February 4 takes us into the beginning of spring and the start of the Water Rabbit astrological year. We’re now in the month of the Wood Tiger, a powerful time of new beginnings, with both annual and monthly environmental energies we refer to as Feng Shui shifting into new directions, affecting our environment and immediate surroundings.
You may have wondered why the Rabbit year has just started. Didn’t we just celebrate it on January 22? Yes, that was the date of the lunar new year, which uses the lunar calendar and follows the cycles of the moon. However, for Feng Shui and Chinese Astrology purposes, most Chinese metaphysics practitioners refer to the solar calendar, which is based on Earth’s rotation around the sun. A solar new year usually begins on February 4 (or sometimes on February 3), when the Sun enters 15° Aquarius. Babies born before February 3 this year will still have the Tiger in the year pillar of their birth charts.
Wood element is super strong this month, with Yang Wood in both the Heavenly Stem and the Earthly Branch of the Tiger. Wood, the element of spring, is associated with Jupiter, the planet of growth. Yang Wood’s qualities highlight strong leadership and compassion, yet it’s also the most principled and therefore polarizing of the ten Heavenly Stems. Find common ground rather than seeing others as different and separate from you. Collaboration, the theme of the Rabbit year, is key. If your Self-Element is Yang Wood, this is a month to be conscious of how your beliefs affect your growth. Soften up if you feel too tense.
Wood is also about having a clear vision of your path. This month, visualize the aspects of life you’d like to see growth, and think about the steps you need to take to turn those visions into reality. Growth can come very quick with such strong Wood element in the next two months. Expect a fast-paced month, as it’s the nature of the Tiger as a travel star to be quick on its feet.
The month of the Wood Tiger (February 4 to March 5) is a good time for those born in a Yin Metal year or day to invest in private coaching or professional advice, as the Tiger brings support and guidance from the Divine to those who have Yin Metal as their self-element or in their year of birth (which are years that end in 1, such as 1971, 1981, 1991, 2001, 2011, 2021). The Tiger is also a travel star for those born on day or year of the Monkey, Rat, and Dragon. Those with one or more of these signs in their charts may find themselves moving around and being more active than usual this month.
The Chinese zodiac signs that work well with the Tiger are secret friend the Pig and zodiac allies the Horse and the Dog. Those with these signs in their charts can generally expect a more harmonious, enjoyable month ahead. Be especially mindful in your movements and actions if you have a Monkey, the sign opposite the Tiger, in your chart.
February 2023 Feng Shui
In the Flying Star Feng Shui chart for February 2023 above, the numbers in green are the annual stars for the current year (good until February 3, 2024), while the numbers in blue refer to February’s monthly stars. Since we just entered a new Feng Shui year, remember to address the annual Feng Shui afflictions first before you take care of the monthly afflictions as the yearly energies are stronger. Click here to review 2023’s annual Feng Shui energies.
The various meanings associated with the flying star at the center and its associated trigram can provide us with guidance and insights for the specific period. This month, flying star 8 in the center corresponds to Gen, the Mountain trigram, which is also the trigram associated with the Age of 8, a 20-year cycle that we’re transitioning out of. Associated with Yang Earth element, the Mountain trigram ☶ represents knowledge. Digital technology in particular has flourished rapidly in the past two decades since the start of the current Period 8 in 2004, thanks to young tech innovators, which fits the Mountain trigram’s association with youthful male energy. We may hear about new digital innovations or stories highlighting scientific progress during the month, as well as news related to mountains and Earth element (perhaps volcanoes and earthquakes).
The best sectors in February for daily activities are the center, the West and the North. Those whose homes have an open, usable center can activate monthly star 8’s vibrant energy by using the center more often now that 2022’s annual star 5 of misfortune has moved out of the center. Monthly star 1 of wisdom and distant prosperity combines with annual star 6 of power and authority in the West sector, making the sector ideal for office space. The North is great for creative projects and social activities, with monthly star 4 of romance and studies amplified by the annual star 9 of joy. The best way to activate the positive energies of the monthly and annual stars is to spend your time doing your daily activities in these sectors of your residence or office. The South, with annual star 8 of prosperity, remains vibrant, however be mindful of your emotions and leave the sector if you feel anger rising as it’s also visited by monthly star 3 of arguments.
The sectors afflicted by the annual or monthly star 5 of misfortune or star 2 of illness should ideally be kept quiet, but if you can’t avoid them, use them mindfully – no loud noises or banging the doors. In the Tiger month, these sectors are the Northwest, East, Southwest, and Northeast. The Northwest is especially sensitive with monthly star 9 reinforcing the strength of the annual 5. Reinforce any doors or windows located in the Southeast sector.
*Although there may be remedies to lessen a sector’s negative energy, the best solution is to keep the area as quiet and uncluttered as possible, especially if you’re not familiar with your home’s natal energies as you may accidentally activate a negative natal star. 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.
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*Image: Rodion Kutsaiev/Unsplash