Feng Shui and Chinese Astrology: July 2024
July 6 takes us into the month of the Metal Sheep as the Sun enters 15° Cancer. We’re now in the last month of summer in the Northern hemisphere according to the Chinese solar calendar. In the Feng Shui Flying Stars chart, monthly star 9 of current prosperity “flies” into the center, bringing more heat but also amplifying the vibrant frequency of Period 9, a 20-year cycle that we just transitioned into in February 2024.
The arrival of the Sheep month heralds the dog days of summer, as Sirius the Heavenly Wolf star appears to rise alongside the Sun around this time of year. We’re now in “Slight Heat” seasonal node, with Yin starting rise again after being taken over by Yang at summer solstice. Temperature may be at peak, especially in the last two weeks of July.
Yin Metal in the month’s heavenly frequency, like a mirror, encourages self-reflection and a higher level of self-awareness. Metal, whether Yin or Yang, is by nature cold and sharp, and Yin Metal is the more delicate, analytical, and calculating of the two. This is an ideal month to review your strengths and weaknesses.
A Yin Earth sign, the Sheep or the Goat helps us transition from late summer to fall. Associated with Mother Earth, Yin Earth calls for us to slow down and return to the center after a social month of the Horse. Keep your body moving to prevent lethargy and gastrointestinal disorders that can arise from dampness that results from a combination of the Sheep’s strong Earth element and the season’s high temperature. 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.
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.
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 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. *To find out the element of your birthday (also called the Day Master or the Self Element), go to this chart calculator and input your birthday.
Guidance from the Chinese Five Elements Oracle for the Metal Sheep month (July 6 - August 6)
The Sacred Triangle spread from The Chinese Five Elements Oracle symbolizes our sacred connection to Heaven and Earth. We can live our highest purpose when we are equally connected to the Divine (Heaven), nature (Earth), and the inner self.
Message from Heaven: the Wood Dog invites you to tune in to your intuition. We all have psychic abilities—whether we’re in touch with our psychic gifts or we’ve unconsciously repressed them, we can rekindle and cultivate them by practicing a higher awareness of our inner and outer worlds.
Message from Earth: the Fire Dragon brings blessings of joy and abundance in material and spiritual matters as one of the 10 Spiritual Pillars. Trust that the Divine will continue to guide you toward a path of abundance. Miracles happen when we consciously collaborate with the Universe, combining prayers, visualization, and spiritual work with perseverance and grounded, strategic actions.
Message from the soul: the Earth Rat reassures you that there are always options. You just have to shift your mindset from one that takes you on a path of fear and despair to one that attracts opportunities to you. Start by being more discerning with your thoughts: train your mind to challenge thoughts that come from a place of self-doubt and fear.
*You can order your copy of the oracle at Amazon or click here for more options. To the many of you who ordered the deck, thank you! I hope you can leave a kind review on the retailer's site, as that will help the oracle find its way to more people who are in need of guidance.
Feng Shui for the Metal Sheep month
In the Flying Star chart for July 2024 above, the numbers in green are the annual stars for the current year (good until February 3, 2025), while the numbers in blue refer to July’s monthly stars.
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 9 in the center emphasizes the influences of the Fire trigram, Li, the ruling trigram of Period 9 that we just transitioned into in February 2024. Associated with light, joy, and the heart, the Yin / broken line in the middle line of the trigram ☲ highlights the middle daughter, which in our modern world translates into middle-aged women. We may see more women in leadership positions dominating the news this month. This is a month to stay in the light as star 9 in the center also strengthens the influence of annual star 3 of conflicts in the center. You can review my outlook for the Wood Dragon year for more on Period 9.
This month’s most auspicious sectors are the Northwest and Southwest. Activate these vibrant sectors by doing your daily activities there, especially if you’re in need of inspiration. The Northwest sector, with monthly star 1 of wisdom and annual star 4 of romance and creativity, is ideal for studies, social and creative activities, while the Southwest, with monthly star 6 of power and authority strengthened by annual star 9 of joy and prosperity, makes a productive office or work space.
Keep the North, West, and Southeast sectors quiet and tidy – these are the sectors afflicted with monthly or annual star 5 of misfortune and star 2 of illness. Take extra precautions when it comes to your health if your home faces one of these directions, or if your bedroom is located in one of these sectors.
We can utilize the center as well as the Northeast, with monthly star 9 in the center and annual star 6 in the Northeast, however, with annual star 3 in the center and monthly star 3 in the Northeast, be conscious of your emotions if you’re using the sectors and leave when you feel anger rising. Reinforce all doors and windows located in the South and East sectors, afflicted by hostile star 7 associated with robbery and fire dangers. If your main door is located in the South sector, be discerning with who you invite into your home this month as monthly star 4 activates your social life.