The Blooming Grove Studio Network

On our June home page (a 9 Fire Month in an 8 Soil Year) we said:

".... Seven is the ki of early autumn. Imagine warm, sunny days and fall colors. Crisp, clear evenings, beneath a star-studded sky. Seven is associated with beauty, fashion and sensuality. Although joyful and bright, 7 Metal is rather cool. During early autumn and early evening, the mood calms. The heat of day gives way to a more relaxed state. Hard labor is over and it's time to bathe and dine.

The evening routine begins. Settling in. Later in the evening, we'll rest and then go off to bed (6 Metal) and then to sleep (1 Water). For now, we're a bit more active but we're moving towards consolidation, stillness and rest. From a weather point of view, this is the beginning of condensation. In geology, this is the onset of fossilization.

Now, compare this mood to the annual ki of 8 Soil (change, revolution). Here, we have change and fossilization. This suggests that the changes will slow down. Well, perhaps a bit. But remember, we still have very active 3 Tree, 9 Fire and 8 Soil roving about. There will be plenty of events to keep us on our toes!

More likely, the suggestion is that 7 Metal will tend to "lock in" some of the changes that have already taken place. Recall last month, when we said that changes in May would tend to become long-term trends. See 7 Metal as the process that consolidates recent changes and begins to etch them into permanent courses of action.

Cooling, condensing 7 adds tangibility -- adds mass. And the greater the mass, the greater the inertia. This will continue, next month (6 Metal).

Because 7 Metal is associated with beauty, early autumn, evening and with the beginning touches of the material / physical world, it is the ki of sensuality and joy. Although it is the early phase of cool organization, emotions and sensations remain strong. Seven is associated with the skin, lungs, lips and, so, language and the art of persuasion.

Indeed, this is an excellent opportunity to discuss recent changes and to reach agreements that will set them off in the best possible direction. Instead of a rigid blockade, perhaps Israel could arrange a safe way for some international relief to arrive in Gaza. Maybe experts from BP and elsewhere can begin to collaborate on a new book of guidelines for safely harvesting energy.

Very nice. Very dreamy. Just keep in mind that boisterous 3, chaotic 9 and freewheeling 8 are still out there. We have a long way to go, in this year of revolution...."

In June, there were serious floods in both hemispheres (China, Brazil) as 1 Water occupied the 8 Soil position (revolution) in this 8 Soil year.

Four Star General, Stanley McChrystal (1 Water, born August 14, 1954) occupied the 8 Soil position by the month, and so also went through some changes. As the month began, McChrystal was Commander of Afghanistan allied forces. As the month closed, he had resigned from command and announced his retirement. Nine Star Ki knows no rank.

Although our garden and surrounding wildlife flourished, and the weather was marvelous, we noted three quite negative trends.

To date, June was the deadliest month for allied forces, in Afghanistan, since the war began.

The United States Supreme Court ruled (once again along party lines) that no city or local jurisdiction has the right to ban the ownership of handguns. This overrules Chicago's 28-year strict ban on handgun ownership. The ruling could also have devastating consequences for Washington D.C. and other metropolitan areas.

Also, there seems to be no end in sight for the Deepwater Horizon disaster, in the Gulf of Mexico. The month began with a glimmer of hope, as oil capture appeared to increase to over 1/2 of total output. But as the month progressed, the figures grew more discouraging.

Source: NASA Earth Observatory: April 29, 2010

Source: NASA Earth Observatory: May 24, 2010

Source: NASA Earth Observatory: June 25, 2010
(Three images not to same scale.)

From Nameless - This Adobe Reader® (PDF) file may be shared freely.

SODIS® Flyer- describing a safe way to purify water in emergencies.

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.