Paddy fields are a common sight in Asia. At the beginning of the planting season, the paddy fields are flooded with water to support the young seedlings. Flooding rice fields improves the growth of rice, reduces vulnerability to uneven rainfall and produces higher yields relative to dry soils by reducing pests and weeds. This influx of water, is representative of the October 2023 Bazi Chart in relation to the Yi Wood Day Master.
While the energies certainly paint a pretty picture, how can we use this as a month-long strategy?
YI WOOD DAY MASTER: DARE TO FAIL
With a surge of Direct Resource energies coming at the Yi Wood Day Master, the October 2023 Bazi Chart presents an ideal environment to deep dive into a certain body of knowledge.
Since a month is not a very long time, let’s start by using your Ding Fire Output star to create a simple learning strategy. Why? To avoid wasting time! Couple that with your Wu Earth Wealth star to establish a learning plan with clearly defined goals and objectives. With your Xin Metal Influence star, take every opportunity to practice what you have learnt and allow yourself the room to fail. Please don’t fear failure. It’s the best teacher we have.
From a business or career perspective, the energies of the October 2023 Bazi Chart makes this a good month to test out new ideas, again with the objective of finding out what works and what doesn’t. Again, there must be a strategy coupled with measurable results. But with the Xin Metal Influence star, this becomes an element of risk management. By the end of the month, the goal is to have a clear-cut picture of what is viable, and what is not.
In 2024, quite a number of the Zodiac signs are making a comeback. And the Pig… is one of them!
2024 PIG: DRAGON VIRTUE AND EMPEROR STAR
First, a quick recap of 2023. Not the most pleasant of years, but breakthrough was possible. 2023 was a rather ‘combative’ year for the Pig.
For some Pigs, 2023 may have felt like a year where you permanently have your dukes up. You can put your dukes down now. Because in 2024, into your quadrant, comes two mega positive stars – the Dragon Virtue and the Emperor Star.
The Dragon Virtue is one of the prized auxiliary stars. Essentially, it is a powerful blessings star. It brings nobleman support and helps to smooth the way for us. It is also the ultimate game-changer that helps turn a negative situation into positive outcome. This alone can negate the effects of the negative stars and accentuate the effects of the positive stars, especially the Emperor Star.
The Emperor Star is a leadership star. It spotlights your leadership ability and how skilled you are at rallying the troops.
Which means that 2024 will be the year to build up your reputation and trust. More on that when we get to the different pillars.
2024 PIG: RED MATCHMAKER AND STUDY HALL
The Red Matchmaker is a Peach Blossom star. It enhances your likability and approval ratings.
The Study Hall is a minor intelligence star. For students, this brings exam luck. For working adults, this is enhanced learning capacities. Basically, you enjoy better mental clarity in 2024.
This is the point where we want to stop. Notice the dotted lines to the negative stars? We want to halt our effects right here. Because there is a hidden danger in this permutation. The combative stars in 2023, leading into the Emperor star in 2024, can create an ongoing me-against-the-world mindset.
2024 PIG: DEATH GOD AND HEAVENLY OFFICER CHARM
This is how things could play out. In 2023, you had to fight and scrap for every inch of progress. Come the Emperor star in 2024, you have this feeling of:
“I did it.”
“I don’t need nobody else.”
“I can do it on my own.”
“Now that I’m the Emperor, I don’t need to listen to nobody else.”
When you find yourself thinking that way, it’s that slippery slope down to the Death God. Things start to feel under-whelming because you are still trying to do everything on your own, and progress is hard to come by.
If you get caught up in the Death God way of thinking, there is a very high chance of offending or sidelining your support system. This is the Heavenly Officer Charm. As you can see, no matter where we go in this chart, the key always comes back to your leadership skills. Your ability to rally the troops.
As a side note, I want you to be aware that Heavenly Officer Charm can also bring legal problems. So do be careful of the documents you need to sign.
2024 PIG: BRUTAL DEFEAT AND DARK SKY
The Brutal Defeat is a sign that things are not stable yet. There are still ups and downs. Not all wars can be won. Even Emperors lose wars. Therefore, 2024 is not the time to get arrogant about taking risks. It’s not the time to be greedy and reckless. Instead, listen to your ministers, and be strategic about taking calculated risks.
