Monday, 23rd of November

Master Mouse Says:

The Lunar Lodge for today is THE NET, a collection of stars in the Western Palace depicting a sort of net, set on a handle, like an etymologist’s butterfly-net.  THE NET is a bright indicator for the day, favorable to searching, researching, making divinations, and relying on superiors (whether for guidance, arbitration, or requesting additional resources.) The character for this asterism is, in its original form, a very clear version of the picture spelled out by the stars.  One can easily imagine reaching up and grasping it by the handle, following with sharp attention some elusive item, swooping down suddenly, and  …bagged!  In spite of the fact that in contemporary use, this character means “to end,” or “to finish,” this is not a good sign for coming to completions, or for signing contracts.  It’s a bad day, also, to simply “drop the ball,” or to choose to abandon what has been accomplished so far.  Asking for support or actions from assistants is not strictly to be avoided, but their results should not be counted on.

The spirit animal for THE NET is the Crow, which has mythological and alchemical associations with the Sun.  The Crow is also an icon of intelligence and bold opportunism in the animal world.  In some cultures, the Crow represents ancient wisdom, or the trickster-thief par excellence.  It adds to the Lunar Lodge the sense that THE NET is not about capturing random items, or gathering all sorts of things which can later be sorted through.  The Crow’s sharp eyes, and sometimes whimsical fascinations, imply a quality of discrimination and selection in choosing what to collect.  This sense is quite harmonious with the Metal association with Autumn, which the Western Palace of the White Tiger represents.  Better to reckon exactly what is wanted, and to take only that today, rather than take in and store away without discrimination.  The gathering implied by THE NET is in consideration of quality, not quantity.

The Solar Index today is HARVEST, which has a special harmony with the Lunar Lodge.  HARVEST is obviously representative of the month in the agricultural cycle when the labors and worries of the entire year come to fulfillment, and crops are gathered in and secured into storage.  The work is hard, and should be faced with willingness and diligence.  Delaying, or acting without proper speed, could ruin the entire year’s profit, particularly for some crops.  The Yang of the year is sinking, but it is evenly balanced with the rising Yin;  proper action at the proper time can capture the vitality of the crop in optimum condition for storage, as well as for optimum nutritive value.  In combination with THE NET, this Solar Index puts the emphasis on using one’s time and energy with the greatest efficiency, and selecting the actions which will yield the greatest result in the end.  Today’s a day to look over the entire set of possibilities before choosing an option.  It’s a day for selecting that which you can honestly hold and manage, over that which appeals to raw appetite or greed.

Talk to the Animals

Born in the Year of the Rat: There’s a dilemma abroad today:  fun, or function?  Trying to hold either one without losing grasp of the other, will lead to loss of both.  Better to look for the hidden “third option.”  This may look to everyone else like indecision or dilatory tactics, but it’s actually an exercise in “thinking outside of the box.”  Well, “outside of the boxes,” is more like it.  Don’t trust the flash of sudden opportunities;  if you’re not disappointed that you fell for them, somebody else will be.

Born in the Year of the Ox: Patience, yesterday;  tolerance, today.  The crowd around you seems full of very small people, and though they can’t match your strength, determination, or stamina, they can certainly make it confusing for you in trying to get securely across the room.  Tomorrow, ushers are going to arrive to clear a path for you, so don’t be too quick to make long-term judgements based on progress today.  Rest in your tough-hidedness, and keep your mind in the future (where you like it!)

Born in the Year of the Tiger: If you didn’t get your proper rest yesterday (I did warn you!), today is going to seem extremely annoying.  Bad enough when things get in your way, or people refuse to acknowledge the strength of your direction, and clear-heartedness of your purpose.  But when things are so clearly arranged to go just as they “ought to,” and they don’t, for whatever minor little reason…  Well, it’s “extremely annoying!”  Try not to agree with others’ complaints, or chime in on their negative analysis.  They’re not talking about the same thing you are, and you need to endeavor to hold your gaze in a stalking crouch today.  Bull’s-eyes are appearing tomorrow.

Born in the Year of the Hare: You’re on the side of the “right way of doing things” pretty much all of this Moon, i.e., until about the middle of December.  Today, however, you could lose sight of your alignment, on account of the Weirdness Factor that seems to have things bouncing off the walls.  Keeping to domestic duties (which are “pleasures” for some, of course!) will keep your attention grounded.  Either the water’s boiling, and ready for the pasta; or it isn’t.  Either the door got closed behind you;  or, it didn’t.  ”It isn’t” and “it didn’t” might seem like they’re winning the day, but keep a simple mind, and you’ll eventually outnumber them.  ”Just sweep the steps…” as the zen saying goes.

Born in the Year of the Dragon: This is a great day to stretch yourself, and get caught up on things you’ve felt have been dragging, or that have been dropped from proper attention.  It’s also a good day to see to the management of supporters and their tasks.  But (in case you skipped the Lunar Lodge discussion above), remember that giving clear orders is no guarantee of correct results.  Tomorrow will be perfect for re-tuning everyone’s understanding, and for making adjustments, based on new and clearer information.  So, get things whipped up today, and get ready to guide them into proper place tomorrow.  Special note:  some people are just going to be irrationally and itchily frustrated.  Use your Big Quiet Confident Voice to re-assure them, and get them back on task.

