Who Cares?
Here’s a question you may have asked yourself in other Horse years Ox: how do I deal with feeling like everyone is against everything I care about? How do I handle feeling like people don’t care about the same things that I care about so much? What is wrong with everyone?!
Have you heard of proxy conflict? How about tribalism? How do these things appear in a bazi? Through relationships of course. We only exist in relationship.
The relationship of 丑 Ox and 子 Rat is complicated and has a short cycle. They are Secret Friends, but after their two year association ends, both parties may feel like the relationship was cold and calculating. Nevertheless, the Rat is highly prized by the Ox and the Ox is not going to like the 午 Horse clashing with their bestie the Rat.
Beware Ox, the Horse feels the same way about your “enemy” the Sheep as you feel about the Rat.
Are you starting to get the idea that this year is all about friends, who likes your friends, and who doesn’t like your friends? For the Ox most of the year will be highly influenced by relationships and what “side” you’re on. You try to avoid this game in life – have you practiced enough to be good at playing when needed? The year of the Fire Horse is a perfect time to learn how to recognize proxy conflict and how to navigate it. The Universe is giving you the tools now.
First Do No Harm
Technically the relationship of the Horse and Ox is known as a 六害 Harm. One possible experience of a harm is a conflict that seems to be about one thing, but in reality there’s some reason or person you don’t know about behind it. Be aware of the way your actions ripple out, especially if you are in a position of power. I know you don’t want to be doing harm, but in this scenario you’re a suspect.
The harm may be something you are participating in without conscious thought, like a bad habit. Now it’s time for investigation. If someone’s secret friend doesn’t like you and they don’t want their friend to like you either, are you following the same model? Elemental rules say it might be you in the role of antagonist. Think about it.
To summarize, conflicts this year are probably not about what they appear to be about. They are based on loyalty and influence which are intangible things. How do we deal with friends or associates who don’t get along? In the Year of the Fire Horse, the answer probably isn’t avoidance. It’s communication.
Like everyone else, the Ox will do better in 2026 by working on communication. Detachment can’t always be the way! Find out what is going on. Ask questions. Get yourself into awkward situations and find out you are a diplomat. What if you could learn how to have outcome specific alliances with people you hate? Or people who hate you? There would be a revolution!
Talk about the Passion
The element that the Ox loves is Water and there won’t be much of it this year. I already mentioned communication, which is one way of invoking or seeking Water. Tapping into or sharing your emotions is another way to seek Water.
Seeking 水 Water is being open about relationships and what you care about. Reveal what makes you feel successful. Others may think it’s odd, but this is not offensive in itself, to say what you care about. Although some may not enjoy your bluntness you will find more allies this way. Our relationships and the things we care about reveal our vulnerabilities and passions. Take a chance on being embarrassed by sharing information about your life.
What we care about makes us both vulnerable and powerful – the most potent combination for relationship. If you want to be seen in a different light, or just be seen for who you are, start with your burnishing your reputation. You can do this now by way of Dragon Virtue.
Dragon Virtue
In the system of Bazi, there are four Stars that everyone would like to have in any given year. They are 太陽 Great Sun, 太陰 Great Moon, 福徳 Fortune Virtue and 龍德 Dragon Virtue. In a year where one of these four shows up in your bazi, you know there’s the potential of a special experience. For the Ox, this special experience in the Fire Horse year relates to fame, resources and your fans. By fans, I mean people who support you. You might increase those numbers through your actions.
Dragon Virtue is the star that enables you to change your reputation. It also relates to attracting Noblemen (helpers) that will assist with that. Expect a brighter light to shine on you this year, one which will be revealing regarding your intentions. Show them through your actions.
The year of the Fire Horse asks you to serve openly as a boss; to be a fair boss. If you’re doing boss business on behalf of someone else, try not to step on toes more than is necessary. You won’t be able to avoid them all.
Those who know and love you will still be there even if you come out with your power on behalf of people they don’t like. This is what I mean about the power of your vulnerability. Let there be some cracks in your formidable facade so people can see what’s in there. Your intentions could be your saving grace. This year will be challenging for sure, next year too.
