Are The Best Color Combinations For Your Home Written in the Stars?

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!

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Kate Smith
Kate Smith is an optimistic, expressive, artist, designer, writer and color fanatic. With her warm and witty style, Kate teaches you to clearly see, understand and be inspired by color. Then she guides you step-by-step to develop your own unique color sense-ability and achieve results you never dreamed possible.
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