Chinese winter season, 2011, in feng shui

Winter this year, the year of Metal Rabbit, began at 2:52 AM in Beijing, or 6:52 PM GMT. As the different places in the world alter the readings of the signs to some degree, we will look at the US, UK and the EU, and compare them with China.

The year is Metal Rabbit, the month Earth Dog the day in China is Fire Monkey and in the West is Wood Sheep. The hour varies per time zone. In general, Water element is the element of winter, but this winter Water is nowhere predominant. In China the predominant element is Earth, in the EU it is Fire, in the UK it is Wood and in the US it is Earth. With Earth predominant the natural tendency is to be practical, provident and cautious. With Fire predominant the natural tendency is to rise up. With Wood predominant the natural tendency is to plan. The difference between the presence of Earth in the charts of China and the US is in what it means. For China, because of the signs of the day, it brings out creativity, and for the US it brings out financial interests. Conditions in China favor innovative developments and building up of businesses this winter. Conditions in the US direct our attention to financial matters.

Looking more closely at the UK, the predominance of Wood means that the planning going on is to insure that the UK will be more independant. The UK also has Heaven Medicine Star. This warns of illnesses this winter.

Looking at the EU, the fire shows innovation and a trend in power toward domination of one group over another. The EU at this time is becoming less egalitarian, and more hierarchic. The EU has Star of Prospects this winter. With proper organizing, major businesses, especially in Germany, should do well.

All of the charts have one common characteristic; they all are predominantly Yin. Yin far outbalances Yang everywhere. This means that the processes in force through this winter are essentially rounding out and bringing to completion what began earlier this year, nothing new. The tone is about completion.

The day sign in the EU, UK and the Americas, Wood Sheep, is what is called empty. Empty day sign means unreliable cooperation. We cannot expect international, let alone internal, accord to blossom this winter. The chart for the US also has the hour sign empty. That means that business is generally erratic. The empty sign, Sheep, is in Earth. This also means that money is mismanaged, squandered and lost.

Troubles notwithstanding, the EU, UK and the US all have the Star of Art this winter. This is a good season for creative, artistic endeavours. The EU, UK and the US also have the Star of Prospects this winter. It favors those who engage in independent business activities, and gives hope for gains. Star of Art combined with Star of Prospects is very favorable for artists and people in creative professions.

The star for the first month of winter this year is 9 Fire, a highly active and creative indicator. It puts the star for the year, 7 Metal, in the house of Thunder. The energy is bold. If you are in a good position to gain, you will if you make bold, but calculating moves. 7 Metal is shrewd.

Reduced to I Ching hexagrams, the signs for this winter for the EU give us hexagram 41, Decrease, line 4. It advises to decrease your faults; correct your internal conditions. It will encourage others to approach you.

Reduced to I Ching hexagrams, the signs for this winter for the UK give us hexagram 26, The Taming Power of the Great, line 3. It advises to be aware of danger while persevering toward your goals.

Reduced to the I Ching, the signs for this winter for the US give us hexagram 52, Keeping Still, line 1. It advises you to think before you act.

The charts for the EU, UK and the US focus greatly on finances. They favor those whose careers are in finances, commerce, entrepreneurship, investment, trade, and financial management. In fengshui this points to the money point of your house and place of business. Your Money Points are the far left hand corner of your space, the first place you see upon entering, and the Southeast area of the space. The most accurate money point can also be found from reading your Chinese astrological chart. Make sure that your money points are free of clutter and are attractive to the eye. A traditional symbol of wealth that you can place in one of your money points is a vase of flowers. The traditional Chinese flower for winter is the plum blossom. Other symbols of wealth you may consider are a pot of coins, a conch shell, a picture of a deer, a picture of a dog, a picture or bowl of goldfish, a picture of flowers, a picture of a phoenix, a picture of swallows, and a money toad. If you use a money toad it should be placed high up and facing the door.

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Raphael is available for consultations in Chinese astrology and fengshui. To find out more about Raphael's services visit www.raphaelsimons.com.

Raphael's best selling book on feng shui, Feng Shui Step by Step has been reprinted and is available at Amazon.com and at www.createspace.com/3472024.

Fall equinox, 2011 in Chinese astrology and feng shui

Fall equinox, coming exactly midpoint the Chinese fall and winter seasons, shows us a transition of energies, or shifting of the balance. Chinese fall started on August 8th, and winter starts of November 8th. While the seasonal transition is basically from Metal to Water, Metal being the element of fall and Water being the element of winter, the balances of the elements as seen from the perspective of the Chinese astrological charts drawn up for the beginnings of Chinese fall and winter this year show us a lot more.

