Astrology

Introduction to Chinese Astrology

At first study, astrology seems to be filled with contradictions. However, as your knowledge of astrology and its systems broadens, you will perceive the universality of the science. In this feature I will introduce Chinese astrology as a way of welcoming in the Chinese New Year.

Chinese astrology was developed apart from Western and Vedic(Indian) astrology(both of which have their beginnings in Mesopotamia). The Chinese system emphasizes the Moon’s position in the daily lunar houses rather than the solar houses. The Chinese system groups the stars into different constellations.Chinese astronomy organizes the stars from the celestial north pole and the celestial equator, not the ecliptic.

The Chinese system has different signs because of the lunar perspective and of the alternate star groupings. The Chinese system has 12 animal year signs: Rat; Ox; Tiger; Cat; Dragon; Snake; Horse; Goat; Monkey; Rooster; Dog; Pig. These signs rule a year sequentially.

Another important component of the Chinese astrological sign is its element.Chinese astrology utilizes the Asian Five Phase/Element theory to assign element qualities to each animal year sign(this correlates with the Western astrology’s 4 classical elements). These 5 Chinese elements correspond to the 5 grossly visible planets: Saturn(earth); Mars(fire); Mercury(water);Venus(metal);Jupiter(wood). So, each person’s Chinese sign description would include an element ,i.e.metal Dog/fire Ox.

Sun-Moon Angle

The Sun-Moon angle provides a perspective about your ascendancy and life lesson. In your reincarnation cycles you physically incarnate with the same ascendant or rising sign for 7 sequential lifetimes.

Each lifetime of the ascendancy cycle has a general tendency. The first lifetime finds you feeling disoriented as you attempt to remember that you are in a new cycle of ascendancy(i.e. moving from a Pisces to an Aries ascendant). You are not easily in tune with the world’s rhythms. The 2nd and 3rd lifetimes will be more manageable as you get to understand your new ascendant. Lifetimes 1,2,3 correspond to the young soul concept(Reincarnation Features Link). The 4th lifetime in any ascendancy is the most difficult. In this lifetime one generally is the most desirous of the physical world. The 5th lifetime finds you settling in to the world and understanding your goals. People in this lifetime have a good sense of their roles, even though they may not be completely content with the roles. The 4th and 5th lifetimes correspond to the middle-aged soul category. Lifetimes 6 and 7 are equivalent to the old soul category. On the negative side, you may be bored and/or irritable. Overall, however, you are finishing comfortably the ascendant’s life lessons.

Method to figure the Sun-Moon angle’s lifetime

Find your Sun. Move counterclockwise to the Moon. How many degrees is that? Divide that number by 51.5. Round to the whole number(do not round up). Add 1 to that number. That number is your lifetime in your ascendancy.

Example

1. Sun-Moon angle=151 degree

2. 151 divided by 51.5=2.9 Round to 2

3. 2+1=3 3rd lifetime in that ascendancy

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