Qi of the

Yin WATER SNAKE

 GUI SI

Year :: 2013/4711

Begins February 10, 2013

Ends January 31, 2014

This information is from Liu Ming’s Year of the Snake booklet from his New Year talk in 2013 –    shared by permission. If you find this of value please consider an additional donation to your local food bank  🙂 K

To understand the system of the 12 Earthly Branches or Chinese Zodiac Animal Astrology we must study the images as a flow of a 12, 60 and 120 year cycle.

Sequence: DRAGON (2012) to SNAKE (2013)

The Water Dragon (2012) winter is characterized by qi of a scale that fills the oceans and colors the sky. The scale of the Water Dragon now naturally withdraws into relative subtlety of the Water Snake. The qi will seem to subside and withdraw but it does actually not change that much in intensity. Less “Ok, we (they, Heaven) did it!” and more “What the F@%$#k?” in 2013.

To understand the “qi profile” of the Snake, it is useful to look at the image of the Snake in Chinese astrology/culture. Remember that the Snake is only a paradigmatic image for the qi available this year.

SNAKE Key Word: MYSTICAL

Native Element of the Snake: (Yin) Fire

Constellations: Snake (27. Wings [o]), Silkworm (28. Carriage [++])

Correspondences: hour: 9am – 11am and  4^th moon

 Flower: lotus flower

Stone: green agate,

Direction: S30E

Auspices: Hermit will be born late at night.

IMAGE OF Chinese Zodiac SNAKE

Charged: deeply reflective, wise, meditative, inventive, intelligent, calm, slow, evasive, discreet, solitary, visionary and philosophical.

Deplete: paranoid, helpless, deceptive, manipulative, secretive, lazy, self-loathing, negative, bitter when unsuccessful and possibly suicidal.

The Snake (probably the cobra) talked about in Chinese Astrology is well known to all Chinese peasants as magical. Like the Dragon, the Snake is not thought to be dangerous or evil, but represents the unknown world (under world) – the world of the sorcerer-philosopher. The Snake is also one of the animals (also carp) that can change into a Dragon, it is, therefore, often associated with the long history of Chinese alchemy. All of this is to say that Snakes are not easily known and lead lives that are uniquely self-reflective. This unknowable quality is the ultimate source of their unmatched charm. Material things fascinate Snakes, but rarely cause attachment.

When qi charged: deeply reflective, wise, meditative, artistic, inventive, intelligent, calm, slow, evasive, discreet, solitary, visionary and philosophical.

When qi deplete: paranoid, helpless, deceptive, manipulative, secretive, lazy, self-loathing, negative, bitter when unsuccessful and possibly suicidal.

Compatibility: Snakes are not quick to pair up. They are often very attractive and can use this trait to their advantage. When they do settle down it is likely that they choose a Dragon, Rooster or Rabbit partner. A Goat, Ox, Rat, Horse or Monkey brings out the Snakes extraordinary flexibility. Tigers are often too challenging. Another Snake creates an uncomfortable mirror. The Pig’s straightforwardness and sensuality, though stimulating, is impossibly indiscreet.

FIVE TYPES OF SNAKE

The 60 zodiac animals of Chinese astrology are archetypes, that is, they represent the diversity of human characters while also referring to the cyclical transformations of qi that are Time itself. Though the most popular presentations are about the human character it is important to remember these archetypes also characterize the cycles of hours, days, months and years of the traditional Asian lunar calendar.

As archetypes they can be explained in terms of their socially relative qualities making up the complex of human society or as the way in which a splendid infinite universe ornaments itself. Of the twelve main zodiac animals Tigers basically challenge us to find them a place in social relativism but stand out as strong reminders of weakness in such interpretations. Can you accept the anti-social nature of the Tiger as a splendid gem?

42) YI SI – WOOD SNAKE (1845, 1905, 1965, 2025, 2085) “Emerging Snake”

Wood Snakes are honest, shy and popular. Their fortune is to work hard with small result and no praise. These causes are mitigated, even eclipsed by, good sponsors and mentors. Their good fortune is an indirect result of previous causes. Their children will hound and aggravate them unless they are born after the snake is 28. Exhaustion and/or depression precede all illness and injury. Their resilient constitution recovers through rest, sleep and dream. When calm their artistic ability is excellent.

54) DING SI – FIRE SNAKE (1857, 1917, 1977, 2037) “Fish Pond Snake”

FIRE is the native element of the Snake Earthly Branch. Fire Snakes are mesmerizing, ambitious and disciplined characters. They have great previous causes and easily elicit the respect and support from many powerful and influential people. Their speech and charm are seductive. They have a pronounced leadership capacity. They always get what they want. An eldest child born this year will benefit his/her entire family. Their health is good. All their illnesses start out as emotional disturbances. Their spontaneity is epic – but so is their distractedness.

