A Business and Career Consultant-Coach who melds Chinese Metaphysics techniques with modern day Coaching to help you become the best that you can be.
A lifelong reader who cannot imagine life without books; a 25-year Communications professional with an expertise in sports communications, sports marketing and broadcasting.
Imagine you are walking along, and suddenly, you find your path blocked by the biggest and rockiest mountain ever! After an understandable bout of cussing, what are you going to do?
Bust out a sledgehammer and start chopping through the mountain? Too difficult!
Start setting up dynamites? You carry dynamites when you’re out on a walk?
Try to climb the mountain? Possible, but arduous.
How about making a tactical retreat and then re-approach from a different angle?
The Retreat hexagram is a call to get back to basics. In a negative sense, it can be called ‘quitting’. But quitting is not necessarily a bad thing. Are there some negative parts in your life that you can call it quits in 2023?
Could it be a toxic relationship? Could it be a way of thinking? Certain habits? Netflix? (lol!)
A time of retreat is not a time of stagnation. Because retreat is not giving up. During more war-like days, when armies retreat, that is the time for healing the injured, getting fresh supplies, and creating new strategies. Retreat is conserving energy so that you can better position yourself for future moves. Therefore, retreat is a time for strategy and self-improvement.
The arrival of Star 8 into a Star 9 life also brings the promise of happy events that promote better emotional health. Therefore, the Retreat hexagram can represent a calling to get back to your roots and focus on what is the most important fundamentals in your life.
Success is close at hand for those of us with the Life Star 8. Almost there! In this game we call life, what is your next move? Because this is the time to set your plans into motion. Success is literally within reach, you only need the courage to step forward.
The Arrival hexagram is seen as a young sapling planted on fertile ground, with Kun (Earth) on top, and Zhen (Tree) at the bottom. The tree has to take advantage of all the available resources to make sure that it grows tall and strong when conditions are working to its favour.
So do not procrastinate. Get your support systems and resources in place. Especially when it comes to monetary concerns, the potential for windfall gains are high. So you must be ready to capitalize on timely opportunities when they present themselves to you.
The arrival of Star 7 into a Star 8 life can also bring noble people into your life. While these noble people may make things a little easier for you, you must consciously be independent as well. It’s all too easy to fall into the dependency trap when things are going smoothly.
The Small Livestock hexagram is like a bright blue sky on a scorching, stifling summer day. The Xun (Wind) on top, the Qian (Heaven) at the bottom. Plenty of puffy white clouds, a tiny breeze is blowing, but not a drop of rain in sight.
This hexagram represents a period of time when the wind is ebbing, when it does not even have the momentum required to gather the clouds together. This is a time to focus on the small details, as opposed to pushing for a big move. This is the time to put the final details of your plans together, small tiny successes that pile one on top of each other until eventually the momentum starts to pick up.
Please do not underestimate the power of these small successes. One small success every day will culminate inn 365 successes by the end of a year.
It’s obvious by now that you won’t be the ‘rainmaker’ this year. You may not have the resources on hand to take sweeping actions. The solution: collaborations and partnerships.
Therefore, this is the year for a Star 7 person to employ the power of subtle influence and gentle persuasion.
When you find yourself caught in a maelstrom, the first thing to do is not to panic!
The arrival of the Consistency hexagram in a Star 6 life can be a little unsettling. It brings about a rapidly changing external environment coupled with an internal feeling of helplessness. Yes, it’s a feeling much like being sucked into a whirlpool – helpless! You see the world changing around you, but you are locking yourself into a position where you cannot move.
The Consistency hexagram is a lesson in adaptability and flexibility. We can stay true to our goals, while changing our methods. That’s the message from the Consistency hexagram with Zhen (Thunder) at the top, and Xun (Wind) at the bottom.
Consistency is achieved through constant motion. It’s not a state of inactivity. This hexagram is encouraging you to be flexible in your approach to life, but always with your eyes firmly on the goal. There are many paths to reach a destination.
But what if you have not decided on your destination? The arrival of the Consistency hexagram will require that you dig deep to tap into your own sense of purpose and find your anchor.
“When the winds of change blow, some people build walls and others build windmills
Chinese proverb
Something that you have started is beginning to gain momentum. The winds of change are shifting, and it would shift to your favour if you use this opportunity to uplift and improve the lives of people in your orbit.
