In the ancient Chinese book Poets’ Jade Splinters, Lu Ji says: “Avoid the morning flower in full blossom and gather instead evening buds which are not yet open.”
He’s telling his fellow poets not to rely on what has already ripened, but rather to concentrate on what’s still in embryonic form.
Lu Ji’s colleague Song Zijing adds a complementary thought: “If you always use a compass to draw a circle and a ruler to draw a square, you will always remain a slave.”
Both Lu Ji’s and Song Zijing’s counsel will work very well for you in the coming year, Aquarius, even if you’re not a poet.
This article appears in Jan 21-27, 2009.