The Blog of Annie Pecheva

The Dragon island

2012-01-20T09:34:00.000-08:00

   Liu Xi, a great poet from Tang Dynasty, once said that "any mountain can be famous with the presence of an immortal, and any river can be holy with the presence of a dragon" 山不在高，有仙则名；水不在深，有龙则灵.
   In order to promote its new construction project, a big real estate corporation from Liaoning province has changed this saying into: "any house can be famous with the presence of a dragon" 房不在名，有“龙”则灵.
The idea of this new project is to build a new residential area in a dragon-like island, which is in Jinzhou district of Dalian city in China. According to the plan, the construction of the houses should be finished in 2012. See the map:

.    It somehow reminds me of the Palm island in Dubai..Shapes, shapes, shapes... The people like to go for shapes.

And, as a comparison, here is the "Dragon Island" - artwork by the 15-years old Irish-Canadian artist Lee Neyrinck.

Another qigong poem

2011-12-31T13:50:00.000-08:00

Some time ago I wrote here that during a certain period of my qigong practice, there were 1-2 nights, in which the Chinese characters of some poems appeared in my mind while I was sleeping.These poems are related to qigong cultivation.

The text of one of the qigong poems you can see here:
http://anniepecheva.blogspot.com/2010/06/qigong-poem-that-appeared-to-me-one.html

And here is another poem:

白玉上天桥

游客来下教

静中气妙漂

乾坤送来精

The literal translation goes like this:

White jade ascends to the heavenly bridge;

The wandering visitor comes to leave knowledge.

In the stillness qi is flowing subtly
The Heaven and Earth bring pure essence.

* the white jade ascends to the heavenly bridge - this is a symbolic description of one of the phenomena occurring during the qigong practice. A white cloud of pure qi ascends towards the head and reaches the fontanelle ( bai hui acupoint).

The Nobleman star (Tian Yi Gui Ren) and the logic behind its calculation

2011-12-24T13:36:00.000-08:00

The Nobleman (Tian Yi Gui Ren 天乙贵人) is an auspicious symbolic star in Four Pillars astrology. It neutralizes the negative influences and is supposed to bring good luck. Thanks to it, one can easily receive help from others – visible or invisible assistance.

Table for calculating the star:

year or day of birth - stem	branch
Jia (Yang Wood)	Wei, Chou (Goat; Ox)
Yi (Yin Wood)	Shen; Zi (Monkey; Rat)
Bing (Yang Fire)	Hai; You (Pig; Rooster)
Ding (Yin Fire)	Hai; You (Pig; Rooster)
Wu (Yang Earth)	Chou; Wei (Ox; Goat)
Ji (Yin Earth)	Zi; Shen (Rat; Monkey)
Geng (Yang Metal)	Chou; Wei (Ox; Goat)
Xin (Yin Metal)	Yin; Wu (Tiger; Horse)
Ren (Yang Water)	Mao; Si (Rabbit; Snake)
Gui (Yin Water)	Mao; Si (Rabbit; Snake)

There are many speculations about this symbolic star. After learning that they have Nobleman in the horoscope, many people become highly elated, feeling that they are protected by some sort of angels and higher beings. And if you tell them that they have 2 or 3 Nobleman stars in the chart, they become very excited: “Wow, I have 3 guardian angels!”. This way of thinking easily leads to illusions and misunderstandings.

The calculation of the Nobleman star is based on the heavenly stems combination. Normally the stems combination is regarded as a positive aspect in Chinese astrology and therefore this symbolic star is given a positive characteristics of assisting the person and removing the obstacles of his way. But there really is nothing that much special in the meaning.

The Qing Dynasty book “Qian Ding Xie Ji Bian Fang Shu”《钦定协纪辨方书》points out:
“The Nobleman star divides into Yang Nobleman and Yin Nobleman. The calculation of Yang Nobleman starts from Jia Zi (Rat) and is clockwise, while the calculation of Yin Nobleman starts from Shen (Monkey) and is counterclockwise.”
For Yang Nobleman, the calculation formula is Jia (Yang Wood) + Zi (Rat). From this base we look at the stems combination and find the branch of the corresponding, i.e. the combined stem:

Jia (Yang Wood) + Zi (Rat) --> Jia (Yang Wood) combines with Ji (Yin Earth), therefore for Ji the Yang Nobleman is in Zi (Rat).

Yi (Yin Wood) + Chou (Ox) --> Yi (Yin Wood) combines with Geng (Yang Metal), therefore for Geng (Yang Metal) the Yang Nobleman is in Chou (Ox).

Bing (Yang Fire) + Yin (Tiger) --> Bing combines with Xin (Yin Metal), therefore for Xin (Yin Metal) the Yang Nobleman is in Yin (Tiger).

Ding (Yin Fire) + Mao (Rabbit) --> Ding combines with Ren (Yang Water), therefore for Ren (Yang Water) the Yang Nobleman is in Mao (Rabbit)..."

For Yin Nobleman the calculation formula is Jia (Yang Wood) + Shen (Monkey). From this base we look counterclockwise.
Jia (Yang Wood) + Shen (Monkey) --> Jia (Yang Wood) combines with Ji (Yin Earth), therefore for Ji the Yin Nobleman is in Shen (Monkey).
Yi (Yin Wood) + Wei (Goat) --> Yi (Yin Wood) combines with Geng (Yang Metal), therefore for Geng (Yang Metal) the Yin Nobleman is in Wei (Goat).
Bing (Yang Fire) + Wu (Horse) --> Bing combines with Xin (Yin Metal), therefore for Xin (Yin Metal) the Yin Nobleman is in Wu (Horse).
And so on...

The Winter Solstice and Qi

2011-12-16T00:39:00.000-08:00

December 22nd is the Winter Solstice in the Northern Hemisphere. The Sun is at 270 degree on the ecliptic. In the past times, the Winter Solstice in China was regarded as an official holiday and the New Year's day. The scholars and practitioners of metaphysics have done important divination namely during the day of the Winter Solstice.

At the Winter Solstice the Yang energy starts to increase (and the days start to get larger), while the Yin energy gradually starts to decrease (and the nights are becoming smaller). Slowly and almost unnoticeably Yang in Nature and within the human body is awakening and increasing from inside towards outside.

To a certain point, this is also related to the month of Rat (Zi) 子月, in which we are now. It is represented by “Fu” - the 24th hexagram in I Ching:

Lao Zi says "Returning is the movement of Dao". Fu hexagram means “Returning, Coming back" and it consists of 1 Yang and 5 Yin. The past month (Hai) 亥月was completely Yin – with 6 Yin lines, but now a new cycle is beginning, in which the first rays of the Yang energy start to appear. In Chinese this is called “the appearance of first Yang” 一阳出 (yi yang chu).

In ancient China the 10th month was named "kun month"坤月 representing the Kun hexagram 坤卦, which consists of 6 Yin lines. It was also called "Yin month" 阴月 and "Dark Winter" 玄冬. In comparison, the 11th month, in which happens the Winter Solstice, was named "the month of Returning"复月, "New Yang" 新阳 and "Return of Yang" 阳复.

The several days before and after the Winter Solstice are characterized with very powerful energy in Nature. This is important time for more meditation and relaxation. Even in a non-meditation state one can feel that the energy and the blood circulation are very intensified as if in a deep state of meditation. Now the qigong meditation is very qualitative, it gets easier and faster to enter into the deep levels of subconsciousness.

During the different 24 solar terms of Chinese calendar, qi is concentrated at different energy points (guan 关) on the small heavenly orbit 小周天.

In the 15 days after the Winter Solstice the energy is concentrated at hui yin acupoint in the body as well as in the lower dan tian. Now qi starts to activate du mai (the Yang meridian) of the small heavenly orbit. At the same time, the energy flow is faster throughout the whole body.

The days around the Winter Solstice are regarded as important time for qigong meditation, during which easily occurs "interaction between Water and Fire" 水火相交. Here "Water" is a symbolic representation of the kidneys in the body. The 63rd hexagram ("After completion") in I Ching is also called "interaction between Water and Fire" 水火既濟. It describes a process that is very important in qigong.

Here Water trigram (Kan 坎) is above Fire trigram (Li离). The Water flows downwards and the Fire goes upward, so when we have the conditions presented by this hexagram, the Water is above to nourish and balance the heart, and the Fire is below, so to warm up the Kidneys. In this way a good interaction is generated between the energies of the heart and the kidneys.

The famous I Ching scholar Kong Yingda 孔穎達 from Tang Dynasty in China has commented that this hexagram gives a picture of cooking - "Drink and food are completed by it". This is related to internal alchemy - a natural process of generating and transforming qi during qigong meditation.

Happy Winter Solstice to all!

