Classtrology
online discussion about the sense and nonsense of astrology
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As opposed to Western astrology, which takes into account only four elements, Chinese astrology works with five elements of nature, namely: fire, earth, metal, water and wood. Chinese people believe that the entire universe is composed by these five elements. Everything is built out of a combination of the five elements, but there is always one element that dominates.
During the complete 60-year cycle these five elements are successively assigned to the different years. In consequence, each of the animal signs is combined with the five main elements (see the following table). In the year 2002 for example, the year animal 'Horse' is combined with the element 'water'.
However, these five elements are not only assigned to the years, but also to the twelve Chinese animal signs. The Goat for instance is a fire-animal, while the Rat is a water-animal. The element of someones lunar sign will influence his or her life. There are no earth animals since the elements of the animal signs are based upon the four wind directions.
MetalKey words: rigid, intense, ambitious, independent, unshakable and stubborn,
energetic, sadness, the lungs, white.
This element stands for a certain harshness and a tendency to take risks.
A metal kind of person wants the very best and often reaches out and speaks
up for people who are not that lucky.
Animal signs: Monkey, Rooster and Dog
WaterKey words: respectable, convincing, intuitive, attentive, flexible, adaptable,
calm and sometimes passive, fear, the kidneys, black.
This element provides ideals and dreams, but can also be responsible for
too much illusions and not enough realism.
Animal Signs: Pig, Rat and Ox
WoodKey words: relaxed, kind, social, self-assured, understanding, adventurous,
expansive and sometimes undirected, anger, the liver, green.
The wood element leads to someone who wants the best for everyone, but
who does not always manage to succeed in what somebody had intended to
do.
Animal Signs: Tiger, Rabbit and Dragon
FireKey words: enlightened, wisdom, dynamic, passionate, definite, adventurous,
active and sometimes impulsive and impatient, joy, the heart, red.
This element is typical for a 'fiery' kind of person, someone who - without
taking into account others - pursues his goals, with a tendency to arrogance.
Animal Signs: Snake, Horse and Goat
EarthKey words: careful, practical, methodical, enterprising, aimed, skilful
and sometimes boring, trust, desire, the spleen, yellow.
An earth kind of person has big ideals, he is confident and generally
very reasonable, but he can also be very stubborn and want to have it
all his own way, no matter what.
No animal signs!
A fundamental part of Chinese astrology is the study of the interrelationships between the five elements. These interrelationships are divided into conducive and controlling interrelationships. All the elements are interdependent and each one of them is controlled by another. Some years will be favorable for the natural element of the animal, other years however will 'sabotage' it. Suppose one was born as a Rat in 1960. This would not be a bad year for a Rat, because water (the element of the Rat) is supported by metal (the element of the year). If the Rat however is born in 1996, one would have to deal with a fire year. It is possible that this Rat will have a tendency to burn up - just think about the fire that evaporates the water. It is important to notice that the year element always dominates the natural element of the animal. Look beneath to see if a specific year element cooperates with a specific natural element (conducive), or if it -on the contrary- tends to sabotage it (controlling), which often causes inner tensions.
Consequently one can see that there is no element that can be called the strongest or the weakest. There is no power struggle. They are forever depending on each other and equal. Each has its own place and function
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