(The 4^th moon will be FIRE SNAKE moon and begins May 10, 2013. During this moon the qi of the snake will be less will be less afflicted by Water. Sudden advances and/or attacks are immanent.)

6) JI SI – EARTH SNAKE (1809, 1869, 1929, 1989, 2049) “Golden Snake”

The Earth Snake is determined, talented and successful. Their fortune is very bright. They have a “Midas touch” (everything turns to gold), but also a pride that inspires jealousy in their enemies. Sudden reversals of fortune can mean that they die far from where they were born. There is never a dull moment outside, but a sturdy self-confidence within. They are lucky in matters of health rather than strong or healthy. They meet with good physicians and learn to heal themselves, but cannot avoid illness and injury.

18) XIN SI – METAL SNAKE (1821, 1881, 1941, 2001, 2061) “Hibernating Snake”

Metal Snakes are bright, sensitive and insightful. Their childhoods (up to 28) are often difficult and sorrowful. Though socially active they remain aloof in fear of betrayal. Their sensitivity often gives them visions and surrounds them with subtle beings, not all of who mean them well. Their mental health is always precarious, especially if parents and/or a partner do not protect them. Their deaths come suddenly (or suicide) due to the interference of ghosts and demons. They are well-suited to monasticism.

30) GUI SI – WATER SNAKE (1833, 1893, 1953, 2013, 2073) “Hidden Snake”

Water Snakes are cunning, gifted and restless characters. Their seductive qi brings them assistance from people of knowledge and power. Their good fortunes rely upon others (previous causes). Their inner life is secret and they do not reveal their real thoughts or feelings to anyone. They dislike personal commitment and are unlikely to parent children. Natural renunciates, who enjoy the wilderness, their potential for the practice of wisdom traditions is great. They are prone to contagious diseases and cold illnesses (pain). They are not easily “read”.

Famous Water Snakes (1833, 1893, 1953): Mae West, Howard Stern, Oprah Winfrey, Kim Bassinger, Johannes Brahms, Mao Ze Dong and Alfred Nobel (Prize guy), Hulk Hogan, Ken Burns (producer), Cyndi Lauper, Alex Van Halen, Baaba Maal, Benazie Bhutto, Cornel West, Kitaro. Mazhar Khan, Edsel Ford, Jimmy Durante, Gestapo Chief Hermnn Goering, Harold Llyod (silent film star), artist Juan Miro, Andres Segovia, Paramahansa Yogananda

Famous Snakes: Mao Tse-tong, Casanova, Mahatma Gandhi, Indira Gandhi, Ferdinand Marcos, Abraham Lincoln, Martin Luther King, Grace Kelly, Frank Sinatra, Feodor Dostovyesky, Jacqueline Kennedy, Edgar Allen Poe, Prime Minister Tony Blair, Bob Dylan, Pablo Picasso, Franz Schubert, John F. Kennedy, Jacqueline Kennedy-Onassis, Jean-Paul Sartre and Screamin’ Jay Hawkins (“I put a spell on You”) …

The Year of GUI SI :: 2013

30^th year stem/branch designation in the 60 year cycle

Yin WATER SNAKE character

 (1893 yin, 1953 yang, 2013 yin)

“Hidden Snake”

Since the Celestial Stem (Gui: yin Water) of the year has a destructive relationship to the Snake Earthly Branch element (yin Fire) the year is generally inauspicious – contains easy miscalculations, awkward impulses and sudden reversals of fortune.

The secret to making this particular stem/branch combination work is to consider the way Snakes use avoidance so effectively!

In other Water SNAKE years:

(1893) Ghandi’s first act of Civil Disobedience, Shaku Soen (Zen Master) arrives in California – a stock market crash in NYC and the beginning of America’s first Depression

(1953) Shah Mohammed Reza Pahlavi returns to power (with CIA support) in Iran, signing of the Korean War Armistice, Polio vaccine created, HRH Queen Elizabeth II is crowned, color TV becomes available in US, cigarette smoking is linked to Lung cancer, Dwight Eisenhower becomes President of the USA, transistor radios appear, New York Yankees win 5^th World Series in a row, Marilyn Monroe appears in Playboy magazine centerfold, the double-helix structure is discovered – a gallon of gas cost US 20 cents

Twelve years ago, in the last Snake year, the incident called simply 9/11 happened in New York City.