Wedding day selection letter from 170 years ago

2011-12-12T07:11:00.000-08:00

Wedding day selection letter written by a divination master more than 170 years ago in Kaifeng, China. In Ching Dynasty when the people wanted to get married it was common that they first go to ask a bazi master to choose an auspicious date for their wedding. After comparing the couple's dates and hours of birth, he assigned a date for the marriage.

Here on the picture it is written that there is no clash between the two horoscopes, so the relationship will be very successful.

Taoists Yin and Yang

2011-12-07T23:03:00.000-08:00

Six years ago in Beijing I met two Taoist monks who are practicing Chinese astrology and metaphysics for many years. One of them was dressed completely in white, while the other - completely in black. Exactly like Yin and Yang. These Taoists are good friends and together they visit different parts of China.

The Taoist that is in white is actually an albino. That's why even his hair is white. Otherwise he is not that old as it seems. It is very rare to see an albino Chinese. He was talking and expressing himself in a very Yang style, vividly and extrovertedly.
In comparison with him, the Taoist who is dressed in black was a very Yin type and introvert.
We had a nice conversation and exchanged some ideas about Chinese astrology and I Ching.

The 28 lunar mansions and their corresponding points in dumai meridian

2011-12-03T16:41:00.000-08:00

   Few years ago I bought a Chinese book on the interconnections between I Ching and Chinese medicine - 《易医时间诊疗》, written by Ren Deze 任得泽 and Ming Yi 明易.
   The book is worthwhile and has some interesting ideas. It presents examples of diagnosis of diseases through I Ching; gives a detailed information on the 5 shu points of the meridians, zi wu liu zhu and lin gui ba fa chrono-acupuncture, Zhang Jiabin's theory of I Ching medicine, etc.
   The authors of the book have composed songs for each of the 64 hexagrams, so in the book there are given the notes of these I Ching songs + a CD with the songs.
   One of the most interesting parts of this book is the idea that there is a connection between the 28 lunar mansions and the 28 energy points of dumai meridian. Each lunar mansion corresponds to one energy point of the dumai meridian in the body. By checking which lunar mansion corresponds to one's date of birth, one can find which is the specific acupoint related to him mostly. Then, one can press this point or apply acupuncture on it, in order to strengthen the inner energy and stimulate the healing process.

28 Mansions and Acupoints

After presenting this table to my class of about 40~50 students, everyone started pressing the specific acupoint that related to them. Everyone noticed that the place where the acupoint is located is the only painful or sensibly more painful than the other acupoints of dumai meridian. It could be a placebo effect, but the sensations were a fact.

a small story in Wudang...

2011-11-27T21:08:00.000-08:00

Few years ago, I was with my friends in Wudang mountain. While visiting the Purple Cloud Temple, behind the main buildings we discovered a small yard with old building, in which all corners were full with big spider nets... There was a mountain mist and lots of pure qi in the air. We were standing in the yard silently almost in meditation, while inside an unknown Taoist monk was playing some tunes on zheng zither... It was a magical atmosphere... After a while we walked away... One of my friends asked me why I didn't knock on the door, so we can meet and talk with that Taoist. I replied: "But we were talking!".

Mariya Dobreva gathering qi in Wudang

As the saying goes, "the best kind of friend is the kind you can sit on a porch and swing with, never say a word, and then walk away feeling like it was the best conversation you've ever had".

He tu diagram and the M-theory

2011-11-21T06:22:00.000-08:00

   According to some Chinese authors, this old Chinese he tu ("River map") diagram in Chinese metaphysics can serve as a symbolic representation of the modern M-theory.
   It is named "Chart for calculating numbers according to the 10 positions in he tu diagram".
    In the inner triangle there are 9 white dots; in the middle triangle - 18 dots and in the outer triangle - 27 dots.
    Without the center (the 1 black dot), the total number of all dots is 54. And without the inner triangle, the total number of the dots is 45.

    The M-theory is also known as String theory. It implies 10 and more dimensions and the mathematical formula goes like this:

SO (10) x 10 = 1 ⊕ 45 ⊕ 54

This he tu diagram was made by Li Guangdi 李光地 (1642－1718), a famous I Ching expert, neo-confucianist and one of the most influential government officials during the reign of emperor Kangxi in China.

Silkworm stools tea

2011-11-14T23:12:00.000-08:00

One of the most bizarre tea I have ever had is silkworm stools tea 蚕屎茶 (虫屎茶).

It was few years ago, when I visited Maliandao tea bazaar in Beijing. The shop keeper there told me that this tea is good for the stomach. When I tried it, a strange wave-like evaporation occurred in my stomach, as if opening up the energy of the stomach. I think this tea will be very good for somebody with stomach illnesses.

Interestingly, the silkworm stools tea has been mentioned even in the famous Materia Medica in 16th century, written by Li Shizheng. It says that its aiding the digestion, detoxifying the body and clearing away pathogenic heat.

Obsession for awards in Chinese Metaphysics

2011-11-13T07:26:00.000-08:00

While browsing internet today, I found some funny pictures about different I Ching and Feng shui awards and organizations in China. The Chinese obsession with receiving special awards and being selected into "world", "famous people" and "leaders"-sort of organizations sometimes reach amusing degrees. Of course, in a country with big population there is a huge competition and strive to be above the masses, to "achieve success".

Here are some photos:

In this certificate "I Ching 易经" is translated in English as "Easy to learn", so it becomes very funny: "China is easy to learn great master certificate". It should be "China I Ching Great Master Certificate". ;-)

The Chinese I Ching specialist Li Chunliang from Shandong province has added in his website a picture of a red banner with golden characters, in which it says that he has been pronounced a "Feng Shui Immortal".

Wang Kun, a master from Yunnan province has obtained "2007 Most Popular Feng Shui Figure" Award

"The most influencing famous feng shui master in Lin Nan" Award

"China Contemporary I Ching Feng Shui Famous Master"

中国当代易学风水名师

"Dean of China International I Ching Study" Award

泰斗!

This is the seal of the "World I Ching Study Leaders Association"!

Often it happens that many real masters and specialists are not interested in receiving or showing their awards. They don't need them, because they have real merits. Usually those who are showing the awards are people with complexes, who have to show their credentials and certificates in order to get more clients and followers. That's how it goes, China Easy to Learn Great Masters!

The Metal Monkey day 庚申日

2011-11-02T07:42:00.000-07:00

According to the old Taoist believes one should not sleep in the night of a Metal Monkey day (geng shen ri 庚申日) .

The Taoists explain that there are three evil demons (san shi 三尸, literary "three corpses") residing in the body, also known as "the three worms". Once in two months, in the night of a Metal Monkey day (according to the sexagenary cycle in the Chinese calendar), while one sleeps, the three demons leave the body and go to the Heavenly god and report to him the sins of the person they inhabit. Then the Heavenly god shortens one's life span according to one's bad deeds.

In order to outsmart the three demons in the body, one should not fall asleep during the Metal Monkey day. Simple, isn't it? The Taoist practitioners use this time for meditation. By doing this, they believe the three demons stay calmly in the body and miss the opportunity to report one's sins to Heaven. The ordinary folks don't meditate, but are also awaken in the Metal Monkey night: everybody in the community will get together and sing and dance.

Many old Taoist books point out to"Observe the Metal Monkey" (shou geng shen 守庚申). This term is also called "Keeping the three demons" (shou san shi 守三尸) and also "Killing the three demons" (zhai san shi 斩三尸). By doing meditation in this special day, it is believed that the demons will gradually disappear.

Why this belief is related exactly to the Metal Monkey day is not thoroughly explained in the ancient texts. The stem and branch of this day both are Metal elements. Perhaps double Metal element is seen as "cutting" and shortening of one's life span? In Chinese astrology there are several Symbolic stars, which are related to abundance of Metal element and they signify danger of death, disasters and killing.

According to the old believes, these three demons are related to the three dantian - the energy centers in the body. The upper demon can disturb one's thoughts and cause bad vision and hair loss. The middle demon can cause bad deeds, anxiety and overindulgence into eating and material desires. The lower demon makes one lewd and greedy.

The belief of the Metal Monkey day can be traced back to Han Dynasty in China, about 2000 years ago. During the Tang and Song dynasties it becomes very popular. It is still performed nowadays in the Chinese Taoist monasteries. Some Taoist internet sites even provide the dates of the Metal Monkey days in the year.

It's interesting to notice how the belief about the Metal Monkey day has been spread in Japan, where it has became a part of the local folk traditions and Buddhism. In Japanese this belief is called "Koshin" (Metal Monkey), which of course derives from the Chinese "geng shen" 庚申. Since the 9th century, all over Japan have been erected numerous "Metal Monkey pillars" - Koshin-to (庚申塔) for protection from the three demons.

The famous concept of the three wise monkeys comes namely from this Metal Monkey day belief in Japan. The three monkeys are known as Mizaru . They cover their eyes, ears and mouth, embodying the principle to "see no evil, hear no evil, speak no evil".

