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Lemonade Stand |
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The
Year of the Snake Published
February 1, 2001 |
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If you’re a
follower of Chinese astrology, you know that 2001 is The Year of the Snake.
Last year, 2000, was The Year of the Dragon.
Next year will be The Year of the Horse.
What does this mean?
According
to the Chinese, if you were born in 1917, 1929, 1941, 1953, 1965, 1977, and
1989, this is “your year!” It’s
a year for “preparation.” It’s
a year in which “your eyes should be fixed on your goals.” But your success
is dependent upon “sufficient work” on your part.
It’s important to be “faithful to friends and family.” You’re in “danger of excessive behavior this year,” so
“keep your balance.” And make
sure that you’re not being “taken for a ride.”
So
say the Chinese astrologers.
I’m
not a big follower of astrology. But,
I do know that I’m a Capricorn, by Western standards, and that I’m
“organized” and “possess an iron will.”
But, I always attributed my organizational skills to my mother, who
wouldn’t let me step a foot out of our front door unless my room was cleaned.
And my sister can take credit for the development of my “iron will,”
which was formed mostly by fights over who was going to “call the front
seat,” who was going to get the last of the chocolate ice cream, and whether
we were going to play “checkers” or “Barbie dolls.”
If
Western astrology is correct, I should have married a Taurus or a Scorpio, but I
married an Aquarius. We’ve been
married for over twenty-five years now, so I guess I beat the odds on that one.
And, as a Capricorn, I’m not supposed to get within ten feet of
an Aries, but I’ve known many an Aries who I not only liked, but who found a
place in my heart, despite what the charts said.
I’ve
been tempted, like many others, to look up my horoscope for the day.
I liked knowing what kind of a day I was going to have.
It gave me a little sense of control over my fate.
I must admit, though, I often had a perfectly good day ruined
before it even started, because of a bad prediction.
I spent many a pleasant day avoiding black cats and ladders, or, in
general, just shaking off a feeling of impending doom.
Other days, when the forecast was supposed to be “sunny,” I got a
speeding ticket or lost my wallet.
I
stopped reading my horoscope.
But
then I saw something about the Chinese New Year on the Internet, which led me
deep into the world of Chinese astrology. Before
I knew it, I was trying to find out what “sign” I was, what “element” I
was (“wood,” “fire,” “earth,” “metal” or “water”), and when
“my year” was coming up.
First
of all, I found out that I’m not really a “sign,” I’m an “animal.”
According to Chinese legend, Buddha was bored one day and asked all of
the animals in the animal kingdom to visit him.
Only twelve animals showed up. The
twelve included, a rat, an ox, a tiger, a rabbit, a dragon, a snake, a horse, a
ram, a monkey, a rooster, a dog, and a pig.
I don’t know why these twelve animals came, and all the other animals
in the world stayed home. Maybe
Noah wouldn’t let these guys on his ark and they were out looking for
somewhere else to go.
In
any event, these animals came to represent the twelve signs of the Chinese
calendar, which is based on the lunar/solar cycle. The beginning of the Chinese New Year varies from late
January to mid-February. Like us,
the Chinese celebrate their New Year’s holiday with much preparation and
festivity. But their philosophy is
more spiritual. They consider the
New Year to be a celebration of the “earth coming back to life.” And, their fireworks are not merely used for entertainment.
They’re necessary to “drive away evil spirits.”
I
became curious to see what “animal” I was, according to the Chinese
astrological charts, and how it compared to my Western Capricorn counterpart.
The
first chart told me that I was clearly a “Monkey,” since I was born in the
year 1956. According to one source,
I’m “clever” and “ingenious.” I’m “apt at money solving” and
I’m “ambitious.” I’m also
“optimistic,” “intelligent,” and “practical.”
I “might become famous someday,” and I get along best with Rats and
Dragons. Oh, yes. And I
have a “charisma” that is bestowed only on “a chosen few.”
A
chosen few?
When I considered all the other people who were born the same year
I was (and every twelve years before and after that) I didn’t feel so special.
But all around, a Monkey wasn’t a bad animal to be.
I’ll take it over being a Capricorn Goat, who is prone to
“daydreaming,” and is often “insecure.”
But,
as I dug deeper into the Chinese astrological calendar, I discovered that I
might not be a Monkey after all. It
seems that some calendars use the day you were born, as well as the year,
to determine your sign. That being
said, on some calendars I was actually a “Ram” (or a goat or a sheep,
depending on which calendar I was looking at).
As
a Ram, I “like nice things,” I’m “religious, I tend to be “shy and
timid” and am often “puzzled by life.”
I get along best with Rabbits, Pigs, and Horses.
There was no mention of me becoming famous someday, or that I had
“charisma.”
I
like the Monkey profile better than the Ram.
Maybe that’s because I like monkeys better than rams.
Maybe I like the prediction that I might become famous someday.
Even though I have a lot of Rats and Dragons in my life, I really prefer
Rabbits, Pigs, and Horses. What to
do?
I
decided to consult my Chinese astrological chart for The Year of the Snake, to
see what was in store for Monkeys and Rams.
Maybe that would help me make it all fit.
If
I’m indeed a Ram, I’m going to be offered the chance to “cash in” on all
the hard work I did last year. I
should be able to see a “noticeable difference” in my position at the end of
2001. Not bad.
If,
on the other hand, if I’m really a Monkey, my “flamboyance” this year
“may lead to resentment by my peers.” But,
I’m going to be positioned to have “the ear of those in authority.”
I’m going to have to be “tactful,” though, because “envious
people around me may decide to try to bring me down a peg or two.”
Not good.
I
emerged from my Chinese forecast as confused and skeptical as I usually am when
I consult my Western astrological chart. Maybe
I should just stick to being a Capricorn Goat.
Maybe I should wait until “my year” comes around and see.
That should be either 2003 or 2004.
Or,
I could just flip a coin.
http://www.chinafrontier.com/astrology.htm
http://www.chinese-astrology.com/
