Ba Zi Summary for the lunar new year

By Dr. Nate Mohler www.sandhillacu.com

flow of the year. If last year was a struggle, perhaps it was a result of seeking to grow when one should have been seeking to maintain.

January 31, 2022 at 4:01pm (Mountain Time) marked the ending of the Yin Metal Ox year and the beginning of the Yang Water Tiger year in the Chinese 60 year cycle. The approaching year according to the Chinese Lunar Calendar is 4720.

For each Lunar New Year there are three aspects that influence; the Heaven Stem, Earth Branch, and a Yin/ Yang polarity. The Stem is given to us in the form of one of the five elements, while the Branch is given in the form of the zodiac animal. One other aspect of the year should be mentioned before discussing further. That is the polarity designation of each year. Each year is designated by a polarity which is governed by the Heaven Stem Element.

These three aspects make up the general description of each year. For example, the year that is just ending is designated as a Yin Metal (White) Ox year. Each of these aspects tells part of the story of what one might expect in such a year. In retrospect, the Yin Metal Ox year was one of work and toil. Ox has an association with the Earth phase/element and is also a work animal. The Metal influence indicates an association with finances and physical health. The fact that it was a Yin year, indicates that the focus should be inward consolidation rather than outward expansion. Following the general map that is laid out by this, indicates how one should behave, generally, during such a year. Ignoring these things could lead to disharmonies that are a result of not expressing spontaneity within the natural The Empty Vessel — Page 12 The year that we are entering is that of the Yang Water (Black) Tiger year. The Heaven Stem is that of Water and the Earth Branch is that of the Tiger (which is associated with the Wood phase/element). The year is also a Yang year, deriving from the Heaven Stem. So, the question is, what does this all mean? A read of the year starts with a broad reading of these individual attributes.

Tiger Earth Branch

The Tiger zodiac is an ambitious and active sign that invokes courage and self-confident behavior. The Zodiac is, along with the Horse and Dog in the Triangle of Ambition; and along with the Rabbit is in the House of Development. The Tiger is an idealistic sign and potent. It is associated with the Wood phase/ element and a Yang polarity. The image that is invoked is that of a tree growing sturdy and indomitable. There is also an element of Fire associated with the Tiger, which is derived from the sun. During the Tiger month, the sun is beginning to recover its strength.

The Tiger also has a native magnetism. Tiger personalities are rarely unnoticed, and they quite often crave attention. The Wood phase is associated with leadership and the Fire phase is associated with governance. Because of these associations, Tigers easily take command in groups and regularly assume that everyone else is simply there to follow orders. If this brand of assertiveness is played up too much, it may be

BA ZI SUMMARY FOR THE LUNAR NEW YEAR

BY DR. NATE MOHLER

recognized as aggression. This can lead to discord. Therefore, though the Tiger’s strength is in leadership, one should remember that temperance in such leadership is more often met with agreement than overt commands. A quote from Laozi is pertinent here: “How does the ocean become king of all rivers and streams?” The given answer is that the ocean remembers to lower itself by the virtue of humility. Of course, the ocean sits physically lower than the rivers and streams.

Water Heaven Stem

The next aspect to discuss is the Heaven Stem. This year belongs to the Water Stem. In this case it is Yang Water and is therefore connected to running bodies of water of all types; especially rivers and waterfalls. Water has, historically, been associated as a medium of transport and communication. This indicates that the year will be a good year for open communication. Water tempers the aggressive tendencies of the Tiger and reminds us that the Wood embodied by the Tiger should be nourished by Water, which is embodied by the Heaven Stem, and not the hidden Fire within the Tiger – a reminder, so-to-speak, to not overextend oneself.

Yang Years

This year is a Yang natured year in contrast with the internally directed Yin year of the Ox. The Tiger year should be outwardly directed. A year of expansion. This follows the Tiger’s impulse to make bold and assertive moves in a variety of realms: but especially in personal, social, and financial endeavors.

Summary

Because the Tiger is courageous, ambitious, and magnetic, this year will be a good year to make bold moves.

Tigers are typically solitary animals, coming together only to mate. This may indicate that such bold moves should be taken in a solitary fashion or that if one is struggling to make things happen in this solitary manner, a partnership should be explored.

This is a year to put to work all of the preparation and toil that was done in the previous Yin Metal (White) Ox year.

This year is associated with the Water phase/element, which labels the Tiger as the Black Tiger. The Black Tiger is associated with the god of wealth, Zhao Gongming. This deity of wealth’s birthday falls on the fifth day of the first lunar month. He was known to have tamed the black tiger. Zhao Gongming is attended by several lesser deities of wealth and prosperity. For those interested in making financial transactions in the coming year, because the Black Tiger is associated with this deity, this year bodes exceptionally well in financial prospects.

Remember that this is a general reading and not specific to all cases. Each zodiac has a more specific reading with regard to the lunar new year. Whether or not your Ba Zi zodiac shares a good outlook or not depends on the specifics of the Stems and Branches of your year, month, day and hour in your birth chart.