SOLAR + LUNAR ECLIPSES IN CHINESE COSMOLOGY

March 24, 2024 FENG・SHUI ・ISM

Zhang Xian shooting at a *tiangou* to protect his children clustered about him.

Sol and and Luna’s allure have captivated nations and cultures since the dawn of time. And the mystical obscuring of either celestial body’s illumination continues to beguile us today. In times past, the phenomenon of eclipses must have been scary when playing out in our skies. We’ve unpacked the cosmology and folklore behind the ominous occurrences. And the upcoming Solar Eclipse on 14 Oct 2023, draws on some synchronisitic Chinese Tiangou symbolism.

FULL MOON LANTERN FESTIVAL

February 22, 2024 FENG・SHUI ・ISM

The Annual Chinese Lunar New Year celebrations will draw to a close, with the Lantern Festival heralding the first Full Moon of the Chinese New Year.

You’ve probably heard of the 12 Days of Christmas. The Chinese have a similar custom; only it’s 15 days long and denotes a different festival. From the first day of the Lunar New Year to the 15th day of the Lunar month, specific traditions and customs take place as Luna grows from New to Full. This year in the Gregorian (Universal) calendar, Feb 27th aligns with the Full moon, it’s the 16th Day of the 1st Month in the Year of the Ox in the Asian Calendar. However, celebrations take place on the evening before, Feb. 26th, hence the 15th day.

Royal Wedlock or Deadlock?

February 14, 2024 FENG・SHUI ・ISM

Have you ever heard of a Tong Shu? No, it’s not a relation to Jimmy Choo - or anything to do with shoes for that matter. It’s a Chinese Almanac and farmers in particular, religiously reference it in much the same fashion that devout folk reference the bible.

CULTURAL CUSTOMS :: 3rd LUNAR DAY

February 12, 2024 FENG・SHUI ・ISM

What does a dog, a mouse, a red mouth, a wedding and staying in have to do with the third lunar day of the new year? Perplexed? I’ve always been intrigued with the symbolism of the colour Red, so in 2021, I pontificated what happens when Valentine’s Day and the 3rd lunar day of the month coincided, also known as Red Scarlet day!

Dragon and Lion Dances

February 7, 2024 FENG・SHUI ・ISM

Every year I try catch a DRAGON / LION DANCE (舞狮 wǔ shī) to mark the Lunar New Year. Spectacularly loud and boasting vivid colours, they are definitely an invigorating sight. It’s maybe a familiar sight to Western eyes but it draws a frown, followed by the covering of ears. But the deafening sound, is a necessary part of the tradition.

Find out why . . . .

CHINESE NEW YEAR'S EVE - Chuxi

February 6, 2024 FENG・SHUI ・ISM

If January’s New Year resolutions have fizzled out, tune into the Chinese New Year’s as the Year of the Wood Dragon amps up on 9/10 Feb. 2024. Lunar New Year follows Moon (Luna) cycles therefore commencing with a New Moon. The upcoming lunation is first New Moon AFTER the Winter Solstice which dictates the beginning of a Chinese New Year. It also kick starts the more widely known and celebrated of the Lunar New Year festivities - beginning a two week long Spring Festival. Li Chun is a Solar Festival marker and technically occurs on 4 Feb 2023, when the Chinese Solar New Year begins.

Before Kondo, there was Kingston

February 4, 2024 FENG・SHUI ・ISM

I’ve remained tight lipped about the Kondō convos for a while now. But I’ve been prompted to chime in from a Feng Shui perspective.

Disclaimer, I’ve not read The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up book by Marie Kondō but I’ve watched her Netflix series and encountered the KonMari social media frenzy. Admittedly, I tend to rebel against mainstream crazes, but when conducting my own personal annual preparations for the Solar New Year on Feb. 4th (not to be confused with Chinese Lunar New Year) I decided to check out the best selling author.

Imbolc & Goddess Brigid

January 31, 2024 FENG・SHUI ・ISM

AT Imbolc, we celebrate the polarity seasons once more. It seems like yesterday we were celebrating the Solstices (Winter in Oz and Summer in the N. Hemisphere) but it was only roughly six weeks ago! Imbolc celebrates the Return of Spring. Nature's cues come with the sprouting of saffron crocuses, snowdrops or new tree buds. The first born offspring begin to appear - even the term 'Off spring' meaning 'OF' Spring references the season we herald in

10th Solar Term + Summer Solstice

December 20, 2023 FENG・SHUI ・ISM

"Rising Sun" by Liu Kuo-Sung (1932) China

The term Solstice is ubiquitously observed among many cultures, but in the main it refers to a single day occurrence. However, when referring to the 10th Solar term - ‘Xia zhi’ - it’s approx. a 14 days period, collectively referred to as ‘Summer Solstice’ or ‘Great Heat’. From a Feng Shui perspective it’s one of the more significant 24 Solar terms. On June 21st. 2020 @ 1:31pm the day normally reserved for the single day observation of the Solstice the Sun enters the sign of Cancer.

