Soothsayer's Corner

By Leean Lester

This month, let’s take a closer look at Chinese astrology. The basic concepts and intellectual spirit of Chinese astrology differs from the western system in many ways. Chinese astrology does not claim to be a predictive science, and it should not be taken as such. It is meant to be more of a method of practical philosophy, based on the idea that we can make the most of our unknowable fate by seeking to harmonize our thoughts and behaviors with the different forces and elements around us.

The purpose of this astrology is to provide a kind of music theory for living, and it is defined in set patterns of time, heavenly space, earthly space, and the relations among the thousands of things in the universe. In western astrology, things are assumed patterns and are determined by the stars. In Chinese astrology, all things must be in harmony, and it is believed that there are correspondences among the different realms and categories of existence. The principle of yin and yang is reflected in these correspondences and in the great balance of the universe. Another difference between the two systems of astrology is that the Chinese system is more of an interpretive science, helping map the many different behaviors of the human individual, whereas in Western astrology, the use of astronomical calculations is heavily used. 

In Chinese astrology, there are twelve animals and five elements associated with different personality types or “signs.” This gives a total of sixty possible types or cycles, as opposed to only twelve zodiac signs in western astrology.

Now each of the animals has a characteristic:

1)  the rat/mouse = child, new life, opportunities, success

2)  the ox = continuity, strength, sense of humor

3)  the tiger = reverence, idealism, respectfulness

4)  the hare/rabbit = self-sacrifice, found of children

5)  the dragon = an eclipse, concern with the occult

6)  the snake = thought , a schemer

7)  the horse = mid-day, ambition, may be a revolutionary

8)  the sheep/ram = waiting, patience, withdrawal from worldly matters

9)  the monkey = stretching, continual development, expansion

10) the rooster/cock = wine bottle, may tend to drink

11) the dog = a weapon , loyalty, defense

12) the pig/boar = darkness, privacy, obscurity

There are also four seasons and 28 star lodges used in the Chinese system. Spring represents the green dragon of the east, summer represents the red bird of the south, autumn represents the white tiger of the west, and winter represents the dark warrior of the north (turtle and snake).

Like western astrology, Chinese astrology also has “stars,” and they move in and out of places. This is known as the “star theory.”

There are seven main stars, and there is a starscape composed of 28 major constellations. Each constellation has its own associations with the yin yang balance and the five elements. These have come to be known as the lodges, or star-spirits. They move about the palaces and are ruled by the seven stars. Each of the palaces is associated with one of the twelve moons of the lunar calendar, which are known as the earthly branches and the 12 zodiac animals. 

Each personality type or “sign” in Chinese astrology is associated with one of the zodiac animals and also with an element. Here is a list of the elements that describes their attributes, associations, and correspondences. It also shows the “strongest” and “weakest” of the different animals for each element. 


Wood = governs the tiger (strongest wood), rabbit, dragon (weakest wood)

The east

 Spring

Azure dragon

The planet Jupiter 

The color green

Liver and gall bladder

Generous, warm, persuasive, co-operative, seeks to expand and grow

Idealistic, ethical, enthusiastic, seeks to explore


Fire = governs the snake, horse (strongest fire), ram (weakest fire)

The south

Summer

Vermilion bird

The planet Mars

The color red

Circulatory system and heart

Dynamic, humanitarian, enterprising, adventurous, restless

Competitive, leadership skills, strong, single-minded, loves a good laugh


Earth = governs dragon, sheep, dog, and ox. It is the central balance of the elements and can lend qualities to all twelve animals.

Center 

Three enclosures, change of seasons

The yellow dragon

The planet Saturn

The color yellow

Digestive system, spleen and stomach

Powerful, wise, patient, militaristic, prideful, prudent, stable, reliable, hard-working, ambitious, stubborn, seeks to conquer

Disciplined, rigid, controlling, tenacious, logical, governed by service and duty to others


Metal = governs the monkey, dragon (strongest metal), rooster, dog (weakest metal)

The West

Autumn

White tiger

The planet Venus

The color white

Determined, self-reliant, unyielding, strong, tenacious, forceful

Reserved, needs personal space, sophisticated, seeks pleasure, caring, respectful


Water = governs the rat (strongest water), ox, pig (weakest water)

The North

Winter

Black tortoise

The planet Mercury

The color black

Skeletal, excretory system and lungs

Secretive, self-destructive, charming, intuitive, deceptive, passive-aggressive, compassionate, sensitive, creative

