Feng Shui and Chinese Astrology: October 2024
The month of the Wood Dog begins on October 8 at 3:00am CST according to the solar calendar as the Sun crosses 15° Libra. From now to November 6 is poised to be the most challenging time of the year as the Dog is the sign opposite the Dragon. Flying Star 6 in the center of the Feng Shui Flying Star chart highlights the month’s dominating themes of power and authority.
Yang Wood in the heavenly frequency of the month as well as in the Wood Dragon year like a sturdy tree empowers us to stand our ground. Yang Wood carries a lot of leadership qualities, and in the higher frequency, Yang Wood in a person manifests as a benevolent and compassionate leader who commands the respect of others in their community. However, Yang Wood can also be so rigid and divisive when it’s in excess. Our beliefs may be so strong that it’s difficult to listen or accept other points of view. We may be called to stand our ground this month. Think Yin and soften up when you need to recenter yourself in this very Yang month.
The Dog, as one of the four Earth signs in Chinese Astrology, is an in-between sign that helps us transition from fall to winter. Associated with Saturn, Earth is the element that keeps us anchored. As a Yang Earth sign, the Dog can stand still as firm as a mountain, but with hidden Yin Fire, the Dog can also make surprising, unpredictable moves. Expect a transitional month full of sudden, unexpected developments in the global stage amidst on-going political tension that will be amplified by the double Yang Wood and the Dog and Dragon opposition.
As opposing signs, both the Dog and the Dragon are formidable Yang Earth signs with big, heavy energies. Events and changes happening this month will be large in scale and have far-reaching consequences. Yang Earth as the most enduring and grounded of the ten heavenly frequencies can be imposing, intimidating, and immovable, but Yang Earth is also faithful and committed. Yang Earth’s persistence and consistency makes it capable of quantum leaps. This can be a month that some of us may finally step out of our comfort zone and take a big leap of faith!
What’s ahead for the signs
Signs that have affinities with the Dog are secret friend the Rabbit and allies the Tiger and the Horse. Those with these signs in their chart can generally expect a more harmonious, collaborative month ahead, with support from their personal and professional networks.
It’s a heavy month if your chart contains the Dog or the Dragon. Manage your stress level by scheduling rest and well-being activities in your calendar. The Sheep (the Goat) and the Ox, the other two Earth signs, also need to take it easy as they form a square with the Dog. This is a hardworking month for these four Earth signs – recognize when you need to take a break.
The Dog along with the Dragon are the two signs in Chinese astrology that don’t contain Divine Support (“nobleman” stars) - and they may not need it. The Dog as the gatekeeper to the ancestral world is naturally psychic and blessed with inner knowing. As the guardian to the gate of Heaven, the Dragon is highly connected to the sky yet also very grounded.
*To calculate your natal BaZi birth chart, go to this chart calculator and input your birthday. Stay tuned for an upcoming workshop I have planned for late October on working with Divine Support and Peach Blossom stars!
Hexagram of the Month: hexagram 39, Obstruction
The I-Ching hexagram for the Wood Dog month is hexagram 39, Obstruction. Water trigram above the Mountain trigram is the image of a blockage. We may be anxious to move forward, but there are obstructions ahead. Try a different approach if you find yourself in a stalemate. Stay calm and use the mind to consider your next moves. Step back or get on a higher ground to gain a new perspective of the situation.
You may recall that the hexagram of the Wood Dragon year is hexagram 38, Opposition. The hexagram may reinforce the divisive quality of Yang Wood, but it also encourages us to find common grounds. With Fire trigram, associated with light, the heart, and the middle sister, over the Lake trigram, associated with self-reflection and the youngest sister, clarity comes from the heart. Strength and support may come from our sisters around the world.
Guidance from the Chinese Five Elements Oracle for the Wood Dog month (October 8 – November 6)
Since this is a month of oppositions, the Yin & Yang spread from The Chinese Five Elements Oracle can help guide us in revealing the Yin and Yang sides of a current situation.
The Yin & Yang spread is symbolic of how we can be more aware of the Yin - the side of us that needs more light, and how we can tone down the Yang side, the aspect of life that we’ve been doing in excess. It's the nature of Yin, after all, to transform into Yang, and vice versa.
Card 1 (Yin): The Wood Sheep pillar highlights nature as the greatest healer. This month, seek refuge and healing in nature whenever you need peace and calm. Slow down from your busy life and search within for what the body needs.
Card 2 (Yang) points to what we need to do less. Double Yang Earth in the Earth Dragon indicates we may be too hard on the self and unyielding in standing our ground. Relax and soften up instead of tensing up when under pressure to make space for the Divine to enter.
*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 Wood Dog month
In the Flying Star chart for the month of the Wood Dog, 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 October 8 to November 6, 2024).
This month, star 6 of power and authority, associated with Yang Metal and the Heaven trigram, “flies” to the center of the monthly Feng Shui Flying Stars chart. The various meanings associated with the ruling trigram of a specific period can provide us with messages and guidance to issues that may arise during the particular period, just like the elements can provide insights for what lies ahead.
The Heaven trigram represents the creative force, the Father, and the wise masculine. The three solid Yang lines in the trigram depict the ultimate Yang: pure light in the sky originating from Heaven, indicating that major changes and events are the works of heavenly forces. This is a month to connect and listen to the spirit within. As a Yang Metal trigram, the Heaven trigram also signifies the presence of authority and military forces.
This month’s most vibrant sectors are the Northeast and East, with monthly star 9 of joy and current prosperity in the Northeast amplifying the influences of annual star 6’s power and authority, and monthly star 4 of romance and creativity teaming up with annual star 1 of victory and future prosperity in the East. Activate the positive energies by spending your time and doing your daily activities in these sectors of your residence or office.
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 only as needed. This month, these sectors are the West, Southeast, and North. The Southeast is an especially sensitive sector with monthly star 5 amplifying the annual star 2 of illness. The North with stars 8/2 enjoys the “sum of ten” combination, however keep the sector quiet as it’s also where the month’s dangerous Three Killings reside.
Be mindful of your temper and emotions when using the Southwest sector as the influences of monthly star 3 of conflicts and arguments are strengthened by the annual star 9 in the sector. Reinforce all doors and windows located in the Northwest sector, visited by monthly 7 of violence and robberies, and the South sector, where the annual 7 is.