Month of the Metal Monkey
August 8 – September 7
Hello all, and a warm welcome to those who are new to my monthly forecasts!
The wheel of the year continues to turn with a big shift of energy. Today, August 1, is the both the full moon and mid-point of the lunar month, as well as the Celtic Festival of Lughnasadh, which marks the mid point between the Summer Solstice and the Autumn Equinox in the solar calendar. We are now moving away from the fire of summer to the cooler metal season. The Solar month of the Metal Monkey which begins on August 8, also marks the beginning of the Autumn season. This season is a time of harvest and of honoring of ancestors as the upcoming lunar month is the hungry ghost month, a time when the veil is thinning and we pay our respects to those who came before us.
The energy of the Metal Monkey pillar in particular is a powerful pure metal pillar and brings the imagery of a warrior’s sword. This pillar represents not only battle and courage but also of strength and might. This is an ideal month to spend energy on sharpening our skills and strengthening ourselves to be in good fighting form. Period 9 is nearly upon us and will require us all to be at the top of our game. Even if you are on vacation or traveling this is great month to strengthen the body with nutritious food and physical activity.
The hexagram for this month is #29 Water, as it is water over water, darkness and danger doubled. Like a deep dark ocean, it can bring a feeling of fear and disorientation. The ancient advice of the I Ching is that during dark and difficult times it is first and foremost important to remain calm and centered so as to avoid any knee-jerk reactions which may further our troubles. The second is to proceed carefully and slowly as one would move about a room in complete darkness, feeling the situation out slowly until the danger has passed. The Art of War offers additional insights on how to skillfully navigate treacherous waters which is to conceal your sword, hide your strengths so your opponent becomes relaxed, and wait to make your move when it is least expected. The key in any event is not to be rash but to move slowly and deliberately through this time of darkness.
This Monkey month also brings us into the second half of the Chinese solar year, with 6 months remaining to make the most of the energy that Water Rabbit year has for you. In Western Astrology on July 17, the North and South Nodes which had been in the signs of Taurus aka Rooster and Scorpio aka Rabbit moved into Aries aka Dog and Libra aka Dragon respectively, signaling a shift of energies toward that of the Dragon year which will arrive on February 4. These nodes are all about our mission on this Earth, who we want to become, what we wish to accomplish and where we would like to go. An ideal way to use the remaining six months of the year is to begin looking ahead to next year. Where would you like to be in 6 months, what do you need to do to be ready to embark upon the powerful and spiritual Dragon year? There is no better time than the Metal Monkey month to fortify yourself for what’s to come.
Should you find you could use a mid-year check in or more personalized one-0n-one support, I now have both online and in-person consulting hours in my new home office in Great Barrington. Please use the online booking link below if you wish to schedule a session for personalized one-on-one support, or email me directly to schedule an in person session.
https://app.squarespacescheduling.com/schedule.php?owner=24963388