Propelled by this momentum, this is the best time for you to take the necessary steps to start building your tribe and following. Upward motion is the key here, moving from a position of obscurity to becoming a person who is able to enlarge your sphere of influence.
Think about the impact of your contributions. Search for creative ways to scale this impact so that you can serve more people.
That’s the external part of the Rising hexagram. What about if we were to internalize it? Let’s start by making the conscious decision to uplift ourselves this year. To change that ‘naggy’ inner voice from one that constantly judges yourself to a gentler and more encouraging tone.
But let’s get real here. There will be days when you will fall off the wagon. It’s ok! No need for self-flagellation. Simply, get back on the wagon and start again. Because when our internal landscape is on the ‘rise’, that’s the beginning of hope!
For those of you with the Life Star 4, 2023 and the arrival of the Beginning hexagram signifies the possibility of a fresh start. This fresh start could happen in various forms – in your career, relationships, health, personal wellness, lifestyle, anything.
But as exciting as a fresh start can be, it’s not without its rough patches. Let’s call them… teething problems!
The Beginning hexagram, with Kan (Water) on top, and Zhen (Wood) at the bottom, represents a tiny new seedling pushing its way up to the surface. This young and fragile seedling needs to make an extraordinary effort to push through the denseness of the earth before it can emerge into the sunlight.
The seedlings that lack the inner will to power past the obstacles will forever remain buried underground. But for the seedlings that make it to the surface, a time of flowering and abundance awaits.
Therefore, the Beginning hexagram is a lesson in perseverance. You’ve taken a bold step to make improvements in your life. But now you are encountering obstacles. And that tiny voice in your head is getting louder, asking you to run back to the ‘safety’ of your comfort zone. Be warned. That way lies stagnation!
Know that the current difficulties you are experiencing are nothing more than a blip in the grander sense of things. They represent a time of trial-and-error. They are… teething problems.
All that’s required, is to be patient, work steadily, have several routes mapped out, give it due diligence and attention, and most of all, be sure to nip the weeds in the bud. Work hard now, be willing to put in the hours, stay focused on your goal. You can enjoy life later.
And most importantly, don’t be shy to ask for a helping hand. The arrival of Star 3 into the life of a Life Star 4 can increase your Peach Blossom luck. So if nothing else, you’re a lot more likable in 2023!
“Keep walking through the storm, your rainbow is waiting on the other side.
Heather Stillufsen
Congratulations! The arrival of the Advancement Hexagram in the Star 3 life promises steady growth and natural progress. Things are moving apace. All you have to do, is participate. So, just keep walking!
It’s not the time yet to look for new directions. Instead, update your internal road-map and plan for step-by-step progress. Progress made through the Advancement Hexagram can be a little slow, a little more gradual. It’s not one for flashy results.
The Li (Fire) at the top, producing the abundant Kun (Earth) at the bottom, is akin to the heavens creating situations that will ultimately benefit you.
However, there is a snarky line in the Secrets of Xuan Kong that reads: When Fire sees Earth: stupid and stubborn clots will emerge.
Therefore, do try not to be a stupid and stubborn clot! It’s one thing to deal with stubborn fools, it’s another to adopt an egoistical and recalcitrant stance. The arrival of Star 2 into the life of a Life Star 3 is sometimes known as the Bullfight Sha which brings about senseless and needless arguments or disputes.
There is a calling to rise above the pettiness. After all, you can afford to be magnanimous. You’re the one who’s making progress!
‘Fools rush in, where angels fear to tread’. They say, ignorance is bliss and happy is the fool. The arrival of the Bliss hexagram in a Star 2 life can be viewed in two different ways.
On the one hand, it represents an opportunity to create an unshakeable inner joy and inner peace, unaffected and unsullied by external events. It’s the ability to still experience peace and joy, despite the problems you are facing.
Yet at the same time, wilful naivety and headstrong rebellion can only carry you so far.
How about we meld those two disparate interpretations together? The Bliss hexagram carries the Gen (Mountain) on top, and the Kan (Water) at the bottom. This hexagram can be visualized as an underwater stream or hidden resources that you can only get to if you dig deep.
Instead of wilful naivety, how about making the conscious effort to cultivate a childish delight and curiosity for learning? Be teachable. Adopt an open attitude towards advice. Be the student who delights in learning, and actively work towards enhancing your awareness.
The arrival of the Bliss hexagram heralds the arrival of teachers and mentors with the knowledge to take you to the next level. At the very least, do your part by seeking them out. Learn something that makes you uncomfortable! Stretch your mind! Get out there and experience something new.
