Auspicious Dates and Places for the (6th) month of the Wood Monkey 2025
the (6th) month of the Wood Monkey 2025.
(14:53 7th August to 18:15 7th September inclusive)
in the Year of the Wood Snake.
Public edition
A 5 month is about chaos and power
A Monkey Month the practical, the fatuous & the Hungry Ghosts.
Where not to be this month: tai chi, West or South (& NE all year)
Where to be this month: North
Favoured Animals: Monkey, Dragon, Rat, Snake
Especially challenged: Tiger, Pig
The Hexagram: 64 Wei Ji Not Yet Complete, Fire over Water.
My next book I Talk to the Animals cover (detail above) by the wonderful Ellie Spinelli, due out October 2025 from O Books/John Hunt, is a comprehensive guide to the drafting, interpretation and practice of Ba Zi, that is the Four Pillars of Destiny. You can pester your book shop for it now (preferably a real live book shop, not Amazon) And indeed ordering it from your local library is good for pretty much everybody. It’s not beach fiction but I modestly suggest that anyone who is serious about ba zi needs a copy. Also available as an ebook.
The one after that Love Made Visible, which is more of a series of days in the life like The Feng Shui Diaries is still seeking a publisher. We are putting out chapters in a haphazard kind of way both to you directly by email and on my Substack page.
Hungry Ghosts, lo shu 5, the Hexagram 64 Unfinished Business, the Fire Penalty; there is a shadow over so many parts of the world and so many aspects of our lives as we approach the final quarter of the year. And we may be approaching peak shadow. You’ll notice there are many fewer decent days during this Monkey Month than last month’s Sheep.
Monkeys are Yang Metal, meaning that any Monkey Month or Year (like 1776, 1848 or 1968 for instance) may feature revolutions, uprisings and rebellions. Both World Wars you’ll have noticed, started in August. Monkey is also of course what is known to journalists as the “silly season” when Elvis may be spotted on the Moon or Freddie Starr eating hamsters. These japes liven up a deceptively slow news month which is also the time of the Hungry Ghosts. Advice to counter these insatiable spirits is to avoid beaches, forests and open spaces. Poor timing for many of us who may be on holiday and have our guard down but just one aspect of a month likely to be as turbulent as they come.
Don’t assume btw that all Hungry Ghosts are deceased, you’ll find many alive and kicking at the more expensive beach resorts. The lesson may be to consume less and share more: good karma, good ecology and good practice generally. And avoid Brompton Cemetery after dark.
To add to this explosive cocktail the Monkey is often ingenious, generally humorous and as a rule, quick to master the technical. The sign of the stand-up as well as the merciless pedant, Monkey’s lesson can be to get laughs without making victims. Monkeys please note. The rest of us can expect to be corrected on detail that doesn’t matter while cynical employers, rulers and politicians – not just in the USA – may be exploiting detail that does. As ever similar dynamics may show up at home.
This particular Monkey is the Wood variety and therefore inwardly conflicted: Wood and Metal; approximation and certainty; restless and concentrated. The Wood Monkey Year of 1944 heralded the last and most violent phase of World War II. The Wood Monkey is also often thought of as especially decisive. The Chinese characters themselves indicate this, Stem and Branch being almost indistinguishable: That internal Wood/Metal conflict may bring a crunch that takes a while to become visible: you may recall that the French Bank Paribas pulled out of the Bond Market at just this point in 2007, becoming the first in a domino run that led to the demise of Lehman Brothers and the subsequent banking collapse a little over a year later. Again best count the pennies at home too.
To add Water to the Fire so to speak, technically the Monkey not only makes Water with the Snake which rules the year but also with Rat and Dragon. Water is communication, especially of deep emotional truth and many of us may find time now to catch up with our partners and re-acquaint after a busy few months. On Dragon and Rat Days in particular but throughout the month, tongues may be looser and emotions closer to the surface. There may be plenty to talk about: fall out may affect us all. Prominent Snakes: Xi Jin Ping, Tony Blair, Emmanuel Macron; these are key players. Prominent Monkeys: Kim Kardashian, Will Smith.