The chart made for the Chinese fall shows a predominance of Metal element, and the chart drawn for the Chinese winter shows a strong predominance of Wood. Metal and Wood are opposites. This shows us that there will be a strong shift in the energies between fall and winter this year and that the winter will generally become more active than the fall.

The fall chart has 11 Yang elements and 4 Yin elements; the winter chart has 6 Yang and 6 Yin. You may remember how in August the stock market suddenly plummeted while there were severe storms, floods and fires. The energy at the beginning of Chinese fall season suddenly imploded, or contracted. The Yang energy of that energy made the contraction all the more forceful. The winter chart shows an even balance of Yin and Yang. This balance, with a predominance of Wood, shows rapid development of possibilities. The Wood element in winter time will generate lots of roots. Winter will be a good time to make plans for the future. Predominance of Wood may bring a lot of rain, wind and snow in the winter, especially in the east. Predominant Wood will also bring a lot of arguing and fighting in the world. It will also bring up a lot of business activity with promise of growth. For this reason it is good to gear up for future developments in business now. In terms of feng shui the attention goes to your place of work. We notice that the fall chart favors making significant changes or moves in business. The conditions around fall equinox, coming midway between Chinese fall and winter, should help you establish any moves or changes you make so that activities and future plans made through the winter become more fruitful.

The star for 2011, 7 Metal Star, is in the house of 1 Water at the beginning of fall and in the house of 4 Wood at the beginning of winter. This shows how the Metal of this year builds in the fall and profits in the winter. The winter looks lively. It favors communication, socializing, exploring new avenues, engaging in creative activities and making positive plans for the future. Pay special attention to the efficient arrangement of your work environment in all senses physical and mental.

The charts for both the Chinese fall and winter especially favor such activities as teaching, psychic and astrological counseling, therapies, medicine, scholarship, research, writing, designing, and careers involving behind the scenes activities.

The Chinese astrological charts reduced to I Ching hexagrams and lines gives us hexagram 58, The Lake, line 2 for the fall, and hexagram 1, The Creative, line 3 for the winter. The advice for the fall is to be confident in doing what gives you joy. You will have no regrets for the course you have chosen if it brings you joy. The advice for the winter is to be careful to avoid making mistakes. Impetuous moves are ill advised. Set your course in the fall; intelligently follow through in the winter.

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Raphael is available for personal Chinese astrological readings and feng shui consultations. To find out more about Raphael's services visit www.raphaelsimons.com.

Raphael's best selling feng shui book, Feng Shui Step by Step, has been reprinted and is available on Amazon.com and at www.createspace.com/3472024.

Changing your environment with feng shui

Changing your environment changes the way you see your life. If your life is stagnating or if you are anxious that your life isn't moving as you wish, short of moving out, change the arrangement of your home and see what happens. Moving is a drastic solution; it certainly gets things to change one way or another - at least until you find your way back into the same old stagnant patterns

Stagnation, the 12th hexagram in the Book of Changes, the I Ching, represents undesirable conditions at the end of summer. It is seen when the forces of Heaven and Earth move apart. It represents the consequences of over-expansion and extravagance. It gives an image of a bed-ridden man who is sick because he has been too ambitious. Another image of Stagnation is of people unable to cooperate. The I Ching says that stagnation allows evil people to succeed. It warns not accept help from exploitative and corrupt people.

How then do we get out of stagnation? First of all, it is most important to take inventory of where we are in our lives. In the traditional way, one gets one's Chinese astrological chart read to determine where one is, where one is going and how one can improve one's luck.

Once we know where we are and where we are going in life, by using feng shui, we can set about rearranging our home or opt to find a new home to improve our luck. Conditions in nature change constantly. The way you arranged your home last year or 10 years ago may not be working for you now. The energy has changed. You have changed. Nothing in nature stays the same. To dwell in a stagnant place that might have been a delight once upon a time stagnates your internal energy and brings about conditions you don't want. Chinese astrology shows how energy changes cyclically through life. Traditional feng shui is like a spacial analogue of Chinese astrology. By working with the energetic patterns shown in your Chinese astrological chart feng shui can is used to mitigate and propitiate those patterns by adjusting the space in which you live and work.