Finally, the Dark Sky can be interpreted in two ways. If you are in business, especially in the business where the transfer of physical goods needs to be facilitated, you best have some back up plans. Because there may be interruption to your supply process.
This can also be interpreted as low immunity caused by… over-work… the Death God.
NOT PROPHETIC IN NATURE
But please remember, this is not prophetic in nature. Also, this way of presenting the Zodiac stars is just one possible permutation of how things can flow. It can happen in any way. The goal of these annual posts is not to scare you. The goal is to show you what you want to avoid. These are neither promises nor threats! They’re just here to show you possible outcomes. So I hope, that in reading this, you learn to accentuate the positives and sidestep the negatives.
PIG IN THE YEAR PILLAR
If the Pig is in your Year pillar, one possible strategy is to double down on your reputation building. Here is an opportunity to own a niche.
In terms of networking, you have access to people in power. Your job, is to make sure you ally with that.
For those of you who are in the dating game, the Red Matchmaker is the ultimate relationship star, so get out there and network. If you are a female Fire Day Master or a male Earth Day Master, all the more reason to put yourself out there.
PIG IN THE MONTH PILLAR
If the Pig is in your Month Pillar which governs your career and working environment, there are two possible permutations. Either you improve your leadership skills or you become an expert contributor.
The presence of the Dragon Virtue here can revive a flagging and stagnating career life. Your career is being given a new breath of life. Along with the Emperor star, is an opportunity to become of the key persons in your organization.
You can use these stars to improve your ability to use authority and to delegate.
If leadership is not your cup of tea, the other possible route is to upskill in order to become a valuable solo contributor who does not need to lead the team. If you’re going this route, please make sure the compensation is equal to the effort.
PIG IN THE DAY PILLAR
What if the Pig is in your Day Pillar? After all, this is the pillar that governs your personal wellbeing and personal relationships.
If you are single and available, it’s time to put your best foot forward and get out there into the dating scene. Be aware of the energy you radiate. What kind of vibes are you giving out?
Already partnered? This is the chance to take that relationship to a new level of intimacy. The relationship grows as you both grow. Very nice!
If not partnered and don’t intend to be partnered. Here is a chance to get to know yourself better. To put an end to the self-loathing, to make peace with who you are and who you want to be.
PIG IN THE HOUR PILLAR
One word answer: Upskill. Use the Study Hall.
What else can we do? With the Dragon Virtue it is possible to revive an old idea, refresh it, rebrand it, and launch it again. Maybe it failed in the past because the timing was not quite right. Now could be the time.
With the Brutal Defeat here, some form of capital protection strategies are called for if you are trading. Because there is a risk of being blind-sided. So please don’t go ‘all-in’. Know when to cut your losses and run.
From a mental wellness point of view, this collection of stars can make someone quite stubborn. Being stubborn is not necessarily a bad thing. You just have to manage the thinking process so that stubborn does not devolve into recklessness.
HACK MY 2024
Is there a more specific way to trigger the positive stars? Actually, yes! To learn that and so much more, come join us for our annual Hack My 2024. Click on the image for more information.
Health jumps into the focus for the Jia Wood Day Master in the month of October 2023. For the Jia Wood Day Master, this torrent of Indirect Resource makes October 2023 a good month to create a robust life system that strengthens and fulfils you.
JIA WOOD DAY MASTER: HEALTH IS WEALTH
We all love the Wealth energies. However, all the wealth energies in the world are useless if we are not equipped with the physical vitality, stamina and energy to capitalize on the incoming opportunities.
The October 2023 Bazi Chart is inundated with Water. From the perspective of the Jia Wood Day Master, this could mean that you find your roots flooded. When this happens, the health of the proverbial tree will soon be affected.
Therefore, the October 2023 Bazi Chart could be a reminder to the Jia Wood Day Master to focus on your own wellbeing in order to capitalize on the opportunities coming your way.
Let’s start with your Ding Fire Output star which represents your ability to express your thoughts, feelings and individuality. This is an essential aspect of being human, and it plays a significant role in both mental and physical health. In October 2023, this is about the emotional release. It’s about finding a healthy and therapeutic outlet to release the stress, anxiety and even physical health issues that may be holding you back. Some money may need to be spent. That’s what your Wu Earth Wealth star is for.