A nice poem by Lu Dongbin

2011-10-25T13:28:00.000-07:00

落魄红尘四十春，无为无事信天真。
生涯只在乾坤鼎，活计惟凭日月轮。
八卦气中潜至宝，五行光里隐元神。
桑田改变依然在，永作人间出世人。

吕洞宾

Wandering aimlessly for 40 years in the world of mortals,
Doing nothing out of nothing believing the Heaven is true;
Whole life merely within the cauldron of heaven and earth,
All efforts solely reliant on the wheel of time;
Sunken within the Qi of Bagua is treasure most priceless,
The 5 elements light conceals the original spirit;
Shall still be here even if the mulberry fields change,
Forever live within mankind, but transcend the mundane.

(translation into English is made by my friend Moon Chin)

Koreans attack the Academic star of a famous musician

2011-10-18T07:15:00.000-07:00

While going through the pages of the last issue of Stanford magazine, I came upon an article about the South Korean musician star Daniel Lee, also known by his stage name Tablo. He is the frontman of premier Korean rap group Epik High and is one of the top celebrities in Korea.

Although I am not a fan of rap and hip hop music, I found Tablo's story quite interesting.

Tablo graduated from Stanford University with both B.A. and M.A. degrees in English and Creative Writing in just three and a half years. As a Stanford graduate myself, I know very well that it's completely possible to obtain both of these degrees at the same time, thanks to the flexible study program in Stanford.

However, a group of internet users in South Korea have launched a huge campaign attacking Tablo's academic credentials. The campaign against him exploded in South Korea in Spring, 2010 and became front-page news for several months. Many Koreans refused to believe that Tablo obtained Bachelor's and Master's degrees from Stanford and accused him for fraud. All this has caused Tablo and his family extreme distress. They received numerous threat calls, all his concerts were canceled and he faced a big challenge in his life.

Then, in August, 2010 Tablo visited Stanford University to clear himself by reprinting his documents on camera, and the Stanford professors attested to the validity of his academic background. Tablo filed suit against 20 of his most virulent attackers. By October, the prosecutor in South Korea determined that Lee was who he said he was.

All the story you can read in Stanford Magazine:
http://www.stanfordalumni.org/news/magazine/2011/julaug/features/tablo.html
and in Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tablo

I checked Tablo's Chinese astrology chart and here is what I found:

Daniel Lee - Tablo
Male
Born: 22 July 1980

Hour	Day	Month	Year
	丙 Bing Yang Fire	癸 Gui Yin Water	庚 Geng Yang Metal
	申 Shen Monkey	未 Wei Goat	申 Shen Monkey

甲 Jia	乙 Yi	丙 Bing	丁 Ding	戊 Wu	己 Ji	庚 Geng	辛 Xin	壬 Ren	癸 Gui
申 Shen	酉 You	戌 Xu	亥 Hai	子 Zi	丑 Chou	寅 Yin	卯 Mao	辰 Chen	巳 Si
5 - 14	15 - 24	25 - 34	35 - 44	45 - 54	55 - 64	65 - 74	75 - 84	85 - 94	95 - 104

One of the most striking symbolic stars in Tablo's chart is Wen Chang 文昌- the star of music, literature and academics. If the education-obsessed Korean society was aware that Tablo is born with this lucky star, perhaps it will be able to better understand why he got his academic degrees from Stanford. The Wen Chang star helps one much more easily than the others to be accepted in a top university and achieve academic success. It also facilitates the study process. Wen Chang indicates literature and music talents and success.

We can easily see that Tablo has a weak day master - Bing Fire with 3 times Metal in the natal chart. Last year, when he got all these problems, was the year of Metal Tiger (Geng Yin). Thus, more Metal accumulated to reduce his Fire energy.

Besides this, the current year (Tiger) and the branches of his day & year pillars of birth (Monkey) are in clash. This clash is very intense. Tablo's problems started in March, when it was also the Tiger (Yin) month. So we have a double clash of Tiger (current month and year) and 2 Monkey (from his natal chart). During such powerful clashes one can experience turbulent time and changes in life.

It's interesting to notice the direction of this clash in Tablo's chart: the Yin (Tiger) is actually attacking the Shen (Monkey) branch that represents the Wen Chang star. In other words, the attacks and the accusations were directed toward Tablo's academic background.

Meanwhile, the Yin - Shen (Tiger-Monkey) clash also represents the Horse star (Yi Ma). The Horse star often means movement, changes and traveling. In August, the same year, during the month of Shen (Monkey) - when his Horse star was activated - Tablo went to the States and visited Stanford where the professors justified in front of the camera that he is a Stanford graduate. Here the Horse star played the necessarily role of traveling that brings change in one's situation. And for Tablo this was a good visit with a positive result.

Happy September (Autumn) Equinox!

2011-09-22T13:59:00.000-07:00

(painting by Wendy Andrew)

Oscar Pistorius - the Metal Horse runner

2011-09-20T08:03:00.000-07:00

Oscar Pistorius is a top sprint runner from South Africa. When he was 11 months old baby, his legs where amputated. Now he is walking and racing on metal blades from the knee down. Known as the "Blade Runner" and "the fastest man on no legs".
To me, he represents a good image of the Metal Horse - a Metal element day master and born in a Horse day according to his Four Pillars Chinese astrology chart. Like a horse with horseshoes!
Oscar has his own tigers, horses and dogs. That makes a triple Fire combo in Chinese astrology. And goes well his Tiger year & Horse day of his birth.

Four Pillars Chart of Oscar Pistorius

Oscar Pistorius
Male

Born: 22 November 1986 , 17:31 Timezone: 0 (Western Europ. Time)
Longitude: 0 E 0 Latitude: 0 N 0

Conception	Hour	Day	Month	Year	Life
庚 Geng Yang Metal	乙 Yi Yin Wood	庚 Geng Yang Metal	己 Ji Yin Earth	丙 Bing Yang Fire	丁 Ding Yin Fire
寅 Yin Tiger	酉 You Rooster	午 Wu Horse	亥 Hai Pig	寅 Yin Tiger	酉 You Rooster

庚 Geng	辛 Xin	壬 Ren	癸 Gui	甲 Jia	乙 Yi	丙 Bing	丁 Ding	戊 Wu	己 Ji
子 Zi	丑 Chou	寅 Yin	卯 Mao	辰 Chen	巳 Si	午 Wu	未 Wei	申 Shen	酉 You
4 - 13	14 - 23	24 - 33	34 - 43	44 - 53	54 - 63	64 - 73	74 - 83	84 - 93	94 - 103

chart from http://fourpillars.net

Four conditions for cultivation

2011-05-25T06:46:00.000-07:00

1. Healthy environment, pure food, moderate climate

2. Proper methods of meditation and cultivation of the inner energy and one’s character

3. Some money (as they can give some freedom and possibilities)

4. Friends of Dao (dao you) – spiritual friends

The lack of any of these conditions could be compensated with the others.

Luck has a peculiar habit of favoring those who don't depend on it

2011-05-24T14:28:00.000-07:00

“Luck has a peculiar habit of favoring those who don’t depend on it”.

~ Author Unknown

Wouter Weylandt and the pillars of his destiny

2011-05-10T19:28:00.000-07:00

On May 9th the Belgian cyclist Wouter Weylandt died in serious crash during Giro d'Itaila's stage three.

Here is his natal chart according to Chinese four pillars astrology:

Date of birth: 27.09.1984
Year:     Wood Rat (Jia Zi)
Month: Water Rooster (Gui You)
Day:      Wood Rat (Jia Zi)
Hour:     ?

Current 10-year cycle: Fire Rat (Bing Zi) - 23-33

And here are the four pillars of his death:

Year:     Metal Rabbit (Xin Mao)
Month: Water Snake (Gui Si)
Day:     Wood Rat (Jia Zi)
Hour:   Water Rooster (Gui You)

We can notice the repetition of pillars in his month and day of birth + the day and hour of death:

In Four Pillars Astrology there is a symbolic star "Confrontation with Heaven". Its meaning is short life or vulnerability to more dangers in one's life. This star can also happen in the horoscopes of enlightened people.
Here is the calculation of Confrontation with Heaven star, which happens only when there is a certain repetition of pillars in the natal chart:

Jia Zi (Wood Rat)
Jia Xu (Wood Dog)
Yi You (Wood Rooster)
Bing Shen (Fire Monkey)
Ding Wei (Fire Goat)
Wu Wu (Earth Horse)
Ji Si (Earth Snake)
Gen Chen (Metal Dragon)
Xin Chou (Metal Ox)
Ren Yin (Water Tiger)
Ren Zi (Water Rat)
Gui Hai (Water Pig)

In the case of Wouter Weylandt we see repetition of Jia Zi (Wood Rat) in his year and day pillars.

