Feng Shui and Chinese Astrology: May 2023
Summer has begun in the northern hemisphere! The month of the Fire Snake arrives on May 5th (or May 6th in most of Asia, Australia, and New Zealand) as the sun enters 15° Taurus on May 5th at 11:19am PDT. The Snake month marks the start of summer in the Chinese solar calendar. In the Flying Star Feng Shui chart for May 2023, star 5 flies to the center. Known as the star of misfortune, its presence this month asks us to be conscious of our intentions, actions, and their consequences.
Summer is a season ruled by Fire element, and with Yin Fire in both the heavenly frequency and the Snake in the Earthly Branch, we can expect a hot and unpredictable month ahead, with temperatures rising in the northern hemisphere. We can tune in to the higher frequency of Yin Fire for joy and inspiration, by following what excites the heart. Do what makes your heart sing. Stay connected in the heart with your loved ones. Eat foods that are in season such as tomatoes, berries, cherries, and figs, as well as bitter greens such as arugula, kale, and dandelion greens.
As the animal sign in Chinese Astrology with the most hidden elements, the Snake also contains Yang Metal, Yang Fire, and Yang Earth in addition to the Yin Fire, indicating that not everything is as it seems this month. Be on the lookout for hidden potentials and opportunities. What may appear like an overnight success or a sudden turnaround is often the result of courage, consistency, and persistence. Inspiration flows when we’re connected to spirit, the heart, and Mother Earth.
Lunar eclipse May 2023
This year, summer begins at 15° Taurus just minutes after the Vesak full moon on May 5th, which occurs at 14°58 Scorpio at 10:34am PDT following the peak of a penumbral lunar eclipse. A full moon reflects the Yang of the sun. We can also see it as the Yang manifestation of the moon’s Yin nature, an activation of the Yang within the Yin. In a penumbral lunar eclipse such as this one, however, the Yang of the sun is partly blocked by Earth, dimming the light of the moon but we can still see the moon - there’s still Yang reflected in the Yin.
The Scorpio moon amplifies a lunar eclipse’s messages of renewal and rapid changes. One of Scorpio’s symbols, after all, is the Snake. As a Yin Fire sign and a fast-paced travel star in Chinese Metaphysics, like a fast moving fire, the Snake can burn everything in its path in an instant. A lunar eclipse preceding the start of summer itself symbolizes the evolving process of transformation, of Yin surrendering into Yang and Yang embracing Yin.
We may feel more tired than usual on the days surrounding the eclipse. Listen to the body wanting to be more Yin and give yourself plenty of rest. As living beings, we’re naturally Yang. In a world that constantly tries to pressure us to be even more Yang, it’s usually a challenge to balance the self with the quietness and stillness of Yin. Allow yourself to retreat from the outside world to replenish your Qi. Very soon we will be stepping it up during the summer months, a season of peak Yang.
As the month progresses, harmonize with the season by synchronizing yourself with Yang / light – wake up when the sun rises, be most active during the day, and wind down after sunset to avoid burnout. Like a candle flame, Yin Fire can be easily extinguished and also easily lit again. Rest to recuperate.
Jupiter enters Taurus
One of the year’s most significant planetary shifts occurs this month on May 16th with Jupiter entering 0° Taurus. In Chinese astrology, Jupiter’s cycle is most closely associated with the 12-year cycle of the 12 animal signs as it takes the giant planet just under 12 years to circle around the sun. The year we encounter the animal sign of our birth year, known as the Grand Duke Jupiter year, which happens at ages 12, 24, 36, 48, 60, 72, 84, and so on, is usually a life-changing year, the beginning of a new phase, that often coincides with transiting Jupiter returning to one’s natal Jupiter (though not always, as Jupiter can linger in one sign, speed through another, or go back and forth between two signs).