Further, your Xin Metal Influence star is a reminder that discipline is the foundation to health improvement. It’s the commitment to consistent actions as well as the establishment of healthy habits.
In the quest for a healthier and more fulfilling life, the connection between self-expression, discipline and overall well-being can often be underestimated. For the Jia Wood Day Master, here is a one-month opportunity to be more mindful of these aspects.
For the Gui Water Day Master, the October 2023 Ren Xu month may be one where you seem to be extra sensitive to what your competitors are doing. It may feel like your competitors are being extremely active, and with that feeling, comes a compulsion to jump in and do something, anything, to be a part of the action.
But before you jump in…
GUI WATER DAY MASTER: NAVIGATING COMPETITIVE WATERS
On the surface, the October 2023 may seem like it is awash with competitors. But for the Gui Water Day Master, there are hidden opportunities. With your Ding Fire Wealth star amongst the hidden stem, seek opportunities to collaborate with some of your competitors who are working in the same space.
With your Wu Earth Influence star, comes opportunity to find out the boundaries of your competitors’ strategies. In this, comes a chance to create some form of differentiation. This can help you identify what sets you apart and leverage those unique strengths to position yourself in the market.
While everyone else is busy doing ‘Ren-water-knows-what’, the Gui Water Day Master can focus on the quality of your customer experience.
Competition is a natural aspect of any industry, and it can serve as a powerful motivator for growth and improvement.
In Bazi, the Ren Water is visualized as a large body of water. The Ren Xu (October 2023), on the other hand, is imagined as a dam where a vast quantity of water is kept within the confines of a mountain. The October 2023 is awash with Ren Water energy. As the Water energy keeps rising, the pressure on the dam increases. Eventually, something has to give.
For the Ren Water Day Master, October 2023 could be a month to focus on breaking past self-imposed restrictions.
REN WATER DAY MASTER: BREAKING PAST SELF-IMPOSED RESTRICTIONS
Often, the most significant restrictions we face are the ones we impose on ourselves. For the Ren Water Day Master, October 2023 presents with your Ren Water Friend star on the Heavenly Stem. This is a time for networking amongst your peers.
Of course, nothing to stop you from networking for fun. It’s also called hanging out. If the mere act of hanging out helps relieve the pressure somewhat, then why not?
However, to use the month’s energy to the max, it is best when the networking is anchored around several objectives. With your Ding Fire Wealth star in the Earthly Branch, you could network to find out what other people are doing and therefore, help you refine your plan.
Use your Wu Earth Influence star in a positive way by stepping outside of your comfort zone and engage with new people. As you gain experience and see the value you bring to these interactions, your confidence naturally grows.
Use Networking to access knowledge and expertise that you may not possess. By networking, we can connect with individuals from diverse backgrounds and industries where you can tap into their insights and experiences.
All the above are small steps you can take within a month to build up enough confidence and willpower to break past your own self-imposed limitations. As you do so, watch your horizons expand and restrictions fall away. I have yet to meet a Ren Water Day Master who does not enjoy that.
It’s that time of year again, where we eagerly anticipate the arrival of 2024, the Year of the Wood Dragon. This year holds particular significance as it marks the official commencement of Period 9, symbolizing a fresh start and new opportunities. For those of you with the Dog in your Bazi Charts, a time of change dawns!
2024 DOG: YEAR BREAKER
In retrospect, 2023 provided the Dog with numerous chances to accumulate resources – be it wealth, knowledge, skills, or connections. These were preparations for the transformative year ahead, 2024, known as the Year of Transformation.
However, there’s no need to dread this transformative period; think of it as the universe’s gentle nudge urging you to embark on the next phase of your life. It’s time for a change, an opportunity to revamp your life’s trajectory.
Different clashes yield different effects. In the case of the Dragon-Dog clash, it’s akin to two mountains colliding, resulting in an avalanche of challenges. Just like clearing away boulders, handling this clash involves strategic change management through smaller, impactful actions.
Can it be mitigated? Absolutely. While change is imminent, you still possess some control and support. The Dog represents the Metal Element, and the Dragon embodies the Wood Element, making it an outward clash. You can guide the direction of this change.