General Auspices for

Water Snake Year :: 2013

The water snake year is a year of Qi Discretion

.

There will be a great abundance of qi this year but you may not notice. Think the motion of whales, bubbling springs in the wilderness and deep, dark and transparent currents of the sea. The qi of 2013 is, in one moment like a gentle giant, in another moment an unexpected split-second strike.

The power of this year’s qi will continue to be inappropriate for small and delicate matters. Thought will impede the Snake’s force but stillness and introspection give it a pervasive spectrum. Inspiration will be huge but actions directed outward limited. Retribution will be devastating but precise and revelatory. Graceful spiritual awakening and psychotic breaks are optional. The to these contrary forces the main advice is –wait. Do not rush forward this Spring or get anxious this Summer – wait. Let Autumn and Winter unfold like a late-blooming lotus.

If your spiritual Path is rife with uncertainty and awkwardness there is a chance at splendid ripening and fruition this year. The key is don’t think too much and don’t let your senses fool you. It is not that the qi is hidden in some “inner” place but the act of withdrawal itself fosters awakening.

The winter of 2013 will be found in the light of the snow into the eyes of the solitary hermit. This light will permeate every being/thing on earth.

World Politics – In the cycle of the basic zodiac we are back to the Snake – back to the incident of 9/11. The chances of a repeat incident because 2013 is a WATER Snake year is immanent but with larger ramifications. That is, perhaps a smaller incident (or a covered up one) with far more pervasive effects. Picture a many-headed cobra striking 7 places at once, or dozens of nuclear power plants cracking open. Ok, it’s possible, but we are talking qi potential here not some REAL future that is already fixed. If we do not seek this kind of drama in our hearts it will not happen. If we stop hoping for salvation we won’t need it.

Another, less morbid, view of the same Water Snake year is a magnificent spiritual awakening flooding over the whole planet. There is a chance that peacemakers will be heard and followed. There is a chance that some non-conceptual simple kindness may overwhelm the ingenuous plots of improvement that pervade both left and right. We may awaken to the fact that a “troubled economy” is not real trouble. Let the world accept the notion of GNH – gross national happiness by taking it to heart.

The Snake will not choose which scenario plays out – we do. There is no world –there is only an endless knot of causes and conditions. The world is not a loose canon and we are not the masters of the Universe- In the Chinese Tradition the dual world is reciprocity itself.

Business/Finance – The financial picture worldwide is obviously not so good. All the salvational notions of economic recovery are fantasies. The situation is already super-viral – everything going from bad to worse suits the Water Snake fine. But is that the place to put your qi? Is hoping beyond hope the answer? I think not.

The best business to be in this Water Snake year is any business focused on long-term benefit. There is no future in replacing the Twinkie. Forget organic fast food. Forget oxymoron.

The Snake knows that the resources of the world belong to all of us. Governments were formed to manage the distribution not to block it. The business model of the Water Snake is to work “beyond boundaries” and that should work on every scale – local and international. Until the new model supersedes our antique government systems the key word is generosity. Giving away what you don’t need is the heartbeat of the Water Snake. This kind of generosity can be manifest in chewing your food, composting the potato peels as well as donating to charities, volunteering to help others instead of wasting your time mindlessly absorbed in fast downloads. In the Snake year being the anonymous donor is absolutely perfect.

Artists and musicians help be great leaders or part of the problem. Everyone in all fields should just give more for the same price. No need for discounts just give more – drop your old system of value by the dollar. Double-check what you think is “practical”.

Romance/Relationship/Family – The Water Snake is a strict loner, but you would hardly notice. The Snake in relationships is about mesmerizing its so-called mate and then swallowing them whole. This suggests 2013 will be a year of passion and abandonment.

Thos already in relationships can simply continue. There is no hazard in 2013 for those already partnered up. Don’t press each other for some new need and the continuity will just hum along.

Single folks in 2013 will be all over the place. Snake have profound definitions of relationships but too profound to every be realistic. The Snake ultimately chooses renunciation as a Path. The way to be a renunciate AND have a partner is what Snake love is all about. The terms that come to mind are beard, boy-toy, mistress, friends with privileges, john and surrogate.

Anyway, let’s leave that the year is romantically complex.

Health – The qi of a Snake is also called yin Fire. In a Water Snake year this provides an atmosphere of dullness and damp heat enhanced by sudden reversals. Like 2012, in the Water Snake year chronic conditions will be difficult to treat. Sudden acute symptoms will be common but subside by themselves. The subtlety of Water Snake qi will confound inexperienced healers. Try to remember NOT to over-treat yourself or your patients. Overdoses will be common.

