The art and practice of Chinese astrology, or Ming Shu, is believed to date from the year 2637 B.C., when the semi-mythical Yellow Emperor, Huang Ti, first introduced a lunar year calendar based on the cycles of the Moon around the Earth. Literally translated, Ming Shu means "the reckoning of Fate", and this system has become the longest chronological record in history. Astrology was originally inseparable from astronomy, both being considered to be one discipline and from very early on practitioners were always present as offcials of the imperial court. It was primarily used to reveal the future of the nation but later grew into giving personal astrological readings. Its companion science Western astrology, is thought to have originated with the Babylonians, but in fact is based on the Oriental system that is many thousands of years older.

The Chinese culture has built itself firmly around the lunar influence, believing its magnetic pull to greatly affect all bodies of water including humans who are largely water based. It is here that Western and Oriental Astrology differ because the former holds that the sun is more influential by virtue of its size and so base their western calendar on the solar year or orbits of the Earth around the Sun. Conversely the Chinese believe the moon is more influential by virtue of its close proximity to earth. Arguably neither takes precedent, yet both can provide a different yet no less complimentary perspective on our existence. Also unlike the twelve-month cycle of Western astrology, the Chinese cycle takes twelve years to complete. The nature of each year is governed by an animal sign, and people in turn supposedly inherit the characteristics of the year in which they were born, much in the same way that Western personalities are thought to be governed by their zodiac sign and its position in the stars. The origin of the twelve animals is unclear though some legends accredit their creation to Buddha (c.563-c.483 bc).

Under the Chinese system, each lunar year is also ruled by one of five elements, expressed in either a positive (Yang) manifestation or a negative (Yin) manifestation. The idea of the Five Elements is essential to many principles of Oriental thought and, simply put, states that all energy (known as ch’i to the Chinese) is expressed in five natural ways, namely through metal, water, wood, fire or earth. These identify and characterise all matter, exerting a great influence over the individual chart. Indeed tradition holds that for a full picture of personality and even destiny the elemental forces of the year animal, year, month, hour and country of birth must also be considered. Ideally each of the Five Elements is represented in the person's chart to provide resilience, regeneration, a balanced outlook and protection from the destructive aspects of any one element.

Chinese philosophy ascribes the source of all movement of matter and the life force to the constant, equilibrating pull of the negative and positive sides of energy. The whole universe is controlled by these two primal forces which they call the Yin and Yang Everything can be categorized according to this system from people to furniture, and even countries. The balance of the universe, the Earth, a nation and even the health and moods of individuals are determined by the balance or imbalance of Yin and Yang. To help you understand what makes you an individual, and your compatibility with other people, Oriental astrology can indicate the most auspicious circumstances to achieve this ideal balance.

Character Report

Your report will describe the influences on your character and destiny at birth by analysing the animals and elements present in your personality. This includes the animal signs of your year, hour and month of birth which we shall term the Personality Zoo. This details your basic characteristics and provides insight into your strengths, weaknesses and relationships with others. The report also provides the elements present in your Life Formula and identifies the dominant element(s) which we interpret in relation to your principle animal sign and your balance of Yin and Yang. Your report will also suggest a variety of ways in which you can balance your dominant element(s) using the methods and practices prescribed by Feng Shui, which literally translated means "wind and water". This is the Chinese art of placement such that the energy of an individual can be channeled to enhance and balance their living environment, personal adornment, choice of friends, occupation and recreational activities. Remember, no marriage would be arranged, business agreement made or house built until the astrological happenings of the moment had been calculated, for astrology ruled events just as surely as it did people. With this in mind, the report concludes with a look at your future prospects literally examining your compatibility with the year ahead. The order form can be accessed via the home page.

Compatibility Report

Compatibility reports are often written with the supposition that we are dealing with pure or strongly dominant lunar signs and make no reference to the elements. However compatibility can be radically altered by the different animals in our Zoo and the elements that dominate our personality.

The twelve animal signs in the Chinese cycle are compatible in varying degrees though generally each have two close friends and one deadly enemy. Compatibility is further divided into several distinct levels, namely friendship, romance and business. These are not mutually exclusive and may overlap in the sense that you are romantically involved with the person you are in business with, or perhaps you are beginning a romantic relationship with someone you have been close friends with before.

The elements operate in a never-ending cycle of creation and destruction, expressing themselves in relationship to one another. Conducive elements are highly compatible in relationships because there is an instant recognition and sympathy. And in conflicted elemental relationships, another's behaviour and motivation may appear foreign and difficult to understand. However when the possibility for conflict exists, it is equally possible for the conflicted elements to complement one another, providing efforts are made to achieve the necessary understanding and harmony.

Note that in any astrological analysis or system of personality interpretation, one must always take into consideration the personalities themselves, and never sacrifice preferences of the individual to the system. Astrology is meant to be used for guidance, not put forth as irrefutable evidence of destiny. Again the order form can be accessed via the home page.

 

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