General Interest - Astrological Musings February 2012 By Vic Ketis
Astrological Musings
By Vic Ketis
February 2012
The Year of the Water Dragon
The Month of the Tiger Feb 4 - March 4
The winter solstice of 2012 marks a point within a zone of a shift that actually began years ago. Such a transition is a process rather than an event, that began in 1980 and ends in 2016. Even with a margin of error of plus or minus a few years, this means we are well into the alignment that the Maya predicted more than 2000 years ago.
Braden, Gregg. (2009) Fractal Time: the secret of 2012 and the new world age. Hay House. USA Happy New Year everyone, the Year of the Water Dragon.
Seems we are beginning the year with anticipation, caution and perhaps a little apprehension as to what the year will bring. As I began the research for this year I found are numerous, complex, astrological activities. Rather than try to sum it all up in one newsletter which would turn this into a novel of Vikram Seth proportions, I will endeavor to distribute the information over forthcoming newsletters as we move thru the year. This may also help explain events as we encounter them.
There are those who have cast the year as the end of the world, there are those who see the year of the Dragon as auspicious. Recently with the Chinese New year there were reports that the benevolence of the 'mythical, mystical' Dragon brings good luck, health and prosperity.
Which one is true, what is implied by the year of the Dragon?
I thought it would be relevant therefore to give a short discussion of astrological propensity. Firstly, there is the impulse to look at astrology fatalistically as if the animal signs, planets or elements will 'cause' something to happen. The approach has its roots in ancient astrology, where astrological indicators were often vital for survival of the group as they guided appropriate actions. To see however if this is solely the case, examination of the definition of astrology is required. Reflection of this can orient us in a more powerful place in how we view any upcoming cycle.
The school of Chinese Astrology most of us study or practice in one form or another is called "The Four Pillars of Destiny". The implication of the title can be perceived as our Four Pillars dictates or determines our destiny. However the translation is strictly: "The Four Pillars from which Destiny can be deduced".
This translation infers that a destiny or 'what's going to happen' is not implied directly from a chart but must be deduced, must be ascertained.
The definition means to engage into the material / chart of the energies represented, so that the essence or meaning may emerge. This meaning is therefore able to inform and guide. It suggests the importance of psychological interpretation and reflection, as well as literal interpretation of a chart. We can apply the same process to a building Feng Shui chart. Too often we are compelled to examine astrology fatalistically which seems to be particularly relevant this year as anxiety and apprehension about the future increase.. Astrological translations from the classical origins suggest the opposite. Western astrology and interestingly Feng Shui are exactly the same in original definition, that astrology 'implies', its does not dictate or compel. That the year of the Dragon dictates something to happen, especially personally, may be a misleading and disempowering way to use the material. It gives us a point of psychological orientation and (dare I say it) how to navigate and negotiate the path ahead. How to orient one's compass if you will. And presently a good compass is a pre-requisite as we are moving into uncharted waters of the Age of 8. Perhaps 'waters' being the current relevant element.
I have often been asked as may have you, will this year be good or bad. Any energy is not inherently benevolent or malevolent, ie: good or bad. The Dragon is no better or worse than the Goat, the Monkey, the Wombat, the Kangaroo, whatever. The same applies to any incoming energy the month, year, Luck Pillar, etc,
How we experience something also depends upon our level of consciousness A saint may have exactly the same chart as you. But you may experience the crisis or difficulty, but the saint will experience the same energy as an epiphany, an activation and insight because of their level of consciousness. The roots of this philosophy are rooted in the Buddhist doctrine that 1. All life is suffering, and 2. All suffering is due to attachment. But Buddhism is not my area so Ill leave it at that.
I wanted to start with this off the bat to point out and emphasize, and hopefully encourage us and therefore others to look at the Year of the Dragon as the opportunity that may be, rather than fatalistically as this latter has been emphasized repeatedly by the reference to the Mayan calendar. Interestingly some reports from scholars of the Mayan culture have not been able to source this calendric reference.
