hint: Being a Tiger might mean all you have to do is say this is what you want.

Rabbit
Years: 1951, 1963, 1975, 1987, 1999, 2011, 2023, 2035
Month: March roughly.
What does it mean to be cared for over a long period of time without being asked to give up your agency? These things can be negotiated.
Hint: Would you think that is too good to be true?

Dragon
Years: 1940, 1952, 1964, 1976, 1988, 2000, 2012, 2024
Month: April roughly.
The tectonic plates have shifted, much of the pressure is off. Phew! Schedule rest in your planning, but it’s not quitting time yet.
Hint: Watch as you build toward success. Finish projects and assignments.

Snake
Years: 1941, 1953, 1965, 1977, 1989, 2001, 2013, 2025
Month: May roughly.
Sometimes you think the Fire is out, only to find that there’s still an ember that can relight everything quickly. Remember that this month.
Hint: Stock up on kindling. What are the resources that keep you warm? Who are the people?

Horse
Years: 1942, 1954, 1966, 1978, 1990, 2002, 2014, 2026
Month: June roughly.
Just keep running for now, at a pace that isn’t too fast. When you live in the future you don’t want to waste any time worrying about it.
Hint: If you feel disappointed, consider you might be over-attached to the highs.

Sheep
Years: 1943, 1955, 1967, 1979, 1991, 2003, 2015, 2027
Month: July roughly.
A chance to feel safe and accepted. Be taken care of like family. Find out you don’t have to settle.
Hint: The connections are real.

Monkey
Years: 1944, 1956, 1968, 1980, 1992, 2004, 2016, 2028
Month: August roughly.
Excessive Water warning: Take care with pool parties, hot tub adventures and bubble baths.
Hint: It’s not a bad month to take advice, especially if the advice makes you want to reject it. Think about it.

Rooster
Years: 1945, 1957, 1969, 1981, 1993, 2005, 2017, 2029
Month: September roughly.
With this timing you may see people who usually ask you for advice or assistance going to someone else instead. This could be a blessing. Wait for smaller projects.
Hint: You’re not losing anything.

Dog
Years: 1946, 1958, 1970, 1982, 1994, 2006, 2018, 2030
Month: October roughly.
If the year was a party this would be the time when you go and get some fresh air. Congratulations for making it through the worst of the Dragon’s clash. Make a list of what you’ve learned.
Hint: Going back to the party? Wait for the next month.

Wood Dragon Year, Wood Dog Month : Hexagrams 38 and 39

I woke up on September 30th with the clearly formed thought that Hexagram 39 is describing exactly what just happened in Appalachia. Water over Mountain. I first came to know Jian as it was described to me by a teacher. They said it reminded them of the movie Fitzcarraldo, in which the title character, played by Klaus Kinski, is on a mission to move a steamboat over the Andes. The movie was made in 1982, a Water Dog year! Spoiler alert: things don’t turn out as planned, but his true intention is realized. #howfateworks

I write a monthly guide for subscribers in which I include a divination by way of the Yi Jing. I write the guide for people who want to incorporate Chinese Astrology and Date Selection into their lives, but also for people who want to learn more about Chinese Metaphysics. I always stick to first principles and that’s what I teach too. For best results, that’s the way.

This month the Yi Jing divination is based on a pair of Hexagrams – they are considered to be a pair by Yi Jing scholars. The annual Hexagram for the Wood Dragon year is number 38, Kui. The Hexagram for the Wood Dog month is number 39, Jian. This month of the Wood Dog is the culmination of the strangeness of the year. They are a pair, so we might consider how 38 might evolve into 39. Strangeness turns into difficulty. Take note that every line changes. Are you ready for that? Water clashes Fire, Earth clashes Water. Eclipsed again!

Hexagram 38

The hexagram Kui consists of the Fire trigram on the top and the Lake trigram on the bottom. Both trigrams are yin, meaning they represent middle daughter and the youngest daughter.

If you saw fire on top of water in real life, you would know something unusual is going on. If you saw it in a dream, that would make more sense. Strange things appear in dreams all the time. The text of Hexagram 38 describes a dream like experience, where symbols and images are hard to relate to a rational perspective. That has been my experience of this Wood Dragon year. I have seen things I never dreamed of, much less thought I would see.

