­
Karen Abler Carrasco, Author at Western School of Feng Shui
Pages Navigation Menu

2021- The Yin Metal Ox–Swords into Plowshares

Posted by on Feb 11, 2021 in Animals, Chinese Astrology, Feng Shui New Year | Comments Off on 2021- The Yin Metal Ox–Swords into Plowshares

Painting by Ethan Harper

2021- The Yin Metal Ox–Swords into Plowshares

by Karen Abler Carrasco

2020, the Chinese Yang Metal Rat year, was like a brutal sword fight or a devastating siege, right in our very homes. In fact, its blades sliced through everything foundational to our daily lives, and that was world wide. For an entire 12 month cycle, in all four seasons, we gave up every usual way of doing things. Meals, school, work, church, travel and holiday celebrations were all warped. Finances wobbled, many businesses collapsed, life became “virtual” and we suffered in strained isolation. We were cut away from our stale beliefs about the world and our roles in it. That Yang Metal Rat scurried absolutely everywhere, unearthing the disease, degradation, and waste hidden below the surface of our global lifestyles.

What was shattered for you last year? Which daily patterns were you forced to change? How did you adapt to that, and do you now wish to keep some of your new habits? How did your self image shift, and what personal shortcomings or talents did you uncover? Where did your truest support for your physical, emotional, mental and spiritual health lie, and will you choose to maintain the most nourishing aspects of that?

These are the questions to be answered this year, as the 2021 Yin Metal Ox year pulls its metal plow through the fertile soil of the coming decade. This year, with its slow pace of Yin Ox qualities, you are being granted the time you need to establish fresh footing on higher ground. Trust that the worst of the seismic shocks are behind us. What remains is the task of sifting through the scattered shards of the past, and selecting the best parts to build a radically different future. This is the Yin Metal Ox’s true talent.

The Ox is stereotyped as a dull, “slow and steady” creature among the 12 animal energies of the Chinese zodiac, but it is the strongest, most unswerving of them all. It has the proverbial strength of a bull, but none of its swaggering ego. The Ox’s animal element is Water, relating to its inherently yielding nature. Just as water will find its resting place no matter the obstacle, so does the energy of the Ox flow inevitably to the destination set for it. The Ox has endless endurance and a relentless determination to reach the goal.

This year’s element is Metal. In the Chinese medicine theory of the Five Elements, Metal supports Water. Thus, similar to last year, the year’s Metal energy magnifies the Ox’s Water energy, resulting in another year of important, powerful influence. There is, again, no time for waffling indecisiveness. This year, keep your choices and decisions simple, practical, reachable. Plan for the long term, but act in the short term. Whether they be long range career goals or your weekly grocery list, commit to your choices fully and with confidence. This Metal Ox will graciously and dependably carry you where you aim to go. Climb onto its powerful back this year and steer its mountain of energy into the heart of your desires. Once you have answered the critical questions regarding your life’s new directions and motivations, don’t look back. Let self doubt and fear of the unknown slide off your shoulders. The Yin Metal Ox clears away the tangled weeds of confusion, pushes aside any rocky insecurities and handles uphill challenges easily.

Actually, the biggest challenge for us all this year is to generate trust and optimism. Trust that the chaos of this decade’s beginning is actually positive, like the “healing crisis” that precedes the cure. We’ve suffered daily with the very real fear for survival for ourselves, our beloveds and the world. The resultant trauma requires acknowledgement and compassion, something we are all gradually learning to share as a society. The ways we are bound together across all physical and social boundaries are crystal clear. The opportunity to realize our unity as a species is here and now. And while it is easy to stay in fear of the misfortunes befalling so many, it is not the way forward.

Our combined human energy creates a collective perception of the third dimension, and moves in waves, spiraling through time and space, and evolving ever higher in vibration. The aspects of that perception, that life we make, which are old, heavy, and drained of joy must be discarded now. Though our daily experiences may yet bring discouragingly corrupt remnants to our attention, it is time to steadfastly rise above and stay focused on the “New Earth” forming ahead. Physicists tell us that the wavelengths of light flooding the planet are rising in quantity and vibration, while the earth’s pulsing resonance has risen as well. All of life’s vibrations are tuning us in to a higher dimension. There is truly a brave new world birthing.

