Auspicious Dates and Places forthe (7th) month of the Fire Monkey 2026.
With Richard Ashworth.
This rapid Zoom workshop outlines the basics of Personalised Ze Ri Xue, that is Date Selection. It’s just four hours long with tea break, is almost entirely intuitive and extremely inexpensive. All that and it leads onto the deeper methods of my Advanced Date Selection Courses.
19th September 2-4pm (BST) £150
Details etc: Sheilaashworthfengshui@gmail.com
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I Talk to the Animals a definitive guide to the Four Pillars of Destiny.
the (7th) month of the Fire Monkey 2026.
(20:41pm 7th August to 00:04am 8th September inclusive)
in the Year of the Fire Horse.
Public edition
A 2 month tends to emphasise the various qualities of relationship.
A Monkey Month is essentially recreational
Where not to be this month: North East, North (& South all year)
Where to be this month: East, South East
Favoured Animals: Monkey, Rat, Dragon, Snake
Especially challenged: Tiger, Pig
FYI: We’re revamping how we put this info out; over time we will be moving my writing across to Substack. Bulletins and editorial will remain free and you will be able to subscribe to the Auspicious Dates bulletin which includes guides for every day of the month and all nine locations. For a sample contact: sheilaashworthfengshui@gmail.com
Date Selection tip: Caution – road rage. On any Tiger Day in the Monkey Month (8th, 20th August; 1st September), especially if it’s hot, especially if there is a Tiger in your ba zi, best stay off the roads.
Hungry Ghosts tip: this is their month. Traditional advice is to avoid the margins of large bodies of water. So read your beach fiction away from the beach. Avoid also woods and forests. Bang goes that tree hugging holiday. But remember whatever Chinese superstition may encourage, that these ghosts are as likely to be alive as dead. You may encounter as many insatiable spirits at Davos in the spring as on Monte Carlo’s beaches right now. Stay clear. Above all don’t become one.
Hexagram tip: this month’s Hexagram is Number 40 Jie Deliverance sometimes called the Loosening. It suggests we may have reached peak stupidity in world affairs. The four Horsemen of the Apocalypse are as I hinted last month making way for the fifth. Which is of course a world in physical flames. Certain geniuses have advised becoming at ease with 30+ degree summers and to let go of net zero. They have not mastered the essential principle of weather which is that it is dynamic. These extremes may just be the beginning. We will of course be looking at Deliverance in my monthly class.
Location tip: More on this elsewhere but the East and South East of your space are likely to be more helpful than last month. If you need more Wood – flexibility, creativity, a fresh start – these locations are where to be. Both locations are of the Wood Element and represent different aspects of youth. Replenish, refresh, refuel here. North (about verbal misunderstandings) and North East (beginnings and endings) not so welcoming.
Timing tip: Two great days for placing Water: the 10th August and 5th September, there are no helpful Remove Days but some especially fortunate ones for certain Animals (see below) on the 12th, 13th, 15th, 20th, 23rd, 24th and 30th. These days were identified using a formula called fu mu gua – more on that in this month’s podcast.
Football of course hasn’t come. Yet. Perhaps the Lionesses will balance the books.
Richard Ashworth © 2026
My monthly Yi Jing (that is Book of Changes) class
On Wednesday August 12th we examine the ramifications of the Hexagram for this Fire Monkey Month: Jie Hexagram 40, Thunder over Water: Deliverance which speaks of the moment beyond peak danger: out of the white water but not yet safe upon the shore.
You can visit the highlights of this and every monthly session (Next one: Wednesday September 9th) on my YouTube Channel. You may not have the stamina for all sixty four Hexagrams but you can join us live via Zoom for a year by contacting: Sheilaashworthfengshui@gmail.com.
1 6 8
9 2 4
5 7 3
The kua central to this month’s lo shu (above) is 2, yin Earth, typically representing relationship, the Mother and organic change. At the heart of things for now is the quality that gives rise to pretty much everything else: how we relate to each other and the planet we have landed on. Hence this month is about connecting. The 5 wu huang or “Five Yellow” generally considered hazardous, has landed North East and won’t help. And I’ve shaded the South yellow so you know that the san sha or “Three Killings” is there. Steer clear of both unless you know exactly what you’re doing as well as the North (7). The South East (1) and East (9) are the locations to populate and activate.
This Fire Monkey Month – Winners and losers.
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 2026 Annual Animal Fortunes have been on the website since January. More detail about each Animal’s immediate future in my monthly Podcast.
The Monkey’s saving grace is humour: sometimes bitter, sometimes pointed, often the valve that releases tension. You’ll relish the 10th when you may leaven the Dragon’s intensity helpfully. But however tempted, don’t try it on the 18th. Your technical smarts will be in demand this month. Stay off the roads as far as you can.