Those who work with medical problems as originating in thought/feeling (psychotherapist) will have good results. Those healers who work with illness as derived from ancestors (shaman or geneticists) will also have good results. Bone and tissue healers (massage, osteopaths, chiropractors) should be careful not to overdo it.

Natural and spontaneous healing from prayer, chanting, pilgrimage and sleep will be common and profound. 2013 will simply be the end of many disease patterns whether treated or not.

Sudden contagious epidemics (heat related) may occur and subside despite the medical response.

Less thinking will enhance you immune system.

Spiritual Matters – A Water Snake is like a solitary hermit that when asked to speak after decades in solitude is charming, sweet and profoundly generous. The year 2013, in that sense, has no demand or mandate for any sort of spiritual practice while at the same time presents a splendid open spiritual door seen only once every 60 years. The option of transcendence is unique and profound when the Water Snake presides, and the pomposity of religion and spiritual materialism will fall on its own sacred sword.

Penetrating insight is available but it will be silent in the face of hypocrisy. Why? The Water Snake is just not expecting the “world” to get itself “right”. All the power of the Water Snake is shown in renunciation and withdrawal. Making the world into Heaven is not a Snake idea.

Religion on the other hand runs the risk of becoming hollow rhetoric. Religious doctrines and concepts will continue to be used to divide us from each other – if spiritual power of the Water Snake enters the ordinary world discretion will be the key word.

Bottom Line – It may be that most of us feel we have more than Water Snake year on our plate. You may say: “Nice to hear we should all go on retreat, but I have kids to feed and bills to pay.” In that case, let me say this. There is a chance that in this year without abandoning the commitments of job and family you could release yourself from the notion that they are “real” or cumbersome in some solid sense. Not external drama needed.

2013, indeed the whole Chinese Tradition, doesn’t say the Path is a job-or-family substitute but it also does not suggest that work and family are inherently some sort of obstacle to the Path. The image of the hermit suits the Snake but so does the spiritual discretion that expresses itself in an “ordinary” life of generosity, fairness and thoroughness.

The Water Snake year provides a unique chance to go inside our hearts to a place where the entire world begins and recalibrate the outflows that manifest as our shared world. If you have never tried this – this is a good year for it. If you refuse to do this expect some confusion. If you feel clueless about all this, stay near to someone who knows the Way.

12 Basic Animal Signs :: Auspices in 2013

The following information compares each of the twelve zodiac archetypes with the one of the 60 that dominates the year. This comparison gives a rough approximation of the auspices for each sign in the year of the Water SNAKE. (A more personal and specific reading is found in the progressions of stars in your Polestar natal chart). Remember that the lunar year begins on the 10^th of February 2013. (0) = not particularly good/bad :: (+) = good auspices in some ways :: (++) the best auspices all around ::  (-) = not very compatible, but workable with voluntary limits (*) Good year for romance and personal relationships

RAT 1948, 1960, 1972 (+), 1984 (-), 1996 (*), 2008

Busy/Chaotic

Rats in 2013 will be caught up in allot of changes, but, managed in their step-by-step style, all will go well. Some people, projects and aspirations will need to be relinquished in order to make good progress and land on your feet. Try letting others help. If a job change is offered take it if it more certainly uses your skill at details. If you are looking to find a partner, transform any feelings of loneliness into a sense of powerful independence.

OX 1949 (-), 1961 (+), 1973 (*), 1985 (-), 1997, 2009

Team Up

Struggling is your forte and some sense of convention is your grail. The Snake year will certainly be about work but on all other fronts be guided by friends and mentors. Listen, study, read and get some time to do some deep solitude. The beneficial direction is inward. If you push outward you will invite health problems. Abandon morbid habits. Abandon morbidity as a habit.

TIGER 1950 (+), 1962 (*), 1974 (-), 1986 (+/-), 1998

Reflect and Rest

Your basic mode of uneven operating is out of sync with the Water Snake. Competition, progressive impulses and plain strength will get you into trouble this year. If you have found a spiritual Path, focus on it; and if your Path inspires your work you may go unscathed. Try to take some advice and remember you have quitting power. Wherever strategy replaces impulse you will succeed. If the Dark Side calls; don’t pick up.

RABBIT 1951, 1963 (-), 1975 (-/+), 1987 (-), 1999

Work/Careful

Rabbits make a nice lunch for Snakes. No one needs to tell you to be careful – you are and this year, you should be. Things on the work front will be rewarding if a bit intense. Take time to rethink your true aspirations and what you value most. Don’t run; walk. Your love will be given to friends that help – reign in the romantic charm. Expand your skills; take a course of study (summer school). Don’t mistake restlessness for usable energy. Did I say rethink your values? Rethink what is most important to you.