Proceeding with Caution
There will be some unexpected setbacks this year for the Ox. I suspect it’s going to be the timing that is unexpected, rather than the particular setback. A possible setback involves illness, you could be prone to being in situations where you are exposed to viruses more. You do have choices about the outcome though. Wear a mask. Protect yourself and family members from contagious illnesses this year. Keep your immunity strong so you can protect theirs.
Oxen will also benefit by being prepared for natural disasters by way of emergency supplies or a go bag. This is helpful advice for all these days.
The Ox will be present where people need help this year, which isn’t new. Both Ox and Sheep can often be found where difficult events have occurred. You’ll find them helping people start over.
If it happens that the Ox needs to start over this year, which could happen in July, consider it practice for 2027. Start thinking about where you would like to land after 2027. Make plans throughout the year, adjust as needed. When we get to July you’ll be clearer about your future and the big changes that are coming. Pay attention to what is happening then and you might be able to accelerate your timeline – if you want that. When a lot of things are changing at the same time that often means we have more options than usual. Many doors are open, which one to choose?!
The Sad Clown
One of the original meanings of the ideograph 丑 Ox is clown. The character is associated with shame and ugliness or intoxication. When I hear a person described this way, my curiosity is activated. My question is: what happened to this person that led to them being described this way? How were they not cared for properly?
A modern interpretation of Ox for me might be a person with disability or chronic illness such as Long Covid. This is based on elements and not every Ox can be described that way. In my world, the Ox can be beautiful and proud and sober, also disabled or chronically ill. These things are not mutually exclusive.
When I think of the Ox and both of these characterizations, I think of Woody Harrelson He does make people laugh as part of his work. He was very good at portraying what ugliness does to a person in his role on True Detective. He calls himself a former partier (addict?). I don’t think Woody would disagree with the negative characterization of the Ox as a clown, but he is also an example of how people can soften their own fate.
Ba Zi of Woody Harrelson
b. July 23rd 1961
Woody Harrelson’s early life was not kind. His chronic illness, if he has one, is likely mental or spiritual. Many people turn to self medication when they have this kind of challenge. Instead of focusing on the values around that, we could focus on the root causes and how to address them.
The clash of Sheep and Ox in Woody’s bazi tells you about his experiences of value conflicts that he couldn’t solve, that is, not until later in life. He is just a 戌 Dog away from the Bullying Punishment and in his life I think he has been on both ends of that.
Despite his difficult beginnings, he has found career success and meaningful relationships. These days he credits his wife and daughters for his growth as a person. They softened his fate. This makes me wonder if he has a Water element sign (Water Rat?) in his hour pillar.
Yin Woody
What’s in a name? It turns out, there’s a lot of intel! I use names for my divinations all the time. It might seem heavy handed or obvious but you’d be surprised at the accuracy.
In case you hadn’t noticed, a very important element for Woody is Wood. The Wood in his bazi tells you he has unusual thoughts, but this is also what helps him figure things out.
His portrayal of the character Woody Boyd brought him early success on the show “Cheers”. The show was about a bar and the regulars who went there.
Wood may be the most important element for Woody. Now he makes money from herbs and plant based intoxicants. You know, Wood things.
In 2022, a Water Tiger year, Woody started a high end cannabis dispensary. His name is Woody and he sells the “tree”! The reason his business caught my eye is that he is using a symbol for his logo that looks like the character for 木 Wood. His logo is a marijuana leaf but when I first saw it on a small screen, I though it was the Chinese character for Wood. Okay Universe.
In 2023, a Water Rabbit year, Woody Harrelson started selling “Holistic Spirits“. He sells alcohol too.
I can’t say whether Woody is an addict, or not. He doesn’t seem to be doing ugly things. He seems pretty healthy for these times. What I can say is it seems he has found a good path despite his challenges. This is the best we can do.
Woody’s Big Fate changes this year from Ji Chou to Wu Zi. He’s had this storage of his money element since 2016 but it appears he will continue to work anyway. I don’t think he’s ready to retire.
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