Author: Stephanie Stewart

The Tiger in 2020 ~ Metal Rat Year

Posted on by Stephanie Stewart

Who is a Tiger?

Years: 1950, 1962, 1974, 1986, 1998, 2010.
Month*: February
Hour: 03.00-05.00am
Day: Ask Us

* Caution: the start of the Chinese Month of the Tiger falls on the 4th or 5th, depending on the year. I can let you know this too.

What is a Tiger?

Because the yang Wood Tiger is composed of three different elements, he is an especially versatile predator. There is nothing wrong with being a predator of course, except that it can imply a very rigid view of the world. Tigers often don’t play well with others, not because their egos are in the way (unlike the Dragon, the Pig, the Rooster or the Horse) but because for them, work and play are very distinct activities. They can up to a point frolic with other Tigers but broadly every alliance is focused on an outcome. It’s no coincidence that 1974 Tiger Victoria Beckham is the Spice Girl who never looked back; she’s moved on.

The Tiger never forgets. For the unbalanced Tiger no slight, insult or rejection can be allowed to go unredressed. He may wait a lifetime but he will get his revenge. Earth Tiger Joseph Stalin typified this approach to life as Leon Trotsky was enabled to confirm the hard way. On the other hand the balanced Tiger will always repay a debt and will go out of his way to acknowledge assistance.

The typical qualities of yang Wood are sharp eyes, a strong will and swift movement. The Tiger stalks his prey silently and pounces when he is ready. He can wait days as long as he is not hungry. A needy Tiger is very dangerous. Never scorn the Tiger.

The Tiger will often have a fresh view of things which makes him the eyes of the team he makes up with the Horse and the Dog. The Horse is front of house, the Dog the keeper of records and the Tiger the hit man.

In terms of human relations the Tiger may be the most yang of the animals; that is swift, sharp and unsubtle. The earth he inherits from his predecessor in the Zodiac the Ox, is turned miraculously from yin to yang when he receives it. The unbalanced Tiger knows no mercy and expects none. And in this he has altered the dogma he receives from the Ox – do as you would be done by – into a personal code. This alteration can amount to perversion and make for serious misunderstandings; the unconscious Tiger probably knows himself less well than any other animal. His ruthlessness which he can wear as a badge of honour, is often simply a failure to open up to interdependence with others. Of all insults “dependent” is the worst for the Tiger. He will not depend. This makes relationship an act of will. With a true act of will, the Tiger forms the most enduring relationships. If it is not truly a choice but a resigned agreement to bend himself out of shape, all around him will distort also. Sometimes the truly unconscious Tiger thinks this reflects a merciless world in which he has been clever in getting his revenge in first. This logic doesn’t work and the smarter Tiger knows this.

But even the smartest Tiger is not in the clear because the corollary of foregoing revenge appears to be falling on her sword. This is a mistake too. Most of us prefer not to live by the law of the jungle but then most of us are not as well-equipped for it.

Metal is generally considered to represent logical thought, authority and competition. The Tiger is elementally the opposite of Metal; the wooden Tiger likes to think of himself as logical but instinctive or even automatic is a better description. Generally he can only make use of Metal early on in life or at the inception of a process. After that he can deceive himself that he knows what to do and that he is beyond advice. The really unbalanced Tiger (yang Wood day stem for instance born in February) considers himself bold and resolute but truly is hanging onto past (mother) stuff that ought to have been completed. The admission of this would affront his pride and he is unlikely to do it.

Richard Bandler (himself a notoriously ruthless 1950 Tiger) the Godfather of Neuro-Linguistic Programming, used to say that the person with the most flexible behaviour has control. The Tiger is the yangest woodenest of the animals. He is so flexible that he can be completely immovable. This can be his role in the alliance with the Monkey, Pig and Snake sometimes called The Four Terminals: the Monkey sells the traveller a ticket, the Pig may offer to accompany him and the Snake can enchant with tales of exotic locations but the Tiger is liable to snarl and send the traveller on his way. Without the Pig in the ba zi this combination can like the Four Earths, be a seriously unhelpful combination, implying restricted movement.

A tender father and an implacable father-in-law, a good leader but an erratic motivator, at his worst, the keynote of the Tiger is an uneasy combination between a long memory and a short fuse. At his best he is the sort of leader you would gladly die for. Take short-lived (and deeply respected) Labour Leader John Smith as an example perhaps. At worst she’ll do the job for you.

Richard Ashworth© 2020
www.imperialfengshui.info

The Tiger in 2020

Tigers are often active at night. This year could be a long one. It may be tough to find the time to rest. The public and private successes you celebrated in 2019 may give way to old patterns of handling conflict when there’s public exposure of your past “failures”. Be gentle with yourself. You deserve forgiveness too.

A Metal Rat year indicates experiences that shape you and losses that increase vitality in the long term. There are many new ideas to process, mainly regarding the amount of space you’ve been taking up. If you are open to the learning you can change the embarrassing outcome of a potentially juvenile confrontation in August.

If you need a retreat for healing and restoration, do it in January because later you won’t feel like you have time. Don’t expect to be able to keep up with everything you think you need to do. Choose what can slip through the cracks rather than just letting it happen. There will be losses. You’re likely to be moving house too, maybe even as early as February or as late as November. Being the Tiger that you are, you’ll probably be upgrading somehow.

A close friend, partner or child also has the itchy foot, and how they cope with this could lead to an urgent situation in November. If a breakup is coming that’s when it will happen.

In May, it might be that this same person doesn’t share your definition of commitment. Be clear about yours and open to believing them when they tell you theirs. That’s what you do if you want to change November. You’ve got the power to rebuff or to share your bright light. Knowing your flexibility, you’ll try to figure out a way to do both. Don’t hurt yourself.

