Tag Archives: Chung-Yuan

August 2 New Moon I Here’s Looking At You!

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“The plain fact is that the planet does not need more successful people. But it does desperately need more peacemakers, healers, restorers, storytellers, and lovers of every kind. It needs people who live well in their places. It needs people of moral courage willing to join the fight to make the world habitable and humane. And these qualities have little to do with success as we have defined it.”
– David Orr, Ecological Literacy: Educating Our Children For A Sustainable World

August 2 new moon we’re seeing double – the month of the Monkey in the Year of the Monkey. In the Five Elements Monkey is Metal and this Primate has lots of brilliance. Young Monkey children exhibit exceptional skills and acuity. Adaptable, amicable and always trying their best to help others, they are a popular zodiac sign. Excellent problem-solvers, Monkey dives into the heart of a discussion and leads the way to a smart answer that works for all. This month try on the curiosity super-power. You might be surprised what you find out about yourself–that it leads to a largess of spirit when you become deeply impassioned about the world around you. David Orr’s quote rather sums up Monkey’s open-mindedness and open-heartedness. These traits lay the foundation for kindness, for restoration, for living well, to be humane and that is sorely needed in a sometimes isolated, often times estranged world.

What does this lunar month hold for your Chinese Zodiac animal? Whatever the forecast, be brilliant. Rat: a Three Harmony month. Joyous events and wealth can be obtained through conventional and unconventional means. Adversity may show itself before the 10th of Lunar July (August 12). Be cautious and refrain from getting into conflict. After 10th of Lunar July (August 12) happiness and profits will come your way. Ox: as long as you are not greedy, investments will pay off. Opportunities to make friends are available but be discerning or you may be misled. All goes well in career and relationship. Expect they will be smooth. Tiger: double trouble. Your sign is in opposition to both the month and the year. Keep your eyes and ears open for scoundrels, lawsuits, money loss and unexpected disasters. In all situation make concessions to bring advancement. Learn how to be softer in your dealings. To avoid disaster perform “The Golden Cicada Sheds Its Shell” ritual on the first day of the lunar month. Rabbit: a harmonious family leads to success in everything so avoid quarreling. There may be gossip among friends, avoid that too. And there may be interpersonal disputes, stay clear. If you plan to take a trip perform, “Walking the Red Carpet Cure” and carry nine fresh orange peels. Dragon: it is a month of Three Harmonies. Adversities will melt into auspiciousness. Wealth and your wishes will bear fruit. Your physical and mental conditions will be refreshed. It is the start of the Ghost month, do not go near water nor walk alone at night. Snake: luck of the month is good with minor misfortune. There will be happiness and sorrow. Because it is the Ghost month be cautious in all matters. Don’t move across the country nor across town. Be careful when driving and watch for theft and burglary. Horse: be careful of negative energy that may be lurking and avoid water. Fate is determined by the heavens so allow life to unfold naturally. Be cautious, someone who means you ill will might be around. You can minimize the effect by performing “Avoiding Harmful People Cure” Ram: be cautious of negative Ch’i, the month’s activities may not proceed with ease. Do not go into funeral homes, visit the sick nor young children. Avoid water during this Ghost month. Focus on your long-term plans, it will help with addressing everyday incidents. Avoid knee-jerk reactions to situations or you may lose a good friend. Monkey: life will be in the extremes with great luck and great misfortune! As it is the Ghost month, do not venture too far that goes for trips, relocating or getting married. Refrain from being aggressive in your dealings. Spend more time at home and with family. Avoid going to hospitals, funerals and going near water. Rooster: gather immunity with “Walking the Red Carpet Cure” and carry fresh orange peels should you decide to take a trip. Since it is the Ghost Month keep young family members away from water. If you have a health condition seek immediate medical attention. If legal disputes are pending seek reconciliation. Dog: after last month what a relief to have a good month. Your luck will be smooth. If you keep your attention on the job at hand you will reap rewards. Though traveling is favored there can be misfortune as well as prosperity. If you take a trip perform “Walking the Red Carpet Cure” and carry fresh orange peels. Pig: not only are you entertaining bad luck, due to the Ghost month, you must take extreme caution. Best advice is not to relocate and stay away from places that are unsafe. Do not throw caution to the wind. Refrain from dangerous exercises or extreme sports. Have your wits about you, accidents involving falls, bloodshed and unexpected events may befall you. If you request a cure from this forecast, I will ask you to honor the red envelope tradition. Have a great month, Zodiac friends! 

The Ghost Month is back! King Yama has opened the gates of hell letting all the spirits and ghosts ascend. The dead are welcomed and shrines are decorated. But some ghosts aren’t as friendly as Casper, here are 8 taboos to ghost-proof your life. 

Thank you to Khadro Crystal Chu, Black Sect Esoteric Buddhist Feng Shui for your unfailing command of Feng Shui and Chinese metaphysics.

