The Wood Rooster Month: September 7 – October 7
The season of autumn is now in full swing as we enter the solar month that straddles the Autumnal Equinox, which will take place on Monday, September 22, at 2:19 pm EST. The autumn season is governed by the steely coolness of the Metal element, which reaches its maximum power in the Rooster month, the midpoint of autumn. This year, however, the synergistic relationship of the Rooster with the Snake Zodiac sign of the year combines forces to create a more powerful metal, sharpening the blade and its cutting force.
Autumn is a time of gathering in, from bountiful harvest to coming indoors from the cooler weather and longer nights. The most salient energetic quality of metal is inward focus, so this season also spurs the human tendency to slow down and gather inward for introspection and contemplation of the inner landscape at this time of year. This is an ideal time to focus on oneself and collect what is needed to prepare for the dark days ahead, as winter whispers on the fall breezes. This is a season to take stock, make a personal inventory, and assess your situation. Now is a good time to reflect on where you are, look back at where you have been, and consider where you might like to venture in the coming year, which is quickly approaching.
The hexagram for this month, #33, is sometimes called Retreat ” and amplifies the call to focus inward. The arrangement of the Yin and Yang lines of the Heaven trigram above the Mountain trigram illustrates a time when the Yin forces of growing darkness in autumn are used as a metaphor for evil, which is gaining momentum. The advice of the ancient texts warns the Yang forces of good not to contend with dark forces at this time, but to retreat to gather strength and to prepare for the battles ahead, just as one would prepare for an approaching winter. This month, the advice is to identify areas in your life where you can step back and allow yourself time to rest and replenish your mind, body, and spirit. This is an ideal month to cease striving for a time and to go within. Winter is indeed coming, and being fully resourced and ready will be the most constructive use of your energy.
Another way to make the most of this month’s energy is to see what the Metal element, which is particularly strong this month, means for you personally based on your BaZi 4 Pillars birth chart, which you can look up for free here: https://bethgracefengshui.com/bazi-chinese-astrology/astrology-charts/
Your Day Master, the element of the day of your birth, will hold the key to how to utilize the powerful metal element this month:
Wood: This month brings you a greater level of power, authority, and influence. It’s time to take charge and own your power! If you are a single gal, this could also bring a romantic opportunity!
Fire: This month can boost your income and ability to generate cash flow, but it can also increase your responsibilities, so pace yourself accordingly to safeguard your health. If you are a single guy, this could also bring a romantic opportunity!
Earth: This month can help you unleash your creativity and become more productive overall, so let your imagination and ideas flow!
Metal: This month is all about connections, from friends to family to collaborators and competitors. Make time for the people who matter most to you!
Water: This month will bring you a variety of resources, including people, financial, informational, and educational. Remember that time is your most valuable resource, so be sure to allocate enough of it for rest.
The Autumn Equinox marks a time of balanced Yin and Yang solar energy, reminding us to find a better balance between doing and being in our lives. As the Yang energy wanes, amend your schedule accordingly by retreating into a greater dose of being this month, which will serve you well this season.
If you found the image of this month’s hexagram useful, you may find 64 such images even more instructive in working with the wisdom of the I Ching. I am thrilled to announce that my Shamanic I Ching Card deck is in the final editing stages and will be released this autumn.
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