“Observation is awakening to Revelation of life!”
~ George Prime
The month of the Pig is the gateway to the season of winter as it commences at astronomical Samhain or Halloween, the mid point in our journey from Autumn Equinox to the Winter Solstice. The month of the Earth Pig in particular brings the energy of the liminal space where the shore meets the ocean, and the moon moves the tides. Here we find ourselves at the threshold of a new horizon, where we choose to sail to is up to us.
The winter season that we are entering is governed by Water element which represents both thoughts and emotions. The Pig carries the powerful intensity and depth of water that one might experience at the ocean. This month could bring a tidal wave or flood of emotions which can feel destabilizing or overwhelming at times. Perhaps more problematic this month is the possibility of being swept away by illusions or delusions that are not in line with reality. Like the sway of the moon on the tides we too may feel sloshed about this month and seeking sure footedness and grounding will be really helpful.
Becoming more grounded might look like choosing warm and earthy seasonal foods like gourds and squashes, being deliberate about personal wellness practices, or simply be getting more rest. Of course turning to healthy outlets to process big emotions like a physical movement or speaking to a mental health counsellor can also go a long way to keep you feeling steady and anchored this month.
The arrival of water element in an extremely hot and dry Fire Horse year is certainly a welcome counterbalance, and another theme of this month will be inviting in greater balance. There is an opportunity now as we enter the darkest and slowest energy of the year to make choices that allow you to lower the temperature in your own life, to slow down and find a healthier balance between being and doing that is in keeping with the slower energy of the season.
If your Day Master is either Bing or Yang Fire or Ding Yin Fire, a great way to stay steady is to reach out to your helpful people. The Pig is your Nobleman star so there are more supportive people for you to call upon than you might realize. Of course they cannot read your mind so do speak up and reach out to ask for what you could use assistance with as your odds of finding just the right person now are greatly increased. Not sure if you are Bing or Ding Fire? Look it up here.
The hexagram of this month #20, Observation, also has great insight to help you surf the waves month. Observation hexagram creates an image of a watch tower in the arrangement of the Yin and Yang lines. A watchtower gives one a higher vantage point to observe the world. The advice this month is to find ways to gain this higher perspective in order to see your world more clearly. Observation does not encourage action but rather the gathering new information, new perspectives, and new insights that will be necessary to pursue a new course of action when the time is right. One of the most powerful methods of observation is to turn inward to examine one’s inner landscape to look at emotions, thoughts, and motivations through mindfulness or meditation. In this most yin time of year few things can bring greater alignment and grounding than carving out time for meditation and contemplation. Make time to observe yourself and the world around you so that you can chart your course forward to the new year with keen awareness. Of course our own observation can at times be clouded by emotions or a limited perspective, it may be wise to seek a trusted friend or mentor whose outside perspective can help you to see your circumstances more objectively.
The Pig is the sign of Pisces personified and as such it is also associated with dreams and the subconscious. By seeking stillness and deeply listening this month you may hear and see more clearly the deeply held desires and dreams for your own life that you wish to venture toward in the new year. Pay attention to the longings of the heart that surface this month and let that be the wind in your sails as we move through the final quarter of this transformative Horse year.
“Nothing has such power to broaden the mind as the ability to investigate systematically and truly all that comes under thy observation in life” ~ Marcus Aurelius