Auspicious Dates and Places for the (9th) month of the Fire Dog 2025
My new book I Talk to the Animals (click to read a chunk) cover by the wonderful Ellie Spinelli (above) is out this month. If you are tempted, please pre-order as it is apparently pre-orders that most influence the numbers of copies booksellers take. Also on ebook. Here I am talking about it with the fabulous Janine Lowe.
Auspicious Dates and Places for
the (9th) month of the Fire Dog 2025.
(10:19am 8th October to 13:40pm 7th November inclusive)
in the Year of the Wood Snake.
Public edition
A 3 month is about aspiration on some, usually many, levels.
A Dog Month is conservative with a small “c”.
Where not to be this month: South, West & North (& NE all year)
Where to be this month: East, South West
Favoured Animals: Tiger, Horse, Dog, Rabbit
Especially challenged: Dragon, Rooster.
The Hexagram: 52 Gen Standstill, Mountain over Mountain.
FYI: These free abbreviated bulletins also appear on my Substack Page. The full Auspicious Dates & Places which contains a whole lot more info goes (only) to paid subscribers. Contact Sheila for a free sample.
Ellie Spinelli’s witty illustration of a circus fire swallower and a highwire act is on the button: bread and circuses, the danger of letting others take risks on our behalf. We give her no brief other than the name of the pillar but a picture like this says a lot more at least as eloquently as my own words.
Donald Trump is a Fire Dog. And this is a Fire Dog Month. It’s hard to look at this month as anything other than his chance to make hay. A Nobel prize? I’ll have that. Martial Law? Quite possibly. Coronation probably not just yet.
It’s also a 3 Month – meaning that the aspirational Yang Wood 3 Star sets the tone. That energy is aggressive in a seeking-learning kind of way. This month suits the Eldest Son, young men finding their way, rites of passage. It fosters the ambition of Yang Wood which is to keep growing, to keep acquiring, to keep rising. It’s the energy of a puppy, strong and aspirational with a potentially chaotic edge. It’s kind of adolescent. Expect change but not peace. The unrestricted puppy becomes feral.
The Hexagram is Number 52, Gen sometimes called Standstill or Everything Stops. It consists of Mountain over Mountain. Mountain is Yang Earth, inert, inflexible. There could hardly be a more stubborn image. If both mountains have settled somewhere fruitful, it’s very helpful. If they’re simply Dogs in the manger, not so much. The lesson of Gen is that decisions must be made: not too early and not too late but made they must be. As the only constant is change, this month asks each of us to consider where we are stuck, where our lives are blocked like those two mountains, a double dose of stubbornness. Is it possible that they are in the right place already?
If not we may need to recognise the mountains in our own driveway. The ones we may have been manoeuvering around forever. We inhabit worlds of our own making.
Between the 17th and the 20th comes the Hidden Stem of Fire, a spark concealed in the Dog, way beyond the summer. Sometimes this spark represents a burning out, that things have flamed as brightly as they will and now must fall back. That is exacerbated during Fire years like this one and 2026. In 1929 and 2001 (both Snake Years) this meant market collapse. This time it may mean nothing but if there were to be a big shift this could be the time. A correction of all sorts is overdue. As ever these themes may be in your face and in your home as much as on the global stage.
And as you know by now, I’m sure, two of Trump’s last three predecessors – Bill Clinton and Dubya Bush – are Fire Dogs too, born in 1946, peaking in 1967, their 21st; for all three the draft-dodging year. This trio represents the global dispensation of the post-war years –culminating about now.
November/December: the Chinese guys are pretty downbeat about 2026 and 2027, join us as we take our own view of those years at my Fire Horse Workshops later in the year. There are two sessions: one live and kicking in Godalming, nestling in the heart of the Surrey Hills – all day on Saturday the 29th November and then via Zoom for you guys in Oz, South East Asia, the US and elsewhere from 3pm GMT on Saturday 6th December. You’ll need to be familiar with the Stems and Branches to get full value and given sufficient demand, I’m happy to offer a free one-hour Zoom refresher in the week beginning 24th November. Hope that helps. Let us know.