In divination I like to leave logic behind for the first stage of interpretation and just go with what comes to mind. That process is what Hexagram 38 reminds me of. The ideograph consists of mu on the left and gui on the right: a staring or squinting eye next to a ghost or grass mat for offering sacrifice. I’ll leave it to you to embellish these ideas with 2024 in mind.

Following the advice of Hexagram 38, I have been sticking to small matters in 2024. That is where I have found some good fortune. The larger matters have only just now become susceptible to influence. Maybe you’re experiencing something similar?

Hexagram 39

The hexagram Jian consists of the Water trigram over the Mountain trigram as I’ve already mentioned. In Hexagram 39 the trigrams are yang, meaning they represent the middle son and the youngest son. If we’re talking about 38 and 39 as a pair, we can see that focus has shifted from yin to yang – from what we couldn’t see to what is now obvious?

Since the literal interpretation of Water over Mountain has offered itself, I will stick with the forecast regarding the compass directions/locations that are mentioned in the Gua Ci: Advantage to the west and south, no advantage to the east and north. You might take this literally if you’re making a decision.

Hexagram 39 speaks of externally imposed difficulties but ultimately forecasts good fortune. This may not be the time to advance, read the room. Unity is a better option than advancement. Let the events come and respond accordingly. Whenever you see the line “Advantageous to see the Great Man” it’s a suggestion that you seek out someone with expertise, or perhaps a diviner. That’s the final text of line 6.

My reading of Jian this time is in the context of hurricane Helene and Appalachia. How does it resonate for you? Is the advice about personal matters or external ones? With the Yi Jing it’s usually both for me.

12 Animal Fortunes for the Wood Dog Month

Wood Dog 甲戌 Month
October 8th 04:31-November 7th 07:49

Here are the Animal Fortunes for the month of the Wood Dog. To get the most out of the fortunes you’ll want to know all four of your pillars which are based on your birth year, month, day 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

Dog
Years: 1946, 1958, 1970, 1982, 1994, 2006, 2018, 2030
Month: October roughly.
How far might you go in a quest to even things out? Acts of revenge could be tempting, however, revenge is not what you need.
Hint: Establish new boundaries or limits on what you will do to win; fortify or move existing ones.

Pig
Years: 1947, 1959, 1971, 1983, 1995, 2007, 2019, 2031
Month: November roughly.
Assume there is someone present this month who gets you, because with the Dog present, there is. Enjoy a mysterious and goofy bond.
Hint: The only people who understand the relationship are the ones in it.

Rat
Years: 1948, 1960, 1972, 1984, 1996, 2008, 2020, 2032
Month: December roughly.
It’s your favorite flavor of opposition. No attachments, no competitors, moving forward, finding success and fellow travelers.
Hint: Let the words pour out.

Ox
Years: 1949, 1961, 1973, 1985, 1997, 2009, 2021, 2033
Month: January roughly.
The Dragon’s attention is finally lifted from the Ox and the Ox remembers their own power and resourcefulness.
Hint: Make some changes in the hierarchy.

Tiger
Years: 1950, 1962, 1974, 1986, 1998, 2010, 2022, 2034
Month: February roughly.
Settle in where you want to be now. It seems obvious doesn’t it?
Hint: Consider how you might do less driving/commuting in 2025.

Rabbit
Years: 1951, 1963, 1975, 1987, 1999, 2011, 2023, 2035
Month: March roughly.
The Rabbit often empowers the Dog as a henchman. This month it might be time to switch roles. No need to overdo when persistence works just as well.
Hint: Brief skirmishes only.

Dragon
Years: 1940, 1952, 1964, 1976, 1988, 2000, 2012, 2024
Month: April roughly.
The Earth is moving now. If it feels unsteady under your feet, remember that everyone else is feeling it too. Are you too powerful or overpowered?
Hint: You may have to get out of your lane to solve argument or dispute.

Snake
Years: 1941, 1953, 1965, 1977, 1989, 2001, 2013, 2025
Month: May roughly.
That uncertainty you feel is related to what you think is coming next month, not what is coming this month. Are you over-anticipating again?
Hint: Sweep anxiety aside and do what you are going to do. It’s safe.

