As promised, I am reinstating my monthly forecast after a year’s hiatus. Thank you for your patience and support. I am especially grateful to Grand Master Raymond Lo for his ongoing guidance and encouragement.
So, I’m back and just in time for the Yang Fire Monkey 丙申 Year! Every year, just like a show of synchronized swimming, when the new celestial animal arrives on February 4th, it means we also begin the first month of the solar calendar – February Tiger 寅 month. And it is going to be one exciting and jolting transition not just for you, me, but for the world!
Meaning of the Elements
In traditional practice, we associate and calculate the Elements of time to always come in a pair: Heavenly Stems 天干 (the Chinese character on top) and Earthly Branch 地支 (the Chinese character on the bottom). This represents the energetic influence that come from above and below. In other words, people are essentially sandwiched, if you will, between two dynamic forces, all the time and at any given moment. See the concept of the Cosmic Trinity to learn more.
~ The Elements this month is Yang Metal Tiger 庚寅 ~
Yang Metal 庚 is the Heavenly Stems 天干 and this is often compared to a sword or a hard piece of steel. It is solid, cold, and heavy. For people born on a Yang Metal 庚 day, they exhibit warrior-like characteristics. They are loyal, fair, honorable, fierce, and altruistic, and often make great leaders, motivational speakers, and pioneers in their fields. Other famous Yang Metal 庚 people include: Jennifer Lopez, Ernest Hemingway, Greta Garbo, Julie Andrews, Jessica Chastain, Margaret Thatcher, Martin Luther King, Jr., Paul Newman, Scarlett Johansson, Shakira, etc.
Tiger 寅 is the Earthly Branch 地支 and it is associated with the Wood 木 Element. That’s why February is the signal of spring. Unlike our western counterpart, the solar calendar does not begin in the middle of spring (spring equinox). Instead, the time calendar for BaZi 八字 and Feng Shui 風水 begins on the first day of spring, which is also called the Arrival of Spring 立春. To learn more about the solar calendar, click here.
BaZi 八字 Forecast
I’ll get straight to the point. February is not a harmonious month for two reasons: (1) Metal 金 and Wood 木 are sitting in a conquering or destructive relationship, and (2) February Tiger 寅 month is a “clash” to the 2016 Monkey 申 year. These factors will contribute to an already uneasy and turbulent shift and exchange of energy from the Goat 未 Year to the Monkey 申 Year.
In the Chinese Five Elements 五行, there are two kinds of relationships: the birth cycle 生 and the destructive cycle 剋. Each of the Five Elements五行 exist to support and to also control one another – and such is the balance of life. Because balance means equal (or close to it), too much or too little of anything is never a good thing. Of the two relationships, the birth cycle 生 is considered the most harmonious one because it moves in a productive direction that is more supportive and natural, like a mother giving birth to a baby. On the other hand, the destructive cycle 剋 is considered more aggressive and combative. That’s why even in Feng Shui 風水, we avoid using the destructive cycle 剋 as much as possible.
This month, the Elements show up in a destructive cycle 剋 = Metal 金 conquers Wood 木 (i.e., Metal cuts Wood).
Moreover, both the Heavenly Stems 天干 and Earthly Branch 地支 of the Month and the Year are in conflict, like this.
Yang Fire 丙 conquers Yang Metal 庚
Monkey 申 clashes with Tiger 寅
Therefore, when these Elements join up from Feb. 4, 2016 to Mar. 5, 2016, they will fight and create disharmony to the world.
This month, we have to pay closer attention to the following events around the world:
- Automobile and train accidents and derailments because Monkey 申 and Tiger 寅 are considered “land animals” and they are in a clash relationship, like two cars colliding.
- Natural disasters surrounding environmental issues will take center stage again because Metal 金 conquers Wood 木, like an axe cutting down trees.
- Persistent turbulence between countries in the East and the West because Wood 木 is East and Metal 金 is West.
- The emergence of certain viruses (i.e., zika) affecting the lungs because Fire 火 is “air” and Metal 金 is breathing organs.
- Tiger 寅 month (Wood 木) is considered the Mother of Fire 火 so it will give support to the Yang Fire 丙 year, contributing to more fire hazards, explosions, and aggression.
- The Monkey 申 Year (Metal 金) also supports the Metal 金 in the Month, creating more conflict, fighting, and controversy.
- The Fire 火 Element is strong once again, which will fuel people’s optimistic outlook for the upcoming year, and in turn will benefit the economy.
Feng Shui 風水 Forecast
Just like every year, every month the Feng Shui 風水 of your space will shift. Because life is a dynamic phenomenon, you can surely expect the energetic qualities of your home and office to also change with time.
That is why Flying Star Feng Shui 玄空風水, in my most humble opinion, is the best and most superior approach to understanding and explaining the energetic qualities of your space at any given time. With this approach, we are able to calculate the “energy” or the Elements based on a systematic and methodical way. No, it’s not just based on feelings or intuition like you would in the western approach. It is not hokey pokey. The Classical Feng Shui 風水 approach understands that time, just like in BaZi 八字, are always attached to the Elements and they move in a cyclical pattern. Therefore, we are equipped to clearly articulate and forecast how certain events will manifest at any given time.
This is too technical to elaborate here, so to put it simply, we say that every “time” – such as a year, a month, a day, an hour – there is a “ruling star” that drives and directs the movement of energy. You can learn more about the Ruling Star here. As such, not only will the BaZi 八字 of the month create turbulence, but so will the Feng Shui 風水 of the month!
