Flavors of Astrology – Chinese Astrology Basics

A glimpse into Chinese astrology

While I primarily rely on Western astrology, I enjoy exploring other systems occasionally for inspiration. After all, each system holds its own validity and can reveal new dimensions in our charts and within our psyche. I genuinely enjoy creating wedding electional charts for my clients even though this task is already a quite complex one… I’d like to add a touch of Auspicious day astrology for a bit of fun, therefore I decided to do an extra simple introductory post about Chinese astrology and the Auspicious days. Hopefully you will find it just as fun and interesting as I do.

The Basics of Chinese astrology

Unlike the Western calendar, the Chinese calendar is based on the lunar cycle. Each month begins with the New Moon, and important dates are often chosen based on the lunar phases. Every year is associated with one of the 12 Chinese zodiac animals (Rat, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Goat, Monkey, Rooster, Dog, Pig), and this influences the overall energy of the year. Each day also has a zodiac animal, and the compatibility of this animal with your zodiac sign can determine how favorable a day is for you personally. Chinese astrology incorporates the Five Elements (Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal, Water). Days are associated with a specific element, which interacts with your personal element (based on your birth year) to create either harmony or conflict.

Understanding the Four Pillars of Chinese astrology

The Four Pillars refer to the month, day, year, and time of your birth, each serving as a unique identifier. Here’s a breakdown of what each pillar reveals:

• Year: Provides insights related to genes, health, aptitude, and family background.
• Month: Offers information about parents, siblings, friends, and school experiences.
• Day: Reflects details about your personality, ambition, appearance, interests, dreams, and desires.
• Time: Indicates aspects of your life journey, including marriage, family life, career, and success.

Elements and Animals in Chinese astrology:

The element (or stem) reveals various influences affecting your life.
The animal (or branch) is associated with specific characteristics.

The Five Elements and Their Characteristics

1.1. Wood (木, Mù)

• Associated Zodiac Signs: Tiger, Rabbit
• Qualities: Growth, creativity, flexibility, and expansion. Wood represents springtime, symbolizing new life and renewal.
• Personality Traits: People influenced by the Wood element are often ambitious, idealistic, and always striving to grow and improve. They are creative, generous, and possess a strong sense of community and ethics. However, they may also be prone to overextending themselves or becoming too rigid in their beliefs.
• Elemental Relationships: Wood is nurtured by Water (as water nourishes plants) and can be overpowered by Metal (which cuts wood).

1.2. Fire (火, Huǒ)

• Associated Zodiac Signs: Snake, Horse
• Qualities: Passion, energy, leadership, and dynamism. Fire represents summer, symbolizing warmth, brightness, and activity.
• Personality Traits: Fire element people are charismatic, enthusiastic, and natural- born leaders. They are dynamic, courageous, and often pursue their goals with great intensity. On the flip side, they can be impulsive, quick-tempered, and may struggle with impatience or burnout.
• Elemental Relationships: Fire is nurtured by Wood (as wood feeds fire) and is controlled by Water (which extinguishes fire).

1.3. Earth (土, Tǔ)

• Associated Zodiac Signs: Ox, Dragon, Goat, Dog
• Qualities: Stability, reliability, nurturing, and grounding. Earth represents late summer, symbolizing maturity, strength, and the capacity to sustain life.
• Personality Traits: Individuals influenced by the Earth element are practical, loyal, and dependable. They have a strong sense of duty, are methodical, and often act as the stabilizers in their relationships and careers. However, they may be overly cautious, resistant to change, or prone to worrying.
• Elemental Relationships: Earth is nurtured by Fire (as fire creates ash, enriching the soil) and is controlled by Wood (as tree roots break the earth).

1.4. Metal (金, Jīn)

• Associated Zodiac Signs: Monkey, Rooster
• Qualities: Strength, determination, resilience, and clarity. Metal represents autumn, symbolizing refinement, precision, and justice.
• Personality Traits: Metal element people are strong-willed, disciplined, and often have a clear sense of purpose. They value order, are meticulous, and tend to be perfectionists. However, they may struggle with rigidity, being overly critical, or having difficulty expressing emotions.
• Elemental Relationships: Metal is nurtured by Earth (as metal is extracted from the earth) and is controlled by Fire (which melts metal).

1.5. Water (水, Shuǐ)

• Associated Zodiac Signs: Rat, Pig
• Qualities: Adaptability, intuition, wisdom, and fluidity. Water represents winter, symbolizing reflection, depth, and the hidden aspects of life.
• Personality Traits: Water element people are intelligent, insightful, and ofte possess a deep emotional or spiritual understanding. They are adaptable, able to go with the flow, and often excel in communication and diplomacy. However, they may be indecisive, overly secretive, or prone to fearfulness.
• Elemental Relationships: Water is nurtured by Metal (as metal can direct the flow of water) and is controlled by Earth (which can absorb and contain water).

Types of Auspicious Days:

Chinese astrology categorizes days into different types based on their cosmic energy.
Here are some common types:

1. Success Days

The most auspicious days, ideal for important events like weddings, starting a business, or signing contracts! Plan major life events or significant decisions on these days to ensure long-term success!
For example: September 25, 2024 (Lunar Day – >August 22, Year of the Dragon)
This day, just like 2024, is ruled by the Dragon. It’s excellent for important life events like weddings, business openings, and signing important documents. The energy supports successful outcomes and long-lasting positive results.

2. Stable Days

Days which promote stability and endurance, making them perfect for long-term commitments like marriages, business partnerships, and moving into a new home. Use them for activities where you want lasting stability!

3. Full Days

These are filled with abundant energy, making them favorable for celebrations, launching projects, or any activity that requires full support and resources. Plan celebrations, weddings, or the launch of a new business for maximum prosperity.

4. Remove Days

Best for cleansing, decluttering, and letting go of the old to make way for the new. These are about endings and clearing obstacles. Detoxify your body and clean your home on a Remove Day.

5. Initiate Days

Initiate days favor new beginnings, such as starting a new job, opening a business, or beginning a new relationship. Use these to start new projects or make life changes that require a strong, positive beginning.

Tips:

Once you have a list of auspicious dates, check which ones are most compatible with your Chinese zodiac sign. Avoid dates where the day’s zodiac animal clashes with your own. Consider the day’s element in relation to your own. For instance, if your personal element is Wood, a day governed by Water (which nourishes Wood) would be beneficial, while a Metal day (which cuts Wood) might not be ideal. You can further enhance the effectiveness of timing by looking at the Bi-hours of that day. Match it with your own sing and elements to gain more support!

Using auspicious dates based on Chinese astrology is about harmonizing your actions with the natural flow of energy. By planning significant life events according to these cosmic rhythms, you align yourself with positive energies, which can lead to more successful, stable, and fulfilling outcomes. >>> Whether you’re planning a wedding, launching a business, or simply seeking to bring more balance into your life, incorporating auspicious dates into your decision-making process can provide a powerful advantage.

Astrology is like having a cheat code for life!

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