Chinese Astrology is really not my cup of tea.  Personally I believe that
    Astrology from India is much more powerful.  Further, I believe that western
    astrology can be very accurate and meaningful.  But, if you are interested, here
    is a nice article by Michelle Anderson.  




    Chinese Astrology Explained
    By: Michelle Andersen
    Are you confused about the meanings of Chinese astrology? Would you like to
    know more about this 5000 year old art?

    Chinese astrology is based on the lunar calendar. As with astrology from other
    cultures, a horoscope is created using the position of the stars and planets for
    each of the twelve signs of the zodiac based on the year of birth.

    The Twelve Chinese Signs

    Rat

    Rats are charming and attractive to the opposite sex. But despite outside
    appearances, they are restless and this sometimes comes across as
    aggressiveness. Rats are great with money, and love to pounce on an
    opportunity. They are also very generous to their friends. They love people
    and large gatherings and always have others around. They also run in many
    intimate circles and like to be involved in everything they can, leading them to
    sometimes attempt to do too much. They are good writers and speakers, and
    success comes easily to them.

    Ox

    Oxen are calm on the surface, but have hidden tempers. They are hard
    workers and are determined to the point of stubbornness. However, this makes
    them one of the most dependable signs. They are trustworthy, and easily move
    up at the office. If they don't watch out, they may not have much of a social life.
    They are not very adept at mind games, and can sometimes be led astray in
    romance. But once they find someone, they are steadfast and loyal.

    Tiger

    Tigers are energetic and unpredictable. Their wild side leads them to be the
    center of attention. They speak their mind and are always looking for the new
    party or next great idea. They are also very involved in giving their time and
    money to the causes they are passionate about. They are generous and
    honest. However, they are also rebels. They seek ideals and will rebel against
    a society they perceive as being in the wrong. They are emotional and
    impulsive, prone to romance as well as jealousy.

    Rabbit

    Rabbits are gracious and gentle. They adore quiet and peacefulness, and
    prefer a good book to a night on the town. Their sensitivity can lead to
    moodiness, but normally rabbits are great at keeping the peace. While they are
    quiet on the surface, rabbits are good at finding deals. They are sweet and can
    talk people into being on their side of an issue without argument. While they
    are cautious, they can also be friendly and inviting once they feel safe.

    Dragon

    Dragons have fire. They are full of life, and want to live life to the fullest. They
    are perfectionists and are extremely demanding of both themselves and others.
    They intimidate those who disagree with them, although they are very loyal to
    their friends. They can be stubborn, but they will let you know how they feel.
    They believe themselves to be strong and loveable, and they strive to motivate
    everyone to live up to their standards.

    Snake

    Snakes are mysterious, often charming the opposite sex. They are graceful,
    and tend towards all things grand and cultural. They are private tend to look
    inward for their self-esteem, and are superstitious about everything. They are
    not penny-pinchers, but always have money on hand. Snakes are jealous when
    they find a lover, and will turn cold almost on a whim.

    Horse

    Horses are generally friendly. They love being the center of attention, and will
    keep others enthralled by their quick wit. However, they have malleable
    alliances, and will have many short-lived romances and friendships. They enjoy
    the change, and lead lives full of adventure. They don't like being tied down,
    and love working out and spending time outdoors. They don't like sticking to a
    plan, and will often take on too much. They can be impatient with others whom
    they perceive as moving too slowly.

    Sheep

    Sheep are peaceful people. They empathize with others' pain, and are easy to
    talk to. They don't like to rush, and will break if pressured. They do not like
    harsh words, and love to be led gently. While they are passive, they are also
    patient, and generally they eventually get their way. They always remember
    their friends and families and give thoughtful gifts. They often worry about what
    others think, and tend too spend too much.

    Monkey

    Monkeys are intuitive and clever. They are hands-on problem solvers, and a
    great deal of self-confidence. They enjoy succeeding at difficult tasks, and
    don't need to be talked into attempting one. The source of their success is their
    great memory. They are hard workers, and don't care what others think of
    them. They don't usually have many friends, although their success does
    attract people to them.

    Rooster

    Roosters are romantics. They are perfectionists and dreamers at the same
    time. Quick to see detail, they always love a challenge, especially if at first
    glance it looks impossible. They take great pride in knowing all the details of a
    subject that interests them, and are thus great debaters. However, they will
    never admit to being wrong. They also tend to step in and try to solve others'
    problems, whether or not they have been invited to do so. They like to always
    stay busy, and will work for whatever they have their eye on.

    Dog

    Dogs are friendly and are always up front about their feelings. They are very
    family-oriented and are extremely loyal to their friends. They will fight for a
    cause they feel is just. They are not comfortable around extravagant wealth,
    and prefer a loving home regardless of social status. Once you befriend a dog,
    they will be by your side for life. They are monogamous, and tend to choose
    their lovers wisely. They work hard and play hard, and know when it is
    appropriate to be doing one or the other. They are good providers to those
    they love.

    Pig

    Pigs love a social life. They have many friends, and tend to stay out of heated
    discussions and all kinds of debates. It's not that they don't have an opinion;
    they simply love to party and don't want to risk ruining the fun. They are good
    listeners, but are sometimes gullible and can be taken advantage of easily.
    This can sometimes hurt them in relationships. They are trustworthy and
    dependable, and stick by their friends. They are generous to those they care
    about.

    The Five Elements

    There is another layer to Chinese astrology that is less well known than the
    Chinese signs. Chinese astrologers use a 60 year cycle, made up of five sets
    of the twelve signs. The five repetitions of the signs each correspond to a
    different element, adding more intricacy to the animal.

    The five elements are Metal, Water, Wood, Fire, and Earth.

    In Chinese astrology, the elements are part of a cycle; one is not higher or
    better than another. In fact, they have a cyclical relationship, both in positive
    and negative ways, so that:

    Water makes Wood
    Wood makes Fire
    Fire makes Earth
    Earth makes Metal
    Metal makes Water

    and:

    Water destroys Fire
    Fire destroys Metal
    Metal destroys Wood
    Wood destroys Earth
    Earth destroys Water

    In addition, they can be openly aggressive and hostile:

    Water resists Fire
    Fire resists Metal
    Metal resists Wood
    Wood resists Earth
    Earth resists Water

    So now you know the basics of Chinese Astrology. Enjoy exploring your
    Chinese sign!
    Article Source: http://www.articledashboard.com
    Michelle Andersen is an astrologer providing valuable tips and advice on
    understanding Chinese astrology, pet horoscopes, and zodiac compatibility.

Astrology by Joseph
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