The Rooster gets by during Monkey times, frivolity is not generally for you but knowledge of nuts and bolts is. The 10th finds you at your most charismatic; the 16th and 28th not so much. It’s a time to solve the most intricate puzzle.
Dogs can be quite dismissive of the Monkey. If you’re still in the ambient hurry mode of the Fire Horse, lighten up, it’s holiday time. On the 21st you come into your own: peace and quiet and the opportunity to reflect. You’ll enjoy greater perspective by the 5th of September. No hasty moves especially on the 22nd.
Pigs: technically a mutual harm with Monkey. It’s a time of proxy fights, be very clear whom your beef is with. The 13th suits you but avoid argument on the 23rd. You have no skin in that game.
The Rat teams up with Monkey & Dragon. Use the downtime to get a panoramic view of things. You may need an attentive ear, so think ahead as to where and when you may go deepest into thought, visualization and manifestation. Know who your team is. The 18th is frustrating but the 26th opens everything up. Don’t draw conclusions prematurely.
Ox: Like the Monkey, you hold the Metal of precision – and argument – deep within you. Insist on accuracy on the 30th rather than on the 12th. when you could be caught out. A time to go deep.
Tigers : direct opposition all month. Take time out, take care of eyes and skin. You can back yourself on the 12th but avoid disputes about detail or fine print on and following the 14th. Fresh start September 5th. If you must drive, do it calmly and consciously.
Rabbits are generally uneasy with the Metal of the next two months. You may be disappointed once or twice, so set a low bar, particularly on the 15th when you must discard nothing. Not your most comfortable time, with ingratitude likely on the 18th and 27th but a lucky break or two should follow on the 2nd and 6th September.
Dragons with their usual reserve are amused by the Monkey. Let loose and celebrate on the 26th and 30th. The next two months may see massive positive change. Be ready.
The Snake may miss the heat as things – not just weather – cool down. Remind yourself of what really matters to you. And back it. Let go, value what’s valuable and trust. These objectives are strongly supported on the 21st and 26th. Open to them.
Horses (typically) are cooling (& slowing) down now. Be alert to deception on the 9th but your word is law on and around the 12th. Avoid being critical.
The Sheep understands her neighbour the Monkey and tolerates the tricks that this month habitually brings. Have your attention out and keep things in proportion when you are tempted not to. Your best days include the 13th when you are at the steering wheel; worse ones the 7th and the 31st when you are very much not.
Podcast: Feng Shui, the Real Thing
In this month’s Podcast out the 2nd week in August latest, the brilliant Zoe Vita James and I talk about how feng shui can get stubborn houses sold and cleared of stale energy; preparing for new neighbours, chilling in the Monkey Month and Reggie the dog’s swimming lesson plus the likely implications for each Animal and what we may each do about it.
How do I know which affect me in particular?
To find out if you’re especially favoured (or not) notice that your ba zi consists of Five Animals, one each for the Year, Month, Day & Hour of your birth plus a Life House. When any one of these is name-checked below my comments apply to you, with different nuance of course depending on which Pillar the Animal indicated inhabits. The numbers in brackets indicate a year but each Pillar also corresponds to a Month Day or Hour. If baffled, do ask.
Your Year Animal will relate to parents, family and origins as well as the physical, the obvious and the immediate, the family you grew up with, hereditary traits and patterns; deep history, deep heritage & your public face.
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.
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).
Helpful
Monday 10th August, Fire Dragon, 4/1, Net, Success (2) ***** breakthrough
Fine to place well-positioned Water. Net with Success supports the achievement of pre-set goals. Fire Dragon may speak of confidential encounters and the need to choose what truly suits you, despite the various pressures. Excellent for careful placing of long-term Water.
Favours: Monkey; Rat, Rooster.
Caution: Dragon: not for over-reach
Activity: at tai chi (geometric centre) for true connection.
Not
Friday 14th August, Metal Monkey 7/1, Ghost, Establish (7) **** shifting, shifty
Hexagram Number 40 Jie Deliverance, (Thunder over Water) presides over the next five days. Shifting sands, sliding doors, a low-energy day that commits further days. Time out for learning may have become necessary.
Caution: all especially Tiger & Pig.
Activity: at Snake around 154º SE3/SSE to extract truth.
No favourites.
Picky
Thursday 20th August, Fire Tiger 2/4 Horn, Destruction (1) ***** mayhem
Licensed by the Year Horse at Fire Tiger times, some of us may jump queues, break agreements and more. Horn suggests this is just a beginning; Destruction is unsubtle but not plangent. Traffic may be dense, avoid crowded thoroughfares.
Activity: at the tai chi (geometric centre) for effective expression.
