Auspicious Dates and Places for the month of the Wood Rooster 2025

My next book I Talk to the Animals (click to read a chunk) cover by the wonderful Ellie Spinelli (above) is out mid-October. If you are tempted, please pre-order on October 3^rd which is an especially fortuitous date.  Earlier is fine of course. Also on ebook.

A 4 month                                is about curiosity, invention and the Yin
A Rooster Month                    concerns display.
Where not to be this month:  North West or East (& NE all year)
Where to be this month:        North, South, South West
Favoured Animals:                  Monkey, Dragon, Rat, Snake
Especially challenged:            Rabbit, Dog, Rooster herself.
The Hexagram:                       6 Song Dispute, Heaven over Water.

Bird of Pray: this Wood Rooster Month.

Well the world hasn’t ended but these remain perilous times.

We start the month with a total lunar eclipse: literally today, almost precisely as the month changes. The word used for eclipse in the Book of Changes also means “regret” and as a general rule it’s reckoned best to be indoors at such times, whether we simply fear a moon through glass or recognise some sort of comprehensive blocking or opposition. A lunar eclipse implies an obstacle to the Yin; solar perhaps to the Yang. And the fact that eclipse and fresh solar month coincide may be a metaphor for a very stuck world. It may be that there are more people today – certainly in terms of sheer numbers – on a conscious spiritual path than ever before but it’s equally clear that the legions of cynicism are massing.

The Month Hexagram expresses it best, I think: Song (Dispute) Number Six, is about conflict resolution. All the world’s disagreements may not settle this month but the Wood Rooster does offer band aid. After a time of unprecedented turbulence, peace is beckoning in the distance. You may notice the world exhaling in relief and perhaps the greater tensions in our own lives slackening up for a little while. This applies equally to domestics, party divides, office politics and much more.

That Hexagram Song (Heaven over Water) speaks of positive movement – perhaps in Gaza, perhaps Ukraine or Sudan or simply in our own homes and work spaces – at the beginning of the month and again around the 22^nd as the changing lines indicate. Long held misunderstandings may clarify as the Sun and Moon unclinch and light returns.

Song offers guidance to settling differences. In our own lives, as in the world, paths to settled co-existence emerge. Each line of the Hexagram represents one such path. Broadly it’s suggesting that there are (as you might expect) six basic approaches to chronic disagreement, one per line: total submission either way round, mutual compromise, force, or gracious concession either way round. Only this last solution conforms to the middle path and only this solution makes for lasting peace in war zone, Parliament, Congress, office, kitchen or bedroom.

Elementally the inherent Metal of the Rooster whittles the Wood. Song suggests the different shapes this may take: Peace following a long struggle as in the Wood Rooster Year 1945 is one possibility. Relentless force unable to slow its own momentum as in Iraq in 2005 is another. Both Wood Rooster years. Never backing down, as immortalised in song by Jon Bon Jiovi, Tom Petty and many others, appears to be the American way. But winning by force only extends conflict. As the Book of Changes again says: “the only inevitable outcome of violence is futher violence.” We might consider this as bosses, parents, generals or other kinds of player.

Not everyone is a history nerd like me but you might examine Rooster Years1645 (in England), 1705 (in Europe) or 1765 in Tibet or Ukraine for alternatives.

A month of course is shorter than a year and the monthly lo shu (that is magic square) 4 represents among many things, the Eldest Daughter and the independent woman. One aspect of this cameo appearance may be a freeing up of women’s various rights, principally the reproductive, a liberating process that has gone three steps forward and two back over the last sixty years or so. 4 holds aspects both of the Yin Metal of ingenuity and the Yin Wood of the First Daughter: “gentle and thorough but ultimately adamant” as the Book of Changes puts it. The Yin continues to push back.

Next – in October – we welcome the Fire Dog, the totem that has ruled both three of the last four presidents and the years since 1946 when the tone of the postwar dispensation was set. Fireworks around the 18^th, I imagine.