On June 21st. 2020 the day normally reserved for the single day observation of the Solstice, coincides with a New Moon @0deg of Cancer and it’s an Annular Solar Eclipse to boot!

Feng Shui Winter Solstice and Hemispheres

December 20, 2023 FENG・SHUI ・ISM

The December Solstice, is known as the Winter Solstice in Northern Hemisphere; but since December is a Summer month in the Southern Hemisphere, 21 Dec is a Summer Solstice. As I currently live in Oz; the longest day of the year beckons. Both Solstices’ always reminds me of my Celtic homeland roots. I miss celebrating classic winter Yuletide vibes when the December Solstice occurs Down under - a warm Xmas is mind bending for this European!

MISTLETOE , DRUIDS, JUPITER & SATURN

December 16, 2023 FENG・SHUI ・ISM

Image credit Mistletoe by Loriental Photography

I’ve been musing…. and it’s led me to Mistletoe’s door. Are we entering the Age of Mistletoe or The Return of the Druids? Mistletoe, a little freeloading plant has remarkably synchronicities and on point themes that weaves a symbolic narrative of the prevailing astro weather. Even main stream media find the skies more inciting that Covid chitchat. Chatter of the Great Conjunction between Jupiter and Saturn, exact back on the December Solstice in 2020 was food for thought. Mistletoe musings unearthed some fascinating lore, far more interesting than stolen kisses, dare I say. And if we were living in bygone times the Xmas staple would be the Ancient’s secret weapon to this current health situation.

CHRISTMAS GIFT VOUCHERS

November 27, 2023 FENG・SHUI ・ISM

Seasonal Greetings to one and all.

This year especially, giving a gift with meaning seems even more appropriate. If you’re drawing a blank when it comes to choosing the perfect seasonal gift, then we've got an awesome suggestion. Give the gift that keeps on giving Sheng Qi - positive, prosperous abundant vibes.

Three friends of Winter

November 26, 2023 FENG・SHUI ・ISM

Everyone needs a friend. Some prefer the furry or feathered kind and some favour mankind, but have you ever considered the Plant Kingdom as your friend? In Chinese plantlore a specific group of three plants are called the Three Friends of Winter.

CHRISTMAS FENG SHUI STYLE

November 24, 2023 FENG・SHUI ・ISM

A few years ago, I received this message. “Aiming to get rid of all the Red Christmas decorations this year; any wise advice?” Well, as it so happened I did, hence the genesis of this post. In 2020 we had covid cancel culture overshadow Xmas, while Yuletide 2021 just about slipped through with Insta worthy bedecked trees the benchmark for success. Chrimbo 2022 danced with a credit crunch, as a global energy crisis forces light shows aficionados who overload the grid, to thankfully reconsider the visual assault on everyone’s senses, and owner’s hip pockets. Xmas 2023 — tests inflation. Shopping malls may well be dripping with ubiquitous tinsel tinged displays . . . but has the “magic” that surrounds true Yuletide faded?

7th Solar Term :: Beginning of Summer Lixia 立夏

November 7, 2023 FENG・SHUI ・ISM

jacaranda trees in full bloom in Sydney NSW

The solar calendar shifts gear into the first Fire governed animal sign of the Yin Wood 乙 Snake ⺒ and Feng Shui energies adjust accordingly. May 5 also heralds the seventh solar term of Lixia 立夏 - 'Beginning of Summer', in the Chinese calendar system which commences 1½ months before comparative late Spring vibes in the Western Calendar. In the lunisolar calendar the fourth lunar month began under the New Moon on 1 May @ 10 Taurus. Known to the Ancient Chinese simply as 'Locust Tree' or 'Cherry blossom' month and depicted in paintings by the swallow and wisteria.

6th Solar Term - Spring Showers (Gu Yu 穀雨)

October 24, 2023 FENG・SHUI ・ISM

Third Lunar month symbolized by ‘Crow, cherry blossom and Full Moon" by Ohara Koson

The last Solar term of Spring is upon us. Indicated by the 6th solar term of Grain Rain or, Spring Showers as it’s also known in the N. Hemisphere, commencing on 20th April. Luna’s third swollen face of the Chinese year will be fullest on April 27th (AEST) at 7° Scorpio. Depicted in Chinese paintings by pairing a Crow with cherry blossom. And we’re currently at the mid-point of Water Dragon month, while in the western astrological system, the sun enters earthy Taurus season.

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SOLAR + LUNAR ECLIPSES IN CHINESE COSMOLOGY

Longtaitou Festival - Dragon raising its head

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