The Yin Metal Ox year is the skilled midwife to this birth. The yin quality itself brings the wise internal feminine realm into play. Thus, your work this year can go as deep and profound as you wish. The Metal element brings mental acuity, decisiveness and sharp, shining clarity of purpose. The Ox brings its single-focused, unfaltering strength. There is a kind of simple naivete to it, springing from its endearingly obstinate nature. The Ox chooses a path, announces its intentions clearly, marshals its massive power and confidently forges ahead. No dithering, no hesitation, no excuses. The Ox will not rest until the job is completed.

Though difficulties and surprises may continue to litter your path this year, stay grounded and walk slowly. Curtail your peripheral vision. Concentrate on your own immediate circumstances, and keep to your own lane. Discipline your mind and heart to plow ahead towards the shimmering horizon of world healing, trusting the sweet, steady gentle energy of this year. Yin Metal Ox, we climb onto your massive capable back in exhausted gratitude and hope. Carry us up and out into the light of the new decade on the New Earth.

Karen Abler Carrasco is a very popular Feng Shui teacher, mentor and member of the Speaker’s Bureau who specializes in teaching the many nuances of Ch’i flow at the practitioner level. Her inspirational teaching style incorporates her studies in South Africa, Europe, Mexico and several Native American communities. Karen holds a B.A. in Native American Studies and is also a California native plant expert, garden designer, and a certified herbalist with an expansive Feng Shui practice that includes homes, businesses and rural properties.

Read More

On Purpose: The Year of the Yang Metal Rat

Posted by on Jan 24, 2020 in Animals, Chinese Astrology, Feng Shui New Year | Comments Off on On Purpose: The Year of the Yang Metal Rat

by Karen Abler Carrasco

January 25th, 2020. A new cycle and a new decade begins, with a built-in metaphor for clear, sharp, 2020 vision. This particular decade also starts with the Chinese lunar astrology sign that most perfectly represents clear, sharp, focused intent and action–the Yang Metal Rat year. This synchronistic combination of vision, intent and bold action portends success for a social restructuring that is nearly unprecedented.

The last Metal Rat year was 1960. The decade that followed has held an almost mythological place in history for the breadth and depth of the changes it brought to the modern world. In the West, societies tore apart at the generational seams as cultural expectations were questioned, governmental policies protested, moral hypocrisies exposed and “business as usual” rejected. Science and technology challenged religions, corporations began to control public resources and rampant consumerism became the recipe for world wide economic success. Altruism and hedonism both battled for ascendancy. “It was the best of times, it was the worst of times.”

Drawing from the lessons of those turbulent times we see that one needs a rock solid inner guidance system to navigate the shifting terrain ahead. We are in the midst of a polar shift in every aspect of life as we attempt to reconcile the starkly interdependent realities of a global economy with the old structures of independent nations. Just as the 1960‘s examined social justice within human diversity, so the 2020‘s will inevitably focus on ecological justice within the diversity of all the other species on the planet. The ultimate “bottom line” of ecosystem fatigue is becoming too evident to ignore any longer. With 2020 vision we see that reweaving ourselves and our entire civilization back into the world-wide web of life is the critical priority now. Fortunately, the Yang Metal Rat energies support this exact and exacting task, as they bring precise focus, keen wit, and a remarkable talent for self-preservation and species survival.

With razor sharp precision, the Metal Rat slices through any obstacle to realize its goals. It is a clever, opportunistic creature, with a compulsion to thrive regardless of the difficulties. Endless will power, tireless persistence and a reliance on bold action are the Rat’s tools for success. The Metal Rat year combines grounded practicality with inspired action to achieve a most formidable position of safety and comfort within any environment. Thinking on one’s feet, making lightning quick decisions, altering course whenever the advantages shift–the Metal Rat’s energy offers the perfect strengths to those who latch on to it’s tail, seeking the best possible placement to face the unpredictable years ahead.