Dogs are capable of being both restless and inert, sometimes simultaneously. The trapeze artist of this Month is in a risky position but isn’t looking down. These are risky times and you’re in charge for now. Dogs generally may be more eloquent and creative than of late as the Fire of the Snake continues to boost the Metal within you. The 16th is hopeful but the 9th possibly not. Think ahead.
The Pig is gip sat to the Dog, that is a thorn in their side. Pigs can be mischievous as you know, just don’t cross that line this month while the Dog is in the ascendant. And this month it’s the turn of female (& some gay male) Pigs to find true love. Best chance of that perhaps 17th or 24th. Stay home the evening of the 21st though.
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: Dog times tend to push you out of your comfort zone. Be very careful with the words you say, especially when under pressure. Less is more. And more persuasive actually. You can fill your boots on the 22nd when your tongue is especially silver.
Ox and Dog are often uncomfortable in each other’s presence but you may encounter practical magic in the Dragon Hour (7-9am) of the Sheep Days the 17th and 29th .
Tigers generate Fire at Dog Times which may make you feel pretty creative. Could be run off your feet at work. To make that creativity really count make good use of the Pig day the 22nd. Take cover on the 18th.
The Rabbit is hot right now too. That means busy but frisky too. This is a time when friendship with your secret friend the Dog can go as deep as suits you. The 25th is the day for a date, the 19th probably isn’t. Or the 31st. Except for gay females. That’s Yin Metal for you.
Dragons and Dogs are at odds – on the clock, calendar and compass they are diametrically opposed. This month however you might learn mutual tolerance on the 4th November especially mid-afternoon. This is the time of the Four Earths, one of the most powerful combinations in the Chinese Zodiac, when projects that require many ducks in a row may see them all land at once. Otherwise extreme caution between the 16th and especially the Dog Day the 20th when the Yin Fire Hidden Stem hits. Cash may be king.
Snake: Proxy fights in this year of proxy fights. Your nemesis the Pig is Gip Sat – ie bringer at best of delay to the Dog, so you might if not actually ally with a pig, at least follow them closely this month. If at no other time, you’re likely to get an even break on the 4th November
Horses may exceed their brief with all this unseasonal Fire around. Don’t get carried away or you might get carried away. The weekend of the 28th looks restful, best used to let the Tao catch you up.
Sheep and dog are technically a “break-up”. Could be literal or metaphorical. But if you know that a split – professional, domestic, commercial – is coming, now might be the time to take charge. Highest risk obviously enough on Dog Days (20th Oct, 1st Nov)
Monkey has little respect for the Dog their neighbour on clock, compass and calendar. The 22nd is probably your day and the 30th but best get serious and sober on the 12th.
Roosters: sleepy. The Dog’s inert Yang Earth may not move your Yin Metal this time. Special caution on the 13th and between the 16th and 20th when the capricious Hidden Stem strikes.
The Lo Shu or Magic Square for the Fire Dog Month 2025
2 7 9
1 3 5
6 8 4
The kua at the heart of this month’s lo shu (above) is the aspirational 3, Yang Wood representing the Eldest Son, and by extension a certain Yang vigour. Note that the 8 in the North is shaded because it is in the perch of the san sha or Three Killings – meaning Do Not Disturb. For now. So not settling in the North or West (5) or the South (7) in October is wise as is spending more time in the East and South West of your space. And of course the North East is not much help all year. Fiddlier than most months, I’ll be juggling these locations myself. I hope you can too.
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: we’re talking about perfect timing, how Taylor Swift may choose release dates, the continuing saga of Zoe’s office and bedroom makeover, the shaky state of the world as it appears from a feng shui perspective, the explosive Hidden Stem of the 3rd week in October, Reggie the feng shui Dog and lots more. Join us.
As ever my monthly Yi Jing (that is Book of Changes) class (next one: Wednesday November 12th) examines the ramifications of the Hexagram of the Month: this time Gen Hexagram 52, Mountain over Mountain: Everything Stops. Broadly it suggests that recent action may have blocked the way forward and offers some solutions. This may indicate events locally, domestically, professionally and/or globally. 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.
Times & Places Fire Dog Month:
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.
Your Month Animal relates to career or business as well as education, peers, siblings, exes and the work environment; shallower history, shallower heritage.
Your Day Animal represents you personally and your significant other. You may need a Chinese Calendar or professional advice to establish your Day Animal.