No matter how long or short life may be, naturally we all want to make the best of it. Wouter Weylandt lost his life in the pursuit of his passion.

Osama Bin Laden and his Chinese horoscope

2011-05-06T04:51:00.000-07:00

Here are the four pillars of Osama Bin Laden:

Born: 10 March 1957 05:55
Timezone: +3 (Baghdad Time)
Longitude: 46 E 45 Latitude: 24 N 45

Hour: Xin Mao (Yin Metal Rabbit)
Day: Xin Si (Yin Metal Snake)
Month: Gui Mao (Yin Water Rabbit)
Year: Ding You (Yin Fire Rooster)

10 Y Luck (13/8/1958)
Age 1 - 10 : Ren Yin (Yang Water Tiger)
Age 11 - 20 : Xin Chou (Yin Metal Ox)
Age 21 - 30 : Geng Zi (Yang Metal Rat)
Age 31 - 40 : Ji Hai (Yin Earth Pig)
Age 41 - 50 : Wu Xu (Yang Earth Dog)
Age 51 - 60 : Ding You (Yin Fire Rooster)

It's interesting to notice that Osama Bin Laden died when there was a Fu Yin (duplication of pillars) in his current 10-year luck period and his year of birth - Ding You (Fire Rooster) 丁酉. Also there is a duplicatoin of pillars in the current year and his hour of birth - Xin Mao (Yin Metal Rabbit) 辛卯.

Besides, he died at the age of 54, which in China is considered as a time when there are certain problems happening in one's life due to the double clash in the stems and branches between the year of birth and the current year.

Still and clear, the first weeks of May... (a poem by Bai Juyi)

2011-05-01T04:26:00.000-07:00


Still and clear, the first weeks of May,
When trees are green and bushes soft and wet;
When the wind has stolen the shadows of new leaves
And birds linger on the last boughs that bloom.

BAI JUYI,

"In Early Summer Lodging in a Temple to Enjoy the Moonlight"

Sai Baba and his Chinese horoscope

2011-04-25T20:56:00.000-07:00

On April 24th the famous Indian guru Sai Baba died at the age of 85. He himself several times has predicted that his life will last 96 years, but as we see his predictions went wrong.

Sai Baba was born on 23 November 1926, 6:22 AM in Puttaparthi, India. Here is his four pillars chart:

Hour: Xin Mao (Yin Metal Rabbit)
Day: Bing Chen (Yang Fire Dragon)
Month: Ji Hai (Yin Earth Pig)
Year: Bing Yin (Yang Fire Tiger)

Conception: Geng Yin (Yang Metal Tiger)
Life: Xin Mao (Yin Metal Rabbit)

It's interesting to notice that this year's pillar (Xin Mao - Yin Metal Rabbit) is the same as the pillars of his hour of birth and the Life Palace (Ming gong). In Chinese astrology the hour pillar is pointing out the old age in life. In the case with Sai Baba this duplication of pillars between the current year and the hour pillar can suggest that this is a special year (2011), a turning point in his life course and even can mean death-threatening conditions, especially if one is experiencing major health problems.

According to the classical texts of Four Pillars, for those who have Mao (Rabbit) branch in their Life Palace it is very important to stay humble when they get power (" 得权时需谦虚为上"). Obviously that is not the case with Sai Baba. He proclaimed himself a god and attracted millions of followers during his life. "I am all deities in one"; "There was no one to understand Me until I created this whole world" - Sai Baba says.

Sai Baba pleased to unveil a golden statue of himself.

Superstition, indoctrination and self-delusion are some of the main obstacles and traps in the path to spiritual growth.

* According to some sources Sai Baba lied about his birth date. "It is well known publicly that Sri Aurobindo declared on November 24th 1926 that "Krishna consciousness had descended into the physical," and proposed that this was the motivation for Sai Baba to declare this date as his birth date."(http://www.astro.com/astro-databank/Sai_Baba%2C_Sri_Sathya)

Funny Feng Shui Commercial

2011-04-07T21:31:00.000-07:00

The more free space is better. ;-)

The Yemen president and the change of his 10-year cycle

2011-03-20T20:29:00.001-07:00

Today is the birthday of Ali Abdullah Saleh, president of Yemen. He is celebrating his 65th birthday amidst major protests in his country, where the people demand end of his 30-year long rule. In hope to retain his power, yesterday Saleh dismissed the government. He is trying to change everything else, but just not to step down from power.

The start of a new cycle always brings changes in life. Saleh’s new 10-year cycle starts this year. It’s also worthwhile to notice the duplication of his month pillar in the natal chart and the current year - xin mao （Metal Rabbit). This kind of duplication (called Fu Yin in Four Pillars astrology) always brings lots of stress in life. For the Yemeni president this is quite obvious now, in the Metal Rabbit month.

Ali Abdullah Saleh

Born: 21 March 1946

Hour: ?
Day: Jia Wu (Yang Wood Horse)
Month: Xin Mao (Yin Metal Rabbit)
Year: Bing Xu (Yang Fire Dog)

10 Y Luck (28/3/1951)
Age 5 - 14 : Ren Chen (Yang Water Dragon)
Age 15 - 24 : Gui Si (Yin Water Snake)
Age 25 - 34 : Jia Wu (Yang Wood Horse)
Age 35 - 44 : Yi Wei (Yin Wood Goat)
Age 45 - 54 : Bing Shen (Yang Fire Monkey)
Age 55 - 64 : Ding You (Yin Fire Rooster)
Age 65 - 74 : Wu Xu (Yang Earth Dog)

2012

2011-03-17T15:33:00.000-07:00

via http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Wqo9IVCWV5E/SzuAwK7mPzI/AAAAAAAADgo/AItTwext9Lg/s1600/bz%2BMAYAN12-21-09.jpg

The big earthquake in Japan and feng shui & astrology

2011-03-12T06:52:00.000-08:00

The earthquake in Japan of March 11th is a big disaster.

In the famous Chinese prophetic book “Tui Bei Tu” from 7th century, for the Metal Rabbit Xin Mao chapter it’s written: “Water bellow, Thunder above”. 《推背图》“辛卯”，坎下震上。Here the Thunder and Water are the two hexagrams representing the main characteristics of the period of Xin Mao (Metal Rabbit). The Thunder hexagram is associated with earthquakes. It could be a coincidence, but it somehow reminds me the big earthquake in Japan.

Besides, this year the 5 Yellow star in feng shui lies in the East direction. Now is the Metal Rabbit month (from March 6th to April 4th) and it is a duplication of the pillar of the year. This means a strong influence of 5 Yellow disaster star in the East.

Artificial taiji on a hill in China

2011-03-05T10:44:00.000-08:00

This taiji is formed by pine and Sophora japonica trees near Jiahe village in Jinluan mountain, Hubei province, China. The purpose was "to beautify the local landscape".

But the result is that it looks very weird on the hill.

The biggest luopan in the world

2011-03-03T16:01:00.000-08:00

The luopan square in Langzhong city, Sichuan province, China.
They call it "the biggest luopan in the world".

Muammar Gadhafi and the Metal Rabbit

2011-02-23T03:18:00.000-08:00

Muammar Gadhafi is one of the longest serving rulers in history. He has been a leader of Libya since 1969, which makes more than 41 years.

Major political protests against him broke out in Libya this month. It’s obvious that Gadhafi’s time is running out.

Let’s look at Gadhaffi’s Chinese horoscope:

Born: 7 June 1942

Hour: ?
Day: Xin Mao (Yin Metal Rabbit)
Month: Bing Wu (Yang Fire Horse)
Year: Ren Wu (Yang Water Horse)

10 Y Luck (22/1/1952)
Age 9 - 18 : Ding Wei (Yin Fire Goat)
Age 19 - 28 : Wu Shen (Yang Earth Monkey)
Age 29 - 38 : Ji You (Yin Earth Rooster)
Age 39 - 48 : Geng Xu (Yang Metal Dog)
Age 49 - 58 : Xin Hai (Yin Metal Pig)
Age 59 - 68 : Ren Zi (Yang Water Rat)
Age 69 - 78 : Gui Chou (Yin Water Ox)

Gadhafi is born in the day of Metal Rabbit. And now we are in the year of Metal rabbit. In Four Pillars astrology this duplication of signs is called Fu Yin and usually means a very special time in one’s life, which can bring life-threatening conditions. Yes, this definitely is going to be a hard time for Gadhafi.

Annie Pecheva

The year of Metal Rabbit - “Wish you a sudden wealth!”

2011-02-08T06:52:00.000-08:00

It’s funny how people’s desires make new symbols in the Chinese culture and thus even more new age feng shui items. For more proffits, now in China they sale rabbit objects and name them “the rabbit of wealth” 发财兔. I am not aware of rabbit being a symbol of wealth in the past of China…

One of the most common wishes for this Metal Rabbit Year among the Chinese and the Chinese-speaking people in East Asia is “Wish you a sudden wealth!” 祝你兔然发财, which is a wordplay. “Sudden” in Chinese is tu, which sounds similar to “rabbit”.

