Autumn begins on August 8 this year in the Chinese solar calendar, a season ruled by Metal. We’re now in the month of the Water Monkey, which marks the second half of the year of the Earth Pig. How has the year been for you?

August brings a palpable shift of energy in the environment, with exuberant Yang surrendering to introspective Yin. This is a month to clear away summer’s excess to make room for the upcoming harvest. Those who suffered from lethargy in July due to dampness will find more lightness as Metal’s dispersive quality lifts away July’s Earth element’s heaviness.

Expect an active month ahead, with Yang Water in the heavenly stem of the month and the Monkey, a Yang Metal sign in the earthly stem. Yang Water, associated with powerful oceans, seas and rivers, is constantly moving and can be directionless when there’s no container, while the Monkey, a travel star in Chinese Astrology, brings even more travel to an already busy Pig year, also a travel star.

A regular mindfulness practice is key to maintaining inner peace and clarity as the next few weeks will fly by. Being adaptable and in the flow (like Yang Water) is also a good attitude to have as change can be swift in a Yang Metal month. For more insights on Metal – the element that is the least understood and most lacking yet most needed in today’s society, check out this article I wrote last year for Energy Magazine September / October 2018 issue (go to page 38).

In the Flying Star Feng Shui chart for August 2019, the numbers in green are the annual stars for the current year (good until February 4, 2020), while the numbers in blue refer to August’s monthly stars.

The most auspicious sectors in August are the North, Northwest, and Northeast sectors. The North benefits from the monthly star 1 of wisdom and distant prosperity, which together with the annual star 4 of romance and academic achievements brings positive energy and romance / study luck to those who spend a lot of time in the North sector of their home or office. Monthly star 6 of power and authority visits the Northwest, where the annual star 9 of future prosperity resides, energizing career luck. In the Northeast, the monthly star 8 of current prosperity makes a lucky sum-of-ten combination with the annual star 2, bringing positive energy of abundance to those who reside in the sector. Take care not to spend too much time in the sector, however, if you experience gastrointestinal disorders as star 2 is associated with illness. If your home’s North, NW and NE sectors are an open area, without walls separating the sectors, you can further take advantage of the 1, 6, 8 lucky combination.

The sector to spend as little time as possible in August is the Southwest. Monthly star 2 of illness visits the Southwest, already afflicted by the annual star 5 of misfortune, creating the dreaded 5,2 combo. Avoid the Southwest if possible, otherwise, keep it quiet and dark when not in use.

The center has been the year’s best sector, especially if your home has an open center. This month, however, is the month to spend less time in the center, as monthly star 5 of misfortune flies to the center, lessening the positive effect of annual star 8. Elsewhere, reinforce any windows and doors that are located in the South, Southeast, East, and West sectors.

Remember, common sense rules in Feng Shui. Don’t force your luck if an auspicious star happens to visit an unusable area such as the closet or the bathroom. Doing your work in the closet will not bring happiness or prosperity!

*Although there may be remedies to lessen a sector’s negative energy, the best solution is to 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 star’s natal influences.

Contact us 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 manifest your highest potentials. 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.

Feng Shui has nothing to do about having a “consultant” come and “clean” your space with sage, incense, or palo santo sticks. While I love those space-clearing tools, they’re as good as vacuuming and mopping the floor and will not get you to the root of the issue. In fact, it is better to vacuum as the noise and movement activate a positive sector – I highly recommend doing so on the first day of the new solar month! 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 your internal environment, which is a major part of our luck and destiny. An experienced consultant will identify your home and office’s energetic blue print and give proper recommendations on how to boost the effects of positive stars and lessen the impact of negative stars, but it is up to you whether or not you choose to implement the recommendations.