Born in the Year of the Snake: Today has great promise for delight, exhilaration, and a magical sense of fulfillment, but if you’re wise, you’ll aim for these three as far from public view as is at all possible.  Your reputation could easily suffer while you’re busy chasing your favorite amusements, and once the day’s gone, it’s the reputation you’ll be dealing with for the rest of November, and maybe longer. (The Ox Year likes you, but the Pig Moon doesn’t like that the Ox Year likes you.)  That being said, the ground-work you lay down in private today, can be re-shaped and re-considered tomorrow, with much happier results for your public face, and for your sense of what you want to accomplish during the next three Moons, to boot.   “Fun, but in private?”  I think you can do that!

Born in the Year of the Horse: You’re liable to fall out of your clearest sense of yourself, today.  This makes it more likely that you’ll be willing to follow a suggestion, from whatever quarter, that you would normally not even consider.  Thing to do is to consider from whom the suggestion is coming, and devote your energies and pace to it accordingly.  You have great sensitivity and intuition about the ground under your feet, and if you appreciate the wisdom (or lack thereof) of those who are suggesting directions, you’ll be able to make strong progress in any situation.  Be in your strength.  (Easy for you!)  Don’t presume the strengths of others. (Harder…  but possible!)

Born in the Year of the Sheep: Today your entire sphere looks like a set of cardboard cut-out directions:  Slot A, Tab A…. Slot B, Tab B….  This doesn’t mean the day is going to go smoothly or with a minimum of fuss.  The simplicity of the process doesn’t mean there aren’t some tricky logistics to negotiate.  Until the entire construction is tabbed together, parts aren’t fully bracing other parts.  You may feel the whole thing’s going to come disassembled, even as you’re diligently plowing through the Little Instruction Booklet.  Not to worry:  if you have to, just drop back, re-boot, and start over.  (It’s the very best style of learning for you, anyway.)  If some people we know get fussy or stubborn, do your best to loom over them, and speak in a very soft voice;  their objections are only theatrical, today.

Born in the Year of the Monkey: What you most enjoy accomplishing will be offered up on a silver platter, today.  (I might have mentioned?)  However:  the silver platter is a signal that you are required to be on your best behavior;  and that you are to observe all those little appurtenances of decorum and etiquette which seem the most silly and meaningless to you.  Pay that small price, and the day could go by without a hitch.  Drop your manners, and you’ll ruin the results for at least the next week.  If you accept the strait-laces today, you’ll find they’ve improved your stance and carriage immensely by tomorrow.  At that point, you won’t be criticized for loosening up a bit while things are falling into their proper slots.

Born in the Year of the Fowl: There will be many problems around you, today. (Not of your doing!)  And most things will seem a little out of line, or a little out of order, or both.  (Again: not of your doing!)  However:  you are the one who most clearly sees the misalignment, and the solutions to be tried, so you have a contribution to be made.  The contribution does require proper timing, though.  If you spend the day mostly in a waiting mode  (that is “making pause before taking any action”) you’ll clearly see the when and the how of it.  If you were at all successful at slowing yourself down yesterday, this is going to seem really easy… and obvious!  (Make a note of successes for future reference.)

Born in the Year of the Dog: Levels of sheer activity, and the resulting sense that people around you are losing focus, are likely to give you a queasy feeling all through the day.  If they all seem to be going crazy (or at least seriously out of balance) there’s most likely nothing you can do about it.  Just try to stay out of their way.  If, however, something else is arriving to add to the complications, you can do great service by standing guard duty.  ”Yes, can I help you? Whom did you wish to see?” Take a name, and a number, and repeat after me: “She’ll be contacting you as soon as she’s free.  Thank you!”  You won’t get any pats on the head for this sort of service, but it will ease everyone’s life today, and simplify your agenda for tomorrow.

Born in the Year of the Pig: If you think you’ve about hit the boiling point, today, you’re probably quite correct.  It’s not so much that things have come to a head.  (That would imply that there’s a logical, natural progression to what’s bugging you.)  But the way things are bugging you today, is not because things are seriously wrong.  It’s precisely because:  there is no logical, natural progression to them!  This is the final state of awareness before seeing “the knot as it is,” and you’ll thank yourself if you maintain poise, hold your temper, and be really, really angry.  It’s okay to go to another room, and make faces, if necessary.  As the Tibetan Buddhists say:  ”Confusion and paradox are the guardians of truth.”

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Words to the Wise: Monkey sees Ox:  ”How to catch it?”  Monkey catches Ox:  ”How to tame it?”  Monkey tames Ox:  ”How to ride it?”  Monkey rides Ox:  ”What Ox?”  Monkey releases Ox:  ”What Monkey?”

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“A small jade can equal eight bushels of rice, and fits into a pocket.”

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