My diary for the month of the Water Tiger

Know your inner beast. How Tiger are you?
Birth in the Tiger Hour (3-5am)~: a risk of children being distant.
Birth on the Tiger Day#: the relentless pursuer of justice.
Birth during the Tiger Month (February)*: work relies on appointment.
Birth in the Tiger Year: vision, patience, familiarity with hierarchies.
~ GMT. # You’ll need a Chinese calendar for this. * Caution: Chinese months start later.

Where to do what, when and why
Summary: Here’s where to go to stimulate creativity.
North, Distant Future: Year Star 6, Moon. Month Star: 4.
The North is helpful pretty much all year with the annual 6 offering supportive authority while the Moon maintains order. This month’s 4 brings curiosity, invention and as the sex-mad Chinese guys have it, scandal. The 4 and the 6 make a “perfect” 10, so facing or locating North will tend to support you whoever you are but especially those with East Group kuas (1, 3, 4 & 9) engaged in imaginative and creative pursuits.
Annual Solution: Large (6kg+) rose quartz, a little Metal, occasional Water.
Monthly Enhancement: Four plants (eg bamboos in Water). Follow the 4.

Shaken but not stirred.
“One day when you conquer yourself and return to true order, the whole world will revert to humanity.”
Liu I-Ming.

The Tiger never forgets; a favour, a slight, the right order of things. The Tiger understands power and hierarchies. The Tiger knows that Might may not be Right but it can be pretty persuasive. It’s the Tiger’s neighbour the Rabbit (whose month follows next) who believes that the pen is mightier than the sword; the Tiger is not so sure. These are the keynotes of any Tiger month but especially this one; personally, domestically, internationally.

In February my schedule usually eases up. The changes for the New Year are done, Animal Fortunes are out and I can concentrate on other stuff. I’ve neglected some longstanding clients, I have a book to write and one or two personal annual forecasts to draft. These call for close attention because they have to be accurate and precise. I’ve lost count of the annual forecast events I’ve attended where a Master’s wisdom amounts to: “The people won’t like the government, markets will go up and down and Water Element businesses may do quite well.” Not that much help in navigating the year. My personal forecasts have to be ….well….personal.

Technically this is a Water Tiger month with an 8 lo shu (or magic square). The 8 is hopeful. It means that what happens at the centres of things – nations and cities as well as your home – tend to be purposeful, even if it looks otherwise. It may help to take the longer view and we of course can intervene in a number of ways.

Interestingly there are only a few individual days that are universally helpful – the 12^th and the 24^th are about it – but many that will boost particular Animals. You need to know about this, especially if you are a Rabbit or Dog (Hello Donald Trump) for which you need my bulletins which will tell you, among much else, that Dragons who are on a roll this year, might reserve the 14^th and 18^th for a big putsch; Rabbits the 9^th and 13^th. The Rat gets a pretty good shake throughout, as do certain Tigers.

To summarise we’re entering a competitive time, consistent with the Tiger’s contentious nature and the showiness of the Rooster. What to do about it room by room, building by building is also in my Weekly and Monthly Bulletins which are available at modest cost, by subscription. There’s a sample below of the full What to do where, when and indeed why feature that we send out along with a great deal more information to subscribers every month. Out in the world, expect the above trends to be reflected – there’s little co-operation going on and such as there is may prove quite grudging.

Animal Fortunes for the Rooster year remain on the website all year: 2017: Year of the Turkey. Use wisely.
Richard Ashworth © 2017

What to do where and indeed why in the month of the Water Tiger.
Summary
This Tiger month features an 8 lo shu. As a rule the 8 – infinity on its side, the endless knot – is considered fortuitous. It’s Earth, so it needs a bit of attention but it’ll offer help if we treat it right. What would that be? Well, Earth is supported by Fire but we don’t position Fire at the tai chi. As Master Chan Kun Wah used to say: we don’t burn the heart. Fortunately however Wood stimulates Earth, so, all other things being equal, I’d put a little Wood there, in the geometric centre. Some of you will already, for related reasons, have four bamboos in Water there. If so, leave them. Otherwise one plant right at dead centre. Make sure it gets enough light or the metaphor will be all wrong. Wood is always growing, so planks and batons and rolling pins are not what’s intended. One plant in decent light and attended. Abundance is a much bigger issue than simple wealth but expect good things. And in this year of the Watery 1, expect creativity of all sorts, most particularly the written word.
Enhance with: a single healthy plant. Fresh cut flowers will do fine.

Location by Location
North West, Authority: Year Star: 2, Sun, Month Star: 9.
The 9 Star, as you know, represents the near future. Having landed in the NW, it’s now, as you also know, in the realm of the Father. The annual Sun ensures this is a location of healing throughout 2017 whatever else is going on. But right now a house facing NW or with a busy door oriented that way will tend to be characterized by a need to plan. Those in authority would do well to look to the bigger picture and being or facing here will help, also spending time in a NW-facing building. Those who wish to be in a position of authority a little way down the line would do well to plot here now.
Month Solution: Bright light but you’ll risk mild illness along with more positive acquisition. Otherwise……
Annual Solution: Red 6 (six Chinese coins tied up with red thread) and wu lou (gourd) are reckoned effective against the 2.