Even if you don't know anything about feng shui, rearranging your environment in a time of stagnation and uncertainty will jog your mind and help you get new ideas and find new opportunities. Short of a professional consultation, use your intuitive sense to change the way you have your home arranged just simply to let in the spirit of success. It is like opening the window to let in fresh air.

If you think of selling your house, in addition to fixing it up, simplifying its decor and making it as neat as you can, you may want to use a special color device to help get it sold. To do this you have to ascertain the compass direction of the front door. Reading the compass direction of the front door is done by standing with a compass in the doorway, looking out and noting the compass direction you are facing.

If your doorway faces North use purple on or within eyeshot of the doorway.

If your doorway faces Northeast use black.

If your doorway faces East use red.

If your doorway faces Southeast use white.

If your doorway faces South use white.

If your doorway faces Southwest use white.

If your doorway faces West use light green.

If your doorway faces Northwest use dark green.

The time to put your house on the market is always critical. If you want to the house to sell and not sit on the market forever it is best to determine the best day in astrology to put the house on the market. It is also very important that if you are determined to sell that you are absolutely sure that you are letting go of any attachments to the house.

If you want to do construction and add on to the house, using Chinese astrology in conjunction to compass methods is essential for the luck of the house and your fortunes. Construction done in the wrong time brings misfortune. Construction done in the right time brings good fortune.

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Raphael's best seller on feng shui, Feng Shui Step by Step was recently reprinted and is available through Amazon.com and at www.createspace.com/3472024.

Raphael is available for Chinese astrological readings and feng shui consultations. To find out more about Raphael's work visit www.raphaelsimons.com.

Feng Shui for Summer

Due to the differences of our calendars, Western summer straddles both the Chinese summer and autumn seasons. Chinese summer starts on May 6th and Chinese autumn starts on August 8th. Western summer starts on June 21st, exactly mid-point Chinese summer and autumn seasons. When we talk of Western summer in the context of the Chinese calendar we are talking about a period of rebalancing energies in the earth and in our lives from expanding to gathering and contracting. This article covers the conditions seen in this period of transition for this year, 2011, the year of Metal Rabbit.

Looking at the Chinese astrological charts for the summer and autumn seasons this year we find Metal element extremely strong all throughout with Water element increasing in strength. In terms of weather this points to increasing drought conditions especially in the South with storms developing into the fall. In terms of human emotions it points to collective anxiety and growing fear. The antidote to the anxiety and fear is to get organized and make sure you have quiet time in which to clear your mind. In terms of feng shui this means to simplify and organize your home and business and make sure to give yourself quiet space.

The quality of C'hi throughout this period is overwhelmingly Yang. The balance of the elements for summer gives us 11 Yang and 3 Yin, and for autumn 9 Yang and 4 Yin. Predominant Yang favors lots of activity; it is good for starting up, making changes, initiating new interests, going out and moving forward. To add to this, both summer and autumn charts have what is called Traveling Horse star. Traveling Horse star calls for making changes in work, starting new ventures, traveling, moving house, and reorganizing the home. If you don't take advantage of this energy you may experience frustration.

The summer chart favors those who are in independent professions but warns against being overbearing and trying to force your way. The extremely overbalanced Yang Metal in the chart points to dangers of fighting. The way to use Metal successfully is to be decisive, orderly, to trust your hunches and to act skillfully. The nature of Metal is cutting edge and high style. Because the time is so intensely Yang it demands creative action. Decide to make affective changes in your life now. In other words, catch the wave. Take your chances.

The autumn chart also favors those who work alone, but more those who are involved in fields of research. It also favors doctors, scholars, designers, teachers, psychics, metaphysicians, astrologers, people who work behind the scenes, and so on.

The summer chart has three Robbing stars, the autumn chart has one. Three is a lot. It favors sharp minds, and warns against sharp practices, manipulations and theft. Protect yourself, your accounts and your home against thieves, and be aware of your own desires and aquisitiveness. Extreme greed will lead to misfortune. Too much Yang and too much Metal makes it hard to see danger. There is danger. It can be curbed and averted by setting clear boundaries for yourself and well as for others. In feng shui there is a secret method for protecting a property. It involves using the person's Chinese astrological chart and compass reading of the home and burying certain objects in the ground at certain points. Robbing star does not necessarily mean being robbed literally. It can mean being taken unfair advantage of as well as taking unfair advantage of others.

The vital element for both the summer and autumn charts is Water. What is vital to well being is calm, clear reflection. Water, in Chinese terms, is intelligence. It is also pleasure. The compass direction of Water is North. The qualities of Water will keep all in healthy balance.

