Monday 2/21 :: Lunar 1/21 :: Snake Day :: Level :: The Root/Swallow :: 42 Increase/9 Minor Force

Wait for the situation to come together, stay centered if things go badly, and look for the silver lining. The daily hexagram asks us if we are taking on too much for one person. We may not yet have the systemic support to follow through with our plan. The image of corralling animals one by one in a big pasture is the key to this hexagram. In time, the animals will domesticate into a herd. Don’t proceed without your ecosystem. We will know when we have ancestral support when things just fall into place, and we’re not trying to Make It Happen. The Roof constellation lends a precarious quality to the day, so act with caution. Reckless and oblivious behavior can get us into trouble, especially if we break away from the pack. Today we can honestly learn from our mistakes and turn them into blessings. When life throws us a curveball, we receive rewards and promotions for staying centered. Auspicious activities include routine work and commerce, shopping, purchasing property, planning construction, gardening, repairing buildings and bodies, feng shui adjustments, art, and dream practice.

64,000
I count the silver linings
of my graying hair

Tuesday 2/22 :: Lunar 1/22 :: Horse Day :: Settle/The House/Pig :: 42 Increase/ 5 Waiting

New leaders can make big changes to the old order. Sensitivity to the auspices of time (when to wait, when to act) allows us to move mountains. Use discernment today. Horse days have some giddy-up, and most indicators give us the green light, but the daily hexagram suggests waiting. Go with your gut—not just today, but every day. We are the calendar, and our experience is a direct manifestation of time. Astrology is a conversation that can guide, corroborate, and open our experience, but it should not override it. The House constellation may refer to the custom of building replicas of palaces to be burned at the funeral of a king. This fire transforms material wealth into immaterial wealth, which circulates back to us through blessings. Reciprocity (mutually beneficial exchange) demonstrates the natural principle of cause and effect. It's only transactional if you set it up to be. Our ancestors come to visit. You know how sometimes food tastes mystically good? Today we may be feeding 100 ancestors with every bite. Strengthen family ties (living and dead) and open yourself to love. Auspicious activities include industry and production, taking office, contracts, divination, moving, new ventures, acknowledging helpers, entertaining guests, and hanging out with the family.

toward the ofrenda
with monarchs and marigolds
the dead have their day

Wednesday 2/23 :: Lunar 1/23 :: Goat Day :: Maintain :: The Wall/Porcupine :: 42 Increase/26 Great Store

Another great day to be generous and lavish in human innovation. In the Old Celtic tales, whoever could throw the biggest banquet and give away the most was considered the wealthiest. Have you ever seen Babette’s Feast? True leaders are generous with more than just material wealth; they do not feel the need punish their detractors. If you can come by it honestly, magnanimity and forgiveness are where it’s at. Great Store shows us the abundance that comes from disciplined listening. Self-reflection attunes us to the needs of our ecosystem and helps us adapt to its changing needs. Listening and responding to our physical, emotional, interpersonal, and community cues helps us flourish even when things go south. Our capacity to adapt is astonishing. The Earth has seen some shit, but still it thrives. The Wall constellation shows us our collaborative potential for wealth and beauty: libraries, orchestras, architecture, wisdom traditions, indigenous land curation techniques, etc. On a smaller scale, the constellation manifests as the integrity of our friend groups. We’re better together. If not, we might need to reevaluate our friendships. It’s auspicious to build, remodel, make feng shui adjustments (increases wealth), initiate business, sign contracts, get married, start a journey, commerce, acquire luxuries, taking office, acknowledge helpers, start a new course of study, buy books, attend cultural events, and write letters or literature.

