Lunar World Preview 2018 05-17

As the Lunar World Turns

Thursday, May 17, 2018

Thursday's Lunar Calendar

[a] Preview Cats RF

Well, people, it's a boffo, almost-impossible-to-beat, once-in-a-fortnight, double-red ink, overflowing auspiciousness day. Say that five times fast while standing on one leg and holding your breath. On top of it all, we get the bonus of my "favorite" baleful asterism (I translate it as "Earth Duffel," but I really think of it as "Dirt Bag"). Let's take a closer look.

Day Personality
(Section Five—Characters Six and Seven)

[b] Dipper (Ladle) RF

Today's "constellation personality" is Southern Dipper (斗). Calendrical interpretations stress that it is a good day for digging trenches and raising silkworms (for great profit). On top of it all, almost every kind of activity brings (Lunar World) fortune.

The jianchu "personality" is Decide (定). This one is a crowd favorite, and its a great day for everything. It is decidedly good.

Thursday's Lunar Calendar

Lucky Stars
(Section Two)
There are four beneficent asterisms today: Four Facings (四相), Peopled Days (民日), Lunar Kindness (月恩), and Entering Spirits (進神).


Auspicious Times
(Section Three)

[c] Pillar RF

There are four inauspicious (凶) two-hour periods, three in-between (中) times, and five auspicious (吉) times.

Thursday's Lunar Calendar

Things to Avoid
(Section Four)
It's a bad day for Lawsuits and Litigation (詞訟), Moving Soil (動土), Patching Embankments (補垣), and Plugging up Caves (塞穴) on that vast, sprawling eighteenth century southern Chinese estate that reminds everyone of the novel Dream of the Red Chamber (紅樓夢). Think about these. 

Just Plain Counting
(Section Four—Characters 1-4)
It is the third (初三) day of the fourth lunar month. The cycle of sixty character is #46: jiyou (己酉). The days cycle—1, 2, 3, 58, 59, 60, 1, 2, 3...—in perpetuity. 

Thursday's Lunar Calendar

Elemental (and Phased)
(Section Five—Character 5)
Today's slice of the "Five Phases" (sometimes called the "Five Elements") is Earth (地). Ordinarily, the Five Phases weave their way, two-by-two, through the calendar. Yesterday was Earth. Today is Earth, and tomorrow is Metal.

Appropriate Things
(Section Six) 

[d] Copse RF

It's a solid day for sixteen different things, including Going Out and about (出行), Engagement (訂婚), Marriage (嫁娶), although don't get engaged and married on the same day, and Erecting Pillars (堅柱). Click the link for all of the other activities.

Thursday's Lunar Calendar

Solar Periods

(Section Six—Upper and Middle)

We are in the sixth of the twenty-four fifteen day solar periods (the 二十四節氣), which began on Saturday, May 5 and runs through Sunday, May 20. It is called Beginning of Summer (立夏). We are in the twenty-first of the seventy-two five-day solar micro periods (the 七十二候). It is called Cucurbit Flourishes (王瓜生). It began on Wednesday, May 16, and runs through Sunday, May 20.

Fear Your Unlucky Stars 
(Bottom of Section Six)
The baleful asterisms (the bottom of section six) are Earth Duffel (地囊), Debt Not (債不), Opposed Branch (反支), Vermilion Bird (朱雀), and Yin General (陰將). Earth Duffel (what I call "Dirt Bag" informally) is big, bold, black-ink balefulness.

Thursday's Lunar Calendar

Miscellaneous Omens and Activities
(Sections Seven and Eight)

Today's miscellaneous omens are White (白) and Copse (林). No, not "Corpse" (尸). The miscellaneous activities are Gate (門), Great (大), and Divination (占). Nobody knows what they mean. Really. I mean that.

See You Tomorrow
O.k., roll around in the warm, fluffy, auspiciousness of this wonderful down pillow of a day. I'll see you back here for a preview of a Friday that could not possibly be as good (but one that will give us a few interesting nuggets, nonetheless).

[e] Dirt Cat RF

Thursday's Lunar Calendar