Astrology has been playing a big part of my life lately. Last week for the first time I had my astrological chart read (my personal reading by Kay Sturgis was a gift from my awesome sister Pat) and am discovering all kinds of interesting ways the planets affect who we are and where we are going.
I know not everyone believes in it, but I thought it was a really cool and insightful way of taking a fresh look at my life. I actually felt lighter and more energized. There’s something so mystical yet reassuring about the idea that our life is already written out in the stars.
In the East reading charts is serious business. Throughout Asia, major life events and decision are based on the fortunes and misfortunes foreseen in the upcoming year based on each person’s zodialogical birth sign.
In the west our birth signs are base on the day, month and year in which we are born. In the East however birth signs are determined by the year in which you are born. There are 12 signs in all, with 60 different variations of elements and colors. This is why a ‘golden’ or ‘white’ year (2000 was the golden dragon, 2007 the golden pig ) are considered so lucky. The color gold represents good fortune in Asia and a golden year pertaining to each animal sign only happen once every 60 years!
I’m a brown earth monkey (with metal being the monkey’s fixed element). I’m not sure what that means exactly, but I think it will make my kids laugh especially since my son is a golden dragon which I have to admit does sound way cooler.
Each year comes assigned with it’s own element. For example, 2009 is a brown earth ox (whose fixed element is water.) I’m not sure what earth and metal came together to make the year I was born, but it doesn’t take a lot to figure out that earth and water make mud so already this obvious element forecast is not sounding good for anyone with brown earth and water elements.
Out of complete fascination I skimmed the web to find out more about my upcoming year….eastern style. Right away I discovered the whole purpose of reading the charts is to find balance in the five elements of life (metal, water, earth, fire and wood) and oh- yeah even though my birth year is brown monkey my birth date makes me a black water snake – yuck!
I can’t even begin to even tell you how much I hate snakes… I quickly became confused and with every passing website I almost feel my Yin and Yang getting more and more out of whack just trying to figure it all out. Perhaps I should scoot down to Chinatown, have my tea leaves read and call it a day.
What I did find out though (and why I’m writing about this) is that like our own Astrological signs each animal year has a flower, a stone and colors associated with it, but unlike western astrological signs- or at least that I’ve ever seen- they also represent a time of day and season.
Wow could this give us some insight into what colors and styles best represent us? Can we combine our eastern astrological signs colors with our western sign colors for added benefit? Should we decorate our homes to best relate to our season? And does our ‘time of day’ dictate which room(s) would best benefit from these colors and styles?
Rats
1936, 1948, 1960, 1972, 1984, 1996, 2008
Traits: Hard-working, Thrifty, Quick-tempered, Neurotic
Zodiac Stone: Garnet
Special Flower: Narcissus
Best Hours: 11 pm -1 am
Season: Winter
Horoscope Colors: Black, White, Purple
Ox
1937, 1949, 1961, 1973, 1985, 1997, 2009
Traits: Patient, Self-sacrificing, Jealous, Rigid
Zodiac Stone: Aquamarine
Special Flower: Carnation
Best Hours: 1-3 am
Season: Winter
Horoscope Colors: Green, Yellow, Black
Tiger
1938, 1950, 1962, 1974, 1986, 1998, 2010
Traits: Lucky, Courageous, Vain, Undisciplined
Zodiac Stone: Sapphire
Special Flower: Violet
Best Hours: 3-5 am
Season: Winter
Horoscope Colors: Green, Blue, Yellow
Rabbit
1939, 1951, 1963, 1975, 1987, 1999, 2011
Traits: Ambitious, Unflappable, Aloof, Private
Zodiac Stone: Pearl
Special Flower: Jonquil
Best Hours: 5-7 am
Season: Spring
Horoscope Colors: Grey, White
Dragon
1940, 1952, 1964, 1976, 1988, 2000
Traits: Intuitive, Influential, Demanding, Judgmental
Zodiac Stone: Amethyst
Special Flower: Sweet Pea
Best Hours: 7-9 am
Season: Spring
Horoscope Colors: Black, Gold
Snake
1941, 1953, 1965, 1977, 1989, 2001
Traits: calm, intelligent, lazy, possessive
Zodiac Stone: Opal
Special Flower: Passionflower
Best Hours: 9-11 am
Season: Spring
Horoscope Colors: Brown Gold, Green
Horse
1942, 1954, 1966, 1978, 1990, 2002
Traits: Entertaining, Powerful, Selfish, Rebellious
Zodiac Stone: Golden Topaz
Special Flower: Rose
Best Hours: 11am-1pm
Season: Summer
Horoscope Colors: Orange, White, Yellow
Goat/Sheep
1931, 1943, 1955, 1967, 1979, 1991, 2003
Traits: Well-mannered, Altruistic, Insecure, Irresponsible
Zodiac Stone: Emerald
Special Flower: Larkspur
Best Hours: 1-3 pm
Season: Summer
Horoscope Colors: Green, Blue
Monkey
1920, 1932, 1944, 1956, 1968, 1980, 1992, 2004
Traits: Independent, Enthusiastic, Unscrupulous, Childlike personality
Zodiac Stone: Peridot
Special Flower: Gladiola
Best Hours: 3-5 pm
Season: Summer
Horoscope Colors: White, Violet, Green
Rooster
1933, 1945, 1957, 1969, 1981, 1993, 2005
Traits: Resourceful, Adventurous, Short-sighted, Impractical
Zodiac Stone: Citrine
Special Flower: Aster
Best Hours: 5-7 pm
Season: Autumn
Horoscope Colors: Orange, Green
Dog
1934, 1946, 1958, 1970, 1982, 1994, 2006
Traits: Attentive, Loyal, Stubborn, Guarded
Zodiac Stone: Diamond
Special Flower: Marigold
Best Hours of the day 7-9 pm
Season: Autumn
Horoscope Colors: Silver and Red
Pig/Boar
1935, 1947, 1959, 1971, 1983, 1995, 2007
Traits: Sincere, Cultured, Non-competitive, Gullible
Zodiac Stone: Ruby
Special Flower: Chrysanthemum
Best Hours: 9-11 pm
Season: Autumn
Horoscope Colors: Purple, Red, White
Add to that a smitten of the color often times most associated with your Western sign (I based these suggestions on people that I know and love… but any accessory in your color would do!)
Pisces– dreamy and intuitive…. a turquoise cashmere throw
Aries– pioneering, independent… a red, metal desk
Taurus– realistic, determined… a large green house plant
Gemini– curious, clever… a yellow velvet coucht
Cancer– nurturing, emotional…. a family heirloom silver tea set
Leo– loyal, faithful….an orange silk carpet
Virgo– meticulous, neat… white built in bookcases
Libra– cooperative, friendly… a bouquet of pale yellow flowers
Scorpio– magnetic, intense… deep red, violet drapes
Sagittarius– outgoing, enthusiastic ….a set of purple patterned china
Capricorn– serious, objective…. a pickled gray sideboard
Aquarius-trendy, inventive… electric blue throw pillows
So I’m a monkey and an Aries… hum, I would love a red metal desk however it wouldn’t quite work with my Wisteria draped backyard…. but a glass of red sangria would- Yes, I think I’m on to something here!