The only caution when Star 1 visits a Life Star 2 life – be very careful with food hygiene.
Insanity is doing the same thing over and over, yet expecting different results. There comes a time when a revamp is required. An internal revolution, if you will, to improve our lives.
The Reform hexagram carries the Dui (Lake) on top, and Li (Fire) at the bottom. Like a geyser or hot water springs, pressure is building up to the point where something’s gotta give.
It’s a time of transformation and evolution.
This is especially true if you have been on cruising mode for the longest time. Consider the Reform hexagram as a firm nudge forward. You are being challenged to step up and leave your comfort zone, re-asses your situation and re-evaluate what can be done differently.
And the most significant change will happen if this creates an internal revolution, if you successfully reform your thinking patterns and attitude. So with the arrival of the Reform Hexagram in your life, it’s time to take stock and review old habits or methods. Reform how you view changes in your life. When that switch happens, better things will come.
On a side note, the 9-7 is a Peach Blossom combination. So if you don’t know what else to change, at least consider changing your marketing methods or how you promote yourself professionally.
The arrival of Star 9 in a Life Star 1 life also creates a ‘Combo-10’ which makes 2023 a good year for collaborative efforts and partnerships.
I’m sure most of you would have realized by now that Chinese Metaphysics employs a lot of ‘layering’. Be it Bazi, Feng Shui or Qimendunjia, it’s always nuggets of information that when put together, forms a whole picture.
Must it always be this complex, I hear you ask? In truth, we humans are complex. We humans have our layers too! Anything less than layers will require boxing each and every one of us into tightly-labelled packages – neat, but perhaps a little restricting?
In the past weeks, I have shared a series of suggestions for each of the 10 Day Masters to get aligned with the energies that the 2023 Year of the Water Rabbit offers. In this post, let’s look at what the 2023 Qimen chart offers.
Take particular note of the labels inside your own chart and determine the sectors/palaces for each of your key palaces. For example: your Destiny Palace may be in the East palace. You will see a red box inside the East.
I would highly recommend that you keep your focus strictly on just a few key palaces – the Destiny Palace, the Career Palace, the Wealth Palace, and perhaps the Relationship Palace.
The following description is the likely opportunities or challenges that you may experience in those sectors of your life in 2023.
With the arrival of the 9 Heavens in this sector, the East is a particularly forward-looking palace in 2023. Straight off the bat, this makes it a great year for goal-setting, especially if the East governs either your Destiny Palace, Wealth or Career palaces.
But goal-setting is just one particular activity. What can you do in the immediate year while keeping an eye on the future? Learn to negotiate. The arrival of the Ambassador star calls for a need to negotiate. Along with the expansive Harm door, it calls to mind the image of an ambassador or diplomat at the negotiation table – offering, counter-offering, persuading, wheeling and dealing.
However, do be aware of the potential for miscommunications. The Gui and Ji forms a formation known as the Elegant Seal Earth Door which denotes blocked messages or news, or even the possibility of seeing your plans open to other people’s influence.
Put together, the formation suggests the need to be willing to give up something in the here and now, in exchange for gaining something else in the future. An example of this scenario would be someone taking a hiatus from work to go back to school for more education – thereby, giving up the present income with the intention of earning more in the future.
If your Destiny, Career or Wealth palace resides in the South East, 2023 is a time for some stock taking. With the coming of the Destructor star, change is afoot. But before you can deal with changes, it is best to know what weapons you have in your arsenal. Do you have enough resources? Is your knowledge up to date? The Delusion door carries a warning – sticking your head into the sand and hoping that things will stay just as they are will be detrimental in the long run.
Now I’d like to stress that the Destructor star does not always carry negative connotations. True, as humans, we still don’t like change. But the world is constantly changing around us. The coming of the Destructor star paired with the 9 Earth which governs current resources does not always mean that your resources are about to be drained. Instead, it could also mean that some opportunities may open up to you in 2023, and you need to know what you have in order to take advantage of those opportunities.
I also note that there are 2 Death and Emptiness in the South East. As scary as the name may sound, think of these as voids. They suggest a feeling of emptiness and hollowness, of something lacking in spite of your recent achievements.
Hence, the need to take stock. With a true understanding of your resources at hand, you will be able to craft your onwards journey. Continuity is achieved through constant movement. True endurance is not about staying still. It’s about staying true to your purpose but being flexible enough to be actively changing to the times.