As we move into the Year of the Dragon, or new Luck Pillar or cycle etc, it may be more pertinent and empowering way to look at the upcoming year in the following way:
How am I being challenged?
What dormant potentials are being activated?
What shadow material do I have to deal with (this is often indicated by the qualities in other
people and circumstances we don't like)
Where do I need to grow emotionally and psychologically?
What is wounded and how can it be healed?
Where can I extend beyond my own real and perceived limitations?
Do risks need to be taken to move forward to live a more authentic life consistent with who I
am and my values, and therefore make a profound contribution to the world? Inherent in the
living of an authentic life is the impulse to express it in the world.
What is incomplete that needs to be completed?
It is these questions also that we may ask of Astrology or Feng Shui clients. It is my belief that people with difficult Feng Shui, including a difficult Flying Star chart, are facing major challenges in their psychological journey and unfoldment, of which the chart is a reflection. The previous questions then will be particularly pertinent in these cases with solutions more deeply thought out. Recommendations beyond simplistic cures will be required.
As we move into the second half of the Age of 8, we are moving into the more challenging part of the cycle, of which the Dragon will be pivotal. The astrological indicators suggest we are moving into a more challenging year with the Snake, Horse and Goat to follow in similar vein. I can't see the year of the Dragon being as benevolent and prosperous as many Chinese astrology reports recently suggested.
It is in the meeting of the challenges that I believe we receive the benevolence of the Dragon, or any energy for that matter. One of the qualities of the Dragon is it impulse and awakening to higher consciousness. For this to happen, sacrifice and letting go is required, of who we know ourselves to be, to who we can become. Our worldly challenges must be met. Raymond Lo calls the Dragon "the opening of the Heavens gate". An interesting, insightful image. All the earthly branches hold the potential and challenge for psychological transition and development.
I mentioned in a previous newsletter that if you have a lot of earth or prominent earth inside your Four Pillars you are a change, transition and gateway kind of personality, and help others in negotiating and crossing their thresholds. I believe this year occurring as it does in the Age of 8 hold the potential for accelerated personal development. Circumstances will be present to facilitate this potential. Courage and faith will be required.
When considering any moment of time such as a day within a week, a month within a year etc the moment is heavily impacted and nuanced by the cycle that is in. As with the upcoming year of the Dragon which officially begins on Feb 4 we must consider the cycle or cycles that it is occurring in
The Age of 8
The Year of the Dragon is the year after the astrological midpoint year of the Age of 8 as mentioned in previous newsletter. I want to say briefly some of the implications of the Age of 8 and can then be more specific about the year in later newsletters. The end of any cycle is often referred to not just as an 'end' but a 'completion' and the two words have very different implications.
Although numerologically the number 8, the Age of 8 is the last in the archetypal sequence of Trigram energies in the I Ching as it is in the North East. The Trigram is also called the Mountain trigram, which represents is manifestation in nature.
Mountain is also translated as 'Keeping Still' Therefore it represents the end of a 180 period. From the Richard Wilhelm translation of the I Ching, the definition of the Mountain Trigram is: "He brings stings to perfection in the sign of Keeping Still''.
The trigram Keeping Still, whose symbol is the mountain, is of mysterious significance. Here in the seed in the deepest hidden stillness, the end of everything is joined to a new beginning. Death and life, dying and resurrection- these are thoughts awakened by the transition from the old year to the new.
This trigram represents a time of standstill whilst the transition (earth) is being made. It represents the end and a new beginning. The new beginning is also indicated by the trigram of Thunder which underlies the Trigram Mountain. The theme of the Thunder trigram is awakening, beginning, the arousing of the new the morning of the new day.
