August begins in the 丁未 (Ding-Wei) month. On August 8, 立秋 (Liqiu, Autumn Commences) starts the 戊申 (Wu-Shen) month. Autumn opens early in the Chinese solar calendar, while the weather in much of North America and Europe still feels like high summer.

Shen, Zi and Chen

In Chinese tradition the branches 申 (shen, Monkey), 子 (zi, Rat) and 辰 (chen, Dragon) form one of the four 三合 (san he, three harmony) groups. Tradition calls this set a water group, 水局 (shui ju). When one partner shows up as the month branch, the classical reading treats it as a friendly link for the other two.

So from August 8, the Dragon has a three-harmony partner in the month. This is the first month of 2027 where the Dragon’s branch has a harmony relation with the month branch. It is a fair moment to look outward again after a steady July.

The elements underneath

The stem 戊 (wu) is earth, the same element as the Dragon’s branch. The branch Shen is metal, and earth produces metal. So the Dragon’s earth feeds the month while also finding a peer in the stem.

One way to read the combination: a group you contribute to, made up of people who speak your language. Effort leaves you, and it lands somewhere useful.

Focus for the month

  • Join or restart one group effort. A club, a shared project, a community garden: anything with three or more people pulling in the same direction.
  • Offer a skill, not just time. Think about what you already do well and put that forward in the group.
  • Write the autumn plan down. Liqiu marks the turn of the season. List three things to complete before Lidong (Winter Commences) on November 7.

One thing to go easy on

Go easy on doing everyone’s share. Earth producing metal is a picture of giving. In a group month that can tip into carrying the whole load. Agree on roles at the start so the harmony stays shared.

See also

Go back to the Dragon’s July 2027 or forward to September for the Dragon, which brings another traditional harmony. The Dragon yearly forecast lays out the full year. Curious how the Dragon and Monkey pair beyond this month? Try the zodiac compatibility calculator.

Drafted with AI assistance and reviewed by an editor.