Again, everything is for this craze of becoming rich.

DJ Ötzi - Eine stern in the Austrian music

2011-01-02T11:55:00.000-08:00

While watching the New Year concerts on the German tv, it was not a surprise to see DJ Ötzi appearing live consequently on the shows of two tv channels. DJ Ötzi is one of the most famous pop singers in the German-speaking part of the world. His song "Eine stern...der deinen Namen trägt" ("One star...which bears your name") in 2007 became a number one hit in Austria and Germany. Everybody knows and can sing this song.

Let's see DJ Ötzi's Four Pillars chart in Chinese astrology:

Born: 7 January 1971

Hour: ?
Day: Ren Chen (Yang Water Dragon)
Month: Ji Chou (Yin Earth Ox)
Year: Geng Xu (Yang Metal Dog)

10 Y Luck (16/5/1980)
Age 9 - 18 : Geng Yin (Yang Metal Tiger)
Age 19 - 28 : Xin Mao (Yin Metal Rabbit)
Age 29 - 38 : Ren Chen (Yang Water Dragon)
Age 39 - 48 : Gui Si (Yin Water Snake)
Age 49 - 58 : Jia Wu (Yang Wood Horse)

His 10-year luck cycle of the age 29 - 38 is Water Dragon (Ren Chen), which is exactly the same as his day pillar. In Chinese astrology there is a principle that when the signs of a 10-year cycle are the same with one of the four pillars in the natal chart, then this is a very special period in one's life. It brings very intense energy and always it's one of the most important and special periods in life. This kind of pillar dublication in the horoscope suggest extremely powerful period, which can destroy or favor one's life to a certainly high degree.
In the case of DJ Ötzi, the pillar duplication brought him success and fame. His first album was released in 2000 and immediately peaked some of the highest chart-positions in Europe. Since the start of this special 10-year cycle, DJ Ötzi enjoys success after success and has become one of the big stars of Austrian music.

Annie Pecheva

Coordination between Water and Fire 水火既济 in Four Pillars Astrology

2010-08-21T06:14:00.000-07:00

In Four Pillars astrology, the presence of lots of Fire and Water elements in the horoscope often is considered to suggest heavy disease, and sometimes even cancer. In Chinese astrology this kind of clash between Fire and Water is called "War between Water and Fire" (shui huo xiang zhan) 水火相战 .

If one has a weak Fire and too much Water in the chart, then the Water will extinct the Fire. If the water is weak and the Fire is too strong in the chart, then the Fire will self-burn and cause different problems.

A balance between Water and Fire is needed in order to achieve a harmony in the chart. In TCM and Chinese astrology this is called: "Coordination between Water and Fire" (shui huo ji ji) 水火既济.

How to achieve this coordination? In respect of Chinese astrology, the Wood element is needed to smooth and coordinate the relations between Water and Fire. In this way, it is achieved a good flow of energy among the elements (from the cycle of mutual creation of the five elements): Water - Wood - Fire.

In a case that there is no Wood in the horoscope, then the Wood element could be supplemented by the means of Feng Shui or through other ways - increasing the presence of green color in the house, adding some green plants, eating more food and herbs, which can supplement the Wood element and balance the energy of Fire (Heart) and Water (Kidneys). No wonder that green herbs like dandelion, plantain and purslane have been proven to possess anti-cancer properties.

Annie Pecheva

Wuji - without boundary 无极

2010-08-16T10:39:00.000-07:00

During deep qigong meditation one achieves the state of wuji 无极 - without boundary. Without limits like the infinite universe. As the ancient sages in China say, the Universe is "so big that it has no end, and it's so small that it has no inner [matter]". The matter and the energy in the cosmos can transform and expand without limits and shrink and divide without end.

其大无外, 其小无内

qi da wu wai, qi xiao wu nei

The mountain of White Clouds

2010-06-29T00:20:00.000-07:00

A few years ago, when I was visiting the Buddhist monk d-r He Xiaorong in Hunan Province in China, together with her we made a trip to the Mountain of White Clouds Bai Yun Shan 白云山.
On the top of the mountain there is an abandoned Taoist monastery. The air there is very unusual - saturated with pure energy and lots of negative ions. Even if you don't do meditation, the feeling is as if you are in meditation - it's full of energy there!

As John Muir says:

“Climb the mountains and get their good tidings.

Nature's peace will flow into you as sunshine flows into trees.

The winds will blow their own freshness into you, and the storms their energy,

while cares will drop off like autumn leaves.”

a qigong poem that appeared to me one night

2010-06-19T04:15:00.000-07:00

Several years ago, after some intense qigong meditation, one night while sleeping, some Chinese characters of a poem appeared in my mind. I woke up and wrote them down:

识为君好地
玄胎洞照开
妙中轻卷气
动起三百河

The text of this poem is related to the energy phenomena that occur within the body during qigong meditation. This poem tells about the opening of the deep "embryo cave" [here symbolically it means dantian - the energy center of the body], and during this wonderful process the energy unveils gently and activates three hundred rivers [the energy channels and paths in the body].

Annie Pecheva

The Summer (June) Solstice and the Energy

2010-06-17T20:00:00.000-07:00

   On June 21st is the Summer Solstice. The energy in Nature is very powerful during the 3-4 days before and after this date. It is a good time for more meditation and relaxation. No wonder why in ancient China the people didn't work for 3 days at the Summer Solstice.

   The Summer Solstice represents an important time of the year, when Yang transforms into Yin. That's why the day before the solstice is regarded as not very stable in terms of the energy.

   The I Ching hexagram that is linked to the Summer Solstice is Gou 姤 "Encounters" (hexagram #44).

In this hexagram there are 5 Yang and 1 Yin. The Yang energy starts to decrease, while the Yin energy (represented by the broken line) - to increase.

According to qigong, different energy points of the body correspond to the different periods of the year. The Summer Solstice corresponds to baihui point 百会 in the top of the head. At this time of the year, bai hui naturally opens up and the energy there is very sensitive and intense.

From the Winter Solstice till now the energy climbs up through dumai 督脉 (the Governing Vessel) energy meridian on the back of the body. Now, at the Summer Solstice, the energy is at the highest peak - bai hui point. Similarly, now we are at the longest days of the year. After the Summer Solstice the days become shorter and the Yang energy gives way to the Yin energy.

Happy Summer Solstice to all!

A banquet held once in 60 years

2010-05-31T00:45:00.000-07:00

   In Xiaolan town, Guangzhou province, China, there is a very special tradition - to host a Chrysanthemum Banquet only in the year of the Wood Dog. The Wood Dog Year (Jia Xu 甲戌) happens once in 60 years, so you can imagine what a rare event it is!

   The tradition of the Chrysanthemum Banquet started in 1814 (year of Wood Dog), during the reign of emperor Jia Qing. Xiaolan town is famous for the cultivation of chrysanthemum flowers. In 1814 several local chrysanthemum societies joined together and in order to celebrate the event they organized a big chrysanthemum festival with a banquet of various chrysanthemum dishes. The Chrysanthemum Banquet was held again in 1874, 1934 and 1994 - four times altogether.

The Eight Trigram Field in Hangzhou

2010-05-27T10:58:00.000-07:00

The Eight Trigram Field is located in the beautiful Chinese city of Hangzhou. It is maintained since Song dynasty, which means already about 1000 years.

In this field, different crops (soy, mung beans, aubergines...) are planted at the corresponding directions of the eight trigrams.

Beijing Financial Street and feng shui

2010-05-27T10:53:00.000-07:00

Feng shui always has been used and will be used in China. Now the principles of feng shui are applied in the construction of many new buildings, in urban planning and inner design.

An interesting example in nowadays Beijing is the modern Financial Street, which is built on the same location of the old banks (金城坊) during the Ming & Qing Dynasty in Beijing.

In front of one bank building at Beijing Financial Street, there is a fengshui sculpture with the purpose of "attracting money from all eight directions":

You can see the lucky numbers 88, the 'plus' + sign. The sculpture is in the ancient form of 'ding' for bringing stability. They say that after putting this sculpture in front of the bank, in 2 years this bank accumulated billions of money, much more than it was expected... Of course, they probably had a very good and successful management. If the management is bad, even a good feng shui cannot help.

The illusionary mind of a young boy in China

2010-05-27T10:44:00.000-07:00

Many people really like to believe in what the others tell them, even if this is done (intentionally or not) only to sooth their momentary psychological needs.

