We officially entered into the Year of the Yang Wood Dragon yesterday on February 4th at 4.29pm. This date is used in Chinese Astrology ( Bazi) and Feng Shui with the 4th/5th February marking the annual changeover from one Chinese Zodiac sign to the next.
This day signals the exact mid point between the December Solstice and March Equinox too. In the Northern Hemisphere this is known to Chinese people as Li Chun, the beginning of Spring. The worldwide Chinese Lunar New Year celebration however falls at the Aquarius New Moon, this year being on 9th or 10th February depending on where you live. In the realm of Chinese Metaphysics and particularly in time dimension Feng Shui, there is another majorly significant shift taking place as well. Yesterday we also officially transitioned into a new 20-year cycle called in Chinese Metaphysics Period 9 which is based on a calendar system that tracks the movement of planets relative to Earth. Each period lasts 20 years and it takes a total of 180 years to complete a cycle of all.The incoming new cycle brings an elemental shift from the Earth element of the last two decades (from February 2004 known as period 8) into the Fire element of this new Period 9. For me personally 2004 was a very significant year because my desire to study Feng Shui began then and there were other pivotal events occurring in my life that set me on a new course. Cast your mind back to what was happening in 2004 ( if you're old enough that is!) and see if there was anything that sets it apart for you. Period shifts usually signify change on a global level, the effects coming our way a few years before. The effects of this current changeover most noticeably began in 2020. SO what's this elemental shift about? The five elements used in Chinese Metaphysics ( Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal and Water) are actually different to how the four elements are regarded in Western Astrology- they connect in a far greater way to five categories of energy that all phenomena in the known Universe fall into, observed in all phases or interactions in nature in the way they support, weaken or clash with each other (e.g Water helps Wood or plants grow, or Wood fuels Fire). These five elements also link to temperaments of people, to colours, compass directions, countries or locations on the planet, organs in the body, emotional states and seasons- to name but a few.And their expression can be either Yin or Yang. The outgoing Period 8 had a dominant Earth influence which correlates to the Northeast direction (represented by a mountain), and to young entrepreneurial men, more conservative values, to Real Estate and construction industries ( also AirBnB!), also relating to the gut, cellular and bone health, steady accumulation of resources and the interchange of seasons around the times of the Equinoxes ( the balance points between Winter and Spring/ Summer and Autumn). The Period of 9 Fire element on the other hand correlates with the now rising influence of the South direction ( represented by fire), to middle aged or mature women- especially in positions of power- to entertainment, fast growing technology, visual or beauty industries, life coaching, spirituality, metaphysics and education, while relating to eye, heart and blood health and the season of Summer. I love the symbolism of the Phoenix, the mythical beast associated with South direction. Imagine us rising from the rubble, transitioning from old 3D stories of war, survival of the fittest and fight or flight to a more collaborative,harmonious , de-centralised 5D model of reality where compassion and humanity dominate instead ! This period is likely to encompass volatility and uncertainty however as the Fire element is not as stable as Earth and we are living in live in exponentially accelerated times of growth . Key topics in this new era ( many of which have been on the rise since 2020) include an increased collective focus on physical, emotional and mental health. Key themes for the Fire element are freedom and innovation. So advancements in tech, digitisation, financial management, holistic healing approaches, agriculture and aesthetics are all part of the innovation shift in trends. A.I and robotics, whether we like it or not, are at the fore front of many of the changes we will see. From a Feng Shui perspective this transition invites us to reevaluate our living spaces and align them with positive energies that support our goals and aspirations. This involves looking at a building's surrounding landforms -as well as it's unique blueprint- to see how well it "complies" with the Period 9 energy change, but this is beyond the scope of this post. A Feng Shui assessment by a professional consultant ( such as myself) may be useful- not just for the short term annual 2024 energies but also for the next two decades. This is especially useful if you are planning to invest in or live somewhere long term. The Yang Wood Dragon represents rising Chi (Qi) or fast growing upward energy. This expanding Chi signals a time for a reset: for following inspiration, having courage in executing plans yet it also represents a challenge for strategic timing. Impulsive or risky action is not adviseable and cultivating inner stillness in the face of the turbulent, ever increasing volatility in the outer world, highly adviseable! In Chinese astrology, Jupiter connects with the Wood element, representing growth, expansion, and vitality. However Jupiter can equally represent excess, inflation and pushing the limit. In combo with the annual 2024 Chinese Astrology Four Pillars chart there is some tension between the Wood and Earth elements indicating the need to be careful with digestion relative to the spleen, gallbladder and liver organs of the body. In combo with Period 9’s Fire element too, inflammation is more likely. Everything in the body is interconnected so preventative medicine may become more widely practised or explored as an alternative to mainstream approaches in medicine. Equally there may be scientific or medical breakthroughs in heart, eye and blood research. The Chinese Zodiac operates in a 12-year cycle, aligning with Jupiter’s 12 year cycle through the Western Tropical Zodiac. The same combo of element and sign also repeats every 60 years as the 12 animals cycle back round to the same element. The last Dragon years were 2000 and 2012- can you remember what was happening on a personal level in those years? On a general level, the Wood Dragon combines the optimistic, prosperous energy of Wood with the charismatic qualities, vitality and drive of the Dragon, symbolizing growth, resilience, adaptability and creativity.
