The Blooming Grove Studio Network

On our January home page (a 3 Tree Month in a 9 Fire Year) we said:

".... Last month (4 Tree) all energy levels were very active, warm and leaned far towards the yin. Now, activity levels rise even more.

This is the second of a two-month sequence when Fire is supported by the monthly ki (Tree). As in December, Fire will be somewhat reduced, in the Northern Hemisphere, by the cooling 1 Water seasonal energy. History shows that cold weather can sometimes stave off radical outbursts. But if December was any indication, major outbreaks will continue. Some in the form of military actions, some as new events (3 Tree- rising energy, inventiveness) and possibly with the resurgence of H1N1 (because Fire supports expansion and, thereby, contagion).

Concerning Mount Mayon, in the Philippines. Some 9 Ki proponents suggest that 3 Tree supports volcanoes and earthquakes. We have not found a direct, historic relationship. Will 3 Tree tip the scale? We'll see.

As in December, this will be a time of social agitation, regional outbursts and relative chaos. We also witnessed this same ki sequence, last March and April...."

The Philippines remain on alert for their volcano. In Haiti, no alert was given. The Haiti earthquake was by far the most prominent event of January 2010. We were devastated by the death and destruction, yet heartened by the compassionate support from so many nations. Here are some links to Haitian aid campaigns. They will remain posted on this home page. We're also donating 10% of all sales to Haitian relief.

Stand With Haiti -- Sponsored by Partners in Health, who has been working on the ground in Haiti for over 20 years.

Médecins Sans Frontières -- After enduring delays in receiving urgent medical supplies and equipment, as well as continuous aftershocks that threatened already-damaged facilities, Doctors Without Borders (Médecins Sans Frontières) staff are now treating patients inside an inflatable hospital.

UNICEF -- Assistance to unaccompanied children, who have lost or became separated from their families, is a focus of UNICEF's Haitian humanitarian operations.

Did the ki of the 3 Tree month tip the scale? Perhaps, but not if you check the historical records. Of the 16 largest earthquakes (by magnitude) none occurred in 3 Tree years and only four in 3 Tree months. Of the 10 deadliest quakes, none occurred in 3 Tree years and only one in a 3 Tree month. Sadly, that was Haiti, this January.

Still, this was a shocking example of combined plasmic and rising energy (9 Fire and 3 Tree). Nine Fire's influence was particularly strong in Haiti, as the island nation rests only 19 degrees north of the equator, where temperatures remain hot, in winter.

All other events paled in comparison, yet some incidents are noteworthy. On January 10, there was a 6.5 earthquake off the coast of California. Shaking was strongest near the coast line between Petrolia and Eureka, CA, although felt reports extend from as far south and north as Capitola, CA and Eugene, OR, respectively, and as far east as Reno, NV.

Influenza incidents actually dropped below the USA national norm, for this time of year. Puzzling but good.

Even more equatorial than Haiti, there were repeated acts of violence between Christians and Muslims in Nigeria. At least 70 people had been killed and about 600 injured, in January. However, the human loss was far greater following their November 2008 elections (8 Soil month / 1 Water year). When combined, 8 & 1 can generate yang, downward conditions that cause collapse. (March 2010 will be a 1 Water month / 8 Soil year.)

North Korea initiated live artillery "tests" near the South Korea maritime border, leading to an exchange of fire between North and South Korean forces. North Korea's response was to conduct additional "tests", firing shells toward South Korean-controlled Yeonpyeong Island.

In a very controversial ruling, the Unites States Supreme Court gave mega-corporations the same freedom-of-speech status as individual Americans. The 5-4 conservative majority crafted a decision allowing corporate entities to spend as much as they like, to run advertisements and movies prior to an election, in an attempt to change the outcome.

Justice Stevens' dissenting remarks were, "The court's opinion is thus a rejection of the common sense of the American people, who have recognized a need to prevent corporations from undermining self-government since the founding."

January was the final month of the 9 Purple Fire year. A wild ride to the very end....