I remember few years ago in Beijing there was a young boy (in his 20s), who after reading too many martial arts novels, his mind entered into an illusionary world 走火入魔. He gave up everything else in life - study, work, personal life, family, friends... I was there with some Chinese friends and an old taoist, who had some experience in feng shui. The mother of this boy asked the taoist to check the feng shui of their home, in hope to find out what is the root of her son's problem. The old taoist did his feng shui calculations and he soon replied: "No problem with the feng shui here". But, after we left, he told us that actually there is a problem with feng shui, but as this family is not very rich, they cannot make the needed changes to improve the feng shui in the house. And this was not the major factor influencing the boy. The core of the problem was in the mother who had over-spoiled her son...

Astronomic explanation of stem & branches theory

2010-05-26T22:58:00.000-07:00

What is the astronomic explanation of the stem & branch theory?

This question has been in my mind for long time... There are different sayings about it. Some say that the stems and branches are the vertical and horizontal segments of Heaven, the place between North celestial pole and South celestial pole. And some people suggest that the stem & branches theory is very deep. It's so deep, that cannot be explained (like Dao), as it surpasses the information not only in time, but also in space and it goes beyond the knowledge of contemporary astronomy and science.

Liang Juchao 梁启超（1873—1929）points out that the 22 characters of the heavenly stems and earthly branches have many similarities with the 22 letters of the Phoenician alphabet.

According to Guo Moruo 郭沫若（1892—1978), the theory originates from Babylon and was later applied in China.

Danny Van den Berghe also gives a good explanation of the arrangement of the stems and branches on the world map. It is very helpful and you can see it here:
http://www.fourpillars.net/pdf/world.pdf

Some people say that the stem & branches theory is the greatest invention in ancient China.

Here are two pictures of the stems and branches, written on the ancient Chinese jiaguwen oracle bones:

The 10 heavenly stems:

The 12 earthly branches:

Tripple Tigers in Chinese astrology

2010-05-24T07:14:00.000-07:00

Julia Butterfly Hill is famous for her actions to protect nature. She has a very interesting horoscope, which corresponds to her interesting life. To me, the most striking feature in her horoscope is the presence of the triple Tiger branch. She is a real tigress!

Born: 18 February 1974

Day: Geng Yin (Yang Metal Tiger)
Month: Bing Yin (Yang Fire Tiger)
Year: Jia Yin (Yang Wood Tiger)

As Julia is born in the year of Wood Tiger (Jia Yin), I would call her the "Green Tigress". She reminds me of the chart of Tang Yin 唐寅 - a famous Chinese painter, poet and scholar from Ming Dynasty in China. You can read more about him in wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tang_Yin

Tang Yin was born in the year of Metal Tiger, the month of the Tiger, the day of the Tiger and the hour of the Tiger... 4 times Yin (Tiger) branch in his natal chart! That's why his name is Yin - Tiger. And he is better known by his courtesy name Tang Bohu 唐伯虎, in which Bohu literally means "White Tiger", corresponding to his year pillar of birth - Geng Yin (Metal Tiger, or white tiger) .

So, if Tang Bohu is the White Tiger, then Julia Butterfly Hill is the Green Tigress.

The divination appears itself

2010-05-14T05:43:00.000-07:00

心不动卜自来

If the heart/mind is not disturbed, the divination appears itself.

Annie Pecheva
玄明

Life is a reality to be experienced

2010-05-11T23:06:00.000-07:00

"Life is not a problem to be solved, but a reality to be experienced."

- Soren Kierkegaard, a Danish philosopher

Zhuang Zi wax figure full with qi

2010-02-21T00:14:00.000-08:00

This is one of the best images of the Chinese philosopher Zhuang Zi which I have ever seen. The picture is taken in the year of 2000, when together with some friends I visited the Chu City (磨山楚城) on the Mo Hill in Wuhan City, China. In the Chu Celestial Terrace there were two wax figures - one of Lao Zi, and the other of Zhuang Zi. You can feel the strong energy coming from these figures about one meter away.

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The Progress star of Hannu Manninen

2010-01-24T02:30:00.000-08:00

Hannu Manninen is a famous nordic combined athlete from Finland.

While watching nordic combined event on Eurosport last year, the sports commentators often mentioned his name - "Hannu Manninen... Hannu Manninen..." and to me it sounded like "Hanuman" - one of the most popular gods in the Hindu pantheon, a noble hero and great devotee of Lord Rama.

Hannu Manninen's date of birth is 17 April 1978. According to Chinese astrology, he is born in the day of Earth Rooster (ji you 己酉) and he has the rare symbolic star Progress star. For people born in the day of Earth Rooster the Progress star shows big progress in work - they may start from an ordinary level and often unnoticeably for the others they make fast and big progress, which leads to great success in the end.

The nordic combined sport consists of two parts - ski jumping and cross-country skiing. It's interesting to see how the Progress star works nicely for Hannu Manninen: in the first part, during the ski jumping, his results are not the best ones, but later, during the cross-country skiing, he quickly comes from behind and often finishes first. That's the Progress star in action.

Let's wish him best results in the Winter Olympics in Vancouver!

Annie Pecheva

Ox turns Heaven and Earth 牛转乾坤

2009-12-18T10:15:00.000-08:00

As this is the year of Ox, a new expression appeared in the Chinese websites in the beginning of the year:
"Ox turns Heaven and Earth" - "Niu zhuan qian kun" 牛转乾坤.

This sentence is a word play. It comes from the Chinese idiom: "Niu zhuan qian kun" 扭转乾坤, which means "to bring about a radical change in the situation; reverse a bad situation or unfavorable condition to one’s advantage". This phrase is also translated as “to turn the tables”, because it derived from the ancient Chinese games. The player that is in a disadvantaged and weak position, turns the situation around and wins the game.

So, now in Chinese there are many wishes such as: "Wish you good luck and let the ox turn the Heaven and Earth!", "Ox turns the universe", etc. ;-)
This shows the hope of people for better changes and better times. Like always...

Annie Pecheva

The Winter Solstice and the energy

2009-12-17T01:05:00.000-08:00

December 21st is the Winter Solstice in the Northern Hemisphere. The Sun is at 270 degree on the ecliptic.

The 3-4 days before and after the Winter Solstice are characterized with very powerful positive energy in Nature. This is a good time for receiving energy from Nature, important time for more meditation and relaxation. Even in a non-meditation state one can feel how the energy and the blood circulation in the body are very intensified as if in a meditation state.

Now the qigong meditation is very qualitative, it gets easier and faster to enter into the deep levels of subconsciousness. The taoists, buddhists and the qigong practitioners give a great importance to the meditation during the Winter Solstice and they utilize this period for more intensive cultivation. This is not accidentally. At the Winter Solstice the yang energy starts to increase (and the days start to get larger), while the yin energy gradually starts to diminish (and the nights are becoming smaller). Slowly and almost unnoticeably the heat in Nature and within the human body is increasing from inside towards outside.

To a certain point, this is also related to the lunar month of Rat (zi), in which we are now. It is represented by the “Fu” 24th hexagram in I Ching:

Lao Zi says "Returning is the movement of Dao". Fu hexagram means “Returning, Coming back" and it consists of 1 yang and 5 yin. The past month (hai) was completely yin – with 6 yin, but now a new cycle is beginning, in which the first rays of the Yang energy start to appear. In Chinese, this is called “Yi yang chu” 一阳出 (“the appearance of first yang”). That's why this is considered a great time for cultivation.

During the different 24 solar terms of the Chinese calendar, the qi is concentrated at different energy points (guan 关) of the small heavenly orbit 小周天.

Now, during the 15 days of the Winter Solstice period, the qi is concentrated at hui yin energy point of the body as well as in the lower dantian. Now it starts to activate especially on the du mai (the yang meridian) of the small heavenly orbit. At the same time, the flow of energy can be felt much better and faster throughout the whole body.

In the past times, the Winter Solstice in China was regarded as an official holiday and the New Year's day. The scholars and practitioners of metaphysics have done important forecasts namely during the day of the Winter solstice.

With best wishes to all,

Annie Pecheva

Feng Shui Humor

2009-11-30T00:55:00.001-08:00

There was a person who trusted feng shui so much that before doing anything he first asked a feng shui master for consultation. One day, as he was sitting, a wall collapsed above him and he was pressed by it. He anxiously started to shout "Help! Help!" . When his relatives saw him, they said: "Don't worry, be patient, we will now go to the feng shui master to ask whether today is an auspicious day for ground braking."

24 solar term pillars constructed in Beijing

2009-10-31T09:41:00.001-07:00

Recently, 24 solar terms pillars 二十四节气柱 appeared on the south moat's bank in Beijing (located near the south gate of Temple of Heaven). The 24 pillars are divided into four groups x 6 pillars - representing the 4 seasons: Spring, Summer, Autumn and Winter.

The 24 solar terms are spaced 15° apart along the ecliptic and are used by the Chinese calendar, representing the Sun's motion on the celestial sphere as seen from Earth. For a first time, the 24 solar terms are mentioned in the classic of Huainanzi 《淮南子·天文训》, written in 2nd century BC, during Han dynasty in China.

