by Theodora Lau
The first day of spring in the Gregorian calendar is termed the li chun, the “eyes of spring” in the lunar almanac. When Lunar New Year comes before the li chun, it is said that the year has seen the first day of spring. If the lunar year begins after the first day of spring and terminates before the next li chun on the following year, then such a year is said to be a “blind” year. A lunar year may begin after the first day of spring on the solar calendar, which is usually on February 4 or 5, but it could catch up the following year and end after the first day of spring, giving it the symbolic “eyes” of spring, which the Chinese consider as a sort of hindsight—and better than no sight at all. To be truly blind, a year must miss the first day of spring at both its beginning and at its end. Blind years are generally not auspicious for getting married or starting a business.
Special Section
Understanding the Five Elements
A fundamental part of East Asian philosophy is the interrelationship and interaction among the five basic elements of which the universe is composed: Metal, Water, Wood, Fire, and Earth. These elements are interdependent, as we can observe how context can quickly change the behavior of a combination thereof in a natural setting. Each element is controlled by another while contributing to the existence of a different element (see table 3). Therefore, we like to examine elements in their conducive or helpful energy as well as their controlling or dominant behaviors. Every element is powerful, capable of creating or preserving life, or playing a role in harming or destroying life.
According to this philosophy, no one element can be called the strongest or the weakest. Like yin and yang, they are forever interdependent and always equal in strength. They are eternally joined in the chain of life that brings about their existence. There is no power or struggle for dominance. Each has its own place and function.
Even in the human body, these five elements maintain their reciprocal relationships. In Chinese medicine and acupuncture, the elements rule the five major organs of the body. Metal is linked to the lungs, Fire controls the heart, Water is associated with the kidneys, Earth rules the spleen and pancreas, and Wood is identified with the liver. When a Chinese doctor, herbalist, or acupuncturist treats an illness, they have to keep these interrelations in mind. For example, when the Earth (pancreas) is affected, the Metal (lungs) are weakened, too. If the Water (kidney) malfunctions, then it cannot produce its counterpart, Wood. Consequently, the Wood organ, the liver, will begin to deteriorate.
Conducive Relationships
From Metal we get Water
Metal is usually represented by the Chinese symbol for gold, but in this context Metal indicates a vessel or container for holding liquids, so we can say that Metal traps water. In another sense, Metal is the only element that will change into a liquid when heated to a high temperature. When it resolidifies, the Metal is in a much purer state.
From Water we get Wood
Water here means the rain or dew that makes plant life flourish, producing Wood in the process. Wood is dependent on Water for life and growth.
From Wood we get Fire
Fire cannot exist by itself but is produced by burning Wood. Also, Fire is generated by rubbing together two pieces of Wood.
From Fire we get Earth
Symbolically, Fire reduces everything to ashes, which become part of the Earth again and will serve to nourish life.
From Earth we get Metal
All Metal has to be extracted from the Earth in which it resides.
Controlling Relationships
Metal is controlled by Fire
Metal can only be melted and forged into something useful by the application of great heat.
Fire is controlled by Water
Nothing will put out Fire as quickly as Water.
Water is controlled by Earth
Earth directs the flow of Water. We dig canals to irrigate fields and build dikes to keep out Water. Earth absorbs Water as well as contains it.
Earth is controlled by Wood
Trees and their roots hold the soil together and draw nourishment from the Earth. Without the helpful presence of Wood, the Earth would erode or dissipate.
Wood is controlled by Metal
Even the largest tree can be felled by the Metal blade of an axe. Metal cuts Wood into useful pieces. We need Metal to prune a tree’s dead branches and help Wood rejuvenate.
Metal Element
Its color is white, its season is autumn, and its weather is dry. It is associated with the sense of hearing, and its body organ is the lung.
Positive Metal is the yang or active part. It can be identified as a sword that can cause bodily harm or as a surgeon’s knife that must cut to heal.
Negative Metal is the yin or passive side. It can be represented by a cooking pot, a metal container, a gong or other musical instrument, jewelry, a work of art, or any rounded metallic shape that is neither pointed nor sharp like a weapon.
People born in a year controlled by the Metal element will be as rigid and resolute in expression as their particular signs permit. They are guided by strong feelings and will pursue their objectives with intensity and little hesitation. Sustained by their convictions, they are capable of prolonged effort to get what they want. They are very success oriented and determined.
Once these people have decided on a course of action, they are not easily swayed or influenced to change it, even by hardships, drawbacks, and initial failures. Whatever constancy and perseverance their native lunar signs contain will be greatly enhanced by the Metal element. But they do have trouble letting go when situations become unfeasible and can be unreasonably stubborn about their fixations.
They prefer to handle their problems alone and will not appreciate interference or unsolicited assistance. They map out their own destinies, clear their own paths, and set their own goals without outside help.
