May 2020 Yin Metal Snake Feng Shui & BaZi Update

“Life is a series of natural and spontaneous changes. Don’t resist them; that only creates sorrow. Let reality be reality. Let things flow naturally forward in whatever way they like.” – Lao Tzu

How are you doing? After a whole month of shelter-in-place under all our belts, and now we find ourselves shifting into another month filled with more unanswered questions and uncertainties for the future. I feel as if all life aspects have now been categorized as the pre- and post-virus era. Have you discovered something new about yourself in post-virus life? Perhaps a realization that something is not working and needs a bit of an adjustment? Whatever it is, the awareness can awaken us to the fact that something needs to change—and that’s always a good thing.

As we bulldoze our way out of the Dragon month, on May 5, the Snake month will grace us with the start of the summer season. The prospect of a fresh start sprouts hope and excitement, even amid the uncertainties of the future. Embarking on anything new and different surely will require a dose of courage and a whole lot of trust (see my article on Trust here).

If we can just remember that life is made up of parts that belong to an interconnected whole, then changing one small thing can change everything. So, go ahead. Embrace the spark of the new month with the energy of Fire—and leap forward and upward with confidence that each baby step will take you on to a new adventure! As Leo Tolstoy said so eloquently, “True life is lived when tiny changes occur.”

Meaning of the Elements

~ The Elements this month is Yin Metal Snake 辛巳 ~

The Snake 巳month (May 5 – June 5) is a Yin Fire Element and the quality is often compared to a fickle candle. It is quick, erratic, and unpredictable. Despite its nature, the Fire will give us a much-needed boost to jump start a healthier, more optimistic outlook and feelings of renewal.

In the time of COVID-19, it’s understandable to see how stress and fear can erode feelings of optimism and confidence. But experience teaches us that the journey of hardships can also be touched by joy. There is a spark of light at the end of a long, dark tunnel.

This month, Yin Metal 辛 sits on top of the Snake (Fire), and the Elements are collaborating in a destructive pattern as Fire melts Metal. Despite the new energy, it isn’t going to be an entirely easy month as all things precious can be melted away. On the other hand, precious metal is molded into something more useful and beautiful. This relationship dynamic—Fire melts Metal—will begin to show us the importance of seeing things differently or what is “on the other side.” While at first glance, things may appear to have melted, disappeared, destroyed, or sculpted in a different way, the energy of Fire could offer us a glimmer of hope that what appears lost can be found again or built into something new.

Apply the image of Fire melting the different areas of your life—work, your routine, relationships, money situation, office and home spaces—and notice how those things may begin to look differently, though they are not entirely lost.

BaZi 八字

Yin Metal 辛

The Heavenly Stem this month is Yin Metal, symbolizing that of something shiny and beautiful, like a gemstone or a diamond. Though Yin Metal may appear to be more delicate than its Yang Metal counterpart, Yin Metal is harsher and swifter. “Beautiful on the outside, but tough on the inside” is a popular adage in BaZi to describe the common misnomer that Yin always means soft or fragile. This is not always true. In fact, the other side of Yin Metal also means a dagger, a knife, or a pair of scissors. It can cut and break just the same.

Yin Metal in medicine represents the lungs and chest. It is considered the most beautiful Element because of its relation to sensuality, sex (breast), oval-shaped faces, the skin, and good complexion. Hence, Yin Metal is often associated with beauty and charm. See below for people born on a Yin Metal Day.

Yin Metal ladies: Gwyneth Paltrow, Adriana Lima, Naomi Watts, Ivanka Trump, Princess Grace Kelly, Marilyn Monroe, Angelina Jolie, Lady Gaga, Nancy Reagan, Elsa Pataky, Selena, Orianthi.

Yin Metal gents: Bradley Cooper, Daniel Craig, Dr. Anthony Fauci, Paul Walker, Heath Ledger, Liev Schrieber, Chris Hemsworth, Jeff Goldblum, Chris Pine, Christian Bale, John F. Kennedy.

Snake 巳

The Snake is the Celestial Animal that signals the start of the summer season. Regardless of its literal manifestation of the animal itself, in BaZi, the Snake is powerful, active, and the culprit to “making things happen.” Its energetic embodiment is all-encompassing: a nobleman, a traveling star, a clash, and a penalty. So much is going on here!