A Tiger is a natural leader but you’re not currently at the top of the food chain. In 2020 Tigers who continue in leadership roles will do so by way of their ambush* rather than autocracy. Tigers don’t normally work as a group so it could be awkward at first.

It’s time for Tigers to prioritize domestic affairs. The Rabbit month of March could be your best month for connection and cooperation. This is a year to be patient, change your vantage point and learn.

Get in touch if you were born in the first fortnight of the Tiger Month (between Feb 4th-20th roughly – this varies according to the year). It may be that you are in for some special luck. The following days may be uncannily helpful for making good choices:

February 27 2020
April 27 2020
June 26 2020
August 25 2020
October 24 2020

Celebrate the freeing power of failure. Respect the delays of the year’s timing and you’ll find joy in the midst of what might seem like obligation. Perspective is everything and you’ve got the gift of sight. Use it. Sort out those available to support you from those who cannot even though they are doing their best.

In July and September you may think someone is limiting you by falling short. Think again. It’s your life. You are responsible for it.

*A group of Tigers.

The Ox in 2020 ~ Metal Rat Year

Posted on by Stephanie Stewart

Who is an Ox?

Years: 1949, 1961, 1973, 1985, 1997, 2009.
Month*: January
Hour: 01.00-03.00am
Day: Ask Us

* Caution: the start of the Chinese month can be as early as the 4th & as late as the 9th, depending on the year. I can let you know this too.

What is an Ox?

The distinctive quality of the Ox is insistence, not persistence because the Ox’s yin Earth makes for a certain fragility, more of a curtain than a rampart. The Ox is in many ways, the most sensitive Zodiac Animal. This is often expressed in what looks like obstinacy but is better understood as puzzlement at being disagreed with. In discourse you may find that an Ox has firm principles that on examination are more like prejudices or assumptions. They are often nonetheless firm as well as correct for all that. As a rule, don’t expect flexibility of mind from an Ox; they know what they know and are often not keen to venture beyond. Never forget however how sensitive they are.

The Ox’s gifts are very often practical rather than intellectual. The intellectually gifted Ox is extraordinarily powerful. Because of her position between the Rat and the Tiger, the Ox can sometimes vacillate from a fierceness – that does not really suit her – to a Rat-like charm that she may not be able to sustain. Watch out for the Ox who you seem on first acquaintance to have known all your life but then becomes uncontactable. In certain contexts this is called “ghosting”

With her allies the Snake and the Rooster, she forms a team which is of the Metal element. That is to say that the alliance is linear, judgemental and competitive. Where the ground rules are clear, this is an unstoppable combination, not when they’re not. But these three make a great legal team with the Rooster charming the jury, the Snake unearthing information that no one else could find and the Ox sticking to the point. When the rules are unclear however, the Metal alliance can falter. Then the Ox can become judgemental in a more covert sort of way, being less liable to argue than to judge silently. Without the Snake and the Rooster, the Ox is more barrack room lawyer than barrister.

Working in such a team, Metal, that is the qualities of logic, reason and competition, is less important than consistency. In dealing with the Ox, it is important to remember not only that the Metal is there but also that the Ox may deny this fact even to herself.

The hour of the Ox (01-03.00) is when the worlds of spirit and flesh are closest. She has a deep spiritual agenda. The gifts of mediumship and divination are essentially Ox gifts. He is above all extraordinarily sensitive.

He may nonetheless be attached to ancestral dogma. Fundamentalism of all sorts – political and social as well as religious – is a common trait. She is not always good at questioning tradition or second-hand wisdom that has come down on good authority. So she will often quote great men not because their words are wise but because they are great. Bob Dylan’s advice “Don’t follow leaders and watch your parking meters” goes over the head of the immature Ox but is the credo of the life-wisened one.

With the Dragon, Dog and Sheep, the Ox forms the Literary Alliance. Some call this confluence the Four Earths and think of it as negative. The fact is that it is a demanding combination. If the Dragon is missing from it, for instance, many think of the alliance as poisonous but to see this as an assembly of the vehicles of expression without anything new to say is probably more like it. The coincidence of these four animals in time and space is a challenge to a strong ba zi and can be the ruin of a weak one.

Barack Obama may be the world’s most famous Ox and a good example. He actually has a Sheep in his month pillar. This makes for a home-loving and secure man. This is heightened by his day stem (the character that rules the day he was born) which has a special affinity both with the Ox and the Sheep. This like so many Oxen, is a man who loves his babies. Both UK Opposition Leader Jeremy Corbyn – reluctant to let go of influence in a Rat Year as you might expect – and Presidential contender Elizabeth Warren are Oxen also. Watch this space. Ox is the Wizard behind the curtain this year.

The challenge to the Ox in 2020 is to topple the toxic Fire Dog. Three of the last four American Presidents (Clinton, W. Bush, Trump) have been Fire Dogs born 1946. The Fire Dog is past his peak now; it’s time to make way. The current chaotic world order may represent this shift of power.

Fire Dogs btw may be best suited to light entertainment as David Gilmour, Roy Wood and John Prine among many others, demonstrate. It may be that the above presidents took an important wrong turn.

The Ox has a love-hate relationship with the irritatingly spontaneous and extrovert Horse to whom she can not help nonetheless being drawn. Nor is she that keen on the Rabbit who can help herself to the Ox’s fresh vegetables or the Tiger who somehow often manages to exploit her.

For the Ox however, there is a foreshadowing right now in the Ox month of this Pig/Rat handover; real power beckons. Don’t waste it.

Richard Ashworth© 2020
www.imperialfengshui.info

The Ox in 2020

It’s the Rat year and you rule. You even have a regal quality. You have followers and you are meant to serve the people. Your job, if you choose to accept it, is to find the remedies and solutions others are seeking. Team up. There’s another leader who will empower you to complete their project.

