The magical charm of trefoil shamrock goes way beyond the fifth century Christian legend of St.Patrick. The three leaf plant (trefoil) is said to be the source of inspiration for the triskele, triple spiral, pagan symbols and beautifully illustrated knot-work illustrated in the Books of Kells. So why is this little plant classed as lucky? And why does it appear in mythology across so many civilizations?
Read more19th Solar Term :: 'Winter is coming'
To Game of Thrones devotees the ubiquitous phrase - ‘Winter is coming’ carries meaning, but I’m guessing the Chinese had first dibs on the phrase! In Chinese culture, Seasons commence about one and a half months before the comparative seasons in the Western Civil calendar. The 19th Seasonal Node nods to ‘Winter’s Coming’ or the ‘Beginning of Winter’(Lì dōng 立冬) as it’s also known. This solar term is the one of eight key nodal transition points, it denote the midpoints between the equinoxes and solstices. Commencing on 8 Nov 2023, we also prepare to welcome the swine of the Chinese Zodiac - the Yin Water Pig. And the 10th Lunar month begins on 13 Nov. 2023.
Read moreHAWTHORN - Fairy Tree + Cold Dew
Pictures of wild hawthorn bushes laden with red berries crept into my daily feeds and coincided with a previous blog on the Chinese 17th Solar Term of ‘Cold Dew’ - Huan Lu.
Read moreOld Farmer's Day + Michaelmas Day 2023
‘Tis Old Farmer’s Day on 12 Oct. Without the colloquial wisdom of our agricultural godfathers we’d be flummoxed and bewildered by natures seasonal ebb and flow. The introduction of ‘calendars’ first noted the helical rising of Sirius perpetual habits and cue to specific time of year, when the Nile Flooded. Prior to Solar calendars the lunar lady was the favoured chronicle. Moon has always commanded attention in the night skies, yet the lingering mystery of planting by the Zodiac signs and moon phase may well perplex those who doubt — but for those who believe, they receive. No matter your country of origin, every culture observed moon’s modes and practiced her wise ways unlocking a fortnight of fecund planting days in every month. The Farmer’s Almanac is an agriculturalist bible.
Read more17th Solar term : Cold Dew 2023
A week has past since the full Moon Festival (Mid-Autumn Festival) that followed the Equinox. The 17th Solar Term of Cold Dew (Hanlu 寒露) gets under ways on 8 Oct., as does a New zodiacial month - Yang Water Dog month. Followed by the New Chinese lunar month, kick starting the 9th or Chrysanthemum month; as it was known to the Ancients.
Read moreOld Farmer's Day
‘Tis Old Farmer’s Day on 12 Oct. Without the wisdom of our agricultural godfathers we would be flummoxed and bewildered by the ways of the lunar lady and ne'er a Farmer’s Almanac would exist. Moon has always commanded attention in the night skies, yet the lingering mystery of planting by the Zodiac signs and moon phase may well perplex those who doubt - but for those who believe — they receive. No matter your country of origin, every culture observed moon’s modes and practiced her wise ways unlocking a fortnight of fecund planting days in every month.
Read moreBenefic 8 star and an Establish Day (建 Jian)
The energies of today are echoed throughout this lunar month; todays Snake qi is doubled in the month and day and reinforces the clashes with the water Pig this year. Take note of auspicious directions today by aligning yourself with the Qi of the skies, and avoiding negative inauspicious qi.
Read moreMoon Lore Almanac :: Establish Day
MOON LORE Series :: Wisdom from moon beams and the ancient Chinese Almanac for PERSONAL + BUILDING + GARDENING + GROOMING pursuits.
Read moreNational Gardening Month
An Almanac was a must have for Gardeners in times past. Without the wisdom of our agricultural godfathers we would be flummoxed and bewildered by the ways of the lunar lady and ne'er a Farmers Almanac would exist
It's a Receive 收 (Shou) day in the Tong Shu (Chinese Almanac) and it's ideally used to open your arms and receive. Be it harvest, the fruits of your labour, abundant returns, monetary or love and friendship.
Read moreSaints, Snakes, Serpent head goddess + Shamrock
The magical charm of trefoil shamrock goes way beyond the fifth century Christian legend of St.Patrick. The three leaf plant (trefoil) is said to be the source of inspiration for the triskele, triple spiral, pagan symbols and beautifully illustrated knot-work illustrated in the Books of Kells. So why is this little plant classed as lucky and appear in mythology across so many civilizations?
Read moreMonday's Moon Musings
Every day of the week has a planetary ruler and Monday’s is the one and only lunar lady - the Moon. Every hour of the day is also aligned to certain planets. The hour of sunrise, matches the day ruler so when I was getting ready to tune into a little moon ritual - I was hit by an epiphany . . . .
Read moreLanterns, Lunations, Seasonal Nodes and Valentine’s
Do you need a second chance at Love? Did you forget to give a card to your special someone on Valentines day and need to make amends? Well, there’s a second opportunity to rectify the situation as 19th February 2019 as it’s widely termed as “true” Chinese Valentines Day.
Read moreDouble Pig + Establish day
Do you need a Piggy Back today? Well, it could be your lucky day . .
It's an Establish 建 (Jian) day (15th Nov 2018) in the Tong Shu. The very best day of the repeating twelve Day Officers in the Chinese Almanac. Why? Because it has the same earthly branch, as the month so the day and month support each other, making the day strong.
Read moreMonth of the Pig + Initiate day
Oink Oink it's pig month 🐖
If you’re born in a year ending in 2, then this month is your lucky Lu Cun Lucky Money Month.
Could today's new moon, Jupiter moving signs, a lunar node shift and an Initiate day in the Tong Shu, combine to make the celestial pig fly?
Moon Lore :: Balance 平 (Ping) + Red Heads
Heads Up to all the Red Heads out there it’s - Love Red hair Day on 5th November 2018.
It’s also a Balance 平 (Ping) day according to the Almanac (Tong Shu) with the energies of the day best used when balance and the pursuit of equilibrium.
Read moreMoon Lore :: Weekend Wisdom 2nd -4th Nov
Can Friday’s be a Hump day?
This balsamic moon (4th quarter moon) personally feels stagnant and draining. Mind you, as I write this the four pillars in today’s Bazi chart are actually Earth. . . adding to the current lingering ‘Stuck’ stagnant feeling.
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