May is your Nobleman month if:

You were born in years ending 2 and 3 (i.e., 1962, 1973, 1982, 1993, etc.)
You were born in a Yin Water or Yang Water year.
Your BaZi Day Master is Yin Water or Yang Water.

Take charge of this month! It’s time to get some help with the support of the Nobleman. Reach out and lean on others to help you and your projects moving along, especially if last month felt stagnant or slow. The Snake can spice things up so it’s a good time to regroup and ask for help.

May is your Clash month if:

You were born in the Year of the Pig (1935, 1947, 1959, 1971, 1983, 1995, 2007, 2019).
You were born in the Month of the November (Nov. 7/8 to Dec. 7/8).
You were born on the Day of Pig (you need a Chinese calendar to figure this out). But this one is harder to derive because you need a Chinese calendar. You may email me to get yours if you don’t already have one.
You were born in the Hour of the Pig (2100-2300 hours local time).

It’s time to shake things up! Circle back to the beginning of this article about new discoveries. Taking bold actions to make change work for you is the apex this month. Do not hesitate, procrastinate, or second-guess yourself. Leverage the energy of the clash and make use of it.

May is your Penalty Month if:

You have both the Tiger and Monkey signs anywhere in your Four Pillars, like this example:

If you do have this Snake + Tiger + Monkey combination, this creates an energy called Fire Penalty. Depending on where they sit in your chart and what the Fire Element means to you, they will have varying degrees of impact and weight. Nonetheless, here are a few suggestions to minimize any distress that may occur from the Fire Penalty:

Carry a jade pendant of the Monkey during the month for additional protection.
Take care of health, particularly if you have vulnerable areas related to the heart, including blood circulation, the thyroid, joint pains, and arthritis.
Strengthen the lower part of the body (hips down) because the Fire Penalty string is made up of the “land animal” signs and can cause injury to the legs, knees, ankles, and feet.
Take care of the Feng Shui of your house (see section below).

Flying Star Feng Shui 玄空風水

From May 5 to June 5, the month star affliction will position 5 in the Center. Remove last month’s cures and cleanse them before reusing them again this month.

The portion below is a reprint from an article published on the Feng Shui Journal Volume 5, released on Apr. 1.

Center Sector (7,5): use the Metal Element to neutralize the Star of Misfortune, which could cause relationship disruption affecting the daughter or youngest daughter, disease in the mouth, or incite slander or broken promises.
Southwest Sector (4,2): use the Metal Element to subdue the Star of Sickness, particularly as it can harm the lower part of the body, the mother, or matriarch.
West Sector (9,7): use the Yin Water and/or Wood Elements to diffuse conflict between women. This could also lead to upper respiratory sickness such as cough, pneumonia, flu, viral infection, and cold as well as skin irritation and issues with the teeth or bones.
Northwest Sector (8,6): use the Yin Water and/or Wood Elements to alleviate stress and depressed emotions, particularly as this could also lead to legal trouble or offense against the law.
East Sector (5,3): use the Fire Element to negate robbery and the Star of Misfortune.
Southeast Sector (6,4): use the Fire Element to minimize the effects of stressful or toxic relationships.

Chinese Medicine

Because Yin Metal is in a fighting position with the Snake, we will have to maintain focus, yet again, in strengthening our breathing systems like the lungs and nose. Fire burning means the Metal organ is weakened and vulnerable.

To boost the lungs (Metal), nurture the belly (Earth) by eating more anti-inflammatory foods and limiting “quarantine foods” such as take-out deliveries, sugary baked goods and soda, alcohol, and processed meats. There is an abundance of yummy foods packed with anti-inflammatory fighting compounds found in berries, fatty fish, broccoli, avocados, green tea, peppers, turmeric, and extra virgin olive oil.

As we step into the summer months, our bodies will need to balance with cooling foods including cucumbers, green leafy vegetables, fragrant herbs like mint, and citrus fruits. Incorporate physical activities to strengthen the blood circulation and boost the metabolism and immune system. I recently discovered the rebounder (like a small trampoline). Just 15 minutes on the rebounder can help clear the lymphatic system and get the heart pumping!

Upcoming Event

As of today, the 5-Day Feng Shui Training in Scottsdale, Arizona on June 16-20 is scheduled as planned. Register HERE. Seats will be limited.

May 2020 Yin Metal Snake Feng Shui & BaZi Update