The Beauty and Wisdom of Chinese Astrology

Chinese Astrology

Like Western Astrology, Chinese Astrology uses twelve different signs or symbols to define twelve basic groups of human being. These are known as the Chinese Animal Signs. Akin to western astrology, the Chinese system uses a person or an events birth date as the basis for his / her / its sign.

"This is the animal that hides in your heart."

- old Chinese saying -

Chinese zodiacal signs run within a (Chinese calendar) year based system. Each Chinese sign has a different animal name and correlates to one Chinese calendar year. Chinese astrology is interwoven into the Chinese calendar and its 12-year cycle of animals (aka Chinese Zodiac). The fortune-telling aspects of a persons animal sign is determined according to the movement of the heavenly bodies (i.e. planets) across the Chinese constellations in the sky.

Planetary Positions

The position of the five planets at the time you were born determines the destiny of your life. Your Chinese animal sign acts like a lens through which your fate is projected. This system of computing ones fate and destiny is still used regularly in modern day Chinese astrology.

The Planets and Chinese Elements

The ancient Chinese astronomers called the five major planets by the names of the Five Elements. Each element adds deeper meaning to each of the Chinese Animal Signs.

Venus = Metal: Determination, leisure, success, individuality, demanding

Jupiter = Wood: Late bloomer, advisor, counselor, faithful, entrepreneurs

Mercury = Water: Forceful, trustworthy, leadership, creativity, healer

Mars = Fire: Enthusiasm, decisive, adventure, love, perseverance

Saturn = Earth: Wisdom, peaceful, logic, disciplined, explorer

Chinese Constellations

The twenty-eight Chinese constellations (xìu) are quite different from the eighty-eight Western constellations. For example, the big dipper (Ursa Major) is known as dou; the belt of Orion is known as shen, or the "Happiness, Fortune, Longevity" trio of demigods. The seven northern constellations are referred to as xúanwu. Xuan Wu is also known as the spirit of the northern sky or the spirit of Water in Taoism belief.

Chinese Mythology

In addition to astrological readings of the heavenly bodies, the stars in the sky form the basis of many fairy tales. For example, the Summer Triangle is the trio of the cowherd (Altair), the spinster maid fairy (Vega) and the "tai bai" fairy (Deneb).

The two forbidden lovers were separated by the silvery river (the Milky Way). Each year on the seventh day of the seventh month in the Chinese calendar, the birds form a bridge across the Milky Way. The cowherd carries their two sons (the two stars on each side of Altair) across the bridge to reunite with their fairy mother. The tai bai fairy acts as the chaperone of these two immortal lovers.

The Beauty of Chinese Astrology

Chinese astrology is one of the most beautiful expressions of spiritual identity that we have been given. Through metaphors and imagery the longing of the soul to become one with the infinite is clearly expressed. Unlike western astrology Chinese astrology deals with the metaphysical aspects of life through a dreamlike narrative. The needs of the spirit are seen as through the eyes of a child.

Life and Astrology

Chinese astrology like Western astrology is only one of the paths to divine knowledge. Other avenues toward ultimate truth are all around us. The song of a bird, the sound of the sea, or the cry of a newborn child are all whispered hints of the natural order of things.

When one bird dies another will take up its song. If the sea were to dry up the wind would take its place. And, when an old man dies a baby will be born to continue his journey. This gift of life that we have been given is a sacred trust and the manner in which we choose to live it will really tell us who we are.

Eugene DeFazzio is the webmaster of XtraAstrology.com
http://www.XtraAstrology.com/ - Your guide to the stars and beyond.

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The 12 Chinese Animals: Create Harmony In Your Daily Life Through Ancient Chinese Wisdom

How many times have you gone to a Chinese restaurant and figured out what animal from the Chinese zodiac represented you? You also probably read the description of those of that animal's characteristics and nodded in agreement or shook your head thinking, "that's not me." But have you ever wanted to know more about the Chinese zodiac and the twelve animals? Have you ever wondered how these twelve animals came to represent different years? Well, wonder no longer. "The 12 Chinese Animals: Create Harmony In Your Daily Life Through Ancient Chinese Wisdom" by Master Zhongxian Wu presents what can be a complex Eastern topic in a very easy to understand and accessible manner for the Western reader.

The first part of the book explains the wisdom behind the twelve animals. The numerological meanings are explained, and a short primer on Chinese zodiac or Chinese astrology is presented in a few pages. There are also short explanations of the eight trigrams, twelve tidal hexagrams, and the cycle of nature. This obviously isn't as in depth as you could go, but for most people, these simple explanations will suffice to gain a better understanding.

The next section instructs on how to find your Chinese animal symbol. The little charts on menus are incomplete, and this section provides a more accurate and complete way to determine your Chinese zodiac symbol, but it is still done so in a easy to understand manner. The section covers yearly, monthly, and hourly animal symbols.

Next come chapters on each of the twelve animals and related tidal hexagram: Rat and Fu (Rebirth), Ox and Lin (Deliver), Tiger and Tai (Balance), Rabbit and DaZhuang (Prosper), Dragon and Guai (Transform), Snake and Quan (Strengthen), Horse and Gou (Copulate), Goat and Dun (Retreat), Monkey and Pi (Break), Rooster and Guan (Observe), Dog and Bo (Peel), and Pig and Kun (Flow). Each of these chapters have a general description, a page with a picture and poem or saying, and general features for that animal such as personality, health, relationships, career, finance, color, and food. So if you like reading this short descriptions on menus, you will like this additional information.

The book concludes with a short afterword on living in harmony. Overall, this is a good little book for anyone who wants to know more about this topic. It's clear and easy to read, and provides the basics regarding Chinese astrology and zodiac. It contains attractive photographs and wisdom to meditate on if you desire to pursue that path.

Alain Burrese, J.D. is a writer, speaker, and mediator who teaches how to live, take action, and get things done through the Warrior's Edge. He is an expert on conflict and mediates and teaches conflict resolution and negotiation. Additionally, he teaches physical conflict skills in his Hapkido and Self-Defense courses, lectures, and seminars. Alain is the author of Hard-Won Wisdom From The School Of Hard Knocks, the DVDs Hapkido Hoshinsul, Streetfighting Essentials, Hapkido Cane, the Lock On Joint Locking series, and numerous articles and reviews. You can read more articles and reviews and see clips of his DVDs as well as much more at http://www.burrese.com and http://www.yourwarriorsedge.com

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