November/December: the Chinese guys are pretty downbeat about 2026 and 2027, do join us as we take our own view of those years at my Fire Horse Workshops later in the year. Do read a sample of the book here and if that whets your appetite do pre-order the book on the 3^rd October. That’s a good date but anytime from now will of course do fine.
Richard Ashworth ©2025

 The Lo Shu or Magic Square for the Wood Rooster Month 2025

 S
 3      8       1
 2      4       6
 7      9       5

The kua at the heart of this month’s lo shu (above) is the creative 4, Yin Wood representing the Eldest Daughter, and by extension career women. Note that the 2 in the East is shaded because it hosts the month san sha, meaning Do Not Disturb. For now. As you can see, steering clear of the North East and North West is wise as is spending more time in the North and South West of your space – indeed that space could be cities or continents wide.

This Wood Rooster Month – Winners and losers.

                                         
Roosters are about display…
Roosters: competitive. The 20^th may be when you win but it’s likely to be a month of unforced errors. Look ahead to any sticky moments and prepare. Aim to be a single, consistent voice regardless of the agreement.  One weakness may be a short attention span.

In the Rooster Month of a Snake Year the Dog just kind of gets on with it, other than the Metal and Water Dogs of 1970 and 1982 respectively,  who can expect more opportunities than usual. Dogs generally may be more eloquent and creative than of late as the Fire of the Snake boosts the Metal within you. The 10^th is especially hopeful but the 2^nd October possibly not. Think ahead.
Pigs are challenged all year which is not necessarily all bad: it means for instance that male (& some gay female) Pigs may find true love. So stay open. As the Rooster is all about display, now might be the time for a make-over. On the 18^th a new image may be especially alluring. Wood Pig (of 1995) especially favoured that day.

Rat: back to work after a very creative period which may on the face of it have been leisurely but will prove to have been powerfully recreational. As the hurly burly returns trust decisions you made when you were relaxed and clear. The 20^th brings the fruits of a broader perspective.  Seek Monkeys & Dragons in order to get things done.
Ox and Rooster form a team with the Snak: a, triple boost whose nature is Metal, that is precise but potentially unforgiving. All month Earth(1948) and Metal(1960) Ox may be rewarded for diligence and Oxen generally can expect a clear run over the weekend of the 27^th-28^th. Attend to spiritual chores while the force is with you.
You Tigers may find Rooster energy subtly confrontational especially during the first ten days (7^th-16^th). Best remember who is doing it. Snake demands, Rooster attacks – ultimately these are issues of truth and forgiveness. The 10^th and 18^th allow you to expand – horizons, living or working space, influence. Time to grow into it.
The Yin Wood of the Rabbit is directly opposed by the Rooster – which has both an up- and down side: your plans may be frustrated but the challenge could bring out your best. Diplomacy works and there are some deep and positive relationship shifts due especially for the Wood Rabbit of 1975. The 27^th is the day to push the boat out, the 13^th isn’t.
Dragons tend to get a free ticket in a Rooster month. You can safely take certain types of risk as the odds are with you, on for instance the 12^th and the 24^th. It’s a powerful month for most Dragons but the Water (1952) and Metal (1940/2000) Dragon particularly: you are approaching peak, be ready to make hay.
Snake: Your former skin is shed, get comfortable in the new one. Who you are and how others receive you is your choice. Choose the skin you want now when there is every chance of self re-invention. You may have to wait until the 3^rd October for the biggest breaks but it’s likely to be worth it. Prepare now. Wood(1965) and Earth(1989) Snakes will be quite transformed by month’s end.
Horses are best advised to seek peace, quiet and seclusion in a month that may feel quite exhausting. Remember that exhaustion is generally a function of lack of direction and take time out to re-orient if necessary. The 11^th is the best day for anything drastic.
Sheep especially the Metal Sheep (1991) and the Earth Sheep of 1979 are offered plenty of opportunity now. Other Sheep may lose their grip on certain types pf connection. This whole year is about self-sufficiency for you and this month it’s that in spades. Aim to see it for the opportunity for growth and fresh horizons that it is, in contrast with last month’s whirl. The 30^th is especially uplifting. Take no risks on the 17^th.
Monkey In a Rooster Month Monkey may feel overshadowed, your subtlety may be mistaken for misunderstanding. Seek partner Dragons who are more comfortable around the Rooster. This could be a lonely month if you try to compete inappropriately. The 20^th is probably your day.