The solar term pillar "Beginning of Spring" Li chun

Emperor Yongzhen and Astrology

2009-10-23T10:30:00.000-07:00

Emperor Yongzhen 雍正 (13.12.1678 – 8.10.1735) from Qing Dynasty in China had a great passion in Four Pillars Chinese Astrology and I Ching divination.

He often checked the Four Pillars astrology chart of his officials and generals, analyzed what is the of situation of their individual 10-year cycles, what was the strength of their day master/personality. When his high officials were sick, the emperor did some calculations to see how will their diseases develop, etc. He did all calculations and horoscopes by himself.

When this emperor had to decide the appointment of new officials and generals to go for important work at the boundaries of the country or do some other special mission, he first checked not their merits, experience or level of knowledge, but their Ba Zi 八字 (the Four Pillars): whether their four pillars chart is suitable for this kind of job, is there a clash or combination of the branches between their chart and the geographical direction of the mission; are there signs in their charts of turning against the emperor; is there a combination and good harmony aspects between the his own horoscope chart and that of the officials.

Emperor Yong Zhen in a Taoist attire

Annie Pecheva
Hanlin Academy

Yin Yang crop circle

2009-10-07T04:36:00.000-07:00

Whoever has made this Yin Yang crop circle on 07.07.2007 in Stantonbury Hill, N. Somerset, UK, probably knows Chinese:

the 12 ornaments around the Yin-Yang monad resemble the Chinese character 丰 feng, which means "abundance".

Is this a wish for abundant harvest?

The Mid-Autumn Festival and the energy

2009-10-03T00:39:00.000-07:00

Today is the Mid-Autumn Festival (中秋節), celebrated widely in East Asia. It marks the full moon that is nearest to the September Equinox, always occurring on the 15th lunar day of the 8th lunar month.

According to the Chinese tradition, this is supposed to be the biggest and fullest moon of the year. However, in fact this perception comes because of the clear sky view in the Autumn in China and other East-Asian countries, when the humidity particles of the Summer have already disappeared and the moon now looks very clear and bright.

Here is more info about the Mid-Autumn Festival:
Mid-Autumn Festival

In other parts of the world, this specific full moon is known as Harvest Moon. Here is a citation from wikipedia:

"Often, the Harvest Moon seems to be bigger or brighter or more colorful than other moons. These effects have to do with the seasonal tilt of the earth. The warm color of the moon shortly after it rises is caused by light from the moon passing through a greater amount of atmospheric particles than when the moon is overhead. The atmosphere scatters the bluish component of moonlight (which is really reflected white light from the sun), but allows the reddish component of the light to travel a straighter path to one's eyes".

Similar to all other new moons and full moons during the year, as well as the days of moon perigee and apogee, the 1-2 days around the Mid-Autumn Festival are very important time for meditation and receiving energy from the moon, according to qigong.

Annie Pecheva

To know the order of Nature...

2009-09-25T07:57:00.001-07:00

"To know the order of Nature and regard the universe as orderly is the highest function of the mind".

-- Baruch Spinoza, Dutch philosopher

The importance of Symbolic Stars (Shen Sha) in Chinese Astrology

2009-09-22T04:19:00.000-07:00

In the history of Chinese astrology, and even nowadays, there are many people who argue about the meaning and significance of the symbolic stars 神煞 (Shen Sha). Some deny them, while others say that these stars have their own contribution to Chinese astrology. Those who deny them completely, just don't have a good knowledge of the symbolic stars and lack a flexible look on astrology.

In fact, the symbolic stars have a very important meaning. In the Four Pillars method of Chinese Astrology there are several important aspects: Yin and Yang, the relations among the 5 elements, the heavenly stems and earthly branches, the ten gods (shi shen 十神), the 12 energy states (changshen shiеr shen 长生十二神) and the symbolic stars.

The calculation of the symbolic stars is logically connected to the theory of Yin and Yang, 5 elements, 10 gods theory, Na Yin theory, 12 energy states, the 8th trigrams and I Ching, etc. It is a further interpretation of all these theories and its use and development through the centuries has proven what an exact information they can give. The symbolic stars are like the “leaves” of the stems and branches in the big tree of Chinese astrology.

The problem is that the symbolic stars should not be regarded separately from the whole picture of the horoscope. If one only searches the symbolic stars and forgets about the other information present in the chart (interrelations among the elements, 10 gods, etc.), then one will have a very partial and sometimes even incorrect understanding of the horoscope.

The symbolic stars have many nuances and conditions that should be taken into consideration. For example:

- whether the element of the stem/branch of the particular star is a vulnerable/ needed element (yong shen) or it is unneeded element (ji shen);
- whether the day master is strong or weak;
- what is the situation in the cycles;
- what kind of 10 gods present in the chart;
- what are the energy states in the pillars;
- what other symbolic stars are in the same pillar;
- what other symbolic stars are in the other pillars;
- what other symbolic stars are in the cycles;
- what are the interrelations between the different symbolic stars (they may neutralize each other, etc.)
- what is the energy state of the pillar/cycle, in which lie the symbolic stars;
- etc.

At a first look the system of the symbolic stars may give a sense of an oversimplified and unreliable method, but actually it might be very complicated and at the same time – very precise. The issue is how good and experienced is the astrologer.

We know the importance of holistic, flexible and vivid reading and use of astrology. If one has a dogmatic, wooden, numb approach, if one simply interprets the horoscope just by directly citing the books without a flexible understanding and open-minded thinking, then one will be prone to mistakes and he will not be able to see the whole picture. That's why the astrology is very deep and exact science and at the same time is metaphysical (xuan xue 玄学).

The use of symbolic stars is like drawing the eyes of a dragon. The symbolic stars increase the transparency of the horoscope, so that many things appear more obvious and clear. The symbolic stars can reveal to us very important and precise information about the direction of one's interests, his character, the situation of his family, the functions and use of things, the personal characteristics and peculiarities.

Annie Pecheva

A smile from Heaven

2009-09-06T01:43:00.000-07:00

A smile from Heaven... One in a million shot

Yarrow stalks and I Ching divination

2009-08-27T04:59:00.000-07:00

There are legends about Fuxi, who in the beginning used turtles (according to some stories, it must have been a sacred white turtle) for I Ching divination. So, in the end of Shang Dynasty in China it was quite popular to use turtle shells for divination. Many people killed the turtles in a very cruel way, for the purpose of divination. While the turtle was still alive, the diviners pressed it above with a heavy stone, then they heated the turtle from its tail in order to let her leave its shell. The heat caused some cracks on the shell and the newly formated cracks and signs were interpreted (according to the direction of the cracks, etc.).

In the next dynasty, Zhou dynasty, the people started replacing turtle shells for yarrow stalks for I Ching divination. So this was a change for better, more humane way of divination. The ancient people regarded the yarrow as a supernatural herb, which can live for thousands of years. There are many records in the ancient books about this. For example, in the treatise “Wan Xing Jing” 《万行经》, it is said:

“The yarrow lives for thousand of years. When it is 100 years, it has 49 stems, which completely corresponds to the numbers of Heaven and Earth.
When the yarrow achieves 500 years, it gradually starts to dry and solidify.
When it achieves 700 years, it is without branches and leaves.
When the yarrow achieves 900 years, its color is purple as iron.
At the age of 1000 years, it attains a purple energy and below it there concedes a sacred turtle”.

In another book, “Xuan Yuan Mu Jing” 《轩辕木经》, it is said:
“Under the purple yarrow, there are five dragons hiding. It has a naturally born sensitivity. If gathered by the sages, and used 49 sticks, thus applying the numbers of Heaven and Earth, it [connects to] all origins [of things]”.

Mentioning the numbers of Heaven and Earth, usually in yarrow divination there are used 49 or 50 sticks. However, there was a Taoist who told me that 55 sticks of yarrow should be used in the initial stage of the I Ching divination ritual. The Heaven numbers (1+3+5+7+9) + the Earth numbers (2+4+6+8+10) = 55. From these 55 sticks you get aside 6 sticks (as a part of the ritual). Those 6 stalks of yarrow represent the person (as part of the connections Heaven-Man-Earth).

They also say it’s quite important where the yarrow grows: if it grows in spiritual and mountain places, that are full of energy, then this yarrow is regarded of best quality. If it grows near the road, or on a common field, it is regarded to have lesser properties.

The Chinese book "Records on the Yarrow Platform"《蓍草台记》, written by Yang Xun of Ming Dynasty, says: "the head (the stalk) of the yarrow is as strong as a dragon; its tail (flowers) is like the wings of the phoenix”. This book actually describes a place in Henan province, where there is a Yarrow Garden famous from the past, with a platform in the form of the eight trigrams. It is said that there live a rare species of white turtles…

Hall full with gold and jade 金玉满堂

2009-08-27T02:39:00.000-07:00

In Chapter 9 of "Dao De Jing" Lao Zi says:

"When gold and jade fill the hall,
nobody can keep them safe. "

However, one of the most used traditional wishes in China is namely to have "a hall full with gold and jade"...