If you are someone who works in the influencing sphere, and your Destiny, Career or Wealth palace falls in the South, congratulations! In 2023, the South Palace is literally the best when it comes to branding and promotions. Because here is a powerful combination to learn the subtle art of influence.
The Black Tortoise is all about influencing minds. Paired with the Scenery door that casts you in the best possible light… here lies the opportunity to gain trust and amass a following.
If the South is your Career or Wealth palace, consider using knowledge-sharing strategies in your content marketing. Give value first. Give information first. This is the first step towards creating your tribe.
Most of us have experienced the hero complex in some form or another, haven’t we? I promise, I’m not judging you, but the hero complex is a lot more common than we think. Have we never found ourselves thinking that we are the only ones who can get something done, resolve a problem, or feel the need to ‘sacrifice’ ourselves for the good of others?
Here comes the Death Door together with the White Tiger into the South West. It’s time to end the ego tripping or risk over-exerting yourself and unnecessarily inserting yourself into more drama. This is especially true if the South West governs either your Career or Health palaces.
None of us are truly irreplaceable. If you keel over from exhaustion tomorrow, HR will have someone sitting at your desk by the day after.
Therefore, if the South West governs any of your main palaces, taking the time to rejuvenate yourself is a must in 2023. Think of this rejuvenation as a form of re-birth, shedding off old ways that no longer serve, and embracing 2023 as a brand new you.
Geng and Ding creates the White Pavilion of Deceit. A power struggle is a-brewing in the West and things are not going to be pretty. And the cause of this power struggle? Scarcity thinking.
If the West governs your Wealth palace and you happen to be a business owner, please resist the temptation to enter into a price war as more competitors enter your market. If this is your Career palace, then please be aware of the political undercurrents.
As things start to unravel, now is the time to re-consolidate your alliances and make sure to keep your goals aligned with your partners.
However, on an interesting note, if the West is your Wealth palace and you happen to have a business that helps people solve relationship problems (eg: couples therapist)… congratulations!
The coveted Ding and Bing comes together in the Northwest to form the Sun Follows Moon Turn formation. Coupled with the Open Door, this makes the Northwest one of the better palaces in the 2023 Qimen chart. Regardless if the Northwest is your Destiny, Wealth or Career palace, it’s almost as if the stage is being set for your hard work to finally pay off in a big way!
Stay true to your course, but there is an opportunity here to continue to upskill… ready for your next evolution!
Alternatively, with the pairing of the Pillar star along with the Moon Deity, you may find educational marketing techniques to be particularly fruitful in 2023, especially if the Northwest governs either your Wealth or Career palaces.
There are a number of positive palaces in the 2023 Qimen Chart. The North is literally the very best. The arrival of the Bing Fire at the Heaven Plate with the Xin Metal on the Earth Plate creates the Sun Moon Meeting formation which augurs well for success. This formation is further supported by the Flying Bird Falls Into Cave, Bing Receives Envoy, and Absolute Power structures residing within the Chart.
The fly in the ointment is the Rest Door coming together with the Surging Snake which describes a tendency to take things for granted. But isn’t that normal? When things are going well, we naturally will feel the urge to just ‘skate by’.
This is where the discipline of the Heart star comes in. To dig deep and pull out the discipline you need to move swiftly and expedite progress while you have this formation by your side.
The Northeast palace in 2023 is more about navigating obstacles as opposed to dismantling obstacles. The presence of the Xin Metal on the Heavenly Plate and the Gui Water on the Earth Plate creates a formation known as Heavenly Prison Elegant Seal. While certainly not catastrophic, this formation brings irritating obstacles that calls for some creative fast-footing to circumvent.
But before you can bend or break the rules, you must first understand the rules of the game. It’s not about inventing a whole new set of rules for the players in your field. Instead, it’s about which set of rules can be safely ignored to get the quickest results possible.
The presence of the Grass Star along with the Life Door creates the possibility of turning an obstruction into an opportunity. Therefore, it will be wise to get yourself out there and set things in motion.
All Bazi terminologies and the Bazi Chart referred here are copyrighted materials belonging to, and are used with permission from Dato Joey Yap and/or Joey Yap Research Group Sdn Bhd.
For more information on services and courses offered by Dato Joey Yap and/or Joey Yap Research Group Sdn Bhd, please visit www.joeyyap.com.
