Feng Shui and Chinese Astrology: August 2024
The second half of the Wood Dragon year is here with the arrival of the Water Monkey month on August 7. We’re now in the beginning of fall in the Northern Hemisphere, the start of Yin season as summer’s Yang gives way to Yin. In the Feng Shui Flying Star chart, star 8 in the center highlights the importance of being firmly grounded in earthly matters.
Autumn, a season ruled by Metal, is a time of self-reflection. Metal has a dispersive, dissolving, clarifying energy – think of a tree shedding its leaves or a warrior clearing the path with his sword. Consider what you need to cut and release in order to move forward. Like a mirror, Metal reflects the truth. Metal helps us gain the clarity to see things as they are. Paradoxically, Metal also reminds us that not everything can be explained by logic. Metal’s association with the lungs connects it to the breath, our source of spirit (“Shen”).
Like the ocean’s fierce waves, Yang Water in the heavenly frequency of the month can propel us to great heights or pull us down into the deep below. Water is the element of fear, but it also awakens our courage and sense of adventure. The key is to be fluid and adaptable to changes. Like water moving around obstacles, accept any restrictions that may come up, and work around them to find a solution.
The Monkey as a Yang Metal sign has no attachment and is quick to cut through illusion and deception. As a travel star, the Monkey brings a faster-paced month. We may feel lighter on our feet and the body less lethargic after the heaviness of Yin Earth in the previous month of the Sheep.
What’s ahead for the signs
The Monkey as one of the travel stars in Chinese astrology brings change and movement, especially to those born in year or day of the Tiger, Horse, or Dog. Be proactive – embrace change and trust your instinct in this fast-paced month. The Tiger as the sign opposite the Monkey is advised to keep a high level of self-awareness.
The signs that are in harmony with the Monkey are allies the Rat and the Dragon. Those with these signs in their chart can generally expect a more supportive, collaborative month ahead. The Monkey’s secret friend the Snake, however, needs to err on the side of caution as the Snake has a side clash / a square with the Monkey as fellow travel stars.
If you were born on a Yin Wood day or year (which is a year ending in 5 such as 1975, 1985, 1995) or Yin Earth day or year (ending in 9 such as 1979, 1989, 1999), you benefit from heavenly guidance and earthly support this month as the Monkey brings Divine Support. This month is an excellent time to schedule personal or professional consultations as the help and advice you get will be what you need. *The most important, defining pillar in one’s birth chart is the day pillar. To find out the element of your day of birth (also called the Day Master or the Self Element), go to this chart calculator and input your birthday.
Hexagram of the Month: the Army
The I-Ching hexagram associated with the Water Monkey month is Hexagram 7, the Army. Water below Earth indicates an abundance of resources that are available within us. Imagine a general who leads an army with vision and purpose. He or she earns power and respect from the people through benevolence, intelligence, and wisdom. Let these qualities guide you in following a path of peace this month. There’s no need for force or resistance when we are at peace and the world is in balance.
Hungry Ghost month and Mercury Retrograde
The Monkey month also brings us the Hungry Ghost month, which began on the New Moon on August 4th. From now to the next New Moon on September 2nd is a time of ancestral rituals and prayers honoring the long and dearly departed. Surround yourself with light this month to keep your frequency high, as our spirit and vitality are more vulnerable during this period of strong Yin energy, when the veil between the spirit realm and our worldly realm is thinner. Light a candle for your great ancestors. Bring light into your home, focus on activities that elevate your frequency, and keep working on your joy triggers to stay in the light.
Besides the Hungry Ghost, we also have Mercury retrograde affecting us from August 4th to the 28th. The next few weeks is a time of review and self-reflection as Mercury backtracks from 4° Virgo back to 21° Leo. Pay extra attention to details and be as clear as possible with your words. Manage your expectations so that delays and other inconveniences won't be as bothersome. Slow down to synchronize with the rhythm of the universe. Since this retrograde begins as we enter the second half of the Dragon year, use this time to process the lessons learned during the first half of the year.
Guidance from the Chinese Five Elements Oracle for the Water Monkey month
The Sacred Triangle spread from The Chinese Five Elements Oracle features messages from Heaven, Earth, and the inner self that we can tune in for guidance in the month ahead.
Message from Heaven: the Wood Rabbit indicates a milestone in your personal growth. It’s now time to work on your vision for the new cycle ahead. Follow your curiosity and allow yourself to explore this wonderful world in all its colors and beauty. Travel, read, study, and listen. Get inspired. Feed your mind and feast your eyes.
Message from Earth: the Metal Bird invites you to explore the feminine within, especially the sensual side of you. Being in tune with the heart, mind, body, and the senses helps connect us to the Yin energy. Make self-care part of your daily routine. Define your own versions of luxury and invest in it. Treat yourself like royalty. Let the beauty within be reflected in your movement, words, and actions.
Message from the soul: the Earth Snake card brings messages of love and joy. Engage in activities that make your heart sing to spark the joy within. Yin Earth in the heavenly frequency carries blessings from Mother Earth - the more you give back to her land, the more abundance she will give you in return for your generosity.
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Feng Shui for the Water Monkey month
In the Flying Star chart for the month of the Water Monkey, the numbers in green are the annual stars for the current year (good until February 3, 2025), while the numbers in blue refer to the monthly stars (good from August 7 to September 6, 2024).
The flying star number in the center of the chart, whether it’s the annual or monthly number, and the associated trigram can give us hints of the general moods and themes of that period. This month, star 8 in the center corresponds to Gen, the Mountain trigram. Associated with Yang Earth, the Mountain trigram is a symbol of stability and stillness. With two broken Yin lines at the bottom representing Earth and one solid Yang line at the top representing Heaven, the trigram illustrates the importance of being firmly grounded in earthly matters. When we’re rooted and in our center, we can steadily climb higher and observe truths from a bird’s eye view without judgment. We’re also more likely to remain calm even in the most stressful situations. The trigram also reminds us that there is a time for action, and a time for rest. Only in stillness can we gather and cultivate energy.
This month’s most productive sectors are the Northwest, North, and East, with monthly star 9 of joy and prosperity in the Northwest, star 4 of romance and creativity in the North, and star 6 of power in the East. Activate the positive energies by spending your time and doing your daily activities in these sectors of your residence or office.
Monthly star 8 in the center, the wealth star of the past 20 years during Period 8, is still considered a prosperous star, although its influence has been weakening since we entered Period 9 in February 2024. It’s now a fading wealth star whereas star 9 is the most vibrant wealth star of the next 20 years. You can utilize the center if it’s an open space - however, with annual star 3 in the center, be conscious of your emotions and leave the sector if you feel anger rising.
The sectors afflicted by the annual or monthly star 5 of misfortune and star 2 of illness should ideally be kept quiet, but if you can’t avoid them, use them mindfully and only as needed – no loud noises or banging the doors. In August, these sectors are the Southeast, Northeast, West, and Southwest.
Reinforce any doors or windows located in the South and Southeast sectors, afflicted by the annual and monthly stars 7 of robbery and fire dangers.
*Keep in mind that the effects of the visiting stars are also influenced by their interactions with the natal stars.
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