Although they may appear inflexible and coldly self-reliant, people ruled by Metal seem to conduct electricity. Their strong impulses and generative powers will be felt by everyone they come in contact with, thereby bringing about the changes and transformation they desire.
They have strong monetary and accumulative instincts and will use these traits to insist on having their own way. Often, they are unbending and opinionated and will break off a good relationship because others do not heed their wishes or conform to their will.
Water Element
Its color is blue, its season is winter, and its weather is cold. It is associated with the sense of sight, and its body organ is the kidney.
Positive Water is a wave or moving current, and negative Water is still or ebbing. Active or yang water pushes forward relentlessly and is a fearsome force to be reckoned with. Negative Water is the gentle rain or dew that nurtures and seeps into the soil. The positive can destroy; the negative nourishes.
People born in a year dominated by the Water element have a better-than-average ability to communicate and to advance their ideas by influencing the thoughts of others. Other people’s minds are their vessels and help carry their creative ideas into positive action. They are basically ruled by sympathetic vibrations, and they convey their feelings and emotions to the best degree that their native animal sign will permit.
They have a knack for noticing things that will become important and can accurately gauge potentials. They set things on the path they desire by prodding others and utilizing their talents and resources. However, they know how to be unobtrusive in their persistence and will never make others feel they are being imposed upon. In this manner, like their element, Water, they will be able to wear away the strongest rocks of opposition by their silent but unceasing efforts. Because these people would rather infiltrate than dominate, they will know whom to approach about any given subject, and how and when to do it. They have the talent for making people desire what they desire, thus achieving their goals in a sure but indirect way. They like to propel instead of compel others into motion.
Because of their awareness and fle
xibility, they are fluid like their element. In their negative states, such people tend to be too conciliatory and will take the easiest route open to them. At their worst, they will be inconstant and passive and will lean too much on others for support. Thus, they sabotage their basic abilities. To succeed, they must be more assertive and use their immense power of persuasion to turn their plans into reality. Others would be wise to be guided by their intuitions.
Wood Element
Its color is green, its season is spring, and its weather is windy. It is associated with the sense of smell, and its body organ is the liver.
The positive stem of Wood is the fir tree, and the negative is the bamboo. Firs and pines are green all year round, while the passive, delicate, and graceful bamboo is dormant in the winter but still very pliable and adaptable, with a surprising resilience and strength. Positive Wood is also symbolized by live branches; negative Wood is represented by the lumber used to build things. Seeds are considered negative, and flowers are positive. Each stem dominates one end of the life cycle of constant growth and renewal.
People born under the auspices of a Wood year value their ethics; they have high morals and a good deal of self-confidence. They know the intrinsic value of things, and their interests are wide and varied. Expansive and cooperative by nature, they will like to do things on a grand scale. Wood natives possess executive personalities because they can apportion and separate matters into the correct categories and workflows. Their progressiveness and generosity enable them to take on large projects, long-term or sizable developments, or prolonged scientific studies—definitely not solo ventures.
They have the ability to convince others to join forces with them. They branch out rapidly and diversify into as many fields as possible, being people who advocate constant growth and renewal. They know how to share whatever rewards they reap from these collective efforts with all who justly deserve a piece of the corporate pie. Their innate goodwill and compassionate understanding of how others think and operate will enable them to rise to rewarding positions. Wood personalities will find support and finances whenever and wherever they need them, because others will have faith in their ability to turn information and ideas into profit.
Their chief shortcoming is a tendency to bite off more than they can chew and thereby push things to the breaking point. Often, they may not be able to finish what they start if they spread their resources too thin. At such times, their plans could turn sour, or they may drift from one project to another without achieving any satisfactory results.
Fire Element
Its color is red, its season is summer, and its weather is hot. It is associated with the sense of touch, and its body organ is the heart.
The positive or active stem of this element is the forest fire or lava flow spewing from a volcanic eruption. The negative or passive stem is the fire from a stove used for cooking or the flame of a lamp giving beneficial light. The active side is spontaneous and hard to control, whereas the passive fire is easily directed to serve our needs. However, it is wise to remember that there is a very small difference between the two. A (passive) candle that is tipped over can easily become a (positive) house fire. There is always the need to maintain that delicate balance in the yin and yang of every element.
Persons born in a year ruled by the Fire element will display above-average qualities of leadership; they are decisive and sure of themselves. Having the natural capacity to motivate people and bring ideas to fruition, Fire people tend to be more positive and aggressive than others of their particular sign. Hence, we can say that a Fire Horse is more aggressive than a Water Horse. Fire personalities love adventure and innovation, and they readily adopt bright new ideas and try to dominate others with their creativity and originality. They do not fear risks, and they like to keep on the move and pioneer new trails. Danger may even excite them. The higher the stakes, the more motivated they are.
