I Ching

[Senkusha]

Most of us have grown up knowing at least a little bit about Western Astrology. You know, what's your sign? (I'm a Libra, in case anybody wanted to know.) And I've dabbled with learning the very complex system of Astrology, and I know there are several different types of Western Astrology, and different ways to break apart a Natal Chart, etc.

But lately, I keep hearing about the I Ching, or Chinese Astrology. Actually, I'm not sure if these two things are the same thing or now, since this is all very new to me. But I know that like in Western Tradition, there are Four Elements: Air, Fire, Earth, and Water. In Chinese Tradition, there are five (with the addition of either Wood or Metal? I'm not sure which, because as I've said, I'm just learning, and it's quite possible that I'm conflating several things together here.

Anyway, apparently, we're entering the Ninth Period, which is a Fire power-house? focus? I'm not really sure, and this is a period of time that burns down the Old Systems. Apparently, we're also moving into the Feminine, the time of the Yin.

This is all really exciting looking at the World from a Grand Clock perspective. Anyway, what do you know about the I Ching?

 

[Gumiho Girl]

Air is often left out in the Eastern elemental system. Often giving a five point star of elements (that oppose each other like the colours in Magic the Gathering), or a cross (with fire opposite water, metal opposite wood, and earth in the middle). I've looked into Feng Shui, the I-Ching, and a few other eastern mystic cosmologies... it's all really interesting. (I went down the Meso-American rabbit hole at the 2012 turning of the ages, when the long count reset itself for a new age... that was always some fun research).

 

[Senkusha]

Ah! Then that would make sense. I didn't think that the Element of Air would be omitted in favor of Metal or Wood, but that kind of makes sense.

 

[Gumiho Girl]

Interestingly, while the Chinese elemental systems (taoist and buddhist) tend to drop air to add in the extra elements of wood and metal, the Japanese elemental systems (shinto) puts air back in, and looks more like the western elemental tradition. I meant to do research on this, but ever got around to it.

 

[Senkusha]

That's pretty interesting, since Japan and China are so closely nearby. Maybe I'll take a dive down that rabbit hole someday as well.