West, Intervention: Year Star: 3 Year, toe far, tai sui, tin yute. Month Star: 1.
West remains okay to occupy (although a dangerous direction to face) because it’s where the strongest annual energy, the tai sui is coming from. During 2017 the Noble Helper tin yute gwai yan – makes it the place to seek help, when the source may not be clear – as well as the toe far of new relationship – especially for Rat, Dragon and Monkey. For these objectives locate yourself West but don’t face West, employ a West-facing door or occupy a West-facing building. In any case expect some conflict, due to the stroppy 3 Star but (this month) it’s the place for problem-solving discussion.
Month Solution: Metal stuff plus 6-Pipe Metal Windchime or bright light.
Annual Solution: Bright, light, red stuff to express 3’s strop healthily.
North East, Wealth Star: Year Star: 4 gip sat, Month Star: 2.
Much better than 2016 especially if yours is a West Group kua (8,6,7,2). But this month may bring blockage as well as growth of all sorts, positive and negative. It may still not be before March that occupants of the North East, those who face that way or live in NE-facing buildings will experience much advantage. But it will come; those qualities of invention, curiosity and academic success that attach to the young female are here for a while. Er..and scandal. But right now mostly blockage or growth.
Month Solution: Add Metal – Metal stuff plus 6-Pipe Metal Windchime, clockwork music box or mechanical clock, wu lou or Red 6.
Annual Enhancement: Fire, (eg bright light). 4 Plants (eg 4 bamboos in Water).

South, Bright Future: Year Star: 5 wu huang, Month Star: 3.
The 5 is not much fun for anybody and it’s hard to neutralize, though Metal objects and wu lous are reckoned to help. Continue to treat the South with delicacy Don’t over-activate, especially do not dig or drill; even if yours is an East Group kua: 1, 3, 4 & 9. South door much the same effect. Overuse could lead to embarrassment and/or bad publicity; this month for the younger man who is represented by the confrontational 3.
Month Solution: The Fire of bright light will draw out the 3’s aggression but is equally likely to bring on the delay and sickness of the 5. Best to stay out and keep it quiet.
Annual Solution: Metallic objects may soften the 5. I use a chue cure: the t’ang lung, a charm which I have made up for me in very precise dimensions. Worth considering as the South – fame, publicity, promotion – is going to be risky all year.

North, Distant Future: Year Star 6, Moon. Month Star: 4.
The North is better this year with a year-long 6 and the Moon maintaining order. The arriving 4 brings curiosity, invention and as the sex-mad Chinese guys have it, scandal. The 4 and the 6 make a “perfect” 10, so facing or locating North will support anyone. Especially East Group kuas (1, 3, 4 & 9) in imaginative and creative pursuits.
Annual Solution: A large (6kg+) rose quartz, a little Metal, occasional Water.
Monthly Solution: Four plants (eg bamboos in Water). Follow the 4.

South West, Accumulation: Year Star: 7, Month Star: 5.
The 7 which augurs interference, fire and robbery in the worst cases, promises interference all year even for the favoured West Group kuas 2, 6, 7 and 8 And the 5 makes it worse. Poor as a location or facing direction – above all for the older woman.
Annual Solution: Water (not fountain – eg fresh Water changed daily).
Monthly Solution: Metal stuff, a mechanical clock, musical box.
East, Ambition: Year Star: 8 san sha, sui po, Month Star: 6.
Good location favours East Group kuas: 1, 3, 4 & 9 as well as certain Pigs, Dogs and Sheep all year. But because of the baddies above – san sha, sui po – continue to treat gently. The Eldest Son, creativity,learning, training and associated aspirations are favoured here all year. Good direction to face also.
Annual and Monthly Solution: Water (a fountain is good all year).

South East, Determination: Year Star: 9 Dragon Virtue, Month Star: 7.
Best front door and generally the best direction to face all year, especially if you want to be known. Dragon Virtue supports the good reputation of all, kuas 1 3 4 and 9 in particular as well as certain Monkeys, Rats, Snakes, Roosters and Oxen (Dragons may find it competitive – not that that’s necessarily bad). All year the place to be noticed in a positive way. Not at its best this month as there may be frustration due to the 7.
Month Solution: Clockwork (eg a music box).
Annual Enhancement: 4 Plants (eg bamboo stems) or a Water fountain.

A South-Eastern door looks helpful in 2017 – but how do you enhance it? Dragons and Snakes look set but what about Rabbits and the Roosters themselves? How do we capitlaise on the fresh energy? In answer to such questions, here are some ways we might work together this year:

 1. A Tune-Up survey brings your work or living space into the Year of the Fire Rooster. Richard identifies the spots that need attention and attends to them or tells you what to do. If we’ve mapped it already, this will take 2-4 hours and we’ll charge you less. Otherwise set the controls for ½ a day.

2. A subscription to our Monthly and Weekly Bulletins will tell you week by week and month by month, where to do what, when and often why. This can be very useful for planning travel and crucial meetings.

3. Studying feng shui or ba zi; we run starter courses on each which are available as a group “live” thing from time to time or (constantly) via Skype/Zoom. Both bought together will cost you less.

4. Hand-drafted ba zi and consultation, one to one. Ba zi of course plots the cycle of time as it applies to you and will tend to show major milestones, preferences and blockages. The ba zi is perhaps the very best device there is for identifying major moments of choice. And doing something about them. A follow-up session, if Richard has already drafted your ba zi is often a good way to start the year.

5. Soul Retainer. For a single annual payment or monthly payments, you receive a Tune-Up, Monthly and Weekly Bulletins and a further four hours one-to-one over the year as well as attendance at next year’s Forecast Weekend.
Prices (and further information): sheilaashworthfengshui@gmail.com

Richard Ashworth©
www.imperialfengshui.info