Horse
Years: 1942, 1954, 1966, 1978, 1990, 2002, 2014, 2026
Month: June roughly.
The Dog always brings a certain kind of good luck and support for a Horse. This month will be no different.
Hint: Just don’t screw it up on a Horse day.

Sheep
Years: 1943, 1955, 1967, 1979, 1991, 2003, 2015, 2027
Month: July roughly.
Intuition or inspiration will show you where/when you might be bullied or drawn into groups of bullies (Cults?). For best results, nip that energy in the bud.
Hint: Others have been in your shoes. If you say something it’s more likely they will too.

Monkey
Years: 1944, 1956, 1968, 1980, 1992, 2004, 2016, 2028
Month: August roughly.
If you’re feeling some unusual pressure or stress, it may be helpful to know that it’s probably going to improve your situation by making goals more accessible.
Hint: You’re luckier than you think.

Rooster
Years: 1945, 1957, 1969, 1981, 1993, 2005, 2017, 2029
Month: September roughly.
Rest up now because winter is coming, and 2025 is going to be another year of you bossing people around.
Hint: Try not to be too obvious.

Water Rooster Month : Hexagram 53

Hexagram 53 is the matching Hexagram for the Water Rooster pillar. This year, the Water Rooster month starts on September 7th and ends on October 8th when we begin the month of the Wood Dog.

If you work with the Yi Jing long enough, you will begin to understand that you are being led, that is, if you allow that. There’s always a personal message, no matter what you’re asking about, at least in my experience. At the same time, there are many other meanings. I invite you to consider where Hexagram 53 leads you this month.

Hexagram 53

Hexagram 53 is sometimes called Gliding, Advancing or Gradual Progress. This time around, I would like to call it Transition. The nuance of Hexagram 53 for me right now is Transition.

On the left side of the ideograph Jian , we see shui (water) and on the right side we see zhan (to chop or fell a tree).

One image that people use when they cast this Hexagram is a tree on a mountain, possibly a stunted tree but, persistent and healthy enough that it can keep putting out leaves and branches gradually. It’s like growing and recovering at the same time. The tree is exposed and shaped by the elements. Even when the wind is not blowing you can see its prevalent direction.

The Water doesn’t seem to be helping, in fact is it too much? When Wood is soggy the progress is slow. There’s an environmental instability for this little tree that can only be changed by putting down roots – but where is the soil? The tree will have to make some. People don’t see what is going on underground so perhaps the assumption is that the tree can never amount to much. And yet, maybe one hundred years later it’s still there. It’s always in transition, before the time when things come to fruition.

Our lives are not that long. Maybe that is why we miss out on the importance and value of things that happen over long periods of time. Best believe, history does repeat, even in your own lifetime. Pay attention to your patterns or just keep repeating.

The top trigram is Xun or Wind, the eldest daughter who is expected to take the place of the Mother without being asked. The bottom trigram is Gen or Mountain, the youngest son who is expected to become a priest because the other positions are taken.

Wind over Mountain, that’s not an easy place to be. If you’re there for too long, no matter how committed and persistent you are, you might be too worn down to realize how worn down you’re getting. If you are offered a chance to get out of the wind or off the mountain, almost any time is a good time to accept, even if it’s not perfect, it’s a transition. If you’re already living in that, why not try a new “venue”?

Most of the text of Hexagram 53 discusses migrating birds, fertility, and having a place to land when you are in transition. It’s the transition part for me that stands out, maybe because I am in one but also because I know I’m not the only one who needs some rest. Maybe, like me, you’re afraid to land because you worry you will be stuck in the wrong place, but any journey of significance is going to require stopping points, right?

What kind of stopping points are available to you this month? What do you want to restore for or about yourself? What plans are you making for your winter? If you’re worried about getting stuck somewhere, common sense says you surely will if you don’t let the transitions happen. Gradual progress is enough to find good fortune.

Did you know there are many stories in almost every culture about women turning into birds and vice versa?

Hexagram 53 Text
(from the Yi Jing translated by Wu Jing-Nuan ISBN 0-9673272-0-2)

Gua Ci
JIAN A lady to marry, good fortune. Profit the divination.