Your increased authority is due to a boost from the work of others. Listen to the observant Rat if you want to know what they think of you. You may be out of touch with that. Your thoughtful withdrawal could be interpreted as snobbery. Remember this in January.

2020 will be a lucky but demanding year requiring a faster pace than is your wont. Don’t worry. You will have enough time to accomplish everything. As the Emergency Warning Broadcast System says: This is only a test. Don’t hurt yourself (or others) in the rush to get back to your quiet place. Set an example for friends Snake and Rooster who will also be feeling impatient with the noise this year. Give blood or have teeth cleaned to decrease the chance of physical harm.

If there’s justice to be dealt check in with colleagues for a balance to your strictness. As a guide to action, consider the outcome you want to experience in 2022.

Oxen are not known for taking the initiative. This is the year to do it willingly if you want advancement. Expect a breakthrough with that in September. Be careful not to block your own success and creativity or that of your partner. It’s often your way to take small measures to slow things down. This year your job is to remove them. Both Ox and Rat may experience fertility issues in the Rat and Ox years. Be gentle with yourself and your partner.

Your best advice is inadvertent and comes from your common sense, not from your position of authority. If attention passes you over in favor of those who are flashier and faster, it doesn’t matter. For better or worse you’re in charge for the next two years. You are the influencer. When you are at your best, your consistency brings relief in the midst of chaos. We all know 1949 Earth Ox Elizabeth Warren is going to keep plowing the same field regardless of the outcome of the presidential race. She is making a difference in American politics. No acknowledgment or endorsement is needed to make that true.

Those born in the second fortnight of the Ox month can expect an especially lucky year. Those birthdays could be as early January 19th or as late as the first week of February so ask if you’re curious. Here are the days where you can get away with almost anything:

February 27 2020
April 27 2020
June 26 2020
August 25 2020
October 24 2020

Use them wisely. With great power comes great responsibility.

All Oxen are in a for a powerful year but the Wood Ox is special. They can expect to receive more authority as a result of conforming to certain standards and alliances. Make it temporary if it’s not a good fit.

The Rat in 2020 ~ Metal Rat Year

Posted on by Stephanie Stewart

Who is a Rat?

Years: 1948, 1960, 1972, 1984, 1996, 2008.
Month*: December
Hour: 11:00 pm – 01:00 am
Day: ask us

* Caution: the start of the Chinese month can be as early as the 4th and as late as the 9th, depending on the year. I can let you know this too.

What is a Rat?

The Rat is yang water but with a hidden stem of yin Water, that is to say pure Water, the only Chinese Animal that is so pure. All Water on this planet, unless interfered with by outside forces, is connected with and on the same level as all other Water. Sea level at Zeebrugge is the same as sea level at Miami. If I spill my cup of tea here in Surrey and you spill yours in Taiwan, sooner or later they’ll mix. It may take aeons but they’ll mix. This powerful idea may clarify the connection between Water and communication.

Someone said that we have two ears and one mouth for a good reason: that we should listen twice as much as we speak. The issues relating to Water are listening and speaking while keeping the ratios right. The Rat can easily miss this. Some of us are elected primarily to talk and the yang Water of the Rat says it’s you. The Rat is the talker of the Chinese Zodiac. As you know, an unbalanced or distressed Rat tends to clam up or run off at the mouth. Which will it be this year?

Interestingly both Prince Harry and his father Prince Charles, the Prince of Wales are Rats. Charles’ career has been one of juggling his often outspoken opinions with the privilege of his position. I observed some while ago that Harry’s lessons might be correspond; wise Rats tend to blurt or have learned to be shtum. Under considerable provocation Harry seems to have learned from his father’s example.

The Rat is supreme in the realm of ideas. It is said that when you can tell Fire and Water apart, you are their master. The blue of the sky at mid-summer, for instance is not Water but Fire. Who can identify this consistently? The Rat who is a planner and a plotter and a deep thinker, is the most likely candidate. He thinks ahead, sometimes to the detriment of his awareness of the present. This makes him a good chess player but not so great at poker. He is apt to be too controlling for games that require openness – even to good fortune. That sort of uncertainty can be painful. Your average Rat wants the credit and to get that he has to be in control.

In conversation you may find that the mature Rat second guesses in a very distinctive way: typically he gets his correspondent to commit to a position before he states his; a very useful quality in a teacher but not everyone’s cup of tea in a collaborator. The Dragon and the Monkey, even the Ox, may find this reassuring but it drives the Horse and the Tiger wild and to some extent even the Dog.

Being big talkers and travellers, Rats are traditionally suited to work involving communication: sales, oratory and persuasion. In the collaboration with the Rabbit, Rooster and Horse that Derek Walters (himself a Rat) calls the Flowers of Love, the Rat is the talker, the chatter-up if you will, where the Rooster provides the glamour, the Horse the passion and the Rabbit the accommodation. A Rat with the assistance of these other Animals is effortlessly successful and charismatic. Whichever of this quartet may be missing at any given time indicates his weaknesses.

None of the others however is ever much at ease alone in the company of the Rat. The Rooster appears to be on another planet and the Rabbit resentful, especially if that Rabbit is parent or child to the Rat; yang Water is a little too much for the Rabbit’s delicate yin Wood. Creed, Black Panther and Just Mercy star Michael B Jordan may have these dynamics to juggle this year.

An unbalanced Rat talks too much and listens selectively. A balanced one gets it exactly right; he is fascinating talker and a skilled listener. But this wilful deafness can be a point of pride. Blessed with an orderly mind and excellent retention, a Rat can consider his ignorance of a subject a reflection upon the subject rather than upon himself. This sort of Rat needs to learn to value the convictions of others, especially if they are derived from premises he does not accept.

