February 3 – March 4
The tumultuous year of the Rat, a year for the history books, is finally over. This has been a year we won’t soon forget though we may want to.
We will officially enter the Year of the Metal Ox year late in the night on February 3 but we may feel like little has changed at the start of this new year. As we endure continued pandemic restrictions it may feel more like the movie Groundhog’s Day. Some may even ask have we really entered a new year?
This feeling that the new year is a long drawn out continuation of last year can actually be seen in the Qi Men Dun Jia chart for the year as the Doors, which represent our actions, are in the same location as last year’s chart. The repeated position of these Doors gives a feeling of slower motion or stagnation. A good way to reframe this would be that we get an extra year to carry our plans and aspirations to completion – and given the set backs of the pandemic we may need that extra time!
While change may feel slow in coming, take heart because the 4 Pillars chart for this Metal Ox year does show a shift in energy which will eventually lead us out of the turmoil and into better days toward the end of the year.
Each year we create a 4 Pillars chart for the year as though it were a person based on the transit time to the Li Chun or first solar term of the Tiger month. Here is this year’s chart:
The year chart gives us a picture of the strength of the elements for the year and from that we can see the mood and characteristics of the year and forecast how various industries will fare.
Based on this pie chart, which represents of the annual 5 element make up, we can clearly see that Waterand Metal are the dominant forces but also quite out of balance. This indicates that with the exception of travel, most metal and water related industries will dominate the marketplace especially communications, technology and e-commerce. We can also see that productivity represented by Wood and profits represented by Fire will be lower overall. Due to the weakness of Wood and Fire, their related industries especially restaurants and entertainment will continue to have challenges in the year ahead. Earth element however looks relatively healthy so the housing market should continue to be fairly stable and active.
Of course each person’s relationship to these 5 elements is unique. Depending on the elemental make up of your own chart, you could be the one who is able to solve problems and offer solutions, especially if your chart is strong in the needed elements of Wood and Fire. As always, it is how we make the most of our own energy that determines the outcome of any particular year.
The first month of the year is the Metal Tiger and the imagery of this pillar is of the White Tiger, a powerful symbol found throughout Chinese Metaphysics. The White Tiger represents power, strength, and stamina and encourages us to roll up our sleeves and work hard this month. It is a month where we need to step up and be the changes we want to see in the world. The Tiger month is also the first month of the wood season and as wood is a needed element this year these next few months may offer opportunities for growth and expansion if we are ready to take advantage of them.
The hexagram for this month is #30 called Brilliance or Brightness. The imagery of this hexagram is Fire upon Fire, two small fires coming together to form a more powerful fire and able to shine brighter together than individually. This hexagram tells us that the way to bring illumination to dark and dangerous times is to do what is right and appropriate with humility. It also encourages us to work with others to bring our collective wisdom and intelligence to find solutions to our problems which is the light for our path out of the darkness. Most importantly, the wisdom of the I Ching tells us that no time of darkness can last forever and then when darkness reaches its climax it must naturally move toward the light – may we be the light and bring the light this month and year ahead.
For those seeking one-on-one support to prepare for the New Year I am currently scheduling annual review sessions for both Feng Shui and Chinese Astrology during the month of January and February. For more information or to book a session please email me at bethgracefengshui@yahoo.com
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