Line 1
Wild geese advance to the shore
The young officer, danger. There will be talk. No error

Line 2
Wild geese advance to an enormous rock
Drinking and feeding in harmony and joy. Good fortune.

Line 3
Wild geese advance to dry land.
A husband gone and not returned
A wife pregnant but not nourished
Misfortune; advantageous to resist robbers

Line 4
Wild geese advance to the trees.
Some have gotten to the branches tips. No error

Line 5
The wild geese advance to the tumulus.
A wife three years and not pregnant.
In the end, settled and overcome. Good fortune.

Line 6
Wild geese advance onto dry land
Their feathers can be used in ceremonies. Good fortune.

12 Animal Fortunes for the Water Rooster Month

Water Rooster 癸酉 Month
September 7th 12:27-October 8th 04:31

Here are the Animal Fortunes for the month of the Water Rooster. To get the most out of the fortunes you’ll want to know all four of your pillars which are based on your birth year, month, day 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

Rooster
Years: 1945, 1957, 1969, 1981, 1993, 2005, 2017, 2029
Month: September roughly.
Having a spell. When your words are so precise, it’s best to treat them with the respect they deserve.
Hint: The glamor is real.

Dog
Years: 1946, 1958, 1970, 1982, 1994, 2006, 2018, 2030
Month: October roughly.
You may be lifted by the remarks of someone who claims not to like you.
Hint: They see themselves in you.

Pig
Years: 1947, 1959, 1971, 1983, 1995, 2007, 2019, 2031
Month: November roughly.
Impatience meets Let’s Make a Deal. What if it’s what you’ve been looking for?
Hint: That’s very much possible this month.

Rat
Years: 1948, 1960, 1972, 1984, 1996, 2008, 2020, 2032
Month: December roughly.
Just when you’re ready to have a little crush, someone else is too. Accidentally famous much?
Hint: Keep things frivolous perhaps.

Ox
Years: 1949, 1961, 1973, 1985, 1997, 2009, 2021, 2033
Month: January roughly.
Feel a new road under your feet. Fewer potholes. Maybe accelerate a little if you’re feeling bold.
Hint: You might not feel the success yet, but it’s there.

Tiger
Years: 1950, 1962, 1974, 1986, 1998, 2010, 2022, 2034
Month: February roughly.
Looking for something new? It’s looking for you too. As usual your timing is perfect.
Hint: Don’t spend too much time on looking. You don’t have to.

Rabbit
Years: 1951, 1963, 1975, 1987, 1999, 2011, 2023, 2035
Month: March roughly.
Careful of getting stuck in your head in some verbal battle that is best avoided.
Hint: You better not be mean to yourself either. You will run again.

Dragon
Years: 1940, 1952, 1964, 1976, 1988, 2000, 2012, 2024
Month: April roughly.
You can feel the tide of the year turning. Opportunities distract. Not bad!
Hint: Be mindful of birds and what omens they bring.

Snake
Years: 1941, 1953, 1965, 1977, 1989, 2001, 2013, 2025
Month: May roughly.
Find out that going through the changes never ends and you are still okay.
Hint: Better than okay if you’re honest. Stop waiting.

Horse
Years: 1942, 1954, 1966, 1978, 1990, 2002, 2014, 2026
Month: June roughly.
It’s all been true all along. Don’t be afraid to know that if you want to move on.
Hint: It’s hard to be born again again.

Sheep
Years: 1943, 1955, 1967, 1979, 1991, 2003, 2015, 2027
Month: July roughly.
Look for tasks/jobs that require your eloquence since you’ve got it like that. Use it!
Hint: Words are your currency.

Monkey
Years: 1944, 1956, 1968, 1980, 1992, 2004, 2016, 2028
Month: August roughly.
While you might meet someone Interesting, this should be a less eventful month. Small pleasures.
Hint: That may come as a relief?

Water Monkey Month 2024

Did you know that every pillar has a matching Hexagram? In a Water Monkey month, the matching hexagram is Number 7 which is called Army or Gathering.

On the left side of the ideograph Shi , we see dui 𠂤 (a heap or crowd) and on the right side we see za (making a circuit).

