Tai Sui Guan Zhong in 2016 – Feng Shui, Customs and Superstitions

Tai Sui Guan Zhong in 2016 – Feng Shui, Customs and Superstitions

In 2016, the ruling Tai Sui is the great general Guan Zhong, one of 60 heavenly generals. There is only one Tai Sui (also known as Grand Duke of Jupiter or Grand Commander of the Year) who regulates events in each year according to the Sixty Cycles.

A brief historical account of this year’s Tai Sui General Guan Zhong

Guan Zhong was born to a poor family but rose to become the Prime Minister of the state of Qi in China thanks in part to steadfast support of an influential, close friend named Pao Shu Ya. The discerning Pao held Guan Zhong in high regard and never once wavered in his belief in Guan Zhong’s true caliber. Pao never considered him weak, even after Guan Zhong had repeatedly failed in his two postings and had twice run away from the battlefield. Guan Zhong was also humiliated by being imprisoned twice but still Pao stood by him. Resolute in his friendship, Pao, with a strong recommendation, eventually persuaded the Emperor of Qi State and secured Guan Zhong the position of Prime Minister.

That’s when Guan Zhong’s true talents shone. Guan Zhong studied the geographical situation of Qi and formed the opinion that in order to let the people live in peace and have better living conditions the governance needed to improve. He therefore drafted a set of administrative rules appropriate to their social conditions. He divided the land into categories and arranged to have taxes collected according to the measure of productivity of each category. After the accrual of wealth he next strove to strengthen the state through emphasis on unification and mutual coordination between the military and bureaucracy. Then he strengthened ties with other states and improved on diplomatic policies by respecting their differing views. He became the most popular Prime Minister, as under his leadership the prime ministers of all States were unified and the state of Qi became the most powerful state.

In 645 BC, Guan Zhong passed away but not before his collective works, which reflected his ideology on self-discipline and administering the state was published.

The state of Qi adopted the policies set by Guan Zhong during the Chun Qiu era and thus ensured the power and stability of Qi for well over 10 generations. 

According to Feng Shui principles, the ruling Tai Sui, who possesses great power, each year is the most highly respected and feared deity. Tai Sui in 2016 is located in the Southwest and, to avoid offending him, one needs to treat this area with particular care.

For starters one should not confront Tai Sui by sitting facing him or sleep with one’s head pointed in the direction of Tai Sui. It is better to have your back to him so as to enjoy his support.

One should avoid doing any construction or repair work in the Southwest for, if Tai Sui is disturbed, those staying in the house will have a tough year ahead with a lot of arguments and sickness. If there is no alternative and serious work needs to be done in this area then avoid starting and ending it here. You can start and end in other sectors. This point should be strongly emphasised: Remember offending Tai Sui may mean one will encounter many obstacles, will get little returns despite significant efforts, will have ill luck with windfalls, disharmony and conflict will arise in families and their career will be rocky only to mention a few problems.

If you have a front door facing southwest you must be careful not to allow the door to slam when entering or leaving. Also avoid placing heavy metal in the southwest this year, as doing so will weaken the good earth and can cause more problems.

All is not bad for the Southwest however, for the flying star # 8 is also visiting in 2016 which can bring fame, wealth, romance, prestige and distinction to one’s life. You can, of course, use symbolic cures such as quartz crystals, crystal balls, hanging faceted crystals, a pair of rose quartz double hearts or a pair of Mandarin Ducks in the Southwest. In addition you can store your important financial papers like pensions, stock portfolios here. 

Meanwhile it is said that if one’s Zodiac animal clashes with Tai Sui, depending on the degree of conflict, much harm and bad luck, damage and discord, lawsuits, employment problems, bad investments and loss of money could befall one for the entire year. That is why it is best to know which Zodiac animals are in conflict with Tai Sui so as to minimize harm.

The list of those Zodiac animals that are at odds with Tai Sui in 2016

-Conflict with Monkey (This means: Traffic mishaps will occur, things may go against one’s wish, poor income results from all sources, disharmony within the family and your career will be unstable.)

-Clashes with Tiger, Snake

-Causing hurt with Rooster

-Incompatible with Pig

-Damaging with Snake

This is for everyone:

If you encounter particularly bad luck this year, you may have inadvertently offended Tai Sui. Here are possible remedies:

The traditional Chinese method to appease Tai Sui is to place a Guan Zhong Tai Sui plaque in the South-west in order to pay respect and appease the Deity. In this way one can weaken or avoid the problems any offence can bring. 

There are basically two ways of praying to the “Tai Sui” : “Age Suppression” (Ya Tai Sui) and “Age Praying” (Pai Tai Sui). This is of course not for everyone except for the very devout and it needs to be done at Temple.

“Age Suppression” (Ya Tai Sui)

The former refers to a situation where one prays to the Deity when he/she encounters bad luck. The traditional way to do this is to write down one’s birth date and time on a piece of gold-coloured paper and place it under the idol of the Tai Sui. A year later, this person must “return” the age that he has previously “suppressed”. In some cases, 49 copper coins are used to suppress the paper with one’s birth date and time. However, this method is not very safe and you will need someone who is reliable and familiar with the method to be around to give you guidance. The Temple attendant may do it for you then you give him/her an ang pow for their help & good luck.

