Over the moon

As for how Nov 11, 2011 fares in the Chinese calendar, Jessie Lee, senior consultant and instructor at Joey Yap Consulting Group explains that there are two types of Chinese calendars and this date has various interpretations based on the constellations and other factors.

"One calendar is based on solar and the other on lunar. Most Malaysian Chinese are exposed to the lunar calendar where the new moon appears every 15 days and every first day of a new month is a new moon," Lee says.

The Chinese lunar calendar will fluctuate depending on the moon cycle and it is based on 30 or 29 days, but for the solar calendar the days are fixed.

In performing a date selection for a client, Lee explains that to assess where Nov 11, 2011 stands in the Chinese calendar, they will look at both solar and lunar calendars as well as the stars that appear in the constellation of that date, and this has to be co-related with other systems of date selection such as the 12 Day Officers, Dong Gong, Shen Sha and Xuan Kong Da Gua.

"Based on the 12 Day Officers, the date Nov11, 2011 is considered a "danger" day and most Chinese will normally avoid doing anything important on that date," she says.

In the Chinese almanac, there are 12 deities governing each day, hence the 12 Day Officers, which is a system that has days assigned for particular events and goes by a 12-day cycle.

However, Lee adds that even though it is considered a "danger" day, some Chinese will still choose this day for auspicious events such as a marriage, as they believe that "after danger comes opportunities".

Lee says that practitioners of Chinese metaphysics will also refer to the writings of Dong Gong, the famous Ming Dynasty astrologer, to determine if a date is poor, auspicious or excellent.

Based on Dong Gong, it is considered an auspicious day, but Lee stresses that it is "not an excellent day".

Going by the 28 constellations, that is, the stars, Lee points out that Nov1, 2011 falls on the ox constellation.

"The ox constellation in the month of November is within the winter month, so it is considered an average day," she says.

On that day there are a few good stars present, especially the Heavenly Virtue Combo, which helps strengthen the day itself.

"This date also shows the presence of the Yellow Embrace Star, which discourages the Chinese from doing any travelling. For example, to choose this date to start a business trip is not auspicious and will not do anything to enhance that business trip," she explains.

Like Roslan, Lee will wake up to Nov 11,2011 and regard it as just another day.

"Many of my clients have asked me about Nov11, 2011 and I have heard that even the ROM(Registry of Marriage) has a special expedite service and a special package for anyone who wants to book this date for their marriage!" she says.

"Personally, I have not chosen this date for my clients to do anything of importance and I won't, but if people want to do something to commemorate the date, then by all means go ahead," she says.

Date selection is something that was practiced in ancient China, from selecting a date for wedding or renovating one's house to a day to have a haircut!

While lifestyles and beliefs have evolved from those days, Lee says that today, the majority of the Chinese population still seek advice on good days to hold a major event such as wedding, a date to deliver a baby by Caesarean section, renovation or starting a business.

Lee says the Chinese tend to favour or reject certain numbers for how they sound - for example, "8" is good or prosperous, and "4" is unlucky or signifies destruction - more than basing their preference on metaphysics.

However, in date selection, she says, "We never follow numbers, but we follow the stars."

"It is just that six 1's look special when they are in a row, but when we look at the stars it won't help you specifically in any way," she stresses.

Besides refraining from travel, does the date have any other negative effects? "It is still an average day, so I don't see any bad results from it. An exception would only be for those born in the year of the rat, who might encounter some obstacles, but it is nothing major," Lee says.

To the couples who have chosen Nov11, 2011 to get married, Lee has this piece of advice: "All I want to say is that the marriage will work out only if two parties put in the effort. A day chosen through a date selection process is done to enhance that day but if no effort is made, then it would also affect the outcome of a marriage or business!"

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