2024 DOG: HEAVENLY HORSE AND MONTH EMPTINESS
Support comes from the Heavenly Horse. This is a travelling wealth star. It requires movement. Ergo, travel! One way to create change is to explore new environments and experiences.
Furthermore, the Month Emptiness enhances intuition and mindfulness, making these changes less surprising. Perhaps you’ve been procrastinating or in denial, but the Year Breaker’s arrival underscores the necessity of change – it can no longer be postponed.
2024 DOG: GREAT CONSUMER AND NATIONAL TREASURE
And of course, the Year Breaker always comes paired with the Great Consumer. The effect of the Great Consumer is pretty simple. Money going out. But please note. Money going out does not equal losing money! Can you use this money to buy something of value? Assets, knowledge, new experiences or mental wellness? Of course!
Even here you have support. The National Treasure, frequently seen as a career star, is actually an authority star. Specifically, an authority in money! In the ancient Chinese governments, this is the minister of the royal treasury. With this to support you in a year with the Great Consumer, this is the time to focus on better financial planning and control.
The biggest fly in the ointment is not really the Year Breaker. The bigger threat is the one that you cannot see. Obstacles! This represents a mental resistance to change. It can also mean that you are more easily influenced by negativity among your friends. Right here is a jaded mindset. Cynical, world-weary, learned helplessness.
This cynical mindset and internal resistance to change will create a domino effect involving the other emotional stars. The Leopard Tail is argumentative.
Unnecessary arguments lead to unnecessary setbacks and obstacles. The Month Sha is a neutral star. While it represents obstacles and setbacks, it also carries a message to take responsibility for your own life.
Otherwise, everything devolves into Sky Sadness.
NOT PROPHETIC IN NATURE
But please remember, this is not prophetic in nature. Also, this way of presenting the Zodiac stars is just one possible permutation of how things can flow. It can happen in any way. It can even start from the Heavenly Horse and escalate. The goal of these annual posts is not to scare you. The goal is to show you what you want to avoid. These are neither promises nor threats! They’re just here to show you possible outcomes. So I hope, that in reading this, you learn to accentuate the positives and sidestep the negatives.
DOG IN THE YEAR PILLAR
The Year Pillar governs the external world. Our industry, social networks, professional networks, and our markets. If the Dog is found in your Year Pillar, your industry or social network is experiencing significant and ongoing change in 2024. The question is – are you part of the problem or are you part of the solution? Because the National Treasure says that the industry is looking for talent! So, if you are in the market for a career change, one of the easiest route is to use the head hunters.
Alternatively, seek out new networks! The Heavenly Horse brings variety and spice to your network. Literally, change your life by changing who you hang out with.
DOG IN THE MONTH PILLAR
If the Dog governs your Month pillar, which is the pillar for your career and business endeavours, the presence of the Year Breaker is calling for a change in how you make money. It’s calling for a pivot.
For the career professionals, the National Treasure can bring promotion opportunities. Promotions are changes too, right? Does this clash mean that you should quit your job willy-nilly? With no backup plans? Please don’t do that.
When we are feeling unhappy and stuck, it’s very human to want the feeling to end. This is where reckless decisions are made. But the Dog Year Breaker is about change management. It doesn’t call for drastic actions.
For the business owners among us, this clash is a little easier to manage.
If you are a Wood Day Master, be on the look out for opportunities or problems caused by new needs or the existence of new platforms.
For the Fire Day Masters, the opportunities or problems may be brought about by changing consumer interests.
Earth Day Masters can seek for opportunities caused by faulty or lack of leadership.
For the Metal Day Masters, the pivot may involve changing technology, such as AI.
Finally, for the Water Day Masters, opportunities or problems may pop up due to changing external rules.
DOG IN THE DAY PILLAR
If the Dog is in your Day Pillar, 2024 is the perfect year to inject more excitement into your life (Heavenly Horse). Traditionally, the Day Pillar governs our spouse and personal relationships. But today, especially with Period 9, the Day Pillar also governs our personal wellbeing.
The Month Sha is very useful here. Thought a negative star, self-responsibility can turn this negativity into a positive force. This is you saying, “This is the year I take responsibility for the direction of my life. I am not waiting for anyone or anything else to come and rescue me. I will be the hero in my own life. I will take action and create my own happiness.”
