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.