July 7 takes us into the month of the Wood Sheep, the last month of summer in the Chinese solar calendar. It’s a month to be cautious of conflicts and opposing viewpoints as the Sheep (or the Goat) and the Ox present opposing energies. In the Flying Star Feng Shui chart, monthly star 9 of joy and future prosperity, associated with the Fire trigram is in the center, bringing hopes for the future. Read the second half of this update to learn how the nature of the monthly trigram influences the world at large.
The Sheep welcomes us into the lazy days of summer. We’re now in the “Slight Heat” seasonal marker, with Yin starting rise again after being taken over by Yang on summer solstice. We may be settling into a quieter rhythm after an active, exuberant month of the Horse in June, when schools just let out and people spent more of their free time on social activities and vacations. The universe is calling us to slow down and return to the center to harmonize our body, mind and spirit with the nurturing qualities of Yin Earth, the element of the Sheep.
The strongest of the four Earth signs, the Sheep / the Goat marks the transition from late summer to beginning of fall. Dampness is a common health issue during this time of year, a condition associated when heat and humidity encounter overly strong Earth element. Avoid dampness-related conditions such as lethargy, congestion, swelling of the joints, and gastrointestinal disorders by staying physically active and eating foods that are Yin in nature such as cucumber, watermelon, berries, jicama, pear, peppermint, and leafy greens. Metal element foods such as ginger, chili peppers, turmeric, and kimchi help disperse internal heat. Eat simply and lightly to avoid sluggishness.
As the Sheep opposes the Ox, the Sheep month is poised to be 2021’s most challenging month. We may feel general heaviness in the environment and in the mind and body. Have your emergency kit ready if you live in an earthquake or fire prone areas. With both signs being of Earth element, associated with Saturn, we may feel pressured by our duties and obligations, especially if you have a Sheep, Ox, or Dog in your chart. Take care of your health and know your boundaries.
With Yin Wood in the heavenly stem of the month, it’s critical that we stay flexible and keep the mind open to other viewpoints. As our mind expands, so does our consciousness and ability to see more beauty and diversity in the world around us. Work in the spirit of collaboration rather than competition.
The Sheep month may bring financial opportunities to those born on a Wood day as Earth is the wealth element to Wood day-masters, while those born on a Water day may feel even more pressured at work in an already stressful year as Earth controls Water. Because Earth occurs twice more often than the other four elements in the Chinese calendar, what Earth represents in your chart impacts you more often than other elements.
The signs that get along with the Sheep are secret friend the Horse and allies the Rabbit and the Pig. Those with these signs in their chart can generally expect a more supportive month ahead, despite pressures from the Ox. *Keep in mind that other signs in the natal chart may contribute to a more challenging month.
If you were born in a Yang Earth, Yang Wood, or Yang Metal year or day, the Sheep month is a good time to schedule personal, medical, or professional consultations as both the Sheep and the Ox are your noble people. We can say that the Sheep and the Ox are the most helpful signs among the Chinese zodiac signs as they are the noble people / guardian angels to three day-masters, more than any other signs. *Yang Earth years are years that end with 8, such as 1998, 2008, 2018, and so on; Yang Wood years are years that end with 4, such as 1984, 1994, and so on; Yang Metal years are years that end with 0 such as 2010 and 2020.
JULY 2021 FENG SHUI
In the Flying Star chart for July 2021 above, the numbers in green are the annual stars for the current year (good until February 3, 2022), while the numbers in blue refer to July 2021’s monthly stars (good from July 7 to August 6, 2021).
The stars in the center of the Bagua chart, represented by the numbers, form the energetic foundation of the particular periods, whether annual or monthly. Each number (with the exception of number five) is associated with a trigram. The symbolisms of the trigrams can provide us with messages and guidance to issues that arise during the specific period.
July’s ruling trigram, Li, the Fire trigram, is associated with light, the heart, the eyes, the emotion joy, the color red, and the middle daughter (or middle-aged women). Pay attention to events happening this month, especially those highlighting female leaders and lightworkers, as the energy of this month may offer us a preview of the upcoming Period 9, a new 20-year cycle in Chinese Metaphysics that we’re transitioning into.
A 9 cycle calls for higher consciousness and spirituality – it will be a big change for all of us. It’s critical that we open our heart to love and joy, otherwise fear, associated with the Water trigram, will overtake us as Water is the element that puts out Fire. Let love be the driving force in all of your actions. We may be called to step out of our comfort zone – don’t let fear restrict your growth. I’d written a period 9 article last year that I’ve been meaning to post, and I will post it later this month, stay tuned!
You can see from the monthly Flying Star chart above that there aren’t too many positive sectors to activate in July other than the South sector and the center. The 1/4 combination in the South sector makes it an ideal space for studies, writing, creative projects, and social activities. Monthly star 9 in the center strengthens the effects of the annual 6, a Metal star associated with power, the creative force, and the Heaven trigram. Whereas star 9 is Yin in energy, star 6 is pure Yang in spirit. On the other hand, the monthly 9 may also adds fuel to existing Metal-related issues such as leadership, social justice, and pulmonary diseases associated with the annual 6. For more on the annual 6, you can review my 2021 Feng Shui outlook.
Use the West sector mindfully, as it’s blessed with annual star 8 of prosperity but afflicted with monthly star 2 of illness. You can do your work in the sector if it’s your office space, or sleep there if it’s your bedroom, however refrain from spending too much time in the sector.
Keep the Southeast, North, and Northeast sectors quiet in July. Although monthly star 8 of harmony and prosperity is in the Southeast, the sector is afflicted with the annual star 5 of misfortune and is best left quiet, while the North has the inauspicious 5/2 combo of monthly star of misfortune and annual star of illness. Take extra safety and health precautions if you reside in the North region of a geographical area, or if your front door is located in the North sector. Monthly star 3 of arguments visit the Northeast and its effects are strengthened by the annual star 9 in the sector. Pay attention to your mood if you have to use the sector, especially if you feel anger rising.
Reinforce all doors and windows located in the East, visited by monthly 7 of fire dangers, violence, and robberies, and the Northwest sector, where the annual 7 is.
*Although there may be remedies to lessen a sector’s negative energy, the best solution is to simply avoid using the sector, or keep the area as quiet as possible and respect whatever energy is visiting there, especially if you’re not familiar with your home’s natal energies as you may accidentally activate a negative natal star. If you do have to spend time in the area, keep your activities there minimal. Common sense also applies: for example, it’s a good idea to have doors and windows reinforced if they’re located in a sector affected by star 7 of robbery.
Contact me here if you’d like to identify and activate the auspicious sectors in your living or office space and subdue the influences of inauspicious stars to help optimize your family’s well-being. I also recommend getting a strategic life reading, which provides you with a blueprint for manifesting your highest potentials.
**If you have had a Feng Shui assessment done, consider getting an annual update as the annual stars are strong in influence and can highly affect the well-being of the home’s occupants. A proper Feng Shui analysis always takes into account the floor plan of a home, its location, direction, external and internal environment, and the year the home was built, as well as its affinity with the residents’ natal charts.
Just like we spend time on self-care as part of our life’s self-work, there is major “home” work involved once you’ve had your home professionally Feng Shui’d. Knowing your home’s natal energies brings full awareness of how your immediate environment can positively influence your life.
*Featured image by Stefan Widua on Unsplash