The Metal element highlights the ability to sniff out what is truly useful and valuable as well as to identify what must be jettisoned as useless and unworthy.

Photo by Rebecca Lai

Use this quality to redefine your future, asking “What is my time here worth?” “Which are my highest values and most cherished relationships that I wish to nurture?” “What is my authentic response, based on my inner truth, to the clamoring choices facing me?” Evaluate every facet of your life again, and get crystal clear on where solid, life-sustaining value lies within it. This is THE year for this vital revisionist work. The energy of this year promises to move swiftly. Do not procrastinate in reviewing everything that currently sustains you and your family’s security. Food, housing, finances, health, support network–determine what is essential for you and your beloveds, locate the cleanest, best quality sources and procure them. Some peripheral interests or involvements may not make the cut, and this is good. Be pragmatic. Anchor your core choices with daily and weekly goals to meet your needs and carefully guide your steps along the new, precarious path towards global transformation.

While 2020 is ruled by the Metal element, representing the mental body, the common sense of smell, and precise boundaries in time and space, the Rat’s native element is Water, representing the spiritual body, the sense of hearing, timelessness and fluid movement. Metal supports Water in the Nourishing Cycle of the 5 Elements. Such a unique harmony of qualities means that this year has a stronger influence than years which have elemental and animal energy conflicts. We can embody the Metal and Water elements ourselves this year in how we approach every moment. Picture the clever Rat, with its long nose to the air, whiskers twitching, ears wide, locating the faintest smells and sounds leading to food and safety. Metal–keep your nose alert to the winds of change, Water–listen for guidance and be fluid in your response.

The final overriding quality to understand about this amazing year is it’s yang aspect–that quality of big, bright, loud, fast, up and out, social ACTION. Be quick about setting up your guideposts of values and goals for the year, and the decade, because yang years offer actionable opportunities in rapid succession. Here comes a great chance to do…oops, there it goes. No worries, another will come along soon, but not endlessly. Use the Metal Rat’s talent to define what’s truly useful to secure your future. You can trust that the clarity provided by the bold, noisy yang energy will light up the most excellent choices for you like a beacon. Venture out into the wider world and leap into the fray with confidence, once you have your internal housekeeping done. Armed with fresh clarity of purpose and redefined lifestyle priorities, you can face the coming decade of change and transformation with a secure, well stocked home base and the generous grace to help others do the same.

Read More

2019- Year of the Yin Earth Pig

Posted by on Jan 28, 2019 in Animals, Chinese Astrology, Featured, Feng Shui New Year, Yin and Yang | Comments Off on 2019- Year of the Yin Earth Pig

By Karen Abler Carrasco

The PIG!  Here she comes, on February 5th–the wonderful, sassy, enticingly luscious Pig year, at long last. The culminating 12th sign in our Chinese zodiac, lazily strolling up to share her sensuous self. It is impossible to scold her for her slow pace. She is so charming and vivacious you will realize you can relax along with her and take time again to enjoy all that your 5 senses bring you of life and beauty. Ms.Pig just wants to get along with absolutely everyone in her world, no exceptions. She is wallowing in happiness when those around her are also content, so indulge her, and yourself. 

The Earth element of 2019 echoes the Pig’s generosity, as it coaxes everyone to settle in around a wide dinner table loaded with earthly delights. And for dessert we are served all of this in a sauce of yin, bringing our attention inward, to all things soft and pliant, nurturing and deep. Mix these ingredients all together and you have a delicious image of 2019, the year of the Yin Earth Pig. 

Aren’t we so ready to bid farewell to the amazing Yang Earth Dog experience of 2018? Put down your hammers, shovels, brooms and pencils, the trudging through the tedious work required of you is done for now. All of that dogged effort to deal with the bureaucratic, the technical, the in-your-face foundations of your livelihood, and the confrontational views of the wider world beyond–it was a hard working year and you deserve a rest. Pull up a comfy seat and start to savor the feast of your accomplishments thus far.