金玉满堂 (jīn yù mǎn táng)

Pictures from the 12th Qigong Conference

2009-08-02T13:08:00.000-07:00

In the middle of july, this year, we organized the 12th Qigong Conference "HEAVEN - MAN - EARTH" in Studenec, Rhodopes Mountain, Bulgaria. There participated more than 230 persons and it was a great event for everyone.

Here is a link with pictures from the conference:
http://picasaweb.google.com/hanlin88/12thQigongConference?feat=directlink#

12th Qigong Conference

Annie

Incence can cause health problems

2009-08-02T06:09:00.000-07:00

Although incense smell very nice, they can cause pathogenic dryness in the body and are especially harmful for the lungs. If used very frequently, the burning incense can increase the risk of cancer.

In the past in China, frankincense is know to cause abortion and it is avoided during pregnancy. I remember there was a Chinese tv serial about Shunzhi Emperor 順治 (the second emperor of the Manchurian Qing dynasty in China). In the movie, one of the emperor's wives gave frankincense sticks as a present to another of his wives, who was pregnant, with the hidden purpose to initiate abortion...
And here is a website, which also states to avoid frankincense during pregnancy:
http://www.1001herbs.com/frankincense/

Well, I think incense still might be helpful in a very humid environment. To a certain degree, in humidity they can expel the pathogenic phlegm.

It's better to use aromatic oils in indoor water fountains, because this is one of the best ways to use the healing properties of aromatherapy and achieve purification and moisture in the air.

Annie

Old man moving objects with energy

2009-07-30T11:14:00.000-07:00

Today a friend of mine sent me an interesting video about a Chinese man who can move objects from a distance. Here is the link to it:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jwnF_3ovmaw

I watch the video several times... The man is called Qiu Fuyi and he comes from Sichuan province in China. 84-years old. He states that he uses his inner energy and emits it to different object. As he says himself, he is not a saint, but simply all his abilities are due to his inner strength and energy and thanks to the many years of practice.

I searched in the Chinese google and found out that all he does is a trick. Journalists from the Chinese tv channel CCTV-10 has visited him to repeat his demonstration. In fact, all the miracles with moving and breaking of the objects are due to the special table. Within the table, there is a special mechanism, which can shake and move the objects. Inside the red towel there are 2 small metals that can break the glass under the vibrations of the table. When the journalists used another, normal towel, the trick did not work out... And the moving of the water is made possible due to the magnets put in the bowl and under the table. So, when the journalists used a different bowl with water, the trick didn't happen.

That's how it goes! There are genuine masters, but also fake ones. And this should not disappoint the practitioners of qigong and other methods of energy cultivation. The moving and transformation of objects with energy is a proven fact. The genuine and serious qigong and yoga masters do posses all kinds of energy abilities and there is nothing wondrous in it.

Annie Pecheva

On green tea...

2009-07-26T07:08:00.000-07:00

Li Rihua, famous scholar from Ming Dynasty in China, sugests:

„One needs to clear a room in his house and put there only a tea table, a chair, a little bit boiling water and a fragrant tea. And then, to sit there alone and let the spirit be calm, light and natural”.

Celestial events in June - good time for more meditation

2009-06-17T00:28:00.000-07:00

There are several days of increased energy in Nature now:

June 21 - June (summer) solstice.

June 22 - New moon

June 23 - Moon at perigee -- 358 000 km (Moon closest to Earth)

The 3 days before, during and after the June solstice the energy is very intense in Nature and in the body. It's an excellent time for more meditation and receiving energy from Nature. At the summer solstice there occurs a major change in the energy - from Yang to Yin. The days in the northern hemisphere start to become shorter and the Yin energy increases...

During the June solstice the energy is concentrated mostly at the bai hui 百会 point（"Hundred Meetings", "Heaven Gate" GV-20), located on the top of head on the fontanel. This acupoint naturally opens more easily now, which is of great benefit for our health. Bai hui is one of the most important acupoints as it stimulates the energy flow in the whole body.

The new Moon (June 22) is also a good time for meditation. The new moons are time of increase in the Yang energy.

When Moon is at perigee, the Moon is closest to Earth, which also is of great influence and brings more energy.

It's also good to mention the aphelion, which will happen on July 4th (Sun farthest from Earth).

And, on July 22nd is the longest total solar eclipse in the 21st century - lasting for 6 minutes and 39 sec. Here is more info about it in wikipedia:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Solar_eclipse_of_July_22,_2009

During the solar eclipse, the energy in Earth naturally goes down a little bit, but this is only for a few minutes.

Enjoy the good energy now and do some more qigong meditation!

Annie

The Eight Trigrams Town

2009-06-04T00:22:00.000-07:00

In the city of Tekesi, located in Xinjiang, the Uyghur autonomous region in the Western part of China, there is a Eight Trigrams town 八卦城.

According to some scholars, its construction started 800 years ago, when the famous taoist monk Qiu Chuji met with Genghis Khan. It was renovated in 1939 and is promoted as the "biggest Eight Trigrams city in the world". It is completely built on the principles of I Ching and fengshui.

In the middle of the town is the Yin Yang park. There are 8 main streets, which divide the eight sides of the Bagua. Each street is 1.2 km long.Within the first ring road, there are 8 streets;within the 2nd ring road - 16 streets;within the 3rd ring road - 32 streets;within the 4rd ring road - 64 streets.

No traffic lights in this city. They say that there is no need for traffic lights...

According to one Chinese travel site, "Tekesi Eight Trigram County is famous for its radial circle layout which looks like a labyrinth. It is the biggest and the most well preserved eight trigram county in the world. And also it is a place where the I ching culture is widely known. There is a strange thing in this county. That is no traffic lights can be seen here. No matter which direction you choose to head for , you can reach your destinations at last because the roads are closely linked to each other".

The town is enlisted in the Guinness Book of Records as the biggest Bagua city in the World.

You can see the town in Google Earth - 43° 13' 5.62" N 81° 49' 56.91" E

Here are more photos from this unique place:

The "Kun trigram" street

2009-04-30T01:55:00.000-07:00

The swin flu will disappear sooner or later - it's very possible that this happens after the arrival of the solar season "Beginning of Summer" 立夏 (May 5th) or after the Summer Solstice 夏至 (June 22), which will bring major changes in nature and energy.

I remember several years ago SARS disappeared with the coming of "Beginning of Summer" in early May. This time may take a little bit longer, but we will see what happens.

Annie Pecheva
Hanlin Academy

2009-04-29T01:00:00.000-07:00

正气存内，邪不可干

"When the genuine energy is stored within,
the pathogens cannot enter the body."

- a famous qigong saying

Swine flu and Chinese medical astrology

2009-04-27T14:27:00.000-07:00

The current swine flu outbreak can be explained with the theory of 5 periods and 6 energies in Chinese metaphysics.

According to the theory of 5 periods and 6 energies 五運六氣, the year of Earth Ox (ji chou) is characterized with more humidity and cold patterns in the weather.

The first half of the year is more windy and humid, while the second half of the year is expected to be a little bit colder than usually.

The year is divided into 6 energy phases with specific domination of the elements in the “main energy” 主气 and ‘’guest energy” 客气 (this is related to the 24 solar seasons):

Period 1: January 21st – March 21st – wood (main qi) + wood (guest qi)

Period 2: March 21st – May 21st – fire (main qi) + fire (guest qi)

Period 3: May 21st – July 23rd – fire (main qi) + earth (guest qi)

Period 4: July 23rd – September 23rd – earth (main qi) + fire (guest qi)

Period 5: September 23rd – November 23rd – metal (main qi) + metal (guest qi)

Period 6: November 23rd – January 21st (2010) – water (main qi) + water (guest qi)

As a whole, the guest qi is distributed very well in 2009 and the weather is normal.

However, starting from the Spring Equinox (when Period 2 begins), the weather is dominated by Fire (君火), which is seen both in the main energy and in the guest energy. The two Fire patterns stimulate each other and initiate “great fire”. This fire is combined with the humid climate tendency in the first half of the year. So, during this time (Period 2) febrile diseases and epidemics easily spread out. In this way, the cause of the epidemic is due to pathogenic phlegm and heat entering the body. This leads to accumulation of turbid energy 浊气. The viruses quickly spread out during the time of pathogenic phlegm and heat.

The cure: herbs and foods that expel Phlegm-Heat from the body.

For example – honeysuckle flowers - Lonicera Japonica (金银花), Isatis root - ban lan gen (板蓝根), dandelion (蒲公英), mung beans (绿豆), rice vinegar.