As the planet of expansion and luck, Jupiter brings blessings and growth in aspects of life associated with the sign (and one’s natal house) it’s visiting. Whereas Jupiter in Aries has helped us with confidence, sense of self, and entrepreneurship, Jupiter in Taurus will guide us in how to increase our worth and financial security. Jupiter here will also stimulate our taste for luxury. We may spend more as we earn more!
Jupiter will visit the first 15 degrees of Taurus from May 16 through the end of the year, bringing opportunities for growth in areas associated with the house it’s transiting in your chart. It’s an exuberant time to those born in the second half of the Dragon month (around April 20 - May 5) as Jupiter will conjunct their sun in Taurus. On the other hand, if you were born in the second half of the Dog month (around October 22 – November 6), the sign opposite the Dragon, then you will have Jupiter oppose your Sun in Scorpio this year - a time to turn challenges into opportunities. *You can review my sign by sign outlook for the year of the Water Rabbit for insights on how Jupiter in Taurus will affect your sun signs in 2023.
What’s ahead for the signs
May is poised to be a fast-paced month due to the nature of the Snake as a travel star and a change agent. Many of us will be on the move, finishing projects and going places, especially if you were born in year or day of the Pig, Rabbit, and Sheep.
The animal signs that have the most affinities with the Snake are secret friend the Monkey and allies the Bird (the Rooster) and the Ox. Those with these signs in their chart can expect a more harmonious and social month ahead, with support from friends and family.
If you were born in a Yin Water or Yang Water year or day, you are already benefiting from the Rabbit offering you Divine Support throughout the year. This month, both the Snake and the Rabbit will bless you with heavenly guidance and support from people in a position to help – a beneficial time to schedule personal, medical, or professional consultations as you will have double the Divine Support in the Fire Snake month! *Water years are years that end with 2 or 3, including 1972, 1973, 1982, 1983, and so on.
Take caution this month if you have a Pig, the sign opposite the Snake in your chart. It’s a busy month ahead and as travel stars clash with each other, those with a Pig, Monkey, or Tiger in their chart should be especially mindful when driving or traveling.
May 2023 Feng Shui
In the Flying Star chart for May 2023 above, the numbers in green are the annual stars for the current year (good until February 3, 2024), while the numbers in blue refer to April 2023’s monthly stars (good from May 5, 2023 to June 5, 2023).
This month, flying star 5 of misfortune “flies” to the center of the monthly Feng Shui chart. With Star 5 in the center, all the flying stars are back in their original locations, amplifying the influences of the annual stars. An Earth element star, star 5 rules the center, which doesn’t relate to any trigram. With no guidance from the trigrams, listen and trust your inner guidance. Return to the center whenever you feel like you’re losing yourself, whether to a person, a cause, a job, or a belief.
The most productive sectors this month are the Northeast, South, and North sectors, with monthly star 8 of wealth in the Northeast, monthly star 9 of joy strengthening annual star 8 in the South, and monthly star 1 of wisdom amplified by the annual star 9 in the North. Do your work or daily activities in these sectors to activate the auspicious stars. You may find that you’re more productive, inspired, and happier when you’re working in these sectors.
Be mindful when using the sectors afflicted by the monthly and annual star 5 of misfortune and star 2 of illness, which are the center, the Northwest, the East, and the Southwest. Avoid loud noises and keep these areas clean and tidy, especially the East, which has monthly star 3 of arguments clashing with the annual star 2. If you must use the East sector, be conscious of your emotional state and leave the room temporarily if you start feeling angry or irritable.
Reinforce all doors and windows located in the Northeast and West sectors, visited by the annual and monthly star 7 of violence and fire dangers.
*Although there may be remedies to lessen a sector’s negative energy, the best solution is to keep the area as quiet and uncluttered as possible, especially if you’re not familiar with your home’s natal energies as you may accidentally activate a negative natal star. Common sense also applies – for example, it’s a good idea to have doors and windows reinforced if they’re located in a sector affected by star 7 of robbery.
A version of this post is also published on my other website at Functional Feng Shui.
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*Image © urzine / iStock