Thus the cycle is closed. Like the day of the year in nature, so every life, indeed every cycle of experience, is a continuity by which the old and new are linked together. In view of this we can understand, in several of the sixty four hexagrams, the northwest stands for the time of solitude, when the old is bought to an end and the new has begun Wilhelm, Richard. (1989) I Ching or Book of Changes. Arkana. England Therefore the cycle of the Trigrams is closed - it comes to completion. And the need of a time era is represented. However with any closure or completion is followed by rebirth. And this is exactly what the globe is beginning to experience, the end of a cycle, and the subsequent transition into the new one. The world is going through a transformation, and evolution of consciousness.
Interestingly though, the I Ching does not use the word 'end', it uses the words 'perfection' and 'completion'.
We can infer form this if something or an issue is incomplete, out of balance, wounded, disconnected it will come to the surface to be completed, put back into balance, transformed, integrated, reconnected to be healed. What's in the Shadow - will be brought to light to be integrated and hopefully transformed. Reconnection has to be made, between the conscious self and the unconscious self, denied self, suppressed self. How does this show up?
Usually a personally challenging circumstance or crisis. So if you are in a crisis situation or someone in your life is, they are in the right place.! What has come to the surface is represented by the crisis so the issues can be dealt with, completed, so you can move on. I'm not an expert in the field of 'karma' but associates who are make reference to many crisis' and circumstances having these overtones. Issues need to be completed. We are not all going to wake up on December 22 and take the bullet train to blissville. It just doesn't happen that way. We are in for a challenging year, personally collectively, globally and we will have to meet these challenges.
The Current 12 Year cycle
Within the current 12 year cycle the Dragon is 5th year, which began with the Rat in 2008 and will complete in 2020. And we all know what a transformative year 2008 was, ushering in a new geo-political order with the election of Obama, Rudd, Sarkozy, etc. Approximately 20 changes of government occurred in 2008 or 6 months either side. Also we had the global financial crisis, repercussions of which surfaced last year. The crisis last was met with austerity measures as opposed to stimulus packages of 2008.
As government and economic themes were prominent in 2008, we can expect 2012 to again highlight these issues as the Dragon is also the conclusion of the water element trinity, which began in 2004 (the Monkey), was at its peak in 2008 (The Rat) and comes to its conclusion in the Dragon in 2012.
Indeed there are numerous elections due this year, culminating in the American election on Nov 4. Some of us may be particularly resonating to personal events or psychological shifts during these years.
As the current 12 Year cycle begins and completes inside the Age of 8 we can say it holds the transformative archetype of this age and the potential for its manifestation. The age of 8 is amplifies between 2008 and 2020 and we are called to meet its challenges, personally, socially, globally, on all level.
One way to successfully negotiate a year is how the element manifests itself Earth is practical, steady, methodical, cohesive, integrative, and realistic. No pie in the sky aspirations this year! Earth is a sustained consistent effort toward a goal and motivations. Patience, planning, perseverance. This contrasts to the last two wood years where a dynamic, impulsive, motivated momentum forward can be appropriate. Breakthroughs were necessary and were imposed. But the earth element is in contrast to this. The nature of earth is the ability for centeredness and coherence. We grow in our consciousness only through the experience, integration and transformation of realistic experience. An earth year facilitates this.
At a fundamental level it is advisable to eat well and exercise, earth being the stomach, spleen and the body. Tyler Rowe suggests taking Chinese Herbs for general well being to keep our level of Chi well maintained flowing and harmonized.
As we know we are transiting and negotiating a period of time as intense, profound and significant as the 60's and previous to that the beginning of the current 180 year cycle, and previous again the renaissance of the 14, 15 and 1600's
These time periods saw significant shifts and transformations. At these times there we strong shifts in collective psychological perception of who we are and our place in the world. This set the scene for the new paradigms to emerge. We are again in of these times. Those born in the 60s may be particularly experiencing the resonance of the current cycle and surfacing of their psychological potentials.