Gaining control over your personal finances will also be important. Because in this pillar, the Leopard Tail can also warn of a higher need for financial resources among your family and household. Therefore, please keep aside funds for contingencies.
But on the positive side, with the Heavenly Horse, is this a great time to revive your personal relationships through shared experiences? Family holiday? Another honeymoon, maybe? After all, since there is a need to spend money on your family, why not go on a holiday?
DOG IN THE HOUR PILLAR
Lastly, if the Dog is in your Hour pillar which governs your ideas, ambitions, aspirations, investments, staff and children, 2024 is a good year to consciously expose yourself to new ways of thinking.
Right here, because the Hour pillar governs our thinking patterns, mental wellness comes to the fore. With the support of the Month Emptiness, be very aware of your internal self-talk. If there is a need, please seek help.
Or perhaps, your investment strategy may be a little outdated? Why not acquire new knowledge in that direction?
Going back to the traditional interpretation of the Hour Pillar, children, this could pan out in two ways. Here, the Greater Consumer could mean that the outflow of money is caused by the need to support your children’s education.
Alternatively, the Year Breaker in the Hour Pillar could be a hint that it is time to change how you communicate with your children.
HACK MY 2024
Is there a more specific way to trigger the positive stars? Actually, yes! To learn that and so much more, come join us for our annual Hack My 2024. Click on the image for more information.
In an age where Instagram filters, Photoshop, and curated social media profiles dominate our screens, the concept of a distorted self-image has become increasingly prevalent. For the Xin Metal Day Master, October 2023 may be the month to embrace your authenticity and self-acceptance.
XIN METAL DAY MASTER: THE HALL OF MIRRORS
Xin Metal Day Masters values refinement and elegance. Self-value is inherently important for you, regardless of whether you enjoy the attention of others or not.
In a Xin Metal Day Master’s Bazi Chart, the presence of the Ren Water is important. This represents your ability to self-reflect and the mindfulness of how you present yourself to others. But when the Xin Metal Day Masters experience a month where the Ren Water inundates the chart, there is a possibility of creating a ‘Hall of Mirrors Effect’ where your self-image becomes dangerously distorted.
It is essential to recognize the signs of a distorted self-image. These signs include negative self-talk, excessive comparisons, as well as avoidance and isolation due to feelings of self-consciousness or self-doubt.
Instead of staying trapped in a social media algorithm, how can a Xin Metal Day Master make positive use of the October 2023 Ren Xu chart?
With your 7 Killings and Direct Resource stars inside the Earth branch, let’s start by taking physical action through the simple remedy of exercise, plenty of rest, and becoming conscious of how you nourish your body. In other words, self-care as opposed to self-hate.
With that first step done, let’s focus on building and maintaining authentic connections with individuals who share your values and aspirations (as opposed to counting likes on social media).
And finally, with the Hurting Officer on the Heavenly Stems, it’s time to live your brand. Ensure that every action you take, reflects who you really are as opposed to who you think you should be.
Geng Metal Day Masters may find their creative urges heightened in October 2023. You may experience a deluge of ideas, innovative new thoughts, as well as an itch for the freedom to experiment and play with these exciting new concepts.
However, an overload of Eating God can lead to perfectionism and idealism. The danger is real that you may have a lot of ideas, but may not have the opportunity or inclination to follow through.
For the Geng Metal Day Masters, wringing the utmost out of October 2023 may entail two key focus.
GENG METAL DAY MASTER: THE DISCIPLINE OF CONSISTENCY
Discipline is the backbone of any successful creative endeavour. While the two may seem to be on polar ends of the spectrum – one is all about freedom, while the other is all about restraint – without discipline, even the best ideas will never be converted into reality.
In the month of October, Geng Metal Day Masters can work to create a routine that nurtures and leaves room for creativity in your daily life. After all, a novel does not get written unless the author commits time daily to sit down in front of a laptop and write.
GENG METAL DAY MASTER: TEAMWORK MAKES THE DREAM WORK
As trite as the title may sound, teamwork is essential to pull off the bigger ideas. As independent as the Geng Metal Day Master may be, there are limits to what a single individual can accomplish alone. Therefore, in October 2023, be mindful to assemble a diverse team that brings a wide range of perspectives and talents to the table. More importantly, allow them to help you reach for that ideal.