Raphael is available for private readings in Chinese astrology as well as feng shui consultations. To contact Raphael please visit www.psychicarts.net.

Raphael's best selling book Feng Shui Step by Step (by T. Raphael Simons) was recently reissued and is available at Amazon.com and at www.createspace.com/3472024.

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Feng Shui tips for spring 2011

Spring Equinox comes midway between the Chinese spring and summer seasons. The Chinese springtime begins on February 4th and summertime begins on May 6th. So, what we have here is a transition of conditions. The Chinese astrological chart for springtime has predominant Wood element, and the chart for summertime shows predominant Metal element. Wood and Metal are very opposite elements. Wood expands and Metal contracts and focuses. Use the spring (up to May 6th)to plan and the summer (after May 6th) to execute your decisions.

The weather conditions for spring shows rain and wind, and the conditions for summer shows dry. This means that the weather patterns will shift noticibly through May. In other words, the energy will shift. The general trend through May and beyond is to get focused and organized.

The spring chart shows checkered, and highly unstable business conditions. There is a predominance of Yang Wood. This means violent conditions especially around the spring equinox when it shows a big upset in the world. We just saw a terrible event in Japan, and we can anticipate more to come. Be careful of potential upsets in your personal relationships and career around this time as well. While the chart favors romance it also warns of conflicts. Be especially careful if you are prone to jealousy. Lots of people are pressing their luck. It may work for some but not for others. If you are not good at speculating be very careful. The chart strongly inclines to speculating. If you are sharp and shrewd this is an opportune time, however.

Feng Shui tips for the the spring center around things to do to support your career and work interests and to seek good relations with others both at work and close by. The simplest thing to do around work is to keep the place in order. Simplicity is best. Make sure, if you work in an office, to sit diagonally opposite the door, facing the door. But, do not sit right in front of the door, facing the door, as that invites annoyances and confrontations. Also do not sit in front of a window so that your face is shadowed. Keeping the light behind you so your face is difficult to make out inspires mistrust. In the area of your relationships, create a peaceful environment that allows free movement and relaxation. Provide necessary space in yourself as well as in your home for open, friendly dialogue. Sitting face to face is getting in someone's face and can cause nervousness, unwillingness to communicate and anger. It is best to sit at a comfortable angle to one another to allow for more ease. A favorable color to use this spring is yellow.

The summer chart brings out competitiveness. It especially favors independent, entrepreneurial types. The strong Metal of the time also favors cutting edge and high tech interests. Pay especial attention to your career. Make sure your home office is kept in order. White is the favorable color to use. The area of relationships appears to be calmer, not so charged. Business is the main focus. The summer especially favors those who are enterprising.

All in all the spring into summer favors independent career interests, innovative and exploratory approaches, speculating, taking chances while being careful not to get into conflict. Both the spring and summer charts are predominantly Yang. This means that this is altogether a time for taking initiative. Make sure to simplify your home and work environment so that you are more able to move forward with your plans without creating conflict.

The summer chart also favors moving house, or reorganizing your house or work space. Moving for professional reasons is most favored.

For your personal Chinese astrological forecasts and helpful insights in making the right decisions and moves visit www.psychicarts.net.

Raphael's best seller Feng Shui book Feng Shui Step by Step is now reprinted and available from Amazon.com and at www.createspace.com/3472024

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Chinese astrological view of the year of Metal Rabbit

Chinese New Year began this year with the New Moon of February 2nd. The Year is called Metal Rabbit. Metal Rabbit is assertive and diplomatic. The elements in Metal Rabbit combine to produce Wood. The nature of this combination is to plan and decide. Plans and decisions begun last year, the year of Metal Tiger, will be brought to completion this year.

This year is also the year of 7 Metal Star. 7 Metal Star has the quality of diplomacy. It strives for agreements and is shrewd and calculating. It's weaknesses lie in fantasizing about unrealistic outcomes and in engaging in legal conflict.

The chart made for the start of the New Year gives us the following signs. The year sign is Metal Rabbit; the first month is Metal Tiger; and the first day is Earth Ox. The first hour of the New Year varies with locations.

Looking at the charts of China, Japan, Australia, Pakistan, India, Afghanistan, the Middle East, Europe, the UK and the US we see the strongest elements as Earth and Wood. The relation of these elements produce what are called the Deities of Authority. The Deities of Authority are the strongest in the world this year. This means on the one hand that this is a year for people to stand up and assert themselves against odds, and on the other hand it means that people who are not so brave have to show loyalty and trustworthiness. Deities of Authority cause stress and dangers of injuries while acting to break barriers. We will see heroic actions being taken this year along with many people being injured.