This month, the Ruling Star入中星 is “2” and it will duplicate with the Year. What that means is: what is good will be great; but what is bad will be disaster. And disaster will reside in the Northeast direction this month. NE coastline – get ready for the crazy storm! This direction does not apply just to the facing direction of your house, or the sector where your important rooms are located, but this is also related to the Northeast area of any city or country.
Here, the recommendations for remedies or “cures” are general comments only and it is important to notate that the impact of the monthly energies will depend on the inherent natal chart (or base chart) of your home.
- Place 6-metal coins in the Center sector to suppress the sickness energy (2).
- Place 3 bamboos in a clear glass vase with still water in the South and North Sectors to minimize the outdated Metal 金 energies (6 and 7).
- Place a red envelop (or lucky “lai see”) in the Northwest and West sectors to deplete the outdated Wood 木 energies (3 and 4).
- Place 6 metal rod wind chimes or bells in the Northeast sector to cure the misfortune star (5).
You may click on the links above to learn more about the cures.
Be careful how you place your enhancements in the Southwest, East, and Southeast. Enhancements are active objects. Even though the good stars 8, 9, and 1, respectively, are located in these areas, the inherent birth chart of your space may not be supportive to the monthly Visiting Stars. Hence, it may worsen, rather than improve, the Feng Shui 風水 of your home or office. Please consult with a Feng Shui professional.
Interested in a residential or business Feng Shui consultation? Please click HERE.
BaZi 八字 for People
You may click on the links below to learn more about the meanings of the symbolic stars.
- Nobleman = February is your Nobleman if you were born in the years ending 1 (i.e., 2011, 2001, 1991, 1981, 1971, 1961…) or born in the Year or Day of Yin Metal 辛.
- Traveling Star = February is your Traveling Horse if you were born on the Day or Year of Monkey 申, Rat 子, or Dragon 辰.
- Clash = If you have a Monkey 申 in your chart, February is a clash month. Carry the pendant of a Pig 亥 from Feb. 4 – Mar. 5 to help minimize the clash.
- Penalty = If you have a Snake 巳 in your chart, February is a Fire penalty month. Carry the pendant of a Pig 亥 from Feb. 4 – Mar. 5 to help minimize the penalty.
Want to learn more about your personal BaZi? Please click HERE.
Health
The change of the season from Yin (winter season) to Yang (spring season) transforms our environment and bodies to come alive again. Pay attention to the subtle changes in your senses, palate, behaviors, thoughts, spirit, and body, as well as with the people around you.
Since we are at the start of the spring season, we will pay closer attention to the Wood 木 Element in the body. In Traditional Chinese Medicine, Wood 木 is related to the liver/gallbladder and the emotion of anger. In the Five Elements 五行 cycle, since Wood 木 needs Water 水 to flourish, it is important to also give some extra love to our kidneys and especially to the adrenals, which is considered the battery of life. Lay off the alcohol and consider doing a gentle liver cleanse.
Because both the liver and kidneys are asymptomatic organs that can absorb a great deal of abuse before they show signs of distress, you have to be more proactive, rather than reactive, when it comes to caring for these organs.
Finally, eat foods that are in season such as apricots, asparagus, carrots, avocados, mangoes, peaches, pineapples, watercress, potatoes, and spinach. You can also take Omega-3 supplements and incorporate healthier fats and oils like olive or sesame oils in your cooking.
For a more detailed and personalized healthcare plan, consult a medical doctor, naturopath, or traditional Chinese medicine professional.
Conclusion
While the energy of the current time will affect certain people more so than others, nobody is isolated from it. The Elements do not discriminate. It is a universal, cosmic phenomenon. This month will truly mark the beginning of a new time. And I don’t say it in a cliché way because it’s a brand new year and that’s what everyone would say. But elementally speaking, the changing cycle will bring a shaky start to the Monkey 申 Year. Indeed, it is a compelling and pivotal time for many people around the world. And it will test the strength, perseverance, and heart of everyone it touches. So get ready for a year of big change!
Myth Busting
When we speak of the celestial animals (i.e., Rat 子, Ox 丑, Tiger 寅…), many amateurs often erroneously associate them to the physical being of the animal we see in real life (other than the dragon, of course). Unfortunately, this is a profoundly popular misconception — and false teaching — you see everywhere, especially online.
The meaning of the Tiger 寅 month does not mean the month will move or look like a Tiger 寅. Similarly, a person born in the Year of Tiger 寅 does not mean they will also look like a Tiger! Remember everything in Chinese Metaphysics always revert back to the Chinese Five Elements 五行. The Tiger 寅 is simply a colorful way that the ancient people used to describe many things in life. Hence, the Tiger 寅 refers to many meanings including Yang Wood 甲, spring season, west direction, number 3, the gallbladder, the head, the color blue/green, etc. Learn it well and learn it the right way!
Fun Facts
Did you know Norma Jean Baker legally changed her name to Marilyn Monroe 60 years ago this month – Yang Metal Tiger 庚寅? Talk about a milestone change!
Upcoming Events – Feng Shui by Jen – Raymond Lo School of Feng Shui & Destiny (USA)
Feb. 6 and Feb. 7 = 3rd Annual Feng Shui & BaZi Forecast Workshop in Scottsdale
Feb. 18-22, 2016 = 5-Day Feng Shui Training in Dubai, UAE
Mar. 11-15, 2016 = 5-Day Feng Shui Training in Scottsdale, Arizona
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