They are the doers, given to dynamic action and speech. However, they must keep a tight rein on their emotions, as their forceful ambitions may make them inconsiderate and impatient when their wishes are not gratified quickly. The more a Fire person tries to achieve their ends by force or violence, the more they will encounter opposition and danger.
If a Fire person learns to hear others out before leaping into action and is able to sympathize with the views of fellow workers, they have the prerequisites to be a winner of the highest caliber. No one can exceed the Fire person’s intense drive, but Fire people must learn to curb their impulsiveness. Often they are too outspoken for their own good. They only realize that a little courtesy and diplomacy go a long way when it is too late.
Like their element, Fire people constantly draw others to their warmth and brilliance, and they will benefit all those who seek their company. But Fire persons can also turn destructive when they are angry and can cause irreparable damage when they fail to control or direct their energies properly.
Earth Element
Its color is yellow, its season is end of summer, and its weather is humid. It is associated with the sense of taste, and its body organ is the spleen.
A hill or mountain is the positive side of the Earth element; a valley is the passive or negative aspect. Raised ground is aggressive, and depressions in the landscape and lower areas bring the opposite result. One journey, the positive, is uphill; the other, the passive, is downward. Hills are useful as lookout points but are subject to the fury of the winds and weather. The valleys and other lower areas are suitable for raising crops because they are protected and water can accumulate in them to nourish plant life.
People born under signs influenced by the Earth element are more concerned with functional and practical aspirations. They have excellent deductive powers and prefer solid and reliable pursuits. Blessed with foresight and a talent for organization, they are effective planners and administrators. They will put whatever available resources they have to optimum use and are wise and prudent in financial affairs. Intelligent and objective, they can direct others toward realizing attainable and well-planned goals.
Earth personalities are generally enterprising in a serious and methodical manner. They can organize and manage businesses that require a firm hand. These are the managers who build and reinforce the foundations of industry, commerce, and government. Rarely excitable, such people will always verify their findings and will demand sound reasons for everything they do. While they may move slowly, they proceed toward good and lasting results.
Earth people like to keep things in perspective and are conservative by nature. They will seldom exaggerate their findings, calculations, or expectations. They will give you the true, undiluted picture of any situation with no retouching, modifications, or frills. When they are negative, their most common shortcomings will be their lack of imagination, overprotectiveness, and pessimistic outlook. However, they can be expected to shoulder their responsibilities admirably and discipline themselves. These solid, dependable citizens are the pillars of the community.
Special Section
The Influence of the Moon’s Four Phases
The human relationship with the moon has always been a profound and intimate one, much more so than our relationship with the sun. The sun, with its brilliance, was revered, but since it shone without fail every day, no assurances were needed that it would rise again on the morrow.
But the mystical moon held mankind in the sway of her magic and beauty. Her dark face and moods could plague humanity with doubts and foreboding, while her shimmering light brought enchantment, happiness, and romance. Gradually, it became clear that the moon’s influence was broad and multifaceted, and it touched every aspect of life and the environment.
Humankind slowly learned to recognize the moon’s many faces and interpret her signs. As her movements and their significance began to be better understood, we found we could benefit immensely by following her rhythms and guidance. It is no accident that a woman’s natural cycle of reproduction also coincides with the len
gth of the lunar month. Based on these observations, many thousands of years ago the lunar horoscope was born.
In following a lunar month, the rule to remember is: a new moon heralds a new lunar month. The monthly cycle reaches its peak on the fifteenth day of the lunar month, with the full moon dominating the night sky. This phenomenon presents a spectacle that is hard to ignore and has awed human beings since the dawn of recorded history.
The four weeks that constitute the twenty-nine and a half days of each lunar month mark the four phases of the moon. The first week starts with the new moon and lasts for seven and a half days. The second moon phase makes up the first quarter, which reaches its peak a day before the full moon (the fifteenth lunar day of the month), which starts the third week of the lunar month. The fourth week begins with the last quarter halfway through the twenty-third day, and the fourth and last phase of seven and a half days brings the lunar month to an end.
The Chinese believe that the four phases of the moon, like the four seasons that make up the year, have their own special functions and significance. They take into consideration these shifts throughout the month, especially in matters of health. Major modern medical studies now show that body rhythm is an important factor that must be taken into consideration when prescribing drugs. The time of day when medication or treatment is administered is crucial to having fewer side effects such as nausea, upset stomach, cold sores, pain, or numbness. Furthermore, the body responds better to treatment when treated in synchrony with its circadian rhythm. Cancer drugs deliver a stronger punch when introduced into the body at times when the malignant cells are reproducing and the normal body functions are at their ebb, such as when we are asleep.
