Metal Ox Month:
January 5 – February 3
While it is now 2017 and the first month of the new year in most of the world, according to the Chinese calendar this is actually the 12th month and final month of the Fire Monkey Year. Actually, if we want to be really accurate, according to the Chinese calendar the year is not 2017 (that was 2,697 years ago) but 4,714. However, 4714 is not such a leap when you consider the year is 5,775 in the Jewish calendar. Either way, I suppose we in the West need to catch up!
Despite some of the confusion that comes with different calendar systems and New Year’s dates, I love having two New Years and find that celebrating the new year in February is a great advantage. In December, most of our attention is on the holidays and all the madness and frenzied activity that they bring. We simply don’t have time to give much attention to the New Year or to take stock of our lives in a meaningful way.
January, however, is much quieter. We are able to spend time in stillness, look thoughtfully at the past year, and chart our course for the coming year. We have time now to ask ourselves what dreams we want to realize and the space to get inspired and prepare to take the actions necessary to make them a reality.
The Ox month is a gift, something like a bonus month to tie up loose ends and to prepare for the coming year. My advice is to save your New Year’s resolutions for Chinese New Year on February 3, and you will likely find greater success at crafting and following through on them!
The imagery of the Metal Ox is like a jewel or precious metal that has come out of the earth. This imagery should inspire us to mine within ourselves for the gold and gems hidden inside and to bring them out into the light this year. What gifts, talents and passions do you have within that should be polished and shared with the world?
The imagery for what is hidden within us is shown in the I Ching hexagram for this month which is #36 Dimming of the Light, also called Brilliance Injured. The imagery is of a bright light obscured by the earth. It is akin to a light being hidden under a bushel basket, to borrow an ancient analogy. This hexagram urges us to tend to our own inner light and cultivate it until the time is right for it to be seen. This hexagram also tells us that if we are frustrated at not being seen or recognized not to give up but to keep cultivating our talents and virtues so that when the time is right we will be able to shine. It tells us that a good resolution to make this year is one that will you fan your own inner flame.
IMPORTANT DATES:
Goat People: This is your clash month so use caution in general especially on Ox days which are January 14 & 26.
INAUSPICIOUS DATES:
These are the days that are generally inauspicious for everyone, days to use caution on, and unsuitable for important events or activities.
Month Breaker: These are days with unstable energy. Caution is urged especially for Ox people as these are also your personal clash days January 8, 20 and February 1 (still Ox month).
Year Breaker: Though not generally as volatile as Month breaker days, these are still days to use caution, especially Monkey people since these are your personal clash days and they are January 3, 15 and 27.
AUSPICIOUS DATES:
These are the days that are generally lucky for everyone, except those who clash with it. These are great days to plan important events or activities.
Success Days: January 10, 22 and February 3 – Success days generally bring good outcomes for all endeavors except for legal activity (Clash to Rabbit people).
Initiate Days: January 7, 19 & 31 – These are great days for those who want to start 2017 by starting something big (Clash to Rat people).
*Don’t know what animals are in your chart or how they may affect you? Contact me for a personalized astrological chart reading!
If you have an important event to plan it is best to have a personalized date selection analysis to ensure the best outcome.
FENG SHUI:
This month, the monthly and yearly energies in each sector are the same, so everything is intensified. The sectors that are good are doubly so, and those that are not so good are doubly challenging as well.
Worst Sectors: The sectors that you absolutely want to keep quiet this month are the South and the Northwest palaces. Keep activity here to a minimum and no renovations or activations.
Best Sectors: The East has the #8 wealth star which is the current wealth star, so if you want to boost your finances use this sector as much as possible. The Southeast palace can help you build for the future and boost your brand so this is also another great area of the home to spend a lot of time in.
With the Rooster year approaching quickly, now is a good time to schedule your annual Feng Shui tune up to prepare your home or office for the new year. It is the best time to plan ahead for any changes or renovations you may have in mind. It is also a good time to create a strategy to make your space support your goals for the new year. Be sure to contact me to find out more!
Happy New Year! Be sure to watch for my annual Fire Rooster year forecasts which will be available in the next few weeks.