I have been more general in this article but as we move through the year I will focus on specifics. If you have any questions or feel any area or theme needs further examination let me know and if possible Ill try to elaborate on it. There may be others who can give insight as well
My best wishes to you all
Till next month
Vic
Vic Ketis
Australian Academy of Feng Shui,
Chinese Astrology & I Ching
For all enquiries or bookings for Vic's courses held at the ASRR
please contact:
www.asrr.com.au
info@asrr.com.au
03 97497946
By Vic Ketis
February 2012
The Year of the Water Dragon
The Month of the Tiger Feb 4 - March 4
The winter solstice of 2012 marks a point within a zone of a shift that actually began years ago. Such a transition is a process rather than an event, that began in 1980 and ends in 2016. Even with a margin of error of plus or minus a few years, this means we are well into the alignment that the Maya predicted more than 2000 years ago.
Braden, Gregg. (2009) Fractal Time: the secret of 2012 and the new world age. Hay House. USA Happy New Year everyone, the Year of the Water Dragon.
Seems we are beginning the year with anticipation, caution and perhaps a little apprehension as to what the year will bring. As I began the research for this year I found are numerous, complex, astrological activities. Rather than try to sum it all up in one newsletter which would turn this into a novel of Vikram Seth proportions, I will endeavor to distribute the information over forthcoming newsletters as we move thru the year. This may also help explain events as we encounter them.
There are those who have cast the year as the end of the world, there are those who see the year of the Dragon as auspicious. Recently with the Chinese New year there were reports that the benevolence of the 'mythical, mystical' Dragon brings good luck, health and prosperity.
Which one is true, what is implied by the year of the Dragon?
I thought it would be relevant therefore to give a short discussion of astrological propensity. Firstly, there is the impulse to look at astrology fatalistically as if the animal signs, planets or elements will 'cause' something to happen. The approach has its roots in ancient astrology, where astrological indicators were often vital for survival of the group as they guided appropriate actions. To see however if this is solely the case, examination of the definition of astrology is required. Reflection of this can orient us in a more powerful place in how we view any upcoming cycle.
The school of Chinese Astrology most of us study or practice in one form or another is called "The Four Pillars of Destiny". The implication of the title can be perceived as our Four Pillars dictates or determines our destiny. However the translation is strictly: "The Four Pillars from which Destiny can be deduced".
This translation infers that a destiny or 'what's going to happen' is not implied directly from a chart but must be deduced, must be ascertained.
The definition means to engage into the material / chart of the energies represented, so that the essence or meaning may emerge. This meaning is therefore able to inform and guide. It suggests the importance of psychological interpretation and reflection, as well as literal interpretation of a chart. We can apply the same process to a building Feng Shui chart. Too often we are compelled to examine astrology fatalistically which seems to be particularly relevant this year as anxiety and apprehension about the future increase.. Astrological translations from the classical origins suggest the opposite. Western astrology and interestingly Feng Shui are exactly the same in original definition, that astrology 'implies', its does not dictate or compel. That the year of the Dragon dictates something to happen, especially personally, may be a misleading and disempowering way to use the material. It gives us a point of psychological orientation and (dare I say it) how to navigate and negotiate the path ahead. How to orient one's compass if you will. And presently a good compass is a pre-requisite as we are moving into uncharted waters of the Age of 8. Perhaps 'waters' being the current relevant element.
I have often been asked as may have you, will this year be good or bad. Any energy is not inherently benevolent or malevolent, ie: good or bad. The Dragon is no better or worse than the Goat, the Monkey, the Wombat, the Kangaroo, whatever. The same applies to any incoming energy the month, year, Luck Pillar, etc,
How we experience something also depends upon our level of consciousness A saint may have exactly the same chart as you. But you may experience the crisis or difficulty, but the saint will experience the same energy as an epiphany, an activation and insight because of their level of consciousness. The roots of this philosophy are rooted in the Buddhist doctrine that 1. All life is suffering, and 2. All suffering is due to attachment. But Buddhism is not my area so Ill leave it at that.
