The Power of the Snake: what’s happening this month

*I am now listing the Hexagram corresponding to the particular month in question rather than the generic Tidal Gua. Put simply, Da Zhuang  corresponds specifically to an Earth Snake rather than to just any Snake.

Earth Snake: is about playing the system. It’s about, as they say, using what you’ve got to get what you want. It’s about pragmatism and playing the system, the justification of the means by the end. Many would say that the means actually define the end of course. Karmically there are no free tickets. And indeed last month’s Hexagram Li Stepping, outlined that principle. The way we win becomes the way we treat victory.

The last Earth Snake Year was 1989, when the Berlin wall came down, before that the Wall Street Crash. Also the birth year of some of the most powerful people on Earth. Perhaps you’ve noticed that those (mostly women*) born 1987-1994 are the ones now beginning to shape it.

The change the Snake brings is liable to be lasting. This month is not as turbulent as last month’s double Dragon, it’s the aftermath. As the Book of Changes says “The only inevitable outcome of violence is further violence.” On the level of our daily lives that violence may be subtle or out of our direct experience just as the purchaser of products from certain ethics-free manufacturers are not actually slaughtering orang-utans or displacing native peoples themselves. On another level you’d have to be living under a flat stone not to notice that the world is in trouble. Some temporary solutions may emerge this month.

A 2 lo shu month honours the Mother. This month’s concerns for better or worse, centre on relationship. Since it’s a Snake month, the heart of it will be truth, frankness and honesty. The short cut of the white lie and the delayed explosion of the important omission are key aspects of this. Typically new age practitioners like myself are sought out to solve the problems of money, health and relationship. In that order. Which is probably the wrong way round. Everything comes down to relationship.

The Hexagram of the month (Da Zhuang: Great Strength) is about power, its uses and abuses and how a small compromise becomes in time a big one. Its structure, four unbroken yang lines topped by two yin, speaks of possible complacency, entitlement, an opportunity that needs to be grown into. These are the snares of the month. One theme is the pitfalls of hereditary power. And in Arthurian legend btw, the King is the land.
Richard Ashworth 2024 
* Search “The Squad: Congress” if you doubt me.

The Month of the Earth Snake, Animal by Animal:
These generic forecasts carry different nuance dependent upon whether this Animal rules your Year, Month, Day, Hour or Life House.

Snake (1941,53, 65, 77, 89; births in May*, 9-11am & on certain days#) As you know, truth is a gift and an opportunity not a burden.

Horse (1942, 54, 66, 78, 90; births in June*, around midday & on certain days#) You’re underpowered. So cruise.

Sheep (1943, 55, 67, 79, 91; births in July*, 1-3pm & on certain days#) Uncomfortable, much you rely in looks shaky. This too shall pass.

Monkey (1944, 56, 68, 80, 92; births in August*, 3-5pm & on certain days#) A month of free hits; place them appropriately. You are a champion.

Rooster (1945, 57, 69, 81, 93; births in September*, 5-7pm & on certain days#) A month to receive advice and remain flexible.

Dog (1946, 58, 70, 82, 94; births in October*, 7-9pm & on certain days#) Less blocked than last month. Flex.

Pig (1947, 59, 71, 83, 95; births in November*, 9-11pm & on certain days#) Every false step is opposed. Think of it as a gift.

Rat (1948, 60, 72, 84, 96; births in December* 11pm-1am & on certain days#). You’re probably miscast, likely unrecognised. Milk it for learning.

Ox (1949, 61, 73, 85, 97; births in January*, 1-3am & on certain days#) You’re sticking on exactly the right points. Trust.

Tiger (1950, 62, 74, 86, 98; births in February*, 3-5am & on certain days#) Resentment is the distraction. Act positively for the right reasons. No compromise.

Rabbit (1951, 63, 75, 87, 99; births in March*, 5-7am & on certain days#) Easiest month so far. Examine principles and reject those that aren’t.

Dragon (1952, 64, 76, 88, 2000; births in April* 7-9am & on certain days#) students approach; prepare the curriculum.
* Chinese Solar Months start later than European ones.
#You’ll need help or a Chinese Calendar for this.

Favourable & Unfavourable Times & Places this month
 
Times 
A Favourable Day
Sunday 12^th May, Fire Rat, Void, Danger (7) *** very productive
Overrun with conflicting ideas that need to be put into some sort of priority order. To turn this confusion into action and opportunity, breathe and chill awhile first perhaps. Long term outcomes look very positive.
Favours: Monkey Rat, Dragon, Ox.
Activity: Monkey around 240º SW3/WSW for the practical.

Not so Great
Sunday 19^th May, Water Sheep, Pleiades, Full (5) ***** influential
Dark and wet, today bodes little that’s helpful. Tide is turning but it’s not easy to see the movement. Wrap up warm, seek the home fires. Not for big decisions or big opinions, especially if the wind changes.
Activity: not today.

Places 
A Favourable Location
South East, Determination: Year Star: 2 Month Star: 1 Tai sui (Dragon); Sun (Snake SE3).
2:1 In this direction is the tai sui, the most powerful force of the year. Don’t face this way. Locating here with these two contemplative stars present however may be helpful to teachers and leaders. Those born on a Yang Wood jia day might profitably settle at SE3 (around 150º SSE) especially on the 15^th May; those born on a quai day settle at SE1 (around 125º ESE) on the 14^th.
Intervene: Water & Wood: well cared-for plants are helpful here all year.

Not so Great
South, Bright Future: Year Star: 7 Month Star: 6 Annual & Monthly san sha,
The South is delicate all year; 7 Star plus 6  is contentious and volatile in a sector that’s already compromised by the san sha of the Dragon Year. Duels of words and more. Occupy if that supports what you’re about. If you have to be here orient carefully (ie to your favourable directions)
Calm it down: Water: a glass jar of fresh Water changed daily. And talk (which is also Water, of course).

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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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www.imperialfengshui.info