Special caution: Monkey, Snake keeping your word will help.
Favours against the odds: Fire(1986) Tiger, Fire(1966) Earth(1978) Metal(1990) Horse; Earth(1959) Pig.
Very Picky
Sunday 23rd August, Earth Snake 8/2, House, Receive (7) *** deep impact
Solar Fortnight Chu Shu Limit of Heat from 11:34am. Earth Snake (take the years 1929 & 1989) can be pretty momentous. If it is, this being the month of the Hungry Ghosts, the impact may be financial and not great except for a few lucky winners.
Activity: at the Rooster (due West) may sharpen awareness.
Those lucky winners: Earth(1989) Snake, Metal(1981) Rooster; Earth(1948) Ox, Fire(1956) Monkey, You may have to take action. That good fortune will be relevant to the appropriate Pillar (ie Day, Hour or Month as well as Year) in your ba zi.
Caution: Pig, Tiger: sshhh.
Poor
Monday 31st August, Fire Ox 4/7, Danger, Initiate (8) ***** unhelpful all round
Danger may be literal so take care and Initiate can take you way off-piste. Neither devotion nor extroversion are likely to help; loyalty may. Not for taking chances concerning future outcomes.
Activity: at Snake around 154º SE3/SSE for the best you can do.
Special Caution: Horse & Sheep.
What to do where, when & why in the 2 month of the Fire Monkey
2026 S
9 5 7
8 1 3
4 6 2
Aug S
1 6 8
9 2 4
5 7 3
Note:
Every house is different but certain forces affect us all wherever we are. What follows identifies which areas 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, triangles, pyramids.
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, the shapeless, still Water.
Wood: constant motion, plants, arrangements of 3 & 4, upright, columnar shapes.
Comforting
Tai chi, Home, the centre: Year Star: 1 Month Star: 2
The 2 is about relationship, connection and organic change, also protection, maintenance, comfort and retention. And the Mother – who embodies all of this.
Put simply: locating centrally may be especially comforting
Not Great
North East, Beginnings & Endings: Year Star:4 Month:5 Dragon Virtue (at Ox) wu huang
Not great here this month for most of us. Career women: expect blockages; also issues of circulation. Gentleness goes a long way. Good moment to take a holiday if your house faces (or backs onto) NE or you must otherwise occupy the NE sector.
Improve: place Water for 3-4 hours at NE1 on the 10th 12th and 26th.
Put simply: down tools here for now.
Note: Directions are from the tai chi (ie heart of the property)
Four Point Activation for 2026:
Four Point Activation for 2026:
The simultaneous 4-Point Activation of Dragon Virtue, Sun, Moon and Fortune Virtue at Ox (around 30˚ NE1), Sheep (around 205˚ SW1), Rooster (around 267˚ W2) and Rabbit (around 92˚ E2) respectively, is said to clear any major blockage.
Locations are from the tai chi.
The actual drill:
Put simultaneous attention on these four spots during the designated double hour, moving between them, making noise, cleaning, placing Water, working or whatever. The more energy expended the better. Outcome may relate to energy put in and quality of materials.
Important: Timing:
1. Activation is likely to be most effective on auspicious days. We identify these in the Monthly and Weekly bulletins available by subscription.
2. Equally important is to choose a month that is safe for your particular building; this involves the Great Sun calculation which given the orientation of your building, we can work out for you; it relates to the sitting (or rear) position and it’s a bit fiddly.
Dragon Virtue, burnishes & rescues reputation.
Sun, mends, restores, blesses.
Moon, helps things add up, organises, tcb.
Fortune Virtue, abundance star.
Locations are measured from the tai chi.
If in doubt, don’t do the Activation.
Next suitable Date: 05:00-07:00pm local time 10th August.
The locations:
Locations are measured from the tai chi.
Note: a sharp rap with a rubber hammer causes vibrations sufficient to move qi.
1. The Ox (NE1): (4)
Special Star: Dragon Virtue, burnishes & rescues reputation.
Activation: Tea light/candle alight for four hours.
2. The Sheep (SW1) (7)
Special Star: Sun, mends, restores, blesses.
Activation: A vase of Water for at least four hours – minimum 12” high,
Decent surface area i.e. not a coke bottle.
3. The Rooster (W2) (3)
Special Star: Moon, helps things add up, organises.
Activation: Tea light/candle alight for four hours.
4. The Rabbit (E2) (8)
Special Star: Fortune Virtue, abundance star.
Activation: A vase of Water for at least four hours – minimum 12” high,
Decent surface area i.e. not a coke bottle.
Richard Ashworth©
www.imperialfengshui.info © 2026
art by @elliespinelli ©
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@
Richard Ashworth©
www.imperialfengshui.info