Articles Below:
'Precession of the Equinoxes' Link updated October, 2009.
The Global Perspective is updated early every month.
Annual Commentary is updated every February.
9-Year Cycle Commentary is updated once every nine years.
New Links and other articles are updated as they arise.

2010 is a Number 8 White Soil Year

February 4th, 2010 through February 3rd, 2011 is an 8 Soil year. Eight Soil is associated with change or "revolution" (revolving, spinning, rotating; thereby stirring events up). Eight's freewheeling nature suggests an increased capacity to move about -- to travel. This is the essence of 8 White Soil. We'll explore the more subtle qualities, in a moment.

First, let's discuss the major event of the previous 8 Soil year. The 911 attacks occurred in September, 2001 (a 4 Tree Month in an 8 Soil Year). Obviously, the 911 event counts as a revolutionary change that has influenced the world, ever since. But, before we assume that the ki of 8 Soil is ever-so dangerous, menacing and overwhelming, let us consider this. 2001 also brought us the first spacecraft to land on an asteroid, the first legal same-sex marriages in nearly 2000 years, the first space tourist and the first self-contained artificial heart. Also, a major peace treaty between Russia & China, and a normal trade agreement between the USA and China; both remaining in effect to this day.

Clearly, 8 Soil supports radical change, but does not discriminate between ruin and progress. Note that all of the events, above, were manmade. Human beings decided what to do. Eight Soil was the vehicle. Depending on the plan, the results can be life-giving or devastating.

Back in 2001, we suggested that revolutionary acts, like riots and surprise attacks, can occur anytime; that they are not limited to 8 Soil years. It's the same with revolutionary achievements. But in an 8 Soil year, we see more breakthroughs and events that resonate with 8's basic qualities; like rotation, travel, distance and, especially, for changes that generate long-term consequences.

Perhaps, we can best understand 8 Soil by studying the seasons. All times of the year are associated with the ki. The hot, expansive energy of summer is 9 Fire. The dark, cold of winter is 1 Water. The beautiful, changing colors of early autumn are 7 Metal. And so on.

Eight Soil is the ki of late winter. Picture it in your mind. Not much is happening on the surface. The days are growing slightly longer and a bit warmer. But, the nights are still very cold. In the temperate parts of the world, the grass remains a harsh, dry brown; the branches of the trees still naked.

But, if we look carefully, we find gentle evidence that great things are afoot. Subtle, at the edge of our perception.

Above, the clouds have become less feather-like. Heavier, they lean on the earth and begin to wrap her in a humid blanket. Scraggly weeds that have clung to the land and to life, through deep ice and snow, now lay in flat patches of radiant, emerald green. Tiny buds are forming, very tight, in the crooks of the branches. Fed by gallons of sap, rising up below the bark.

Eight Soil is the harbinger of spring and of all seasons to come. What happens, now, will give permanent shape and definition to the future.

Eight is the bridge between winter (1 Water) and early-spring (3 Tree). It stirs the once silent waters, churning hidden designs from the depths (sap rises below the surface) then bursts them into material forms, apparent to all (new buds). Furthermore, this process defines how the future will unfold, just as new buds will become shoots.

Revolution wakens resting energy.
Revolution begins quietly.
Revolution shapes our future.

Raising the lowest common denominator to higher and more restless levels. Yet, the underlying purpose of this natural progression is to yield new life. To bridge the depth of winter with the rising energy of spring.

Eight Soil wakens the sleeping giant. We should be aware of the potential dangers, but I think it is a mistake to personify 8 Soil with 911, or with any single event. Of all the numbers, 8 is perhaps the most supremely unavailable to human interpretation, because it is closest to our nature. It means no harm but it can support harm, if that is our plan. And we should remember that it will support goodness, just as swiftly.

To define specifics is to misunderstand 8, because profound changes will continue to evolve. As individuals or as nations, we can only set out with a clear plan. Balance is required as the ki unfolds. In and of itself, 8 Soil is not destructive. Generally, it is beneficial because we vitally need the transition from winter to spring. But, should we choose to misuse the ki, then it reflects our imbalance.