The Rat is a guardian, a watcher. Sometimes he is self-appointed and the unbalanced Rat has a particular blindness that leads him to believe that his opinion is an absolute. This is more accentuated and less well-informed in his partner the Ox in what some call the House of Creativity (or Cleverness). The relationship between the Ox and the Rat is less that of partners than of pupil and tutor but the Ox can be a particularly obdurate and dominating learner, sometimes drawing conclusions to which he is not entitled and sticking like a limpet to any conclusion he can justify. In these circumstances the Ox is not so much partner or indeed student of the Rat as tormentor. When Ox and Rat are together it is the Ox who calls the tunes.

A very conscious Rat can make good use of his blindness to the value of other people’s positions. She is likely to be able to explain things that baffle others and to derive laws from this gift. To have no explanation however is to open himself up to chaos. If he knows this about himself he can master even the most abstract discipline.

The Rat is versatile and multi-talented though not as notably so as the Pig of whom he is often jealous or the Dragon who can baffle him despite their mutual affinity. The yang Water of the Rat can speak of profligacy with money. Rats are brilliant small businessman but often poor tycoons. In the power triad with the Dragon and Monkey, the Rat may appear to overvalue the hands-on deftness of the Monkey because he finds the Monkey easier to control and may envy the Dragon his magic. Twin Rats Robert Plant and John Bonham and Monkey Jimmy Page of Led Zeppelin (formed in the Monkey Year of 1968) may be a good example of this creative tension.

And it is this potential for envy that is the other big weakness of the Rat. Often in dispute with Horses, the full-on spontaneity of Fire has always drawn resentment from certain Rats. He can’t admire what he can’t himself master. This can lead to him not getting credit for originality of mind. Consider Water Rat Alan Turing of Imitation Game fame who was not exonerated of the “crime” of homosexuality let alone appreciated until decades after his miserable death. And finally the Rat can be a fickle partner but an attentive parent, albeit one who may have favourites. The awakened Rat is absolutely even-handed; that in itself is quite a gift.

Richard Ashworth©2020
www.imperialfengshui.info

The Rat in 2020

The cheapest price to pay is attention.
1960 Metal Rat Chuck D.

In a Rat year, Rats are going to be questioned about, and questioning, experiences of childhood, parenting and parents. I doubt that is welcome news, but why not treat it as the opportunity it is? We often avoid subjects we consider difficult with the excuse that we can’t find the right time to address them. I’m telling you it’s right now. This is the year.

Rats have a love/hate relationship with attention. They like to hide out in plain sight but often feel left out because they are so good at it. In 2020 your habits of observation and your secret shortcuts will be exposed and even coopted by partners, friends, children; also accusers. The boundaries you’ve crossed with your diplomatic privileges are common knowledge.

Over the holidays you may already have been accused of not doing enough or not being more helpful in the context of family relationships. That will likely peak again in March. Take a deep breath. You know that your best has improved over the years. Don’t look for anyone to confirm that though. Let your self knowledge be enough. It’s not your fault when others don’t notice your contributions. It’s not theirs either.

In 2020 your natural gift for powerful words is enhanced. Spend time studying, reading and writing. Craft what you want to say carefully because your words are a catalyst; a magic spell. Stay on script when the moment arrives. You will find you can truly speak things into existence when you get them “right”. Don’t turn this blessing into a curse.

Those born in a Rat year and/or on a Yin Water day have the Star of Fame present bringing solid return for efforts so make the most of it. The attention you get for your work brings an attempt to displace you in June but unless you’ve got a Horse in your BaZi it probably seems more threatening than it is. Deploy your charm. Calmness and care with words will win the day. Stay in your flow. Someone is going to give feedback to your boss about your performance.

1972 Water Rats and those with a Yang Water day stem may be accident prone as they try to rush through these unwanted feelings and experiences which will only exacerbate the fallout. If you feel so pressured or anxious that everything has become an emergency then slow down. Literally.

Rat in the day pillar? You may be working towards promotion only to discover in September that the coveted executive power belongs to the Ox: a partner, friend or co worker who is already present in January. The job was already taken before you arrived at the interview but you can ride the coattails of the Ox to boost your future plans.

Choose your Ox early on rather than letting them choose you. A 1985 Wood Ox may be the most successful one. If you feel blocked I know you can find ways around it. That’s what Rats do.

Metal Rat 庚子 2020 : Bearing Witness

Posted on by Stephanie Stewart

Observers who go unnoticed: this is your year. Take back authority through your revelations and actions. I’m talking to those who aren’t sleeping at night because they are making plans to protect their families and the planet.

We’ve been heading in this direction for some time and now we’ve arrived in a place where we are touched by millions of eyes without being perceived. We can be heard worldwide and still rebuffed. We knew each other once, but will we again? Who will be the first to witness another’s truth in the long winter?

Through bearing witness we participate in another’s experience. It’s time to realize how much we have in common. In 2020 we can trust each other but not the systems of authority and governance we have created. Let’s start there.

The original meaning of the word martyr, which comes from the Greek word μάρτυρ, is witness. The definition of a martyr was: a person who testifies to information they obtained from personal observation or experience. In the best sense, there’s no compromise of integrity here. No self destruction required.

Sometime between 29-100 AD the definition of martyr changed. It came to signify a person who could expect at any time to be asked to deny their testimony under penalty of death. Let’s go back to the earliest meaning.

Humans gain an added level of meaning to their experience when there’s someone bearing witness. Why else would we gather together for significant initiations such births, deaths, marriages, holidays and other events where stories of family history and culture are shared? A public recounting of a shared past (for better or worse) might be the thing we want most from each other. Like Water, we yearn to be admitted unreservedly; all carried in the same current.

During the Metal Rat year intergenerational conflict may deflect us from our purpose. Some will be questioning the value of their heritage while others will learn that not everyone wants what they have to give. Bearing witness builds the bridge that allows us to rejoin. If there’s going to be a Deus Ex Machina it’s us.
 