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As we head into #Aquarius season a #Leo Full Moon happened today. Our Sun,the ruling luminary of Leo, represents the light of consciousness, purpose, sovereignty and leadership. On the 20th January- a truly historic day, astrologically speaking, a portal opened as the Sun exited Capricorn and crossed the threshold into Aquarius in exact alignment TOGETHER with powerhouse Pluto, planet of metamorphosis and profound transformation. I have touched on this potent window and other metaphysical signatures of January 2024 on my Living Balance Astrology website blog- see link in bio- but today's Full Moon hints at some themes that Pluto's re-entry into this sign may bring over the coming 21 years.
Leo in the story of the #zodiac wheel steps into the power of individual expression- what lights you up and what ways can you express this in the world? The power to lead stems from following one's heart and passion, and our legacy to the world is in being all that makes us happy -whatever that may be. When we are aligned with our hearts we light up the world but this doesn't mean being centre stage or in a position of fame and wealth. That's the old story. There are billions of individuals on this planet, all are sparks of creation in essence but Earth school is a playground for duality which involves all shadow and light. Aquarius in the zodiac wheel represents the masses, the collective or greater community. There is hope with Pluto heading into Aquarius that decentralised power will replace the old model of a few individuals at the top supported by all those below. But this Full Moon highlights important themes- where is the power that we wish to see grow in the world, or in each other to affect collective change? Where does it stem from and how do we tap into it? The heart and the field it generates to connect with others is a starting point and there's now much scientific evidence to explain this ( check out the Heart Math Insititute's work https://www.heartmath.org/research/science-of-the-heart/energetic-communication/). We have been having unprecedented solar activity in recent times- solar flares, storms and eruptions- with major activity over the last few days. Could this be drawing our attention to the Sun's affect not on only the Earth's geomagnetism but in turn our own electromagnetic fields? To quote: "the heart’s magnetic field is the strongest rhythmic field produced by the human body,which not only envelops every cell of the body, but also extends out in all directions into the space around us". Studies are now being conducted into the effect of physical and mental health triggered by sudden variations in geomagnetic and solar activity. Maybe one day space weather will be reported in much the same way as forecasts for the day so that people can be more prepared. This Full Moon's astrology is notable for the tense dynamic involving planets in Fixed signs- Jupiter in Taurus squaring of with the Sun and Pluto on one side and the Moon on the other. This is big inflationary or energy, amplifying issues around individuality vs the team or needs of the collective, over sovereignty and free will, future potentials vs immediate practical matters in the 3D matrix- specifically security, scarcity, food, resources and finance. Revelations may be part of this picture. The other notable interplay involves Mars in Capricorn in an exact square with Chiron in Aries. The challenge here is in the harnessing of masculine archetypal warrior energy- desire to act, assert, execute a strategy or take a stand. Efforts may be hindered, undermined or blocked in some way. Heightened defensiveness, reactivity, personal doubts or a sense of futility may be on the surface to be worked with as a result. Transforming the initiating energy of Mars into action backed with wisdom, compassion and experience- this is the keynote of Chiron's effect. The current planetary climate continues to challenge the status quo and bring change or upheaval. Although this will be playing out personally for all, it may pan out on the global stage, particularly for those who govern us, in royalty, positions of priviledge and those to whom we hand the reins. #fullmooninleo #astrology #aquariusseason #sunpluto #plutoinaquarius #2024astrology #zodiac #thezodiacwheel #astrologer #astrologytutoringonline #LivingBalanceAstrology Welcome to Living Balance Astrology! Last year on the day before the Total Solar Eclipse of April 20th 2023 I wrote to my site designer about a blog post for this space which has taken until now, nine months later, to bring into being. The passing of a beloved friend on January 20th has been pivotal in finally “birthing” this. I dedicate this page to her, in loving memory, and to all people who are crossing thresholds, completing major cycles or have reached the point of no return.