Our accomplishments are many when we have seasoned our life experiences with the flavors of each of the eleven zodiac signs preceding the Pig, or Boar, as some call it.  A blending of the finest qualities of the other animals and elements, if fully digested, has salted and cured us into the well rounded, full-bodied meal that is the Earth Pig year. 

The pig’s ingredients are an astonishing list of goodness. She is strong, honest, diligent, courageous, generous, lenient, focused and forgiving. She will work tirelessly to bring about peace and friendship, yet does not overly self sacrifice. If a person or project has become rigidly stuck in the mire of misery or defeat, she moves on with no harsh judgement or regrets for the effort spent. The Pig has plenty of vitality to spare, and will quickly find fresh delicacies to savor. Life is an endless delight for this optimistic creature, who is puzzled by anyone who chooses a joyless alternative. “There is plenty for everyone if we all share,” she says, “and sharing is so much fun.” 

Good fortune showers those who adopt this belief with the vibrant innocence of the Pig. As long as moderation in expenditure is practiced, and excessive passions are allowed to mellow, simmer and steep for awhile, all will be well. While there is much work to be done in the larger society to bring this kind of comfort and well-being to all the systems of life, the plump, juicy seeds of a great humanitarian transformation are well planted in the fertile, nurturing soil of this Yin Earth Pig Year.

Ms. Pig sweetly urges, “Eat dessert first!” And be guilt free, because the treats offered this year are offered to all human psyches equally. Let’s let the Yin Earth Pig infuse us with a trust in the benevolence of an eternally fruitful universe and a deep delight in our species’ incredible diversity of experience. When we serve up the very best of our True Selves to each other, without reservation, judgement or fear, we all enjoy the feast of Heaven on Earth. Let us give thanks for our blessings, and dig in!

Read More

Welcome to the Year of the Earth Dog!

Posted by on Feb 14, 2018 in Animals, Chinese Astrology, Feng Shui New Year, Uncategorized | 2 comments

By Karen Abler Carrasco

The mighty Mountain Dog year is here!  On February 16th, 2018, we enter the yang Earth Dog Year. The truth-telling, service-oriented Dog energies are coming in for a landing in their most powerful yang Earth form. Dog energy is egalitarian and altruistic, fiercely dedicated to humanitarian action and social justice for all. This brings us into a year of deeply inspiring social transformation. The yang Earth element adds onto this a powerfully prepared ground for many needed environmental and philanthropic improvements to grow. We can anticipate steady progress this year in any endeavor that holds the highest good for all concerned as its end goal.
 
We have waited a long time, 60 years, for the return of this Mountain Dog year. The search and rescue dog teams are here at last, to pull us out of the avalanche of what appeared on the surface to be an unstoppable downward plunge in addressing humanitarian needs. Dog years bring a fierce drive for honesty, integrity and protection of the weak. Any social institutions and businesses that, for the sake of profit, have buried countless sustainable solutions to global misery and pollution, will be thoroughly dug into and the buried bones of their manipulations will be exposed.

Read More

2017-Year of the Yin Fire Rooster

Posted by on Jan 19, 2017 in Animals, Chinese Astrology, Feng Shui New Year, Inspiration | Comments Off on 2017-Year of the Yin Fire Rooster

by Karen Abler Carrasco
Had enough “monkeying around?” Are you starting to feel the big adventures and choices of last year unravel into a hundred annoying details to get the same results?  That’s because the Yin Fire Rooster year is HERE NOW! The shift in energies can already be felt strongly, well before the official January 28th, 2017 start date. Some Chinese New Years’ energies take the first few months to shift our focus and realign our momentum, especially the yin ones. This yin year, however, announced itself “at the crack of dawn,” just like the Rooster itself.
 