The Hexagram of this month is the everlasting 64: Wei Ji (Not Yet Complete, Fire over Water) which is a kind of esoteric joke – placed as it is right at the end of the sequence of sixty four Hexagrams in the Book of Changes. It may be an acknowledgement that nothing is ever complete. But King Wen who wrote the tag lines three millennia ago, meant a lot more, I think. “The task is….nothing less than that of leading the world out of confusion back into order.” is how Richard Wilhelm, translator of the Book of Changes saw it. The road goes ever on. Dark replaces light replaces dark.
Then the fun goes on with the Fire Penalty which means that when Snake, Monkey and Tiger meet there are misunderstandings, interventions and interruptions. During the Monkey Month of a Snake year there will be a few of those – as likely in the kitchen as in the Senate. Tigers and Tiger days most affected, when staying off the roads may be wise.
And finally at the centre of the month’s lo shu (or magic square) is the hazardous 5. That means watch your step: the 5 is often slandered as the bad guy – as if pockets of energy could be either good or bad – but what Master (now Grand Master) Chan Kun Wah taught me was that 5 is the power. Face it, don’t locate where it is. It’s like a nuclear power plant: you want hot Water but you’d best not sit on a reactor. So facing North East from time to time remains helpful. But stay clear. I know that can be inconvenient – my own office is in the North East of this house and right now is quiet and dark and full of boxes. And my books. Which I have to creep in and retrieve from time to time.
Put all this together and you have a month when we might all be caught napping. The tectonic plates of power are shifting beneath us. The next two years – The Crimson Horse and the Blood Goat – look scary to us scryers and those Hungry Ghosts own the very pavement upon which we walk. Join us as we look ahead to 2026 and 2027 at my Fire Horse Workshops (see above) later in the year.
Richard Ashworth ©2025
* 1944, 1956, 1968, 1980, 1992, 2004; also with different implications, August* births, those between 3pm and 5pm and certain days you’ll need a Chinese Calendar for) But caution: the Monkey Month is not quite the same as August, usually opening on the 7th or 8th.
The Lo Shu or Magic Square for the Wood Monkey Month 2025
S
4 9 2
3 5 7
8 1 6
The kua at the heart of this month’s lo shu (above) is the mischievous 5, the number of anarchy as well as power. Power can be a hazardous thing: the 5 is to be faced but not occupied. Note that the otherwise helpful 9 is shaded because it hosts the month san sha, meaning Do Not Disturb. For now.
Monkeys are revolting…
Monkey years are years of revolution but in a Snake Year the Monkey opens up – this month especially: technically they combine with the Snake to make Water which may amount to the kind of frankness neither generally offers readily. At best uncomfortable for us all, though not necessarily for the Monkey at its epicentre. That’s the tone of the month and the likely lot of the Monkey herself – along with the Fire Penalty (see above) -though they will probably enjoy the 15th August in a constructive kind of way.
Roosters: your Yin Metal is overshadowed by the Yang of the Monkey, not a month to waste time on subtlety. Romantically things could get complicated. You could find a long term prospect while on the lookout for a fling. Set rules of engagement (if you really mean them) early. The 15th may test your resolve but it’s probably worth it.
The Dog values peace and quiet. A Monkey month can easily pass you by without incident but there could be some disturbance on the 21st as well as some magical days coming, The 2nd September may surprise you – hopefully in a good way.
Mixed month for Pig: outrageous good fortune possible on the 30th August and the 3rd September and throughout for the Wood Pig (of 1995). Most Pigs likely be challenged on the 22nd though that will be mostly unforced error.
Remember you have at least four Animals to consider in your own Ba Zi chart (one each for Hour, Day and Month of birth as well as Year) and that it is as unlikely that they’re all suffering this Month as that all are making hay. Each Animal illuminates a particular aspect of life. To know this about yourself may be timely. My Annual Animal Fortunes are always on the website. More detail about this month in the Podcast.
Rat: the fiercest opposition from Horse and harm from Sheep now both over. A time to chill and strategise. Aim to confer with Dragons. The 15th will suit your various – largely confidential – purposes. Much to discuss. Fill your boots and emerge smarter.
Ox and Monkey have the precision of Metal in common. This is a time for planning especially if you have a Rat to delegate to. You may feel let out on the 18th when some options may be opposed. The 4th September may turn the tables though probably at arm’s length.