Flexible, addictive, manipulative, compliant, eloquent, intellectual


Chinese Astrology Chart    Dates 1940 – 2010

Year

Dates 

Animal 

Element Type 

1940 

Feb 8– Jan 26 

Dragon 

Metal 

1941 

Jan 27 –Feb 14 

Snake 

Metal 

1942 

Feb15- Feb 4 

Horse 

Water 

1943 

Feb 5 – Jan 24 

Sheep 

Water 

1944 

Jan 25 – Feb 12  

Monkey 

Wood 

1945 

Feb 13 – Feb 1 

Rooster 

Wood 

1946 

Feb 2 – Jan 21 

Dog 

Fire 

1947 

Jan 22 – Feb 9 

Pig 

Fire 

1948 

Feb10 – Jan 28 

Rat 

Earth 

1949 

Jan 28 – Feb 16 

Ox 

Earth 

1950 

Feb 17 – Feb 5  

Tiger 

Metal 

1951 

Feb 6 – Jan 26 

Rabbit 

Metal 

1952 

Jan 27 – Feb 13 

Dragon 

Water 

1953 

Feb 14 – Feb 2 

Snake 

Water 

1954 

Feb 3 – Jan 23 

Horse 

Wood 

1955 

Jan 24 – Feb 11 

Sheep 

Wood 

1956 

Feb 12 – Jan 30 

Monkey 

Fire 

1957 

Jan 31 – Feb 17 

Rooster 

Fire 

1958 

Feb 18 – Feb7 

Dog 

Earth 

1959 

Feb 8 – Jan 27 

Pig 

Earth 

1960 

Jan 28 – Feb 14 

Rat 

Metal 

1961 

Feb 15 – Feb 4 

Ox 

Metal 

1962 

Feb 5 – Jan 24 

Tiger 

Water 

1963 

Jan 23 – Feb 12 

Rabbit 

Water 

1964 

Feb 13 – Feb 1 

Dragon 

Wood 

1965 

Feb 2 – Jan 20 

Snake 

Wood 

1966 

Jan 21 – Feb 8 

Horse 

Fire 

1967 

Feb 9 – Jan 29 

Sheep 

Fire 

1968 

Jan 30 – Feb 16 

Monkey 

Earth 

1969 

Feb 17 – Feb 5  

Rooster 

Earth 

1970 

Feb 6 – Jan 26 

Dog 

Metal 

1971 

Jan 27 – Jan 15 

Pig 

Metal 

1972 

Jan 16 – Feb 3 

Rat 

Water 

1973 

Feb 3 – Jan 22 

Ox 

Water 

1974 

Jan 23 – Feb 10 

Tiger 

Wood 

1975 

Feb 11 – Jan 30 

Rabbit 

Wood 

1976 

Jan 31 – Feb 17 

Dragon 

Fire 

1977 

Feb 18 – Feb 6 

Snake 

Fire 

1978 

Feb 7 – Jan 27 

Horse 

Earth 

1979 

Jan 28 – Feb 15 

Sheep 

Earth  

 

1980 

Feb 16 – Feb 4 

Monkey 

Metal 

1981 

Feb 5 – Jan 24 

Rooster 

Metal 

1982 

Jan 25 – Feb 12 

Dog 

Water 

1983 

Feb 13 – Feb 1 

Pig 

Water 

1984 

Feb 2 – Feb 19 

Rat 

Wood 

1985 

Feb 20 – Feb 8 

Ox 

Wood 

1986 

Feb 9 – Jan 28 

Tiger 

Fire  

1987 

Jan 29 – Feb 19 

Rabbit 

Fire 

1988 

Feb 17 – Feb 5 

Dragon 

Earth 

1989 

Feb 6 – Jan 26 

Snake  

Earth  

1990 

Jan 27 – Feb 14 

Horse 

Metal  

1991 

Feb 15 – Feb 3 

Sheep 

Metal 

1992 

Feb 4 – Jan 22 

Monkey 

Water 

1993 

Jan 23 – Feb 9 

Rooster 

Water 

1994 

Feb 10 – Jan 30 

Dog 

Wood 

1995 

Jan 31 – Feb 18 

Pig 

Wood 

1996 

Feb 19 – Feb 7 

Rat 

Fire 

1997 

Feb 8 – Jan 27 

Ox 

Fire 

1998 

Jan 28 – Feb 15 

Tiger 

Earth 

1999 

Feb 16 – Feb 4 

Rabbit 

Earth 

2000 

Feb 5 – Jan 23 

Dragon 

Metal 

2001 

Jan 24 – Feb 11 

Snake 

Metal 

2002 

Feb 12 – Jan 31 

Horse 

Water 

2003 

Feb 1 – Jan 21 

Sheep 

Water 

2004 

Jan 22 – Feb 8 

Monkey 

Wood 

2005 

Feb 5 – Jan 28 

Rooster 

Wood 

2006 

Jan 29 – Feb 17  

Dog 

Fire 

2007 

Feb 17 – Feb 6 

Pig 

Fire 

2008 

Feb 7 – Jan25 

Rat 

Earth 

2009 

Jan 26 – Feb 13 

Ox 

Earth 

2010 

Feb 14 – Feb 2 

Tiger 

Metal 

2011 

Feb 3 – Jan 22 

Rabbit 

Metal 

2012 

Jan 23 – Feb 9 

Dragon 

Water 

2013 

Feb 10 – Jan 3 

Snake 

Water 

2014 

Jan 31 – Feb 18 

Horse 

Wood 

2015 

Feb 19 – Feb 7 

Sheep 

Wood 

2016 

Feb 8 – Jan 27 

Monkey 

Fire 

2017 

Jan 28 – Feb 18 

Rooster 

Fire 

2018 

Feb 19 – Feb 4 

Dog 

Earth  

2019 

Feb 5 – Jan 24 

Pig 

Earth 

2020 

Jan 25 – Feb 11 

Rat 

Metal  

 

I hope you are enjoying learning about Chinese astrology. Next month, we’ll take a more in-depth look at the elements as well as the animals and other aspects of this complex system. Until next time, may the spirits bless you and watch over you and yours!  


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