Ji Earth Day Masters is likely to be flooded by a wave of wealth energy in October 2023. The deluge of Water energies brought about by the Ren Xu month, and added to by the presence of the Gui Mao year, may feel a little overwhelming.
Ji Earth Day Masters may feel like overwhelmed by the sheer deluge of opportunities. In trying to grab every single one, there is a risk that you may make careless mistakes and resort to speculating instead of informed decisions.
But let’s not waste a perfectly good Wealth month!
JI EARTH DAY MASTER: BLENDING EXPERIENCE, CREATIVITY AND PLANNING
For the Ji Earth Day Masters, October 2023 starts by drawing on your leadership journey and the lessons you have learned to date. Think about how these experiences have and can inform your creative approach.
Creativity is the spark that ignites innovation and problem-solving. It is certainly a leadership asset. Leaders who embrace creativity inspire their teams to think outside the box, adapt to changing circumstances and devise ingenious solutions.
With the idea of encouraging creativity within your team, foster a workplace culture that values diversity of thought. Encourage your team members to contribute their creative ideas and perspectives.
And finally, when all the brainstorming is done, your most obvious job is the Direct Wealth on the Heavenly Stems – the planning, the alignment of goals, the resource allocation, the risk mitigation, as well as the measurement and adaptation.
Setting up Feng Shui for apartments can be both easy and challenging due to the limited options in an apartment or condominium setting. Unlike houses, where renovations are more feasible, apartments often come with constraints on changing layouts. There is a limit to what we can do. However, with the increasing popularity of apartment living, it’s essential to consider Feng Shui principles to create a harmonious environment. Here are some tips to set up great Feng Shui for your apartment:
Apartment Logic #1: The Front Door
While many Feng Shui practices focus on the landform outside the front door, apartments and high-rise condos face unique challenges as their doors open to corridors. Despite this, the front door remains extremely important as the ingress and egress point of the unit. It significantly influences the flow of energy (Qi) into your home. At the most basic, it’s best not to have two opposite unit doors directly facing each other. This arrangement can lead to unstable Qi and potential conflicts between neighbors.
Similarly, we try to avoid apartment units where the bedroom doors are directly facing to each other. This will impact the harmony between the occupants of the two bedrooms.
Apartment Logic #2: Front Door facing the Balcony causes Wealth Leak
In high-rise units, it’s common for the front door to directly face the balcony. This can lead to a wealth leak, as Qi enters the apartment but quickly exits through the balcony. Some suggest building a solid divider in front of the door to block the Qi, but this may darken the Bright Hall. A simpler (and cheaper) solution is to use a curtain to block the part of the balcony door that is in line with the front door.
Apartment Logic #3: Balconies are important for Feng Shui
From a Feng Shui perspective, balconies hold great importance in the Feng Shui of your apartment or condominium unit. In apartments, balconies are considered as a secondary Qi mouth. They allow practitioners to tap into incoming Qi, facilitating easy Feng Shui setups. If your balcony faces a beautiful green mountain, it enhances the positive energy even further. Do consider this when you are next in the market for an apartment or condominium.
Apartment Logic #4: The proximity to the lift is important
The lift area represents the Yang sector of the building due to constant traffic. Living closer to the lift lobby makes it easier to draw in energy.
Apartment Logic #5: Emergency staircases
Emergency staircases are essential for safety. As long as they are not frequently used and the doors are usually closed, any impact on wealth or energy will be minimal. However, being aware of this can help you stick to your budget more effectively.
Apartment Logic #6: Avoid garbage disposal units nearby
If possible, avoid having a garbage disposal unit near your apartment, as it can negatively affect the energy and overall harmony.
Apartment Logic #7: Avoid lopsided buildings
For stability, it’s best to avoid buildings with irregular shapes or units that have significant missing sectors. It’s best to choose a unit with minimal missing sectors. From a Feng Shui perspective, square is best. Yes, we’re boring that way!
Apartment Logic #8: The impact of the floor number
The suitability of a floor is determined by matching your personal Life Gua with the floor number. Contrary to common beliefs in some cultures, there’s no need to avoid the number ‘4’ in Feng Shui. For instance, if your personal Life Gua is 9, the fourth floor can be a viable option, as it creates a 4-9 Metal He Tu combination symbolizing power and authority.
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