Four Pillars of the Metal Rat Year

Hour Day Month Year
Yin Earth Yin Water Yang Fire Yang Metal
己 癸 丙 庚
未 巳 子 子
Sheep Snake Rat Rat
Hexagram 46 Hexagram 43 Hexagram 27 Hexagram 42
☷ ☱ ☶ ☴
☴ ☰ ☳ ☳

 

A Metal Rat arrives every 60 years. In other Metal Rat years there have been sweeping changes in American government but I know forecasting that for 2020 won’t be a revelation to anyone. I’ll leave it to others to make predictions of what we all know is coming regarding our planet too.

From December to March we can expect success with small challenges. Think of this as practicing crossing streams so you can be ready to ford the river later. Take this time to get yourself prepared to handle changes that may come quickly.

From March to June there will be events that cause food shortages and rising food prices. The advice from the I Ching is “Observe the ways people eat for guidance.” I’d say there’s a reference here to the impact of plant based or non plant based diets.

From June to September strategy will be more important than conflict when there’s a threat of attack.

From September to December it appears that women take charge. Expect sacrifice, charity and other actions that put the material world in order, i.e. the usual stuff.

In this Metal Rat year, as well as in bigger time cycles, Water is quite strong. The Fire element will become stronger as the year progresses but it’s embryonic and finite. The Earth element is weak. Metal is strongly expressed in a cold and possibly violent way because it’s indiscriminate. Wood is dormant.

In short, emotions will be running high and impulsiveness may lead to regret. There’s joy in the midst of loss. Calculations are required that cannot be made useful without faith.

The two Rats in the Four Pillars of the year start refer to ancestors and children. We will need to focus more on taking care of these and other vulnerable groups. Our loyalties will be changing at a time when we’re uncertain as to where we can be useful. Just look around you.

New ideas will be compelling simply because of their novelty so it will be important to distinguish between useful innovation and what seems useful simply because it’s new.

For example, Derek Walters, a 1936 Fire Rat without whom you would likely not be reading this, was the first to give access to authentic knowledge of Chinese Astrology to the western English speaking world through his books. Derek’s work sets a standard of scholarship in a field where calculation and precision meet magic. That’s a feat in itself. At the same time, in his most technical work The Complete Guide to Chinese Astrology, Derek’s innovation was to assign Roman and Arabic numerals to the branches and stems as a way to assist the reader. Many found this unhelpful. Interestingly, Lily Chung (who is also brilliant and whose Scholar Star is Rat), uses similar “codes” in her books. This is Rat stuff.

If we have any sense left this will be the year that we give up the idea that being the fastest, first or number one makes anything or anyone the most valuable or important. At the same time, in a way that is typical of yin and yang, we will need to question those who claim to be egalitarian because they may simply be uncaring.

Metal Rat 庚子 2020 Feng Shui Basics

Posted on by Stephanie Stewart

Here’s what you need to know to get ready for the Year of the Metal Rat.

Tai Sui, Sui Po and San Sha

In the Year of the Metal Rat, which opens on December 22, 2019 at 13:04 to be exact, the Tai Sui is in the north. If you’re not already familiar with the concept of the Tai Sui you can think of it as the boss of the year. In some years people born under the same Animal sign as the year are considered to be offending the Tai Sui. In my opinion this isn’t one of them.

Seeing as how a Rat is associated with the water element, it seems fitting to say that the strongest energy of the year is akin to a firehose shooting out water from north towards the south. Being in the south on the receiving end of the firehose is an unfavorable situation.

The Animal sign opposite the Rat in the north is the Horse in the south. So for 2020 we can call the Horse the Sui Po or “year breaker”. The Horse is on the receiving end of the hose. Horses: Don’t let the metaphor freak you out. There’s so much more to this than the lowest level of understanding.

To continue with the firehose metaphor, obviously that blast of water is not just going to affect the Horse – it will also splash over to the areas on either side. The area between SE3 (Snake) and SW1 (Sheep) is called the San Sha or Three killings. I’m talking about the entire area between and including Snake and Sheep. The San Sha covers the area on the compass from 142.5-217.5 degrees.

So here are the rules:

  1. Don’t face north. You can spend time in the north location of your house but don’t face that direction. If your house faces north or south it would be helpful to consult a professional to evaluate your home and mitigate any potential issues.
  2. Don’t spend time in the south location of your house. That’s the Sui Po. Avoid as much as possible.
  3. Also avoid the areas directly adjacent to the south where the Horse is. That’s the San Sha. Avoid digging, drilling or other activations in this area. Keep it quiet if possible. If this is not possible, consult a professional (like me) who can recommend the proper timing.

Flying Stars for Metal Rat Year 2020

Flying Stars is a system used to identify energy pockets within a building, city, country…The base energy is the traditional Lo Shu where 5 is in the middle. In addition to the base stars which are static, there are the annual stars which move each year. There are also 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 as it’s quite complicated.

The map below will tell you the locations of the Flying Stars within your home for the Metal Rat year.

Annual Flying Stars

San Sha SE3-SW1
SE S SW
6 2 4
E 5 7 9 W
1 3 8
NE N NW
  1. As a general practice, we want to avoid the Wu Huang or 5 yellow, so don’t spend time in the east location of your home. Keep it as quiet as possible. Facing east is fine just don’t be in that area.
  2. The 7 star is in the middle (the home of base star 5) making the tai chi or center of your house another no go area for hammering, drilling or other such activations that cause disruption and noise.

I’m particularly interested to hear from people with Period 7 houses this year since I suspect the 7 in the center may make these houses more timely during 2020. What the heck is a Period 7 house? It’s a house of a certain age. Maybe. Get in touch if you want to ask about yours.

