The Year of the Snake: Chinese Astrology!

Ni hao!

That means ‘hello’ in Chinese! Today’s greeting is fitting in the most absolute sense- because I want to talk about Chinese astrology!

Image from Beauty Scene!

No matter your background, I’m sure you have heard a little or a lot regarding the signs of the zodiac. Whether you are an enthusiast or think the whole thing is a load of hooey, I don’t care what you say- we all have a quick sneaky at our horoscopes in the Sunday paper once every now and then. For some bizarre reason, I’ve found that the subject of astrology tends to bring out the scoffer or sceptic in almost every single person I’ve ever met. I have no idea why, when people are tolerant of preachers, allen keys and infomercials for machines that promise to flatten your tum tum in two weeks by allowing you to swing side-to-side on curved rails, everybody seems to struggle with the concept of astrological harmonisation.

All I ask is that you take your high horse back to the stable, de-saddle it and listen up, yo. Try to keep an open mind! It’s all about experience and learning, right?

WE ARE CHI-A-NESE, IF YOU PLEASE

(That was supposed to read like the Siamese cats from Lady and the Tramp, but I think it may have gotten lost in cyber-translation).

Chinese astrology differs from Western astrology in that it is represented by twelve different animals that are said to reflect twelve different personality types. These animals are the rat, ox, tiger, rabbit, dragon, snake, horse, sheep, monkey, rooster, dog and pig. Instead of being split into relatively equal, rotating, month-long periods like Western astrology, Chinese astrology is based on yearly cycles, lunar months and two hour periods within each day. I won’t try to go into all the details now- it takes years and years of study to master Chinese astrology! However, I have included a few useful links below if you find yourself ‘star-curious’.

This year- 2013- is the year of the Snake. This is of significant importance to me personally, because I happen to have been born in the year of the Snake (1989, if you really care to know!). The Snake is the sixth sign in the Chinese zodiac calendar. There are some ssseriously (hiss hiss!) quirky traits in people who fall under this zodi-alicious serpentine sign- and some seriously cool practises to try if you want to tap into your inner Charmer!

If your birthday falls between these dates, congratulations! You’re one ssseriously sssassy sssoul…

THE BEST BITS

Snakes are generally thought to be very good communicators, but are known for constraint. We are usually even-tempered, and are thought to be gracious and wise. Snakes are helpers- we will slither over to help a friend in need in a heartbeat! We also possess a fierce determination to accomplished their goals, and we absolutely hate to fail. This is great news for me- looks like this year is set to be the year of ass-kicking awesomeness I believed it to be! Snakes are intense and passionate, but tend to reside under a false calm (for the most part). We have rich self-understanding and have great perception of everything that surrounds us.

I think there are some stellar qualities in there- communicative, gracious, helpful and compassionate, determined, intense, passionate. What a rich constellation of attributes! Sssick!

THE NOT-SO-GOOD BITS

We serpents sometimes carry the little green monster on our backs- jealousy. We are also cautious (sometimes a little too much so). Snakes should choose their confidants and conversations wisely- confiding in the wrong person can lead to loss of friendships and other opportunities (ain’t that just the truth…). We tend to overdo things- I guess that’s the downside of being a passionate person! Snakes prefer to be self-reliant and often obsess over other people’s judgements. We can be headstrong, but to our credit, often possess the most delightful manners.

Looking at negative traits in our personalities is really just a way of identifying areas that we can consciously work on. I’m planning to list these things in my notebook and brainstorm ways to tackle these issues head on.

HOT SSSNAKEY TIPS!

Here are some cool ways to incorporate the year of the snake into everyday life!

• Those born in the year of the snake are said to have an uncanny ability to distinguish different herbs! Hellooooo, Masterchef! I’m going to try to use more fresh herbs in my cooking this year, and see how it goes!
• Snakes found in courtyards are said to be a blessing of delight and happiness! Once I’ve moved into my new house, I’m going to find a pretty snake garden centrepiece and keep it in a flowerpot. (I’ll just have to forewarn BF, who has a mortal phobia of snakes. Silly duffer.)
• Snakes carry a symbolic affinity for divination! Time to bust out my old tarot cards, maybe!?
• During certain Chinese festivals, it’s common to see the Chinese symbol for happiness- ‘fu’- drawn on their doors and windows, next to a picture of a snake twisted around a rabbit. This is seen as a sign of wealth! I don’t know about the twisting around part (too suffocate-ey) but maybe a bracelet with snake and rabbit charms would suffice? What do you think?

Working with Chinese astrology is a fun and different way to approaching your personality traits! Similar to Western astrology, it helps to form part of your identity, and if anything else, it gives you another little mascot to cheer you on through the happy times, as well as the sad times. Have a browse through some of the links if you’d like to learn a little more!

As always, Wikipedia is a great starting point if you’re wanting to learn more (about… well, anything, really).

Travel China Guide has a cool breakdown of the bits and pieces that I used to write this article.

This is a great article that looks at all the seperate areas of life for those born in the year of the snake (including romance!).

After a short and sweet description of the year ahead under your personal zodiac animal? The Examiner can help!

I’ve always been fascinated by astrology and I make absolutely no apologies for that! I’m not saying that if Neptune is in my twelfth house I’m going to win the lottery, or if I’d been born a year earlier I would definitely be a professor of physics. I just believe that the Universe had a plan for us all before we were even thought of, and that the astrological imprint on your soul is really just a crashing chord in the symphony of stars that help to make you who you are.

From a galaxy far, far away,

MJ x