Bacchanalia
sun touches the muscadines
kissing every curve

Thursday 2/24 :: Lunar 1/24 :: Monkey Day :: Destroy :: The Stride/Wolf :: 42 Increase/11 Great

Today we have good resources, but we may need them. (If your retina detaches, you will have the best surgeon.) We could also experience repercussions for our inconsistency. Spend today’s qi through mature decisions and self-sacrifice. “Calculated loss succeeds.” Edit your closet and your habits. Make a trip to Goodwill, and don’t do coke before your big interview. Allow doubt and compassion to be born in your heart. Certainty is rooted in terror. The people who are most certain are also the most afraid. Mature leaders do not fear death, including the death of their own beliefs. Ecosystems thrive by adapting to new information, whereas closed systems cannot evolve. Acknowledge your limits. Being chronically overextended jeopardizes our health. If this applies to you, name one way you can do less, and then follow through. Be brave enough to go against the grain of our cultural myth of heroism. If you are good at going slow, thank you for your sanity. It literally balances the world. I had a dream this week of a friend who loves taking naps. In the dream, each nap balanced all of humanity. Our individual actions give birth to the group body. When one person makes sane choices, it makes it easier for the rest of us to follow suit. Monkey days are good for innovation and creativity, and both of today’s hexagrams give us an option to go forward and expand. Our plans succeed, and growth happens naturally. Auspicious activities include housecleaning, leisure, simplifying, gift-giving, entering retreat, economizing, receiving medical treatments, taking herbs, doing laundry, repairing garments, working on existing projects, and being creative.

hibernation
the only nation to which
I pledge allegiance

Friday 2/25 :: Lunar 1/25 :: Rooster Day :: Danger :: The Mound/Dog :: 4 Immaturity/10 Treading

“Humility guards against misfortune.” When the tiger is not hungry or provoked, its usual prey can play safely nearby. Clarity and sincerity protect us from the tiger’s unpredictable nature. Today the inexperienced and “weak” can take the lead and succeed, but it’s kind of a fluke. The situation remains dangerous because untested leaders don’t have the experience to create certain success. Everything depends on how we act. Circumstances calls for humility, caution, and fear management. Doing only what needs to be done goes best. A long line of causes may also protect us. Stay in the fold of family and ancestors. Teamwork, clans, inheritance, and orchestrated music are highlighted. Other auspicious activities include postponement, caution, leisure, retreat, writing, working in the garden, bank deposits and collecting accounts receivable, medical treatments, parties, and close-knit social gatherings.

winter morning flock
the sound of a symphony
warming up the sun

Saturday 2/26 :: Lunar 1/26 :: Dog Day :: Complete/The Stomach/Pheasant :: 4 Immaturity/58 Pleasuring

It’s the perfect day to hang with kids or see that your inner kid gets to play. Do some art or test out a new skill. Be so new that it doesn’t occur to you that you’re “not good” at it. A lighthearted approach helps us find and express joy whether we’re doing taxes or dishes or just trying to get out of bed. Put on some happy music and play your way through. Invoke natural safety through healthy choices. Our behavior builds the future generations. Don’t allow yourself to be mistreated—by you or anyone else. Today is about receiving rewards and giving the surplus to those who deserve it (anyone with less). It’s a good day to give gifts and donations, put yourself out there and ask what you are due, get married, go out to eat, entertain family and friends, pay bills, conclude projects, sign contracts, economize, have burials and funerals, and make bank deposits.

my children’s first snow
the angels come down to earth
for an afternoon

Sunday 2/27 :: Lunar 1/27 :: Pig Day :: Harvest :: The Watchers/Cock :: 4 Immaturity/38 Incompatible

The moon is winding down and unrequited love is in the air. Going forward or even planning doesn’t work today. We can make small gains despite obstacles, but it’s best to retreat. Incompatibility doesn’t need to result in painful longing. The Zhouyi reminds us again that self-reflection and humility go a long way. We are advised to avoid immature people: “The worst sort of immature person ambitiously seeks personal advantage, pleasure, or wealth.” Well, dang, if our culture were a person. Breaking up with Western culture is kind of impossible, but we can break it down. I think of mushrooms cleaning up radioactive land. They’re not trying to be heroes, just uniting with the ground. Consult with experts and wise people and keep your expectations low. Auspicious activities include bank deposits, collecting accounts receivable, studying, relying on superiors, and routine work.

intro to hell realms
sitting next to my first crush
back in seventh grade

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