“Age Praying” (Pai Tai Sui)

The latter, termed “Age Praying”, occurs when one is doing fine and experiencing good luck therefore they pray to Tai Sui so they will not have any adverse effects due to clashes, conflicts or offences to Tai Sui in that particular year. In this case, the birth date and time are written down on a piece of gold-colored paper which is then brought in front of the Tai Sui and burned after saying prayers. This is a safer and more practical method.

For the general public there is the option of Praying to Grand Duke Jupiter Tai Sui at Home:

During the course of the year for those who have encountered setbacks in their life, health, business or career why not offer your sincere prayers to Tai Sui for peace and a smooth flow of luck? A sincere heart transcends all faith and the individual year’s Tai Sui will always listen.

It’s up to an individual how best to pray. Here’s one way: One can set up an offering of joss paper, incense, candles, fruits (use 5 apples and 5 oranges) or whatever one can manage. When praying, one can tell Tai Sui their name and make their wishes known with a sincere heart. It could be a wish for good health, luck, wealth, prosperity, family safety and so forth. At the end of the year when one’s wishes are fulfilled, its good form to remember with an offering of thanks.

Finally, according to Chinese custom and practice, Tai Sui rituals or prayers are more effective at every 1st and 15th day of every month of the Chinese Lunar Calendar.

Good Luck

Cyclamen The Good, The Bad or The Pretty

Cyclamen may have many different meanings to different people. My personal experience is that it is the flower that ushers in spring. As a child, finding the word Cyclamen a difficult name, I had nicknamed it ‘Rabbit Ears’ the memory of which now paints a quirky smile on my lips every time I look at one. 

A brief description of the Cyclamen flower

Presently there are about 23 species of the cyclamen that exist today. Cyclamen can be grown both outdoors and indoors in pots. In nature they are found in dry forests or scrub areas. Originally native to Europe, the Mediterranean, Iran and Africa, they are now grown in many parts of the world. They are part of the primrose family but bear no obvious resemblance to primroses.

Cyclamen is a tuber, which means that the flowers are growing from the tuber with its deep roots. The leaves will actually bud in the fall and it will grow throughout the winter. The petals of the Cyclamen flowers come in white, bright pink, red or purple colors and are usually facing in an upwards direction. There are also a fruits that comes off these flowers which turn into seeds.

The varied meaning of the Flower Cyclamen

First, let us explore the favorable interpretation of this flower: Many consider this plant as symbol of lasting feelings and sincere affection. Because of the tuber, which allows it to withstand difficult conditions, the cyclamen is representative of deep love. And some believe giving someone a cyclamen expresses love and sincere tenderness.

The cyclamen, whose flowers bend elegantly on their stems to lead the fruit toward the ground, also symbolizes maternal love.

-A Little known fact: the Cyclamen was one of the flowers of choice for Leonardo Da Vinci at the beginning of the 16th century, and he covered the margins of his manuscripts with it.

-Louis XIV received them in bunches along with many other flowers which graced the lounges of Versailles. In France, during the time of Louis XIV, the name was erroneously believed to be feminine and so this plant was periodically given to children and young girls. 

The 17th century Flemish painters depicted Jesus picking flowers under the watchful eye of the angels in meadows scattered with cyclamens. 

After period of obscurity in the 18th century, the cyclamen was revived in fashion in the 19th century, when gardeners once more cultivated it in Grenelle, near Paris. Still later it was exported to distant lands as far as Japan.

Then there is the not so favorable interpretation of Cyclamen: In some cultures for instance, it is considered the symbol of goodbye or resignation. The cyclamen flower is also called by some a sowbread or the Persian violet, a not so desirable a gift. 

Then there is that old legend in which King Solomon supposedly wore a beautiful crown decorated with delicate cyclamen blossoms. Hundreds of years later, when the First Temple was destroyed, and the Jews were exiled to Babylon, they supposedly took with them the royal crown. The cyclamens that bedecked the crown were devastated by the tragedy, and bent their heads in sorrow. And that is why, it is believed, that to date cyclamen flowers bow their heads.

Here are some interesting superstitions about the Cyclamen

-Some believe that Cyclamen may be woven into any spell designed to increase joy and happiness in a situation. It was supposed to increase affection in any relationship, akin to a love spell. Small cakes can be made of the roasted tuber which will cause one upon ingesting it to fall madly in love with the one who bakes them. It may also be a useful addition to wedding cakes.

Typically the spells are for building confidence, self-esteem and self love. Some believe it increases the libido and fertility.

It will also keep away nightmares and prevent negative spells cast at household members from taking effect. The oil or the flower itself may be worn to protect one against a broken heart. But be warned, the use of this flower, in any form, can cause violent illness. 

- Adversely, it can also be used to the opposite effect, to quietly send away an unwanted person. The cyclamen is; after all, poisonous especially to cats and fish and it actually has a meaning that relates to death and the fact that all good things will eventually end. This is a flower that can be used at a funeral to represent departure. 

- On the other hand, Cyclamen is said to counteract poison and to make an effective ointment to heal a snake bite. 

What’s more, Cyclamen is a very powerful, violent purgative, it’s supposed to clear the sinuses or remove boils or blemishes from the skin. 

A plaster of cyclamen was reputed to be helpful for cataracts, sunburn and gout but considering its poisonous nature, it’s best to avoid it. Pregnant women particularly, should never use this plant, internally or externally, for any purpose!

Enjoy the flower only… or not, depending on your cultural beliefs.

Fini