In addition to the Deities of Authority, we have a secondary emphasis of elements, these being Earth and Metal. And these are in a relation that brings out the Deities of Talent. The Deities of Talent will stimulate creative intelligence, thinking and acting. This is a good year for realizing one's creative potentials. A lot of innovative thinking will be happening.

The chart for the entire world shows four stars: Tien Yi, Nobleman, Heaven Medicine and Death. These stars have the following meanings:

Tien Yi is the most fortunate star of all. Tien Yi is a deity whom all demons fear. She resolves predicaments and encourages people to help one another.

Nobleman Star brings people together to work for mutual benefit.

Heaven Medicine Star on the one hand points to illnesses in the world. On the other hand it is pointing to breakthroughs in medicine.

Death Star adds to the courage shown by the Deities of Authority and it amplifies planning abilities. The negative side of it is that it will encourage legal fights and harm to alliances.

The chart for China is very fortunate. China, while holding a perfectly friendly attitude toward everyone, is acting independently and is prospering despite unstable business conditions. In addition to this, China has it so that everyone is helping them to succeed.

The Chart for the area that includes Japan and Australia shows unstable business conditions on the one hand, and strong creative activity on the other. Conditions in the earth and atmosphere in this region are unstable. There will be more volcanic and seismic activity.

The area of Central Asia that includes Pakistan shows urgent conditions that necessitate change. There is a strong chance of change in the government of Pakistan. Violence is growing. People will become destitute and homeless and will be traveling.

The area of the Middle East is showing able leaders rising up. These people are imposing and will stand out. They will characterize the nature of the Deities of Authority, In all the turmoil opportunities for independent entrepreneurial activities will be found by those who seize the moment. At the same time there is a trend in the Middle East amongst the people to help one another in a kind-hearted way toward stabilizing and clearing away obstacles and to look for chances to prosper. The Middle East has a chance to grow positively through its ordeal.

The region of Europe and the UK and down into West and Central Africa will be luckier than they might think. They can escape disaster this year by showing courage and doing some intelligent and farsighted planning. Quarreling, however, can easily break out and damage alliances.

The United States and the countries of Central and South America, while facing great odds, have two stars of Tien Yi to help toward resolving their predicaments. The US also has the Academic Nobleman Star. It says that if the leaders of the country use their intelligence they may be able to turn the adverse situation around. But they can also fail to see their opportunity by showing arrogance and looking down on others. The country is suffering from a bad case of anxiety. The health of the country is poor.

Basic personal predictions from the Rabbit are as follows.

For Rat this is a year of challenges. You must use the energy this year is producing to be productive. Don't let your frustrations with work get the best of you. Strive forward against odds. It will only make you stronger.

For Ox this is a year to assert yourself and take initiative to overcome obstacles. Take the lead and you will succeed.

For Tiger this is a good year for romance. It is also a good year to work out your plans and be productive.

For Rabbit this is your year to increase your circle of friends and acquaintances. Make sure, however, that those around you respect your boundaries. Take time for yourself.

For Dragon this is a year to pay attention to the needs of others in your close circle, especially children. You need to exercise tolerance and forbearance and be welcoming. If you are a woman this year also favors marriage.

For Snake this is a good year to settle down in a relationship and to make a comfortable home. It is also a good year to learn new things to enrich your life.

For Horse this is a good year for romance. If you are not in a relationship you will have a good chance now. If you are in a relationship it can only get better.

For Sheep this is a harmonious year. Advance in life by accepting challenges and moving forward with self-confidence. You have a good chance to make and save up money.

For Monkey this is a good year to make money. If you are a man this year also favors marriage.

For Rooster this year offers you a challenge to look into different angles to make money. It could change your outlook.

For Dog this year offers happiness and support. It is a good year to settle into a good home and to take up a new interest. If you are a woman this year also favors marriage.

For Pig this year will be creatively productive. Pursue your business and creative aims. Many new ideas will come.

To follow articles such as this click on the Follow button at the upper right of this article.

Raphael is available for private consultations in Chinese astrology and Feng Shui. To find out more about Raphael's work visit www.psychicarts.net

Raphael's book Feng Shui Step by Step was recently reprinted and is available through Amazon.com and www.createspace.com/3472024