It’s my intention with this page to share astrological insights. My sincere hope is to reach those with whom my perspective may resonate, to help in some small way to navigate the accelerated changes and tumultuous times we’re in. I’m a bigger picture kind of person so here I’ll touch on overarching themes of the current or future planetary alignments and cycles. I also love to correlate themes of the past with what’s going on now- I find the gift of hindsight in Astrology to be very helpful! To be clear, my area of greatest expertise is Western Tropical Astrology- I’ve studied and practiced it for over 30 years. I am also a Feng Shui consultant who is passionate about Divinatory and Metaphysical subjects, so I may occasionally weave other interests in. That being said, before I dive into some of the potent planetary alignments happening in January so far, I’d like to touch on the numerological energy of this year. In Numerology, each year is assigned a number from 1 to 9, so by adding it up, 2024 comes to an 8 universal year. The number 8 is connected to Saturn- Capricorn’s ruling planet, resonating with Capricorn themes & vibrations. These include responsibility, authority, executive ability, self-reliance, management and material freedom. 8 generally signifies a year with opportunities for financial growth, personal power, progress, or reaping rewards. It may be a year that encourages us to cultivate resilience, determination, or a practical approach. The spiritual aspect of this is stepping into greater mastery but because 8 amplifies the universal karmic law of cause and effect, being in one's integrity is essential. Restructuring, forging new paths and creating foundations are other 8 year potentials! Turned on it’s side number 8 becomes an infinity symbol, symbolising the eternal or interconnectedness of all things. The last 8 years were 2015 and 2006. Onto the Astrology of January thus far… The first New Moon of the year on January 11th may well have felt like the true start of the calendar year with an emphasis on Earth signs Capricorn and Taurus. Not only were the Sun and Moon aligned (as they are at every New Moon) but Mars was in the early degrees of Capricorn, aided by Saturn, this sign’s ruler, and Jupiter in Taurus. This gave us supportive energy for staying the course or making long range plans. Pluto in the final degree of Capricorn challenges us in taking responsibility for the ways in which we shape our reality. The Sun/Moon in a tight square to the Lunar Nodes of fate though has initiated a defining fork in the road in the larger scheme of things. In our personal lives it may help to ask some tough questions going forward, what needs to be addressed and what kind of life do I wish to create? The North node in Aries points to this being a time for honest appraisal and taking steps. The world of Astrology has boomed online in recent years, perhaps accelerated by the way our world has changed irrevocably from the time of the global pandemic in 2020. In January 2020 we had an extraordinary and rare line up in Capricorn involving Saturn in an intense bind with Pluto in Capricorn, alongside the Sun opposite the Full Moon ( a Lunar Eclipse) in Cancer. Jupiter also joined the Capricorn line-up amplifying the South Node in Capricorn themes of control, hardship, regulation and constriction. The forceful pressure of this extremely concentrated and rare planetary alignment meant outmoded, obsolete patterns, constructs and limitations that could no longer be upheld, were surfacing to be transmuted. I classify special planetary alignments like this as portals or gateways in space and time. Some gateways are cyclical like Equinoxes or Solstices, ushering in changes of season, while others open us up to new frequencies or light codes from the sun and planets in our solar system. Planetary cycles and their repetitive patterns have been observed over millennia. An example is with the 60 year cycle used in Chinese and Oriental Astrology where Saturn and Jupiter come together every 20 years. These planets influence social , political and economic changes in their evolutionary dance together, as they merge then move apart, forming challenging angles to each other over the course of a 20 year span. At the end of 2020 at the December Solstice we had a Saturn Jupiter Great Conjunction- the coming together at the same degree. The sight of these two in the same area of the sky at 0 degrees of Air sign Aquarius was hugely significant, as not only did they merge into one very bright star, but this event also marked a new 200 era of them now being in Air signs rather than Earth. Two days ago, January 20th 2024, a threshold was crossed with the Sun and Pluto coming together in Capricorn – another really big deal, as they came together in the very final hours of the final degree of this Earth sign- before going over that same December 2020 0 degree Aquarius point. Pluto has been moving through Capricorn since 2008, slowly but profoundly transforming the archaic models of top- down institutional or corporate structures at a global level. It first entered Aquarius last year in March for a brief sojourn then retrograded in July. It will backtrack one final time into Capricorn in September this year, finally moving into Aquarius for good in November where it will be until 2044. Pluto's re-entry this time in combo with the Sun is an indicator to step into a greater sense of personal responsibility and inner authority. This is done individually- no one can carry your torch for you- so this is a power to create new possibilities for ourselves and the world around us. So how to tap into or harness this dynamic energy? A good place to start is by working on being anchored to the Earth belwo while consciously connecting to and breathing into the heart. Then cultivate this focus regularly- inner power is built from the inside out . The final degree and cusp of every sign can be a point of tremendous energy. It contains all the sign's potential for mastery but also urgency as it gives way to a new cycle in the next sign. So as the Sun and Pluto crossover into Aquarius together a new era is being born, different from what we have known until now. Coincidentally, in the realm of Feng Shui, there is a remarkable shift taking place as well -an incoming 20 year cycle referred to as Period 9. The changeover from the last cycle, Period 8, has been happening for a few years now, but the official commencement is this year on February 5th. This too is indicative change which will affect people, buildings, trends, jobs and industries. I will go into greater detail about in the next post or two. Two questions to ask yourself: How can you align with the numerology of an 8 year? Looking back at the last 4 years how have you changed or what in your life has fallen away? |