Shi represents a crowd moving around a pivot point and the power that exists in numbers. In modern terms Shi is a division of an army so you can imagine a lot of marching around. What’s important is the amount of potential energy here that needs to be directed, and not all of it has to be about fighting. Outcomes depend on responsible leadership or the lack thereof. Maybe the best outcomes happen when everyone is deciding for themselves but still there is cooperation.

Visually, Hexagram 7 looks like a trap where you might fall in and get stuck near the bottom. I often think of these broken and solid lines as zeros and ones; a broken line being zero or no, a solid line being one or yes. If you’ve heard of Gottfried William Leibniz this will tend to make more sense. For those of you who like to track such things, Leibniz was born in a Fire Dog year (!).

When you cast Hexagram 7 for yourself, it might be a no to expectations or traditions. Yin Earth over Water in these times might indicate an upset in what we think of as the natural order of things. Many astrologers have been predicting that this month will be the beginning of another/bigger war. I’m not saying they are wrong but there are important and meaningful possibilities with Hexagram 7 that I don’t want you to miss. Hexagram 7 pairs with Hexagram 8, and so Unity could be next; an idealistic potential outcome!

When you see that Hexagram 7 is called Army, I want you to remember the Gua Ci:

SHI The divination: responsible men. Good fortune. No error.*

In terms of the world this month, most of the lines of Hexagram 7 seem to tell the story of what’s happening with Kamala Harris right now. She has gotten to the center of power. Maybe she’s the pivot point of the moment? Now she has to choose a VP candidate, see also, Line 6 “Small men should not be employed”.

I’ll include the translation* of the full text for your consideration. The main advice of the Hexagram might be: if you want to surprise your enemy, don’t do what they expect. Kamala’s laugh draws a lot of attention doesn’t it? I think that works in her favor.

To bring the discussion down to a more personal level, last month we had Hexagram 6 Dispute which consisted of the Qian the Father over Kan the Middle Son. This month it’s Kun the Mother over the Middle Son. With Earth on top of Water, that’s instability; contamination of Water is a possibility, which suggests communication problems and possibly depression, anxiety, or fear. Remember, possibility is not inevitability!

In a family relationship, maybe Hexagram 7 speaks of the outcomes we get when Mothers are too coddling and protective of their boys, or when they are neglectful of them. The difference between these two types of energy sounds obvious but when you see it in real life, sometimes it’s hard to discern. A struggling Mother might overperform to compensate for avoiding a healthy participation in the never-ending emotional process of communication. This is a yin/yang thing and there is no right answer, however, proper parenting and caretaking involves more than meeting material and physical needs and many times that is where the line of success is drawn.

Taking care of someone who is dependent on that care involves walking a very fine line between appropriate support and being too maternal (or paternal). Disregarding the emotions and dignity of the person is a much bigger error than lunch being late. At the same time, it’s important to keep realistic expectations.

At this point in my personal life, I’m engaged in supporting my elders and of course, my children. While I would prefer that they do what I tell them, I’m glad that they are able to make their own choices and they do. If they tell me they know best, it’s hard not to agree. I’m not them and they aren’t me. Maybe this sounds cold but if I’ve got it wrong I don’t want responsibility. It’s their choice. Simple right?

It’s hard not to be attached to the outcome of the help that I want to give to the people I love and the people I work with – that’s the further learning I face now. Giving care, or receiving it, is best approached as a process. Assume everyone is doing their best, that’s almost always true. No one is perfect. Everyone has their ups and downs. It’s not about you. BREATHE!

I write about hexagrams every month in my Monthly Guide. You can become a subscriber if you’re interested!

Hexagram 7 Text*

Gua Ci
SHI The divination: responsible men. Good fortune. No error.

Line 1
The army goes out according to the rules. Not good. Misfortune.

Line 2
Placed in the host’s center, good fortune, no error. The King thrice confers commands.

Line 3
The army perhaps carries corpses, misfortune.

Line 4
The army retreats, no error.

Line 5
The fields have game. Profit by catching them is the word. No error. The eldest son captains the host; the younger son carries corpses. The divination: misfortune.

Line 6
The great prince has commands, founds states, and supports the clans. Small men should not be employed.