You Tigers are directly opposed by the Monkey of course so best to seek circuitous routes rather than challenge roadblocks. Though Wood and Fire Tigers may find things going their way against the run of play on the 13th and 25th respectively. Care with travel. Best stay off the roads especially on Tiger Days. There are some remarkably helpful days for some Tigers, principally the Fire variety of 1986.
The Yin Wood of the Rabbit may find the unforgiving certainty of the Monkey baffling but there are creative breaks on the 18th and especially the 30th. It’s a time to open up to the creative possibilities of challenges you may have ducked to date.
Dragons are more relaxed during a Monkey month but it is in the nature of the Dragon to want even leisure time to feel constructive and educational. Don’t force it. You enter the month on the Remove Day 7th August when you can make some space to grow into and though the generally positive 15th may crowd you, the 31st probably won’t.
Snake: It’s still your year and the Monkey remains your closest ally. Get organised and streamlined on the 7th August and consolidate on the 31st. Meanwhile give yourself a break. Cogs are whirring helpfully while you sit things out. Caution on Tiger Days.
Horses may be especially competitive on the 17th but not assured of success until the 18th or even the 30th; it’s important to detach from the outcome.
Sheep especially the Metal Sheep of 1991 will find congenial company. Could be more exciting than that sounds. The month is full of introductions and invitations. Accept as often as possible. The 30th is especially uplifting. Take no risks on the 2nd September.
2026: another year, another pattern, some places become more helpful, some less so; some magical, some best avoided. The North East sheds the powerful influence of the wu huang or Five Yellow and Pigs are no longer “clashed” by the Snake ruling the year. Buildings facing either South or North become especially problematic.
This new Horse Year of 2026 will tend to favour Tiger, Dog and Sheep but there’s a bit more to it than that of course. The so-called “self clash” may for instance slow your average Horse down. Rats and Oxen will need to work harder than usual.
And certain locations will as ever be better than others. There are things to be done about this of course and you can be the first to know about them. Four Animals rule your Ba Zi or Chinese Horoscope – one each for your Hour, Month and Day as well as your Year. You need to know about all four as it is as unlikely that they are all blessed this year as that they are all cursed. The same applies to the sectors of your space.
We’ll be looking at what the annual Chinese Almanac or T’ung Shu has to say and I’ll add my own personal takes about what we can do to exploit or mitigate.
We’ll also examine the outlook for the next two years, melodramatically dubbed “Crimson Horse” and “Blood Goat”* by Chinese Masters. Not that most of us need reminding that the world is in a bit of a state which doesn’t look like getting better any time soon. Most of the Chinese authorities expect Donald Trump – for better or for worse – to be active for another two years yet and some are exercised by the total eclipse due in August 2027, the Year of the Blood Goat. I will with your permission tell you what I make of it.
Godalming, nestling in the Surrey Hills is a pretty civilised location for a get-together and the in-person workshop tends to be a social catch-up as well as a learning experience. The Zoom version may be less convivial but it’s equally enlightening. Join us.
* FYI: 9 (or 11 depending on how you count) out of 42 (or 44) English Monarchs have died in one or other of these two years.
In this month’s Podcast which should be out about the same time as this bulletin, I discuss with the brilliant Zoe Vita James the changing qi of the Month, its likely implications for each Animal and what we may each do about it as well as the usual feng shui and ba zi chat. This month: restoring life to tired houses with a couple of ancient Chinese formulae.
As ever my monthly Yi Jing (that is Book of Changes) class (next one: Wednesday September 10th) examines the ramifications of the Hexagram of the Month: this time Wei Ji, Hexagram 64, Fire over Water: Not Yet Complete: placed at the end of the Book of Changes and preceded at 63 by Ji Ji Already Complete. Nothing is ever complete, life goes on. Highlights of these sessions appear on my YouTube Channel later in each month. You may not have the stamina for all sixty four Hexagrams but you can join us live via Zoom for a year via Sheilaashworthfengshui@gmail.com.
Helpful Days and not so Helpful:
Your Year Animal will tend to relate to parents, family and origins as well as the physical, the obvious and the immediate, the family you grew up with and/or hereditary traits and patterns; deep history, deep heritage & your public face. The Year Animal does a lot of heavy lifting, often the first to be affected by outside events.
