Saturday, 7th of November

Master Mouse Says:

Today in the Solar Calendar is the date of Winter Begins.  (The matching new moon, which begins the Pig Moon, is still ten days away.)  Today’s Lunar Lodge is THE ROOT, whose spirit animal is the Badger.  This shape of stars traces out  the shoulders and powerful forelegs of the Azure Dragon who sprawls through the Eastern Palace.  The Dragon in Chinese imagery is a chimaera, a confabulation of the parts of many animals.  The forelegs are powerful rather than delicate, like those of a badger, whose specialty is digging, and crouching down in defense.  Don’t get too close;  a badger’s snapping jaws are equally powerful, and his temper’s short when the cold comes and he’s preparing for hibernation.

THE ROOT is thus indicative of defensive disengagement, and taking the path of resigned solitude.  As a tactic, of course, digging in and crouching down can be just a feint;  for right behind the Dragon’s shoulders stretch out his broad, powerful wings, and crouching low is the most proper preparation for springing up and soaring high into the sky, where the Dragon is most properly at home.   Sink low today.  Decide later whether to spring up like a firework mounting the sky, or to nestle down even lower for a long winter’s snooze.

The Solar Index today is MAINTAIN, which is repeated from yesterday.  The Solar Index expresses the relationship between the Branch of the Day Pillar, and the present Solar Month.  At the transition, that relationship is identical from the last day of one month to the first day of the next, hence we get MAINTAIN, for example, two days in a row.  This is auspicious for the onset of the Full Yin quarter of the year.  Keep to your routine, and avoid showing off and rushing ahead.  ”Slow and steady wins the race,” as they say.  Yesterday’s Rabbit must yield to today’s Tortoise.  The flamboyant and flashy Fire Dragon on duty today is going to be a bit peeved about it, but the stage isn’t really set yet for his proper entrance.

Talk to the Animals

Born in the Year of the Rat: The Fire Dragon is offering you support and encouragement, but remember:  Rat’s are just not high-jumpers.  Focus on food, storage, efficiency, conservation.  Remember to prepare the things that will help keep you cozy and warm.  In a month, you’re going to be getting really busy, but it’s still going to be cold!

Born in the Year of the Ox: People are acting a bit crazy today from your point of view.  They might look like they’re doing it just to annoy you, but actually they’re too busy with their own imaginings to notice that you’re even here.  All the better for your self-reliant diligence!  Dodge the traffic successfully today, and you’ll be nominated Chief Traffic Warden tomorrow.

Born in the Year of the Tiger: If you got some stalking-and-pouncing practice yesterday, you’ll be in good fighting form today, and your martial arts master has arranged a bit of a tournament for you.  Don’t take it too seriously;  it’s more of a friendly sparring session, really.  Broadcast your sense of good sportsmanship:  better to walk out than to let petty irritations take charge of you.

Born in the Year of the Hare: Okay, sweetness and light yesterday;  hailstorms and fisticuffs today!  Lots of people around you are acting like pompous idiots, as if begging you to point their follies out to them.  This would be quite beneficial for them, of course, if they had the slightest intention of attending to your good advice.  Unfortunately, ….they don’t! Make some journal entries you can quote to them like jokes when snacking together in the kitchen next month.

Born in the Year of the Dragon: Today’s the day for acrobatics, but please maintain your nonchalance.  If you display your addiction to adulation and applause it will only mar the overall effect.  None of the results you’re getting are really on a firm foundation yet, but that’s not really a problem at this point;  this is all just you warming up for you.  No use hiding out, of course, but you could try a bit of the crouching down….

Born in the Year of the Snake: Again, the Snake’s scales are shimmering today, and the world seems thoroughly charmed.  If you get handed someone’s car-keys, make sure to ask what time they need them returned.  It’s your choice whether you want to invite them along for the ride, but you’d better warn them:  it’s not going to be boring!

Born in the Year of the Horse: You might be torn between a vague sense of confusion, and the very strong notion that the important thing is to get going!  Question is, in which direction…?  Normally this only occurs to you when you find yourself surrounded by buddies, but today  you can get going first, …and pick a direction second.  But do yourself a favor: at the finish, slow down and coast a bit before you come to a complete stop.

Born in the Year of the Sheep: Today things tend to head towards lock-up again. (I’m going to spend every other day over the next three months apologizing for the auspices, I’m afraid.)  But remember this, please:   Time is moving, time is moving, time is moving.  Even while you’re stalled in traffic, winter will be turning towards spring. It sounds ridiculous and demeaning, I know, but just try pretending you’re like a pet dog… They actually like being told: “Sit! Stay!”

Born in the Year of the Monkey: You get to be part of the flash-bang-sis-boom-bah, today.  But you don’t have the top billing, so pay attention to protocol, and be careful not to step out of turn.  You’ll get to irritate some people next week who (as far as you’re concerned, anyway) richly deserve it.  Today you should look like you’re just joking around, but secretly you’ll be planning The Big Moves.

Born in the Year of the Fowl: Now you can spit forth your golden nuggets of wisdom, like the proverbial three-legged toad coughing up coins. It’s not as if you’re likely to get trampled in a crowd of people rushing up to collect them.  Everyone seems to be looking up instead of down.  But the ones who need your advice most are in perfect condition to listen and actually understand.  Use some ju-jitsu technique:  under-do everything.

Born in the Year of the Dog: “You snooze, you lose,” is the completely wrong way for you to look at it today.  You have to get into the rhythm of things first, and then you can slip into the mix, like a seal slipping into water.  Timing is everything, but most of that is waiting.  ”Talent lies in succeeding at the right time.” There, I said it.

Born in the Year of the Pig: Tomorrow’s going to be trying, so don’t over-extend yourself today.  Your wisdoms are not going to be the ones that get run up the flag-pole to see if anyone salutes.  Think diplomatically today, and you’ll leave yourself an exit route to escape the room when it just turns b-o-r-i-n-g.  Is it ironic of me to abjure you not to “cast your pearls before swine”….?

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Words to the Wise: The Dragon’s strength is in twisting and coiling, soaring high and swooping low;  but that’s no good at all if these only inspire alarm.  The Dragon’s wisdom is in moderation, suiting motion to space, power to need;  but that’s no good at all if these only cause frustration.  The pile of wood is stacked and ready;  one bright bonfire or many, many nights of warming embers.  Consider:  the daylight is short, the nights are cold, dark, long.

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“One must be cold a long time to have a mind of winter.”

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