*Yi Jing translation by Wu Jing-Nuan ISBN 0-9673272-0-2

12 Animal Fortunes for the Water Monkey Month

Water Monkey 壬申 Month
August 7th 09:05-September 7th 12:27

Here are the Animal Fortunes for the month of the Water Monkey. To get the most out of the fortunes you’ll want to know all four of your pillars which are based on your birth year, month, day 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

Monkey
Years: 1944, 1956, 1968, 1980, 1992, 2004, 2016, 2028
Month: August roughly.
It’s reunion time for the Monkey. That will probably be related to family and family matters. This could be an emotional one which means a lot of things could change if you’re amenable.
Hint: If you feel like you can’t trust yourself, start with trusting someone who loves you.

Rooster
Years: 1945, 1957, 1969, 1981, 1993, 2005, 2017, 2029
Month: September roughly.
Roosters like to know that they are in demand but this current level of focus may be draining. Take special care with deciding what or who to cut off if that’s what you’re in the mood for.
Hint: You might get away with a lot but – you know what permanent means right?

Dog
Years: 1946, 1958, 1970, 1982, 1994, 2006, 2018, 2030
Month: October roughly.
So you want to enjoy the fruits of your labor? You’ve got three months at least. It’s a little harsh. What you have to say will capture your power. Work on articulacy.
Hint: Honesty is 🔥

Pig
Years: 1947, 1959, 1971, 1983, 1995, 2007, 2019, 2031
Month: November roughly.
It’s time to acknowledge those ideas you’ve had about additional support you may need next year. In these times especially, I hope you will allow yourself to be assisted.
Hint: No shame. Everyone gets a turn.

Rat
Years: 1948, 1960, 1972, 1984, 1996, 2008, 2020, 2032
Month: December roughly.
Invited to social gatherings this month, will you be joining the party? Focus on family relationships; repairs and renovations are possible. Why worry who is right when you can be happy?
Hint: It’s not you, it’s not about you, it’s through you.

Ox
Years: 1949, 1961, 1973, 1985, 1997, 2009, 2021, 2033
Month: January roughly.
Ox goes back to work. As the Ox is wont to do in times of…well anytime really. Little projects and short bursts of activity are enough. You may still be in some kind of recovery mode.
Hint: It’s Metal season!

Tiger
Years: 1950, 1962, 1974, 1986, 1998, 2010, 2022, 2034
Month: February roughly.
A Tiger does not appreciate feeling vulnerable but that is mostly what this year has offered. I would never want you to change Tiger, and that’s why I want you to protect yourself this month.
Hint: When everything is irritating, it’s time to retreat not attack. Go to the woods.

Rabbit
Years: 1951, 1963, 1975, 1987, 1999, 2011, 2023, 2035
Month: March roughly.
For Rabbits who want to avoid attention, don’t go too far with that this month. There are certain events that are going to be important for the results you’re seeking.
Hint: Other than that you can stay home with no FOMO.

Dragon
Years: 1940, 1952, 1964, 1976, 1988, 2000, 2012, 2024
Month: April roughly.
It’s on now! Metal season is when your work does the harvesting. Like it or not, you do have certain things in common with the Dog don’t you?
Hint: It would be silly not to acknowledge the amount of success available to you now. Take some?

Snake
Years: 1941, 1953, 1965, 1977, 1989, 2001, 2013, 2025
Month: May roughly.
Snakes can feel the new year already as they flex their transformative powers again. People think it’s easy for you but there’s a price to knowing so much.
Hint: Hard to avoid travel this month isn’t it? Turn attention to earthly matters for safety.

Horse
Years: 1942, 1954, 1966, 1978, 1990, 2002, 2014, 2026
Month: June roughly.
If you’re feeling overstimulated AND as if you might be able to make things right, right now but only right now because you’ll be extinguished in a second…just another day right?! It’s ALL true.
Hint: Be like a surfer riding the water. Let yourself stay on top.

Sheep
Years: 1943, 1955, 1967, 1979, 1991, 2003, 2015, 2027
Month: July roughly.
Sheep need a break from last month’s shenanigans. This month will bring an abrupt change. If cooling down suits you it could be a busy yet restorative month.
Hint: If you like heat, maybe the healing part takes a little longer.

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