chinese astrology
Like Western astrology, Chinese astrology uses twelve different signs or symbols to define twelve basic groups of human beings. These are known as the Chinese animal signs. Similar to Western astrology, the Chinese system uses a person’s or event’s birth date as the basis for their sign.
“This is the animal that hides in your heart.”
– old chinese saying –
The Chinese zodiac signs run within a system based on years (Chinese calendar). Each Chinese sign has a different animal name and correlates to a Chinese calendar year. Chinese astrology is intertwined with the Chinese calendar and its 12-year animal cycle (also known as the Chinese zodiac). The divination aspects of a person’s animal sign are determined according to the movement of the celestial bodies (that is, the planets) through 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 as a lens through which your destiny is projected. This system of calculating luck and fate is still regularly used in modern Chinese astrology.
Chinese planets and elements
The ancient Chinese astronomers called the five main planets by the names of the Five Elements. Each element adds a deeper meaning to each of the Chinese animal signs.
Venus = Metal: Determination, leisure, success, individuality, demanding
Jupiter = Wood: Late-blooming, adviser, counselor, faithful, enterprising
Mercury = Water: Forceful, trustworthy, leadership, creativity, healer
Mars = Fire: Enthusiasm, decisiveness, adventure, love, perseverance
Saturn = Earth: Wisdom, peaceful, logical, 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 a dou; Orion’s belt is known as the shen, or the “Happiness, Fortune, Longevity” trio of demigods. The seven northern constellations are known 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 for celestial bodies, the stars in the sky form the basis of many fairy tales. For example, the Summer Triangle is the trio of the cowboy (Altair), the spinster fairy (Vega) and the “tai bai” fairy (Deneb).
The two forbidden lovers were separated by the silver river (the Milky Way). Every year, on the seventh day of the seventh month of the Chinese calendar, birds form a bridge across the Milky Way. The cowboy leads his two sons (the two stars on either side of Altair) across the bridge to join his fairy mother. The fairy tai bai acts as a companion to 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 images, the soul’s longing to become one with the infinite is clearly expressed. Unlike Western astrology, Chinese astrology deals with the metaphysical aspects of life through a dream 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 to ultimate truth are all around us. The song of a bird, the sound of the sea or the cry of a newborn child are whispered indications of the natural order of things.
When a bird dies, another will resume its song. If the sea dried 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 given to us is a sacred duty and how we choose to live it will truly tell us who we are.