I wanted to start with this off the bat to point out and emphasize, and hopefully encourage us and therefore others to look at the Year of the Dragon as the opportunity that may be, rather than fatalistically as this latter has been emphasized repeatedly by the reference to the Mayan calendar. Interestingly some reports from scholars of the Mayan culture have not been able to source this calendric reference.
As we move into the Year of the Dragon, or new Luck Pillar or cycle etc, it may be more pertinent and empowering way to look at the upcoming year in the following way:
It is these questions also that we may ask of Astrology or Feng Shui clients. It is my belief that people with difficult Feng Shui, including a difficult Flying Star chart, are facing major challenges in their psychological journey and unfoldment, of which the chart is a reflection. The previous questions then will be particularly pertinent in these cases with solutions more deeply thought out. Recommendations beyond simplistic cures will be required.
As we move into the second half of the Age of 8, we are moving into the more challenging part of the cycle, of which the Dragon will be pivotal. The astrological indicators suggest we are moving into a more challenging year with the Snake, Horse and Goat to follow in similar vein. I can't see the year of the Dragon being as benevolent and prosperous as many Chinese astrology reports recently suggested.
It is in the meeting of the challenges that I believe we receive the benevolence of the Dragon, or any energy for that matter. One of the qualities of the Dragon is it impulse and awakening to higher consciousness. For this to happen, sacrifice and letting go is required, of who we know ourselves to be, to who we can become. Our worldly challenges must be met. Raymond Lo calls the Dragon "the opening of the Heavens gate". An interesting, insightful image. All the earthly branches hold the potential and challenge for psychological transition and development.
I mentioned in a previous newsletter that if you have a lot of earth or prominent earth inside your Four Pillars you are a change, transition and gateway kind of personality, and help others in negotiating and crossing their thresholds. I believe this year occurring as it does in the Age of 8 hold the potential for accelerated personal development. Circumstances will be present to facilitate this potential. Courage and faith will be required.
When considering any moment of time such as a day within a week, a month within a year etc the moment is heavily impacted and nuanced by the cycle that is in. As with the upcoming year of the Dragon which officially begins on Feb 4 we must consider the cycle or cycles that it is occurring in
The Age of 8
The Year of the Dragon is the year after the astrological midpoint year of the Age of 8 as mentioned in previous newsletter. I want to say briefly some of the implications of the Age of 8 and can then be more specific about the year in later newsletters. The end of any cycle is often referred to not just as an 'end' but a 'completion' and the two words have very different implications.
Although numerologically the number 8, the Age of 8 is the last in the archetypal sequence of Trigram energies in the I Ching as it is in the North East. The Trigram is also called the Mountain trigram, which represents is manifestation in nature.
Mountain is also translated as 'Keeping Still' Therefore it represents the end of a 180 period. From the Richard Wilhelm translation of the I Ching, the definition of the Mountain Trigram is: "He brings stings to perfection in the sign of Keeping Still''.
The trigram Keeping Still, whose symbol is the mountain, is of mysterious significance. Here in the seed in the deepest hidden stillness, the end of everything is joined to a new beginning. Death and life, dying and resurrection- these are thoughts awakened by the transition from the old year to the new.
This trigram represents a time of standstill whilst the transition (earth) is being made. It represents the end and a new beginning. The new beginning is also indicated by the trigram of Thunder which underlies the Trigram Mountain. The theme of the Thunder trigram is awakening, beginning, the arousing of the new the morning of the new day.
Thus the cycle is closed. Like the day of the year in nature, so every life, indeed every cycle of experience, is a continuity by which the old and new are linked together. In view of this we can understand, in several of the sixty four hexagrams, the northwest stands for the time of solitude, when the old is bought to an end and the new has begun Wilhelm, Richard. (1989) I Ching or Book of Changes. Arkana. England Therefore the cycle of the Trigrams is closed - it comes to completion. And the need of a time era is represented. However with any closure or completion is followed by rebirth. And this is exactly what the globe is beginning to experience, the end of a cycle, and the subsequent transition into the new one. The world is going through a transformation, and evolution of consciousness.
