Chinese Astrology

I go to Mongolian Bar-B-Q, and they have these placemats under the glass tabletop that tell what sign you are, you look for your year of birth and it tells you what animal you are associated with. I'm a sheep (or a goat, depending on what you're looking at), it gives a little description, and that's the end of it. When I read through this book I discovered there's a lot more to it than just.."baa-aa-aa-aah"

It never made sense to me for everyone born in the same year to have the same personality (that's part of why I like Western better). Then I read that not only do they go by your year of birth, but also the month and hour of your birth.

Each sign is also associated with a masculine (yang)/feminine (yin) aspect, an element (in Chinese culture there are five elements: Earth, Wood, Water, Fire and Metal...makes that kangaroo movie make a little more sense, you know the one, kangaroos acting like power rangers..ah nevermind), a compass direction, and a season.

Year	Sheep	Yin	Earth	South/SouthEast	Late Summer
Month	Tiger	Yang	Wood	East/NorthEast	Early Spring
Time	Dragon	Yang	Earth	East/SouthEast	Late Spring

Dominant Sign: Sheep are the peacemakers, good listeners, highly principled and artistically talented. On a good day a Sheep is adaptable, considerate, compassionate, creative, easy going, gentle, sincere and careful. But there are those days when they're eccentric, vulnerable, sensitive, pessimistic, naive, gullibe, self-indulgent, and irresponsible. Hrmm, "sheep go to heaven, goats go to hell"..??...

 

Love Sign: A Tiger's good points: brave, giving, charming, idealistic, bold, optimistic, passionate, independet. A Tiger's not so good points: reckless, impatient, disobedient, hot-headed, predatory, rebellious, aggressive, overly emotional. Note the optimism of Tigers in contrast to the sometimes pessimism of Sheep. I find it a nice mix. Tyger, tyger burning bright, in the forests of the night...

 

Ascendant Sign: Dragons are also optimistic and passionate, as well as visionary, motivated, principled, energetic, compelling, vibrant and dynamic. They are just that kewl. But they can also be demanding, dissatisfied, excessive, opinionated, intolerant, overpowering, abrupt, egocentric, and unpredictable. Not much difference between Eastern and Western dragons as far as I can tell �_�. When Dragon is the ascendant sign, you end up with a magnetic personality, displaying independence and confidence.

EARTH SHEEP - Double Earth: Practicality and Worldly Wisdom
Earth Sheep are focused on achieving spiritual fulfilment throughout their lives. They have a strong spiritual side. Earth Sheep are truly caring and compassionate souls, willing to sacrifice much in order to better the lives of others.

At this point I'm going to copy straight from the book, just cuz I'm tired of trying to reword it '=)

Sheep as Friends: As peacemakers and generous spirits, Sheep are valued by their friends and their company is sought in difficult times. Sheep take a parental approach in their friendship, and feel acutely the need to support friends both emotionally and financially. They are loyal and totally accepting of differences, and expect their friends to be there when their own situations call for a shoulder to cry on.

Sheep as Relatives: Sheep love being part of a group, and a close-knit family is ideal. Once married, Sheep cherish the continued security and closeness, and go to great lengths to ensure the family's emotional stability. Sheep homes are full of warmth and love; soft furnishings and gold-framed family portraits abound. Naturals in the parental role, they are patient and skilled at nurturing and communicating with young minds.

Sheep need a supportive, stress-free environment at home and at work.

Sheep as Workers: Best career choices: writer, poet, musician, artist, actor, therapist, religious minister, gardener. Sheep are popular at work with employers and colleagues alike and take a flexible, friendly, easy-going approach to work and work relationships. Not excessively career-oriented, Sheep are happy to remain involved in people issues or creative pursuits rather than politics. They are good with detail and at analyzing problem areas.

Sheep as Lovers: Sheep are sensuous, with very active sex drives. They are in tune with their own feelings and desires and intuitive with their partners' needs. Compassionate and understanding, Sheep are romantic and expect generosity and attention. They can express their own needs and desires and ensure they are met. In love with love, Sheep will explore a variety of lovers before committing.

Tigers as Lovers (Love Sign): The courageous and passionate lovers of the Chinese zodiac. Full of zest and personal charisma. Romp from one romance to another, never quite satisfied, on the lookout for someone unusual or different. Ruled by their hearts, they follow their instincts when it comes to romance. Rarely employ logic or reflect on the new object of their affetion. Attraction to adventure and the unusual will keep many Tigers single until well into middle age.

Good pairings for Sheep: Hare, Pig, Dog, Horse, Monkey, Snake, Tiger, Sheep

Bad pairings for Sheep: Rat, Dragon, Rooster, Ox

Jake was a Metal Monkey, D's a Fire Snake but he's in denial about it (he says he's a Dragon), Bryan's a Metal Monkey, Beth's a Sheep.

Western Astrology

Aquarius - much more than that will have to wait until later =)