Acknowledgments. Introduction: The Wisdom of 12. I. Numerological Meanings of 12. II. Chinese Astrology and 12 Animal Symbols. III. Eight Trigrams, 12 Tidal Hexagrams, and the Cycle of Nature. The Beginning: Finding Your Animals. The Animals. 1. Rat and Fu (Rebirth). 2. Ox and Lin (Deliver). 3. Tiger and Tai (Balance). 4. Rabbit and DaZhuang (Prosper). 5. Dragon and Guai (Transform). 6. Snake and Qian (Strengthen). 7. Horse and Gou (Copulate). 8. Goat and Dun (Retreat). 9. Monkey and Pi (Break). 10. Rooster and Guan (Observe). 11. Dog and Bo (Peel). 12. Pig and Kun (Flow). Afterword: Living in Harmony.
How to find your power animal symbols, and how to learn from their wisdom
Master Zhongxian Wu is the lineage holder of four different schools of Qigong and martial arts. He was Director of the Shaanxi Province Association for Somatic Science and the Shaanxi Association for the Research of Daoist Nourishing Life Practices. Since 1988, Master Wu has instructed thousands of students, both Eastern and Western. He synthesizes wisdom and experience for beginning and advancing practitioners, as well as for patients seeking healing, in his unique and professionally-designed courses and workshops. Master Wu is the author of Seeking the Spirit of the Book of Change: 8 Days to Mastering a Shamanic Yijing (I Ching) Prediction System and Vital Breath of the Dao: Chinese Shamanic Tiger Qigong - Laohu Gong, both also published by Singing Dragon. Please visit www.masterwu.net for details about his teachings.
A fascinating and enjoyable read. I can thoroughly recommend this
book an excellent introduction to the ancient Chinese art of
astrology and divination.
*Eternal Spirit*
This book offers a way to understand and experience ancient wisdom
and mysticism in order to live a harmonious and joyful life. It is
an excellent text book! I love the last passage - "My life is in my
hands and not controlled by Fate." In order to capitalize on this
truth, we all need teachers. Master Wu's book says to me, We all
can achieve true autonomy, living in harmony by understanding the
ancient teachings of interpersonal and intrapersonal connection
with the celestial and terrestrial movements. I highly recommend
this book for searchers and practitioners of the Dao.
*Dr. Alex Feng PhD, OMD, LAc, Founder Zhi Dao Guan, The Taoist
Center, Oakland, CA*
Master Wu's new book is most accessible to those who are interested
in acquiring this ancient Chinese wisdom. His widely acknowledged
lineage from various schools of Qigong, martial and philosophical
traditions serves him well in this very special, handsomely
produced little gem of a book. I highly recommend it!
*Chungliang Al Huang, founder-president of Living Tao Foundation
and author of Embrace Tiger, Return to Mountain and The Chinese
Book of Animal Powers*
Master Zhongxian Wu has made a complex Eastern topic accessible to
the Western reader. Far beyond other sources, this book helps you
understand your destiny as described by the 12 animal symbols of
Yijing wisdom, helping you reach your personal potential. It helps
you accurately determine your yearly, monthly and even hourly
animal symbol and explains how each can affect your health,
relationship, career, and finances. Master Wu writes "Life is
Magic"... and this book helps you understand it.
*Steve Rhodes, editor of Qi: The Journal of Traditional Eastern
Health and Medicine (Qi Journal)*
I highly recommend this book... I enjoyed turning every page... I
would even buy this book just to leave it on my coffee table, sure
in the knowledge that some of my friends would be interested and
drawn in by the quality this book exhibits.
*UK Tai Chi*
First impressions are of a beautifully presented hardcover book
that anyone with an interest in horoscopes or Chinese culture would
be delighted to receive as a gift. But this book is not just
decorative, it offers many new insights into the 12 animals of
Chinese astrology... So in one book we have both a coffee table
book and a serious explanation of Chinese astrology, and Master
Wu's personality shines through. Well worth considering.
*Tai Chi Finder*
In his new book on the 12 animals of the Chinese zodiac, Wu
Zhongxian has given us an authentic, no hocus-pocus view of this
ancient Chinese system of astrology, which in Chinese tradition
fits hand-and-glove with the Yijing ('Book of Change'). And since
Wu's previous book revealed the essence of the Yijing, we now have
the whole story on Chinese astrology and divination, clear as a
bell. I highly recommend this book to all serious students and
readers in the field of classical Chinese culture.
*Daniel Reid, author of The Tao of Health, Sex & Longevity and My
Journey in Mystic China*
In our secret Kabbalah teachings we deal with 12 permutations of
the divine name governing the year. I find that when I also look at
Master Wu's 12 gates that I understand our own tradition so much
better. I recommend his book wholeheartedly.
*Rabbi Zalman Schachter-Shalomi, co-author of Jewish With
Feeling*
What does the average Westerner know of Chinese astrology? For
most, the abbreviated version printed on the paper placements of
many Chinese restaurants is all the knowledge one can claim. What a
shame, because the twelve animal signs of the Chinese zodiac
represent a complex and fascinating approach to greater
self-awareness... In his newest of nine books, Master Zhongxian Wu,
a teacher of Qigong and martial arts, explains some of the
principles behind the twelve Chinese animal signs... To better
understand the spiritual implications of each animal sign, Wu
provides the reader with a taste of the Yijing system, an ancient
text composed of 64 hexagrams, each of which is a union of two
trigrams. By examining particular hexagrams, one can learn
something of the original ideas associated with each animal... With
so little information on this ancient system of awareness and
divinity available to the English-speaking world, The 12 Chinese
Animals should be of particular interest to those practicing
Qigong, or studying the teachings of Yijing, and will be both
accessible and of interest to those curious about astrology, China,
or seeking inner peace through meditation.
*ForeWord Reviews*
For many American readers, contact with the 12 totem animals of the
Chinese zodiac is limited to a brief and superficial entry on a
place mat, but there is naturally much more to this ancient
tradition than that. Wu (Seeking the Spirit of the Book of Change),
a teacher of Qigong, has written a brief but effective treatment of
the animal symbols of the zodiac in the Chinese system, outlining
their relationship to the hexagrams of the I Ching. Wu's book is
richly illustrated, includes ceremonies for each symbol, and offers
guides to finding your own symbol (it's more complex than you
thought).
*Library Journal*
Finally, a practical guide to understanding the symbolism of the
Chinese Zodiac. Master Wu artfully blends animal archetypes and
Daoist symbols into a concise manual. With the grace of a master
calligrapher Master Wu "paints" a simple image of each animal but
with many layers of meaning. His work is a refreshing break from
other child-like resources on the zodiac and a welcome addition to
the libraries of those who study Daoism. Especially creative is the
relationship of each animal to the corresponding trigrams of the Yi
Jing. Master Wu's enjoyment for life is evident in this book.
*Christina J Barea, DP, MMQ, author of Qigong Illustrated*
I liked that not only was information and advice given for each
animal--such as personality, health, relationships, career,
finance, color and good--but there was also a special meditation
for each one, including visualization and hand mudra. The
connection with a specific hexagram from the Yijing was also
welcome. This is the first time I have seen this and it brings much
deeper and richer meaning to understanding your animal sign and how
it affects your life.
*The Empty Vessel: The Journal of Daoist Philosophy and Practice*
Ask a Question About this Product More... |