When to Act

Moving things around the house and placing Feng Shui cures and enhancements is best done between December 22nd 2019 and February 4th 2020. For best results find a good date. I recommend them in my newsletters and/or I can find one that’s tailored to you.

By using the information in this post and knowing your Ming Gua, you can probably figure out how to set up your home in a way that will help you make the most of 2020. 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.

Metal Rat 庚子 2020 Your Good Directions

Posted on by Stephanie Stewart

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? If not, 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.

The Guas fall into two categories in this system: East Life Group and West Life Group. 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 gives the Life Group and the good directions for you. Each person has four and they support in different ways. Use them to set up your desk, bed, computer, tv and other furnishings. If you’re remodeling your kitchen 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.

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 unhelpful in 2020. You may want to rule some out temporarily. I’ll be explaining that in my next post.

12 Animal Fortunes for the Fire Rat Month

Posted on by Stephanie Stewart

Fire Rat 丙子 Month
December 7 19:20-January 7 06:06

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 date and time.

If you don’t know them get in touch. 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

子 Rat
Years: 1936, 1948, 1960, 1972, 1984, 1996, 2008, 2020
Month: December roughly. If you’re near the beginning or end ask.
I’d say your year starts on the winter solstice. That’s December 22nd. A Rat’s time is the night, usually out of sight until no one else is around but now you’re ready to step forward. This month is your window of opportunity to set goals freely. Be clear about who is in charge of the outcome.
Hint: The habit of waiting for others to reveal intentions, positions or plans before you do may not be as useful as usual. Dive in now!

丑 Ox
Years: 1937, 1949, 1961, 1973, 1985, 1997, 2009, 2021
Month: January roughly. If you’re near the beginning or end ask.
You’ve got the power and the support. The question is what are you going to do with it? Balanced Oxen will see a fertile field of opportunity and get to plowing early. Unbalanced Oxen will block their own success, possibly through illness. Seek the flexibility of the Snake. That could help you both right now.
Hint: Excessive stillness brings illness.

寅 Tiger
Years: 1938, 1950, 1962, 1974, 1986, 1998, 2010, 2022
Month: February roughly. If you’re near the beginning or end ask.
Be careful of trying to over control as a way of avoiding the dark thoughts that come with this time of year. Since you don’t want to talk about it, talk about it. A neutral third party or a friend who will listen without advising would help even if you don’t think you need it.
Hint: You deserve it as much as anyone else.

卯 Rabbit
Years: 1939, 1951, 1963, 1975, 1987, 1999, 2011, 2023
Month: March roughly. If you’re near the beginning or end ask.
Your expression toward parents, partner or other long term supporters may be coming off as rebellious and disrespectful. You may feel the same way about them. Acknowledgement and respect could change everything if that’s what you want. Use your charm to disarm. Don’t give up.
Hint: Open the conversation.

辰 Dragon
Years: 1940, 1952, 1964, 1976, 1988, 2000, 2012, 2024
Month: April roughly. If you’re near the beginning or end ask.
People are ready to work with you at a time when you feel like being noticed for your executive skills. Could be the beginning of a trend. Here’s your preview of the Rat year. Opportunities abound.
Hint: With ideas that bright I hope you’re keeping track of them.

巳 Snake
Years: 1941, 1953, 1965, 1977, 1989, 2001, 2013, 2025
Month: May roughly. If you’re near the beginning or end ask.
A boring but powerful associate comes to your assistance, finally. It’s starting to feel like there’s a buffer between you and disappointment. Are you still feeling adrift? Could be time to travel. Go as an observer if that’s your thing. Just go.
Hint: If this year has convinced you that you’re always going to feel rebuffed your perception could prove it wrong.

午 Horse
Years: 1942, 1954, 1966, 1978, 1990, 2002, 2014, 2026
Month: June roughly. If you’re near the beginning or end ask.
Come on baby light your fire. You like to be independent or at least you think you do. The spark is there. Consider how the Water element stimulates you; instead of fighting join. Emotional disclosure will sustain you whether you like it or not. Your high sensitivity is an asset, not a curse.
Hint: Do the self care to maintain it. Let someone trustworthy in.

未 Sheep
Years: 1943, 1955, 1967, 1979, 1991, 2003, 2015, 2027
Month: July roughly. If you’re near the beginning or end ask.
When friends are in need there’s no one who shows up as consistently as you. This month that could land you in someone else’s conflict. Charm might get you out of it though. Proceed with caution. Who is it you think mistreated you?
Hint: There may be conflict regarding your values. Stay true to yourself.

申 Monkey
Years: 1944, 1956, 1968, 1980, 1992, 2004, 2016, 2028
Month: August roughly. If you’re near the beginning or end ask.
For balanced Monkeys I expect insights and breakthroughs. Unbalanced Monkeys may struggle with feeling attacked or over emotional. For average Monkeys there will be all of these. Teaching could be healing because it lets you share your story in a constructive way. Writing works too. Step forward with confidence.
Hint: Talk, talk, talk. Use it as your tool rather than just downloading.

酉 Rooster
Years: 1945, 1957, 1969, 1981, 1993, 2005, 2017, 2029
Month: September roughly. If you’re near the beginning or end ask.
You have the ability to influence others through your charisma this month. Reach out for social opportunities if you want them. Examine your ideas about commitment in the context of relationship.
Hint: Someone you know will back you up if you need assistance. Ask.

戌 Dog
Years: 1946, 1958, 1970, 1982, 1994, 2006, 2018, 2030
Month: October roughly. If you’re near the beginning or end ask.
Respect for boundaries will go a long way toward people’s openness to you. And you could use some new friends so maybe give it a try. You don’t mean to intrude – you’re just doing your job. This is a good month to rewrite the job description.
Hint: Start with your definition of success.