Consider traditional human activity, during late-winter (8 Soil). The soil is too cold and wet to plow. This is the time for acquiring the equipment and seeds (1 Water potential) so you'll be ready for decisive action (3 Tree germination) at the first opportunity. Even today, seed catalogs arrive by mail in late-winter.

We pray that this 8 Soil year will not include an event such as 911. Yet, as in any year, the potential certainly exists. I do foresee a year of many revolutionary changes -- of new, long-term directions. The reason being the 3 Tree 9-Year cycle. Three Tree is the ki of rising energy and of new beginnings. When combined with 8 Soil's new directions, the potential for radical change is extremely strong.

To understand 3 Tree's role, we can look back to the most recent 8 Soil Year / 3 Tree 9-Year cycle. 1929, the year of the Wall Street Crash of '29. Yet, think twice before you jump from the window. Again, we must emphasize that, like all 8 Soil years, 1929 produced many lasting changes, some of them quite beneficial.

Also, understand that 1929 occurred during a 1 Water 81-Year cycle (instead of the present 9 Fire 81-Year cycle). One Water produces little activity on the surface (potential energy); whereas 9 Fire ignites highly charged, superficial events (kinetic energy).

So, 1 Water was associated with inner strength, but dissolution, decay, and darkness on the surface. The present 81-Year cycle is the complimentary opposite. Inner weakness (a lack of cohesiveness) but contrast, rapid expansion and brilliance, externally (visibly).

Given 8 Soil's & 3 Tree's potent capacity to produce rapid change and new beginnings, it's easy to see how the market crashed, given Water's mood of darkness and dissolution. But, given Fire's brilliant, expansive qualities, what will 8 Soil's & 3 Tree's potent capacity generate now?

It's a fascinating speculation and we'll have to watch for this. It could be a dramatic rise in the market, a brilliant new discovery, or even something ominous -- causing the same degree of damage as the Crash of '29, but in a fiery, flamboyant or explosive way. Likely, we'll see, both, strikingly positive and negative aspects before the year is through (as was true in 1929).

Needless to say, 2010 will be an interesting and challenging year.

Here are some previous 8 Soil years. Specific events are listed, along with attributes that illustrate the mood of 8 Soil. The majority of this information was gleaned from Wikipedia®, a superb online resource for studying 9 Star Ki's historical influence.

Most events illustrate radical changes that produce long-term consequences. Besides the events listed, I also noticed these common trends:
Accidents involving nuclear weapons and reactors.
A considerable number of earthquakes.
Incidents related to mines and tunnels (hidden change below the surface).
Also, a high degree of international diplomatic, banking and strategic pacts, treaties and agreements (especially in 1947, after WWII).

You will notice trends that are more informative than, perhaps, anything that can be said in words. For example, you'll find record-setting tornadoes and hurricanes (revolution, rotation). Just click on the number of the year:

2001 (8 Soil Year / 4 Tree 9-Year Cycle / 9 Fire 81-Year Cycle)

1992 (8 Soil Year / 5 Soil 9-Year Cycle / 9 Fire 81-Year Cycle)

1983 (8 Soil Year / 6 Metal 9-Year Cycle / 9 Fire 81-Year Cycle)

1974 (8 Soil Year / 7 Metal 9-Year Cycle / 9 Fire 81-Year Cycle)

1965 (8 Soil Year / 8 Soil 9-Year Cycle / 9 Fire 81-Year Cycle)

1956 (8 Soil Year / 9 Fire 9-Year Cycle / 9 Fire 81-Year Cycle)

1947 (8 Soil Year / 1 Water 9-Year Cycle / 1 Water 81-Year Cycle)

1938 (8 Soil Year / 2 Soil 9-Year Cycle / 1 Water 81-Year Cycle)

1929 (8 Soil Year / 3 Tree 9-Year Cycle / 1 Water 81-Year Cycle)

For additional notes concerning the most recent 8 Soil year, 2001, click here.