October 8 – November 6
We close the season of autumn with the Fire Dog month, a powerful and fearsome pillar. This fiery heated earth pillar against the backdrop of a watery rat year provides an interesting contrast. It is the imagery of a setting sun over a harsh desert landscape where a do or die attitude and competitive fighting spirit determines life or death.
With the challenges of this year weighing heavily upon so many, fighting for survival is a theme that will be very prevalent, it may even make some ruthless. As one of the four ‘graveyard‘ animal signs which represent endings, it will be a month for letting go of things and situations which no longer serve us. We may even find ourselves letting parts of ourselves die so that we can grow into the new life and the new opportunities that are leading us forward.
The Fire Dog also represents a battlefield which is fitting as this is also the month that the presidential election will take place here in the United States. The energy of the Metal Rat year has not been favorable energy for Trump and he needs the fire which represents supporters so this month could give him a boost in terms of polling number and ratings. However, Biden is a rather weak Yin Fire person so fire energy can also give him a needed boost of personal strength as well. Election Day itself is also a metal Dog Day so we can expect a tough dog fight for the office of the President. We should also be prepared to see some merciless and even ruthless tactics leading up to this heated contest.
The hexagram for this month is #52 called Stillness or Keeping Still. The imagery of this hexagram is of a mountain upon another mountain like a high mountain range. Though one might assume that this hexagram means lack of movement it is really a phase of advancement. A moment to look before leaping as it were. In taking action timing is everything and it is always best to pause and see which way the wind blows before we venture off. Additionally Keeping Still tells us that we should use restraint and not go too far. The advice is that during the heat of the moment or the heat of the battle we would do well to pause and reassess before continuing onward to make sure our actions are in accord with time and circumstance. This hexagram indicates that it is a good month to pause and reflect before making our next move as moving forward blindly could lead to downfall.
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