The Crimson Horse:
a Workshop looking ahead at 2026
with Richard Ashworth
live and via Zoom.

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: addressing loss of Water and wealth, Zoe’s office and bedroom makeover, settling Reggie the Dog in and more.

The Hexagram from the Book of Changes: Wood Rooster Month 2025

As ever my monthly Yi Jing (that is Book of Changes) class (next one: Wednesday September 10^th) examines the ramifications of the Hexagram of the Month: this time Song Hexagram 6, Heaven over Water: Dispute: the route to concord. Broadly it’s suggesting that there are (as you might expect) six basic approaches to chronic disagreement, one per line: total submission either way round, mutual compromise, force, or gracious concession either way round. Only the last solution conforms to the middle path.
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.

Generally poor
Tuesday 9^th September, Metal Snake, Beak, Success (4) *** compromise
It’s the Snake’s year of course but Metal Snake can prove deceptive and a Beak Day often raises issue of trust so Success may require flexibility and concession.
Activity: at the Rooster (due West) for concentration.
Favours: no one much.

Potentially miraculous for some
Sat 13^th Sept, Wood Rooster, Willow, Establish (9) *** caution: picky
The (double – Day & Month) Wood Rooster is internally conflicted andWillow speaks of quiet reflection being the most productive activity while Establish is about setting up shop. But there are special Stars here:
May be remarkably Fortunate for: Metal(1940/2000) Water(1952) Dragon; Wood(1965), Earth(1989) Snake; Metal(1961 Ox. Worth taking risks.
Activity: South East where Dragon and Snake may offer clarity. This could be your Year, Month, Day or Hour.

Not much help
Friday 19^th September, Metal Rabbit, Neck, Destruction (3) ***** sluggish
Very unhelpful and just when you’ve set up your stall. Destruction speaks for itself but Yuen, the lunar Mansion known as Neck speaks both of sudden halts and respect for tradition and culture. This last is your way through today.
Activity: At the Rabbit, due East to see the sunrise.
Caution: Dragon, Rooster.

A Day to make good use of.
Wed 24^th Sept, Fire Monkey, Basket, Closed (7) *** get on with it
Lunar Mansion Basket on a Fire Monkey Day is explosive and surprising, to all but the most prescient. Rapid change, mostly helpful but a Closed Day starts and finishes early.
Activity: immediate attention to Snake (SE3 around 154º SSE) may buy time.
Favours: all, especially Monkey, Rat, Dragon, Snake.

 

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.

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.

Not Much Help
North West: Authority: Year Star: 3 Month Star: 5 Sui Po (Pig)
3 remains untimely so 3 and 5 mean something like sabotage and money loss for those of us who reside in a location with this combination. Most perilous for older men, Pigs and Dogs. If you are located here or your office faces this way, avoid risk for now. If you must place bets, make them each way.
To mitigate: place a t’ang lung. A little Metal may help – nothing pointy.
Put simply: down beat.

A Following Wind
South, Bright Future: Year Star: 6 Month Star: 8 Sun (Horse S2) Month san sha
1, 6, 8 together can mean windfalls which may be abstract or material; abundance means more than money. Sheep, Tiger and Dog are the most likely beneficiaries of an added 1 Water Star. Could be too much for Rat or Pig
Employ: add 1 in the form of a little Water (wide-brim glass jug, Water changed daily).
Put simply: for most, at worst neutral.
To make use: simply locate.
Put simply: helpful all year.

Note: Directions are from the tai chi (ie heart of the property)
Richard Ashworth ©2025

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