亥 Pig
Years: 1947, 1959, 1971, 1983, 1994, 2007, 2018, 2030
Month: November roughly. If you’re near the beginning or end ask.
Respite from recriminations. Take a deep breath or two. Flow freely. You’re extra charming this month so take advantage in setting up your holidays. Get out the 2020 calendar and start making plans. As Ishmael Butler says “Clear some space out so we can space out”.
Hint: If you want to speed things up make a plan. Make a list.

Fire Rat Month: For Faith’s Sake

Posted on by Stephanie Stewart

When Water is at its strongest, Fire is weak. This is yin and yang; a cycle without end. The Fire Rat month emphasizes these elemental interactions.

Water tends to dampen our faith in things turning out right. We lose optimism. Do we stick or split? Do we give up and start over or stay the course? In extreme cases there’s a temptation to give ourselves permission to force things. We are impatient to escape the pain of not knowing what the outcome will be or the possibility of being wrong.

These are questions and feelings we want to avoid, yet even in difficult times there is at least one thing that is going right. What is yours? Is there more than one? Finding these things, however small, provides the Wood that you can use to keep your Fire going. As I like to say in moments of frustration and/or celebration: sh*t adds up.

I think faith has to do with Fire: our faith in it coming back each day with the rising sun. We have faith that summer will come and we will be able to grow our crops again. There’s faith that comes from being warm; from being warmed by food, touch, light, art, performance, music and words. For better or worse, we want to reinforce our faith with things we can see. That’s not always an option.

In this cycle of years, Fire becomes scarce and therefore a valuable resource, but you can’t hoard Fire – can you? It’s a lot like Water that way. You can influence it but only timing might allow you to believe you can control it.

The imbalance of Fire and Water sometimes manifests in the free market as the scarcity principle or scarcity value. This demonstrates how we only need to perceive something as valuable to increase its monetary value. It is not required that the item have a value beyond being considered desirable and in limited supply. Most of us fail to see there’s magic in that phenomenon and use it to our advantage.

If we create the perception of value by assigning it, we can go assign value to whatever we choose. That’s influence.

There’s my divine madness – a vision of sugarplums to dance in your head. Blame it on the Fire Rat. An interesting way to explore these ideas might be through the use of pyromancy or divination from fire. Want to play?

Light the fire and get comfortable because pyromancy is probably one of the more lengthy forms of divination. It’s perfect for a cold winter night. Watch for shapes and images in the flames. Let the fire burn down to coals and throw on some salt, aromatic wood, herbs, evergreens, pinecones… Observe the patterns in the coals after the fire dies down again. See what comes up. Keep a record of your discoveries. It could come in handy in the coming Metal Rat Year.

Here’s to the return of the light…and enlightenment. Happy Winter Solstice.

12 Animal Fortunes for the Wood Pig Month

Posted on by Stephanie Stewart

Wood Pig 乙亥 Month
November 8th 02:42-December 7 19:20

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 date and time.

If you don’t know them get in touch. 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

亥 Pig
All of the support systems you have put in place this year are going to pay off when you may find yourself over extended. It’s not Pigs that fly this month; more like accusations. Which end will you be on? If you’ve learned this year’s lesson probably neither.
Hint: Grant yourself the serenity to accept what you can’t control but prepare for it too.

子 Rat
Of all the Animals only you can begin now to remove the obstacles that might stand in your way next year. Start this month by cleansing. Clear out the closets; wash the windows and let what light there is shine in. Consider intermittent fasting. Drink lots of water. Take a break from alcohol. Listen to more music. Move.
Hint: Water is most useful when it’s clean and flowing.

丑 Ox
Break out of your routine. A team is forming that poses an underhanded challenge. Changing your position, both literally and figuratively, may be the best response. It’s not time for stillness. Explore ways to convert others to your cause. Don’t be hesitant to incorporate their good ideas.
Hint: Dissenters bring lessons beyond which ones to ignore.

寅 Tiger
You can already see that endings are coming. The position of the Tiger in your BaZi may say what that’s about. Something’s got to give and luckily you are not a tree. You can change your position just by moving your feet. Pull up those roots and move on as needed.
Hint: Write the ending that you want.

卯 Rabbit
You are the most resilient animal at this point of the year and so you will find yourself in demand by those who suffer from anxiety or depression. Healthy living is usually Rabbit business. Share what skills you have. Encourage others to get professional assistance if that’s not in your wheelhouse.
Hint: Don’t underestimate the healing power of the maternal. What would the Mother do?

辰 Dragon
You are successful in many ways and yet – in an instant you find yourself feeling empty and undermined again. A little Fire could make all the difference. Take a break from work. Spontaneity and social events are what I prescribe. Take your medicine.
Hint: Meet the people when they arrive. The cave is always there when you need to retreat.

巳 Snake
Yep, it’s the clash month of the clash year. As Kurt Cobain said “Just because you’re paranoid don’t mean they’re not after you”. Even if Water is a favorable element for you there’s a downside with the Pig. Take care with driving, travel, bathing and swimming. Metal day or year stems don’t let flu/cold symptoms linger.
Hint: Get comfortable with life being a bit more public than you like. This too shall pass.

午 Horse
It’s time to check in with parents, partners, children and others whose alliance you continue to question. They still feel the same – it was you that didn’t. A self made crisis is your cry for attention. If you want to be cared for you have to allow it. Dare to ask.
Hint: Listen to people and believe what they say even when it’s nice.

未 Sheep
There’s a versatile, charismatic and compelling leader who wants you to follow. Are the values a fit for you? What some call protest quickly tips over into violence. That’s not usually your style. Don’t get involved in the action until you know the plan.
Hint: Conforming out of fear diminishes your autonomy. Everyone else’s too.

申 Monkey
For those with strong Metal in the Ba Zi this month could be a welcome outlet. Otherwise this Water heavy period could be a drain. Either way express those emotions. Keep talking. Keep warm. Get some sun. Monkeys have a lot of work to do.
Hint: Yeah, you’re tough. Stay that way by taking care of yourself.

