May 5 – June 5
The Month of the Fire Snake arrives on Friday, May 5, along with a full moon and a lunar eclipse. Nothing like starting the first three months of the fire season with a bang! Energy and emotions will be running high as we enter this second quarter of the Chinese solar calendar year.
Not only does this month herald the arrival of the summer season but it is also one of the pillars of the chart for this year indicating that this will be an impactful month in which the fire of period 9 begins to be felt in earnest as we move through the remainder of the year. The energy of the lunar eclipse is an invitation to let go of the past in order to welcome the future. A perfect theme as we begin to say goodbye to Period 8 and greet Period 9.
The Fire Snake pillar is a pure fire pillar but contains both man-made fire and the fire of the Sun. Twin fires like those used to celebrate Beltane which also welcomes the coming of summer’s solar fire. This pillar also speaks of humans harnessing the power of the sun to create light and heat on Earth. As the Snake is a progressive and growth oriented pillar we may see greater innovation and technological advances particularly in the solar energy sector.
Fire also represents conflict and volatility so this month may also bring intensification of global challenges like war and stock market instability which we will likely see for the remainder of this year.
Personally, fire represents passion, enthusiasm and joy as well as growth and transformation. This is an ideal month to burn away old conditions in our lives to allow us to give birth to our passions and those things which light us up and bring joy. The Snake as a zodiac sign is about personal growth, spiritual evolution, as well as greater insights and keener perception. This would be a great month to employ the consistent efforts needed to make improvements in our lives. Like a snake, this month brings the perfect energy to shed our skins as we continue to grow and evolve.
The hexagram for this month is #9 Small Livestock or as Master Huang translates Little Accumulation. This hexagram is about small measures and small steps rather than the grand gesture or a massive herculean effort. Moments of transition such as those we are experiencing this year are times of uncertainty. In times when we are just starting out we may not have much energy built up yet to do big things. In times like this the most prudent way forward is to proceed incrementally and gradually. Harness the fire energy of this month to gather your strength and approach changes with a series of small manageable steps. As the Chinese proverb says ‘ the journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step’. This month be deliberate and intentional about each step forward and you will eventually reach your goal.
The theme of shedding one’s skin is taking place very tangibly for me personally as I will be saying goodbye to one home and hello to a new simpler home in the Berkshires. I will be taking the month of May to get the new home office ready and to do some traveling (also fitting for the Snake month) and I look forward to resuming my personal consulting work both virtually and in person from my new home office in Great Barrington, MA in June.
For those who wish to focus on personal growth and cultivation, I am pleased to announce I will be offering a four day 4 Pillars training course Monday, September 4 – Thursday, September 7, 2023. For more information including early bird discount pricing please visit www.americanacademymetaphysics.com
