Month of the Fire Ox:
January 5 – February 2
Each year the month of the Ox brings in the energy of a new Gregorian year and give us the opportunity to transition quietly and gently into to a new energetic year in the Chinese calendar. Lunar New Year celebrations will take place this month beginning on Wednesday, January 29. The energetic Solar New Year, which is used for Feng Shui and astrological calculations, will bring the Ox month to a close on February 3 and bring fully the power of the Wood Snake year.
The Ox month might well be the quietest of the four ‘graveyard’ zodiac signs urging us to slow down and be still. With the hustle and bustle of the holidays now behind us this is an ideal time to really pause and reflect on where you have been in 2024 and use what you have learned to chart your course for the year ahead. Given the tumult of the times it might also be wise to consider some back up plans as well. This is also a time to prepare your environment to welcome the new energies into your home and office and to re-organize if necessary to empower your spaces to support your aspirations and Snake year plans.
The image of the Fire Ox pillar is of a lantern lending its soft glow to the darkness of winter showing the way. This is a helpful and hopeful energy, giving us insight and vision to better see who we are and where we are going. It is also evocative of the lantern held by the Hermit of the Tarot whose energy will preside over this thematic 9 year of 2025. The yin fire of this month is also energy we can tap into to jump- start and reignite spiritual fire by reinforcing or re-committing to spiritual practices which will ground you and support your growth in this spiritually focused year.
While the energy of the Ox may be quiet and still, this Dragon year will not be leaving peacefully. There is a special relationship between these two graveyard zodiac signs which is called a ‘Destruction’. Like the relationship of Shiva and Shakti who bring destruction with the purpose creation and regeneration, this final month of the Dragon year could bring forces and events which tear down old systems and structures to create an opening for new things to take shape. How fitting at the end of the year to be reminded that what may seem to be a painful ending is also the birth of a new beginning. As we are in Period 9 now many of these transformative processes will be unfolding very quickly and possibly in a disorienting manner, all the more reason to stay grounded and centered in spiritual practice starting now.
The I Ching hexagram of this month is #17 called ‘Following’ . In this hexagram the Thunder trigram which represents the eldest son is subordinate to the Lake Trigram representing the youngest daughter, an unusual dynamic to illustrate a situation in which someone with power is following rather than leading. The ancient texts go on to advise ‘No situation can become favorable until one is able to adapt to it, and stop wearing oneself out with mistaken resistance’. This is to say that there is wisdom in following the course of events and responding to the reality of a situation instead of charging ahead against the current. In other words it is important to choose your battles wisely. With so many rapidly changing events swirling around at this time we may not be in a position to affect change so it would be unwise to tire oneself out trying. The wisdom of the I Ching this month counsels turning inward for rest and recuperation to resource oneself to be ready to move ahead when the way ahead opens. Use this month to follow the light within before following the path ahead.
THE YEAR OF THE SNAKE IS ALMOST HERE!
With the Dragon year now winding down, we can turn our attention to the year of the Snake which will arrive energetically on February 3 and be celebrated with Lunar New Year festivities beginning on January 29. Starting this month I will be offering a variety of ways for you to prepare for the coming year.
Feng Shui & Chinese Astrology for Wood Snake Year
Saturday, January 25, 10:00 am EST
https://app.acuityscheduling.com/schedule.php?owner=24963388&appointmentType=29379834
One-On-One Annual Astrology Sessions:
If you have previously had your BaZi/4 Pillars chart read by me you can now sign up for a session to take a look at the year ahead. If I have not previously read your chart you can sign up for a regular astrology session which will include your outlook for the coming year.
https://app.acuityscheduling.com/schedule.php?owner=24963388&appointmentType=29379223
UPCOMING CLASSES & WORKSHOPS!
Monthly Energy Workshops!
For those who wish to go into greater depth exploring the monthly energies, I will be offering monthly online workshops to expand upon the insights in these monthly forecast to tell you more about the Feng Shui and astrological energies impacts for each month, and more importantly what it means for you. It will not only be a time to receive more information but also to ask questions and perhaps a little divination as well.
Thursday, January 30, 2025 at 7:00 pm EST.
Single Class Drop-In Rate $27
https://app.acuityscheduling.com/schedule.php?owner=24963388&appointmentType=67145131
Save $108 when you subscribe for a year:
https://app.acuityscheduling.com/schedule.php?owner=24963388&appointmentType=67145143
Spiritual Retreat to Ireland, August 2025!
We invite you to join us in Ireland for the Celtic festival of Lughnasadh, a time to savor and celebrate the beginning of the harvest season with a feast for your soul. The magic of the Wicklow Mountains is the perfect cauldron to nourish both your body and spirit with daily yoga, excursions to mystical sites, spiritual and metaphysical teachings, and delicious meals shared with friends. Retreat pricing includes lodging, meals, excursions, and programming. Spa services are available but not included. Space is quite limited and filling up quickly, be sure to reserve your spot as soon as possible! For more information please visit: https://bethgracefengshui.com/retreats/