Your Hour Animal represents your deepest dreams, your children and the future. Which for many of us are pretty much the same thing.
Your Life House represents the voice that calls to you. It may be summoning you to your true calling but it may be no such thing. That’s a decision for you to make.
A Helpful Day
Thursday 16th October, Earth Horse, Horn, Success (3) ***** gains all round
Approaching breakthrough. Fine day to place long term Water. Overthinking could bog the best of us down but the auspices are good for setting out and completing successfully.
Activity: at the Sheep (SW1 around 205º SSW) for welcome company.
Favours: all especially Tigers, Dogs and Sheep.
Not so Much
Saturday 18th October, Metal Monkey, Foundation, Open (1) *** slow.
Typically a day of technical glitches, so avoid printers and photocopiers. For mechanics rather than poets. But start early and watch for a break just the same. Tasks are best started and completed inside this one day.
Activity: at the Rooster (due West) for agreement. Caution: Tiger, Pig.
About Remove Days: unusually four Remove Days this Dog month, You’ll have to start early on the October 8th as the qi changes with the new month. One other (the 9th) is pretty vanilla and the 21st is very unfavourable but November 2nd is a splendid opportunity to divest. As you know Remove days are for clearing clutter (and more) but vary in quality. This means that you could make important and lasting mistakes on an unhelpful one. Best not to.
Helpful
Wednesday 22nd October, Wood Rat, Basket, Full (6) **** fruitful.
New Moon: 06:25am. (get crystals to attract – eg rose quartz – out),
Inspiration and fresh beginnings. Basket may mean there’s advantage and possible windfalls if you’re paying attention. How you respond (rather than react) may influence the next few days. Favours turning the spoken word into the written
Favours: Monkey, Rat, Dragon, Ox, constructive & strategic discussion
Activity: the tai chi for authority.
Not so Much
Friday 31st October, Water Rooster, Mound, Closed (6) **
Probably for clearing up behind you – literally and otherwise. You may be regretting something you said. If you’re not maybe you should be. Mound often pertains to the physical side of relationship; Closed to excluding or (feeling like you’re) being excluded.
Activity: look West – at least briefly
Favours: nobody much Caution: Rabbit, Rat and Dog.
For guidance:
Fire: upwards motion, bright light, arrangements of 9; pointy, triangular, pyramidal shapes.
Earth: stillness, crystal, stone, quiet, arrangements of 2 or 8 flat, level shapes
Metal: circular motion, music, arrangements of 6 or 7, circular & globe shapes.
Water: random motion, chatter, emotion, arrangements of 1, shapeless.
Wood: constant motion, plants, arrangements of 3 & 4, upright, columnar shapes.
A Helpful Location
South West, Accumulation: Year Star: 8 Month Star: 9 Moon (Monkey)
The South West is all about relationship, nurture and organic change. Derek Walters once told me that it was therefore the best place for a toilet. Not a happy metaphor though. 9 and 8 together can make for attention and the 9 will tend to magnify the accumulating quality of the 8– no longer the Fate Star but still helpful. Apply these aspects to the mothering energy here and you have an idea of how this sector may feel.
To make use: add Fire – eg bright light
Put simply: helpful one way or another, all year.
Not so Much
West, Intervention: Year Star: 4 Month Star:5.
Sabotage looms for younger women when the 5 drifts in. This is the direction to face from time to pick up on the power of the 5 which is not so much mean as reckless. The 5 has no Trigram, no stake, no investment. Rascals are for Love Island not real life. 4 is also the quality of curiosity, invention and the seeking of novelty – probably not safe here this month.
For security: add a t’ang lung totem. We usually have some of these.
Put simply: trouble.
A word about Water placement: An unusual three acceptable days to place long term Water this month: the 16th and 28th October and the 3rd November. An external Water Dragon – sentimental (that is living) Water – not bubbling and not stagnant – may as you
probably realise by now, be the most powerful feng shui boost possible. Use wisely. Best
seek professional help placing and timing. You have my email.
Richard Ashworth©
www.imperialfengshui.info
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.
Subscriptions (and further info): Sheilaashworthfengshui@gmail.com
Richard Ashworth©
www.imperialfengshui.info © 2025
art by @elliespinelli ©