Have you decided this will be your year? “Boldness has genius”…start with one hour of Feng Shui A La Carte. Think of it as a fairy godmother for your house.

What I have discovered about our homes is that creating a heart healthy space leads to peace and contentment. The bedroom is where it begins. Start with my complimentary pdf: 27 Bedroom Concepts To Maximize Your Health, Happiness and Peace of Mind. Design your space to your best advantage. Subscribe to my blog and special offers. You’ll receive this valuable Feng Shui Guide as a thank you gift.

August 14 New Moon. Ghost Month and Monkeys.

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Some traditional Chinese beliefs can be scarier than the Flying Monkeys but if you perform the rituals of this Buddhist/Taoist tradition that honor the spirits, be rest assured you will ghost-proof your life (and improve your luck) during the 7th lunar month aka the Ghost Month.

Dish up good food to keep the spirits happy.
On the first day of the 7th Lunar month, King Yama (the King of Hell) opens the gates letting all the spirits and ghosts ascend from the lower realm. The dead are welcomed into the family home and shrines are decorated with candles, incense, food and red paper lanterns. The spirits are given sumptuous meals to eat, a chair to rest upon, old photographs to admire, burned josh paper or hell bank notes to take with them while incense (stands for prosperity in the Chinese culture) and prayers bless the time spent together. Giving the ghost these necessities they believe will enable them to live comfortably when they go back their own world. Josh paper is burned the first lunar day outside the family residences. Families may prepare a basin of one hundred flavors and five fruits for the ghosts to feed upon with the belief that they (the ghosts) won’t do something terrible or curse them after eating their sacrifices and holding their money, only good fortune and luck will come of it.

Throw a parade for long, lost relatives.
The peak of this Buddhist and Taoist tradition is the 15th day of the Lunar month (August 28th). It is also the same time as the full moon and the fall harvest. The Chinese believe that on the days of Ghost Month and especially on the night of the full moon there is more of a bridge between the dead and the living, so they must take precautions or honor the dead. Chung-Yuan, the Chinese Ghost Festival, is celebrated with a parade and decorated lanterns that ride atop decorated floats. The procession finds its way to a river, pond or lake. The lanterns are lit and released. This is meant to give direction to lost souls and help ghosts and deities find their way to the food offerings.

Safety first. 8 taboos to scare the ghosts away.
A few thousand year old rules to stay safe this month.

  • Avoid wandering alone at night nor near a wall. Spirits stick to walls and play pranks and terrorize after sundown.
  • Forgo swimming! You won’t find someone who is Chinese dipping even their big toe in the water. Water is a medium for obtaining new victims for the ghosts to rebirth.
  • Rethink moving into a new home, opening a new business or signing any contracts. Best not to get into something the ghosts can potentially ruin.
  • Forget about getting married because the marriage will have a bad ending.
  • Delay construction or remodeling where you are banging on the walls.
  • Keep your hands in your pocket when you see found money on the street; don’t even think about bringing it home.
  • Leave crying for the daytime, a weak mind gives ghosts the entrée to harm  you.
  • Stay clear of yin places like hotels (a good idea to change your travel plans right now) or cemeteries, the ghosts like to settle here.

What do the stars say about your Chinese zodiac animal in the Month of the Monkey? Here are soundbites to help you keep out of harm’s way. Rat: let the good times roll with this three harmony match. Ox: be conservative and cautious while driving. It is a good idea not to travel. Tiger: you are in direct conflict. Be careful also when traveling, instead refrain. Hare: good times and stellar results await you. Dragon: three harmony luck this month. Increased compensation and smooth progress. Snake: direct confrontation and negative spirits. Remain calm and stable. Follow the advise of the taboos. Horse: avoid impulsive decisions and avoid those who have malicious intent. Ram: the Star of Matrimony is on the ascendent. Pay attention to a family members health. Monkey: both favorable and unfavorable month. Keep calm and do not make plans. Take family members immediately to the doctor if they get sick. Rooster: remain passive, be careful of lawsuits and scoundrels. Pay attention to your diet. Dog: serious family disputes arise and alienation may happen among family members. Perhaps take everyone on a vacation Pig: luck of the month is most confrontational. You will be frustrated in most of your plans. Be cautious, there is potential for financial losses and bodily injury. Take precaution against cardiovascular disease.

Thank you to Khadro Crystal Chu, Black Sect Esoteric Buddhist Feng Shui for your unfailing command of Feng Shui and Chinese metaphysics.

Have questions about your home? Design it with vitality and beauty plus feel at ease with Feng Shui A La Carte.

What I have discovered about our homes is that creating a heart healthy space leads to peace and contentment. The bedroom is where it begins. Start with my complimentary pdf: 27 Bedroom Concepts To Maximize Your Health, Happiness and Peace of Mind. Design your space to your best advantage. Subscribe to my blog and special offers. You’ll receive this valuable Feng Shui Guide as a thank you gift.