Suddenly, in the midst of all the new explorations and projects into which the curious, insatiable Yang Fire Monkey year of 2016 lured us, we find ourselves getting bogged down with the mechanics of daily life. The forward momentum stutters and slows; our questing attention is corralled by the mundane. The people around us seem to press in on our sensations more keenly, their opinions feel more strident. Making and keeping appointments requires more effort. Even just getting food and preparing it seems to take more time and be more worrisome. 
 

Yet, we are also more touched by the small everyday kindnesses we witness, and there is a growing, unifying wave of togetherness. If you pay closer attention this year, you will actually feel your tender heart expanding, growing more confident in making little overtures of love to everyone around you. 

 

Welcome to the paradoxes of the Yin Fire Rooster Year, 2017. It will be a year of plummeting inward (yin rooster) while expanding outward (fire element) at the same time.  Both the monkey and the rooster years are about “me”, “my” and “mine,” with one important difference: while the monkey can’t help but follow the path that pricks its curiosity regardless of who else is in the way, the rooster feels deeply its responsibilities to the entire barnyard. The rooster tends to the roost, and the flock who lives there. To any problem or task that needs doing, the rooster says “If not me, then who?” Remember the tale of the Little Red Hen? “Who will help me make the bread?” she asked. And then she did it herself. However, contrary to the traditional ending of that story, where the industrious hen refused to share her final product with the lazy farm folk who didn’t contribute, this year’s fire element warms everyone’s hearts, and sharing feels better, and more secure, than hoarding.​

The Rooster year is yin, even though an actual rooster may appear more yang with his flashy stance and loud crowing. That cockiness, however, is serving to secure his own small, internal, yin world. The rooster is picky and critical, so the Rooster year is a finicky one. In it, we become overly sensitive to anything that comes near to our own sphere of influence. We can transform this into a positive quality by steadfastly remaining focused locally, letting the global arena take care of itself. The “roosters” that live in those distant areas will hopefully be doing the same, so we must trust them to take care of their own “barnyards” while we husband ours. There is certainly more than enough work to do to feed our own communities. Start scratching the rich ground for resources and peck away at local problems. 

This year, concentrate and dole out your energy, or ch’i, wisely. We will be diving into the inner realm of emotion, and feeling compelled to focus on the “up close and personal” aspects of our lives. It will be a year of defining our boundaries, refining the details, strengthening our supports, cleaning out the “bugs” and putting things into a certain order. Be impeccable. The pun in that has great meaning here–be un-peck-able. Make things water tight, error-proof, ship shape. The more you refine and perfect your affairs–finances, relationships, health, career, possessions, the stronger and more profound your position in life becomes. The Rooster character loves elegance in all things, so refine every arena of your life and every object in it. Lavish your time and attention on completing any task to the best of your ability and take delight in adding small touches of Beauty to each. 

This is not the same thing as decluttering. It is a call to scrutinize absolutely everything that you rely on for life and happiness. How sturdy are your underpinnings–housing, vehicles, savings, etc.? How smoothly do your daily routines flow? How healthy are your sources of food and friendship? This is the year to pour more loving, nurturing ch’i into the things that truly sustain you. For example, how well do you know your immediate neighbors? If you are like most U.S. citizens, not well enough. What if there were a disaster of some sort? You would WISH to gather family and close friends to you, but the reality is that those strangers next door would be the ones on hand to help and collaborate for survival.  

This yin Fire year means our deeper heart leads the way. Use it for discerning what to keep and what to let go. Expand it by opening up to everyone you encounter throughout your day. Share your feelings about your experiences and ask others to share theirs. Learn to enjoy hearing divergent opinions, realizing that the more variety a community supports with loving kindness and tolerance, the greater its security grows. The more our neighbors feel loved and secure, the safer and more happy we all become. Harmonious living for all can grow exponentially from just one instigator—the Yin Fire Rooster, year 2017. This Rooster greets the new day with all the elegance, strength and vibrancy of its entire being, in service to the community. Let us all do the same. 

 

 

Read More