DRAGON 1952 (*), 1964 (++), 1976 (+), 1988 (++), 2000 (++), 2012

Carry On

You will be able to sort out events of 2012 to your advantage. Expect positive responses in finances and romance. Good year to become a parent, get married and think up a better job. Travel is beneficial; consider a pilgrimage. Pay attention to minor injuries and illnesses – focus on complete recovery. Be thorough.

SNAKE 1953 (-), 1965(+-), 1977 (-), 1989 (–), 2001

Caution/Withdrawal

If you followed the indicators of the last few years and held back, now you can REALLY hold back. Your favorite! If you have dug in these last few years you will miss this gate of Realization or see through it all and take a giant step inward. Come out of the spiritual closet and do some serious retreat. Shave your head, head to the mountains, give your (suspecting) partner the deed and let it all go. For Snakes 2013 what you DON’T do will make the year auspicious. Small illnesses could disable you, so be cautious and comply with the treatment. You may wish to read this auspice back to front and front to back. Whether you may use your deadly bite or stay absolutely still – is up to you.

HORSE 1942 (++), 1954 (-/+), 1966 (-/+), 1978, 1990

Celebrate Heart

You could read the Snake advice as your own, but the move would be inspired rather than instinctive. You are really playing the worldly game well, but your spiritual appetite could lunge forward successfully this year. Make the Path a job and wisdom is abundant. Let more people with big aspirations into your life – team up! Don’t be shy! You are not too old to change! To choose security over adventure is entirely up to you – adventure may look redundant.

GOAT 1943 (-/+), 1955 (+), 1967 (+), 1979 (-), 1991

Make a Change

This year opens a gate for you. It is a good year to make changes at work, home (move, immigrate) and with people. Your belligerence has been useful the last few years but the gate of wisdom is opening in front of you. Take a chance! Love yourself the way you have learned to love and protect others! Be retrospective because most of the news tat arrives this year is bad. You had a good plan in the recent past bring it forward and things will go well. Impulsive lunging will be your undoing in 2013.

MONKEY 1944 (-), 1956 (+), 1968 (+*), 1980 (++), 1992 (++)

Surf the Current

You are going to do well if you are in the driver’s seat. You have a unique chance to reinvent yourself (yet again). Clean up some old bad karma with generosity and then enjoy yourself (short of recklessness). Cleverness works for you in 2013. Relationship turmoil is immanent but you can handle that. The barriers of your recent history will crumble; are you ready? Ever vigilant of “danger” you will get what you want! Do you know what you want?

ROOSTER 1945 (+), 1957(+), 1969(-/+), 1981(+*), 1993 (++)

Go for It

In gongfu the Rooster is the precision that partners up with the striking force of the Snake to quickly succeed. It’s a dynamic duo. You have good opportunities at home and work; take some time to travel or study. Be available for others and go the extra mile for them – you can afford it. If you want to be in the forefront (and we know you do) you will need to be assertive. This year you need to find a deeper sort of inspired strength – good news is – you can.

DOG 1946(-/+), 1958(-/+), 1970(++), 1982(*), 1994

Don’t rush

Though the year does not start well it will develop into a smooth and successful one. When the New Year gate opens don’t run out too fast – you might get killed in traffic. Be casual; invite friends and show your affections and everything will go well. Think wolf pack, not prissy poodle. Call in some debts; you are owed a good deal of support (the kind you so skillfully give). Try to find a balance between the whining and the wild tail wagging. Find your place in the pack by the end of summer.

PIG 1947(+), 1959(-/+), 1971(++), 1983(-/+), 1995 (-)

Be constant

You are the Snake’s nemesis, but in 2013 all your weaknesses show. Unlike last year, generosity does not fix everything. Keep going with successful patterns of the last few years but enlist some protector friends. Travel is auspicious. Pilgrim or tourist; it doesn’t matter. Let people help you and take your inner Path seriously. Don’t compromise your integrity but relax your tense vigilance. Accept gifts. There is a chance in 2013 to just float up the stream to the dream place you have made over the last few years. Let people help. Did I mention; let people help?

Mp3 downloads of the Water SNAKE Year 2013 presentation will be available on our website

 Also check our website for Liu Ming’s BOOKS , CONSULTATIONS and CLASSES

www.dayuancircle.com

SPONSORS AND DONORS

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Da Yuan Circle,

2633 Telegraph Avenue #305

Oakland, CA. 94612