酉 Rooster
Roosters: chat it up. You’ve got a lot to say and when you keep it bottled up it leads to health issues. Rather than alienating others by dropping that atomic word bomb, express yourself with care and you’ll find engaged listeners. You might even see people changing their behavior.
Hint: Assume you will be heard even when you are not being forceful and you will.

戌 Dog
1970 Dogs this is for you. I know you are going to bounce back and learn from the events of this year but…I know you are in pain right now too. Please give yourself permission to find rest and healing. Guilt cannot change the past. Whatever you think you should have known or done –now you will. That’s enough.
Hint: Take deep breaths. I suspect you are holding yours right now.

Wood Pig 乙亥 Month: The Sty Ward

Posted on by Stephanie Stewart

In the Metal Snake year of 2001 I became close friends with Rena who was born in a Pig year. At that time, as mothers of young children and budding entrepreneurs, we had a lot in common. We liked the same music and food. We both really loved to dance. Looking back now I realize she was a lot like another friend I had in the Earth Snake year of 1989.

The thing that was so attractive about Rena is that she had a million great ideas and the energy to carry them out. Having kids didn’t slow her down at all – she would take them everywhere and as she said “let them get used to it”. Rena would buy the rejected cans of paint from the hardware store and spend an entire weekend adding layers of paint to her living room walls to get the shade exactly right. She was an expert at transforming her career, physical self and her look too. She was always starting one new business or another and building her network. Beautiful and talented, Rena seemed capable of doing whatever she set her mind to.

Maybe it was because we became friends in a Snake year that it didn’t last. The thing I came to learn about Rena is that she had a pattern of starting over from scratch. When things went wrong she would try to do a 180° turn but Rena was already too overextended to pull it off. Luckily, Rena’s charm and appearance of helplessness compensated for her lack of a back up plan. Because she was so accomplished and fun to be around, people would volunteer to give her money and other material goods. I was one of those people; not a victim but an enthusiastic participant. This has been a pattern of mine with friendship. You could say I think people will like me more for my resources than myself.

If you are reading this then you already know my last name is Stewart. As Richard Ashworth likes to remind me, my name comes from combining “sti” or “stig”, meaning sty, with “weard”, meaning keeper or ward. I am the Sty Ward. That makes me the pig keeper. I’m Stephanie Stewart so perhaps that makes me a pig keeper who wears a crown. Queen of Pig Keepers?

The Pig is my Sap Gon Luk; my Star of Fame. There’s something about the Pig branch that is linked to what I’m known for. Since I don’t have a Pig in my BaZi, the Pig year has brought good timing for directing my efforts at increasing my audience. Writing the Animal forecasts for the first time, completing a year of providing daily original content and redesigning my web site were all ways to take advantage of the Pig year energy. I’ve worked more hours this year than any other for that very reason. The sign of the Pig has other meanings for my BaZi but I think they all relate to reputation. I will also own up to wanting perfection more this year. Stay away from that stuff – it will kill your creativity.

The position of pig keeper held a certain status in medieval times because pigs were considered to be the most valuable livestock animal. The well being of the pigs was crucial to the community’s future. In Chinese culture, the pigs could be kept under the floor to generate heat in winter. Dreaming of a pig dying on its own (as opposed to being slaughtered I suppose) is an ill omen according to popular Feng Shui man Peter So. It’s not hard to understand why that might be if your winter survival depends on eating one. Winter calls for trust; trusting that you will help those who need it and that they will help you. Winter calls for back up plans.

To some extent I am joking, but this theme of being the Pig keeper plays out in my BaZi and my life: I am trusted to care for other people’s valuables. That includes people. I am responsible for, and trusted with wealth, but it’s not always my wealth. That includes money. I know what it’s like to lack it but I also know what it’s like to have it. I feel responsible.

Recently I corresponded with Iris, a very charming and creative person. Iris reached out with a question (everyone gets a free one) and then backed away when I offered a more personalized answer. That’s legit. Not everyone wants to be “read” and I respect that. But if you ask me a question as Serious Feng Shui I’m assuming you already know what I do.

Through the nuances of our interaction it became clear to me that Iris was born in a Pig year. When she shared her birth data it turned out I was right, and Iris’ question turned out to be about money – how to get it. I could feel her pain and desperation coming through as a demand for me to fix things. That always makes me worry because more than anything else, desperation puts us at risk of making a bad situation worse.

One manifestation of the self clash I’ve seen with the Pig branch is that money is spent as soon as it comes in. I don’t mean to make the Pig sound selfish though. It’s just as likely they are spending on someone else as themselves. I think the Pig is maybe the least likely branch to have a savings account, at least until later in life when lessons have been learned.

The thing about Pigs is that they are possibly too charming and versatile for their own good. That’s how they get stuck doing jobs they are “good at” as Iris was. Often what they mean by that is they stick to what they think others will pay them for, rather than work that is satisfying. The unhappy Pig becomes less and less interested in going along with the program which may lead to self sabotage, i.e. getting fired. Here’s my message to Pigs: you could easily get paid for the work that satisfies you if you pay the dues of training and preparation. It’s that simple.

Or maybe it’s not. I suppose that when you are naturally good at so many things it is difficult to see the value in committing time to preparing for one job or skill. It’s also hard to decide which one to choose.

It’s rare for me to communicate with someone and not care about the outcome so I gave Iris more than a few suggestions as to how to bring the timing for money in early but she continued to ask how she could get “cash today”. My mojo works but not like that. I can’t change your fate but I can help you negotiate with it. I can help you play along.

And just so you know: I don’t have any methods where you can just sit back and do nothing while the money rolls in. If anyone claims to have that ability I’d say it’s a scam. Even magic requires some effort and preparation.

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