Interestingly though, the I Ching does not use the word 'end', it uses the words 'perfection' and 'completion'.
We can infer form this if something or an issue is incomplete, out of balance, wounded, disconnected it will come to the surface to be completed, put back into balance, transformed, integrated, reconnected to be healed. What's in the Shadow - will be brought to light to be integrated and hopefully transformed. Reconnection has to be made, between the conscious self and the unconscious self, denied self, suppressed self. How does this show up?
Usually a personally challenging circumstance or crisis. So if you are in a crisis situation or someone in your life is, they are in the right place.! What has come to the surface is represented by the crisis so the issues can be dealt with, completed, so you can move on. I'm not an expert in the field of 'karma' but associates who are make reference to many crisis' and circumstances having these overtones. Issues need to be completed. We are not all going to wake up on December 22 and take the bullet train to blissville. It just doesn't happen that way. We are in for a challenging year, personally collectively, globally and we will have to meet these challenges.
The Current 12 Year cycle
Within the current 12 year cycle the Dragon is 5th year, which began with the Rat in 2008 and will complete in 2020. And we all know what a transformative year 2008 was, ushering in a new geo-political order with the election of Obama, Rudd, Sarkozy, etc. Approximately 20 changes of government occurred in 2008 or 6 months either side. Also we had the global financial crisis, repercussions of which surfaced last year. The crisis last was met with austerity measures as opposed to stimulus packages of 2008.
As government and economic themes were prominent in 2008, we can expect 2012 to again highlight these issues as the Dragon is also the conclusion of the water element trinity, which began in 2004 (the Monkey), was at its peak in 2008 (The Rat) and comes to its conclusion in the Dragon in 2012.
Indeed there are numerous elections due this year, culminating in the American election on Nov 4. Some of us may be particularly resonating to personal events or psychological shifts during these years.
As the current 12 Year cycle begins and completes inside the Age of 8 we can say it holds the transformative archetype of this age and the potential for its manifestation. The age of 8 is amplifies between 2008 and 2020 and we are called to meet its challenges, personally, socially, globally, on all level.
One way to successfully negotiate a year is how the element manifests itself Earth is practical, steady, methodical, cohesive, integrative, and realistic. No pie in the sky aspirations this year! Earth is a sustained consistent effort toward a goal and motivations. Patience, planning, perseverance. This contrasts to the last two wood years where a dynamic, impulsive, motivated momentum forward can be appropriate. Breakthroughs were necessary and were imposed. But the earth element is in contrast to this. The nature of earth is the ability for centeredness and coherence. We grow in our consciousness only through the experience, integration and transformation of realistic experience. An earth year facilitates this.
At a fundamental level it is advisable to eat well and exercise, earth being the stomach, spleen and the body. Tyler Rowe suggests taking Chinese Herbs for general well being to keep our level of Chi well maintained flowing and harmonized.
As we know we are transiting and negotiating a period of time as intense, profound and significant as the 60's and previous to that the beginning of the current 180 year cycle, and previous again the renaissance of the 14, 15 and 1600's
These time periods saw significant shifts and transformations. At these times there we strong shifts in collective psychological perception of who we are and our place in the world. This set the scene for the new paradigms to emerge. We are again in of these times. Those born in the 60s may be particularly experiencing the resonance of the current cycle and surfacing of their psychological potentials.
I have been more general in this article but as we move through the year I will focus on specifics. If you have any questions or feel any area or theme needs further examination let me know and if possible Ill try to elaborate on it. There may be others who can give insight as well
My best wishes to you all
Till next month
Vic
Vic Ketis
Australian Academy of Feng Shui,
Chinese Astrology & I Ching
For all enquiries or bookings for Vic's courses held at the ASRR
please contact:
www.asrr.com.au
info@asrr.com.au
03 97497946
