Feng Shui and Chinese Astrology: July 2023
July 7 takes us into the month of the Earth Sheep, the sixth month of the Water Rabbit year and the last month of summer in the Chinese solar calendar. In the Feng Shui Flying Star chart, flying star 3 of conflicts and arguments is in the center, highlighting a month that requires us to be conscious of our emotions, as tempers can easily flare.
The arrival of the Sheep month on July 7 heralds the dog days of summer, as Sirius the Celestial Wolf star appears to rise alongside the Sun at 15 Cancer. We’re now in “Slight Heat” seasonal node, with Yin starting to rise again after disappearing at summer solstice. Temperature may be at peak, especially in the last two weeks of July.
A Yin Earth sign, the Sheep / the Goat helps us transition from late summer to fall. We can expect a quieter, slower rhythm this month after a social, exuberant month of the Earth Horse in June. Associated with Mother Earth, Yin Earth in both the heavenly frequency and Earthly Branch of the month calls us to slow down and return to the center to harmonize our body, mind and spirit with the elements of the season.
We may feel heavy and sluggish from the Earth Sheep’s double Yin Earth. Keep your body moving to prevent lethargy, congestion, swelling of the joints, and gastrointestinal disorders that can arise from the combination of overly strong Earth element and high temperature (a condition known as dampness in TCM) in the environment. Cool the body by eating foods that are Yin / cooling in nature such as cucumber, watermelon, berries, jicama, pear, peppermint, root veggies, and leafy greens. Metal element foods such as ginger, chili peppers, turmeric, and kimchi help disperse internal heat.
What’s ahead for the signs and self-elements
The signs that are in harmony with the Sheep are secret friend the Horse and allies the Rabbit and the Pig. Those with these signs in their chart can generally expect a more supportive, collaborative month ahead. For those born in the year of the Ox, the sign opposite the Sheep, as well as the Dog and the Dragon, the signs that square the Sheep, it would be wise to take extra care of their health and wellbeing, especially if one’s natal chart contains both the Ox and the Dog.
The Sheep month may offer financial opportunities to those born on a Wood day, as Yin Earth is the wealth element to Wood day masters. If that’s you, this is the month to focus on income-generating activities. Those born on a Water day may experience more stress at work as Earth is the power element to Water day masters. Keep your calm under pressure. *To find out what your self element is, go to this chart calculator and input your birthday. The result will show the Self-Element listed as the Day Master and in the “Stem” element of the Day pillar in the Four Pillars (BaZi) chart.
If you were born in a Yang Earth, Yang Wood, or Yang Metal year or day, the Sheep month is a good time to schedule personal, medical, or professional consultations as the Sheep, your nobility / helpful people star, provides Divine Support and guidance. *Yang Earth years are years that end with 8, such as 1998, 2008, 2018, and so on; Yang Wood years are years that end with 4, such as 1984, 1994, and so on; Yang Metal years are years that end with 0 such as 2010 and 2020.
Feng Shui for the Earth Sheep Month (July 7 - August 7)
Wood energy dominates the Feng Shui chart of the month with monthly star 3, associated with Yang Wood and the Thunder trigram, and annual star 4, associated with Yin Wood and the Wind trigram, in the center of the Flying Star chart. Conflicts and arguments can easily arise and escalate with star 3. We will see star 3’s divisive qualities and unbending nature manifested in the world stage, tempered by annual star 4’s collaborative spirit and visionary approach. Let Wood element’s high frequency energy of compassion be your guide whenever you encounter anger, discrimination, or aggressiveness in your daily environment. As Fire is the element that weakens Wood in the Chinese Five Element theory, share your light and bring joy into your heart. Brightening the center space of your home with light will help suppress the anger energy.
Here are the flying star combinations for the month, in the order of the flying stars themselves:
Center: Monthly 3 / Annual 4 ❗️
Northwest: Monthly 4 / Annual 5 ‼️
West: Monthly 5 / Annual 6 ‼️
Northeast: Monthly 6 / Annual 7
South: Monthly 7 / Annual 8
North: Monthly 8 / Annual 9 ✅
Southwest: Monthly 9 / Annual 1 ✅
East: Monthly 1 / Annual 2
Southeast: Monthly 2 / Annual 3 ‼️
July’s most productive sectors are the North and Southwest, with two stars of prosperity (monthly star 8 and annual star 9) in the North, and monthly star 9 amplifying annual star 1 of wisdom and future prosperity in the Southwest . Do your daily activities in any of these sectors to activate the vibrant Qi. I also like the Northeast sector, blessed with monthly star 6 of power and authority, but be mindful when using sharp objects as there’s too much Metal energy in the sector. The East sector, with monthly star 1, also holds potentials especially when used for strategic planning, however, use the sector sparingly as annual star 2 of illness is in the sector.
Keep the Northwest and West sectors quiet to subdue the monthly and annual stars 5 of misfortune and reinforce all doors and windows located in the South sector, which is visited by monthly star 7, associated with robbery and fire dangers. Use the Southeast sparingly as annual star 3 of arguments and monthly star 2 of illness reside in the sector.
A version of this post is also published on my other website at Functional Feng Shui.
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*Image © Silvan Schuppisser / Unsplash