I rate Favoured days with Stars from * (helpful) to ***** (take that leap) and Cautionary days from * (watch your step) to ***** (wrap up in a blanket & don’t stir).
Generally poor
Tuesday 12th August, Water Ox, Beak, Initiate (5) ***** frustrating
Hexagram 35 (Jin Daylight) kicks in for five days. Beak can bring doubt and suspicion. Avoid guesswork or casual “gut feels” unless tuned into the tao in which case it won’t be guesswork. Initiate implies that a certain novelty may be inevitable but unlikely to be received readily. Don’t start anything big or important today.
Activity: Stillness more helpful Favours: everyone and no one.
Potentially miraculous for some
Wednesday 13th August, Wood Tiger, Orion, Destruction (4) caution: picky
This Wood Tiger is of course quite perilous to Monkeys but it may be magical for certain other Animals. The tone is competitive, Orion can bring out a crude Yang, pushy and insensitive, and Destruction speaks for itself but there’s enchantment for some here. Best stay off the roads nonetheless. Activity: at the Rabbit, due East for space.
May be remarkably Fortunate: Wood(1974) Fire(1986) Tiger; Earth(1978) Horse; Wood(1994) Dog; Wood(1995) Pig.
This could be your Year, Month, Day or Hour.
Not much help
Wednesday 20th August, Metal Rooster, Carriage, Remove (6) ***** unwise movement
Metal Rooster is lured by shiny things. Don’t be. Today is shaky ground, a sizzle that leads not to a steak but a snake. Only Dragons gain – by sheer perversity.
Activity: South East – for wiser counsel.
Caution: Rabbit, Dog.
A Day to make good use of.
Tuesday 26th August, Fire Rabbit, Tail, Danger (9) **** opening.
Tail: serendipity; Danger: watch your step – unworthy motivation makes for low value outcomes but the converse is just as true. A day when respect, dignity and grace are rewarded.
Activity: at tai chi (geometric centre) for vision.
Favours: all but especially Pig, Rabbit, Sheep & Dog.
Note:
Every house is different but certain forces affect us all wherever we are. What follows identifies certain areas which are better served by those forces (or qi) this month & which worse. That applies to all enclosed spaces. What to do about it depends very much on the individual house where the energies will be individual and may qualify or contradict my suggestions. But…. wherever a wu huang 5 Star is located place a t’ang lung. And wherever there is a 7, exercise caution. Ask if in doubt.
Not Much Help
West, Intervention: Year Star: 4 Month Star: 7.
This is a difficult pairing: both yin and therefore not able to join fruitfully without help. 4 is inventive and 7 intrusive. Young women may fall out here, plans may be sabotaged; issues with throats and egos probable.
To make peace: add Water – for more communication and more responsibly expressed emotion.
Put simply: bristling.
A Following Wind
South West, Accumulation: Year Star: 8 Month Star: 2 Moon (Monkey)
Home of the Monkey so in particular focus this month. Also home to a Tin Yute Gwai Yan, Nobleman Helper (place Water at the Monkey SW3 around 240º WSW), the 8:2 confluence (also a transformational perfect 10) of Yin and Yang Earth makes this a place to employ creatively for quiet contemplation.
To make use: simply locate.
Put simply: helpful all year.
Note: Directions are from the tai chi (ie heart of the property).
Richard Ashworth is one of the most respected Western Feng Shui Masters. A good taster of his approach may be found on Audible . You can also see him at work on tv’s Housebusters Most Thursdays and Fridays he is to be found teaching both feng shui and ba zi one-to-one online (times by mutual arrangement) with students from Seattle to Belgium,
Richard has worked from Lebanon to Bermuda, in Kuala Lumpur and Singapore and with stars such as Naomie Harris, Kelly Hoppen and Gillian Anderson. Unusually for a Western Master, he has addressed the Grand Masters at the International Feng Shui Conference in Singapore.
Every month we send (at a modest fee) retainer clients a more comprehensive monthly bulletin than this one, covering in detail right places to be (and when) as well as the most helpful days Animal by Animal and much more from the Chinese calendar.
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