The Element Encyclopedia of Birthdays

The birthday profile

What exactly is a birthday profile? In short, it’s the rebirth of four ancient arts—astrology, numerology, Tarot, and color theory or chromatherapy—joined together by a modern psychological interpretation. This combination results in a blend of cosmic and earthly influences that can significantly affect your personality and destiny, providing you with invaluable insight into yourself as well as the lives, feelings, hopes, and fears of family, friends and colleagues.

A brief introduction to astrology

Astrology sees humankind as being influenced not only by hereditary factors and the environment, but also by the state of our solar system at the moment of birth. The Sun, Moon and planets are regarded as basic life-forces, the tools we live by as well as the basis of our very substance. These planetary forces take on different forms, depending on their zodiacal position and on the way they relate to one another.

Astrology is one of the most ancient of the surviving occult sciences, and evidence of highly sophisticated systems in Babylonian, Egyptian and Aztec cultures has survived. For centuries in the West, astrology was a revered method of divination (fortune telling) supported by royal courts. With the development of science in the seventeenth century, astrology was relegated to the realm of superstition, but it never fell completely out of favor and today it is hugely popular, followed by people from all walks of life.

Popular astrology is concerned with the reading of a horoscope, a chart of the positions of the planets, Sun, Moon, and stars at the moment of one’s birth and interpreting the influence of the planets on human affairs. The Sun travels through the twelve signs of the zodiac through the course of the year and so when someone is said to have been born under Pisces, they were born when the Sun was passing through the portion of the zodiac named after the constellation of Pisces.

Each of the 12 signs has its own personality traits (see pages x-xi), with the daily position of the planets, and the element associated with the planet—fire, water, earth, and air—also affecting each Sun sign. In addition, for serious astrologers, as the Sun passes through the zodiac sign over the course of a month, it passes through three decanates, making each decanate approximately ten days long. Each of the decanates adds its own associated planet and sign influences to the basic influences of the Sun sign. Therefore by considering the decanate as well as the Sun sign, the reading for an individual’s birthday is fine-tuned. For example, an Aries born sometime in the third decanate (April 10 to 21) will also be under the influence of the third decanate sign of Sagittarius and the planet associated with Sagittarius, which is Jupiter. The ancient Egyptians considered the decanates as important as the Sun signs themselves.

Progressions are another widely used technique in the system of prediction. With this method the Sun takes about thirty years to journey (or progress) through each sign of the zodiac and in a person’s lifetime it will typically progress through three to four zodiac signs, depending on the lifespan of the individual and their date of birth. Each time the Sun progresses from one sign to another, this indicates a significant birthday or time in your life when there is likely to be a dramatic change in either your circumstances or outlook. For example, the progressed Sun of a Scorpio born on November 9 will move into Sagittarius at the age of thirteen, into Capricorn at the age of forty-three and then Aquarius at the age of seventy-three.

Fixed stars associated with a particular day of the year also exert additional influences, but if decanates and progressions sound confusing, don’t worry; to use this book you don’t need to do any math or look anything up in complicated tables as the calculations and relevant interpretations have been taken into account when each birthday profile was compiled. All you need to do is read and enjoy.

Skeptics argue that astrology’s suggested link between planetary position and human destiny is unproven, but recent scientific research about the seasons and even the month in which a person is born appears to suggest otherwise.

In the early 1970s, Professor Alan Smithers of Manchester University compiled data from the British population census showing clearly that architects tended to be born in the spring, secretaries in the summer, miners in the fall and electricians in the winter. He also asked members of the British Astrological Association (BAA) to indicate which signs were associated with the professions of nurse and labor union official. Without knowing what the BAA predicted, Smithers conducted a large survey of nurses and labor officials and discovered that, just as the astrologers had indicated, there was a statistical bias toward nurses being born under the signs of Taurus, Cancer, Virgo, Scorpio and Pisces, and labor union officials being born under one or other of the other signs.

Other research has focused on the influence of one star in particular, the Sun. This is because a type of radiation emitted by the Sun, ultraviolet (UVR), is believed to cause genetic changes in the developing baby that may have a shaping effect on their life and personality. This could explain why many of us believe that common characteristics and fates are shared by those born at the same time of the year. For example, researchers at the University of Rostock in Germany have analyzed data to see if the month in which you are born affects how long you will live. It does. Their research found that your chances of living beyond 100 were up to 16 percent higher than average if you were born in December, but if you were born in June, your chances were 23 per cent lower. Another study carried out by researchers at the University of Chicago and published in the Journal of Anti-Aging Medicine backed this up, finding that those born in December lived longer by about three years.

Experts believe that the reason people born in December might live longer could be that they were conceived in March, possibly avoiding the most harmful effects of radiation early on. They argue that solar radiation peaks at conception affect personality and health later in life and therefore where you are born is perhaps more important that the month you were born.

Here’s a roundup of some findings by different researchers to date.

Happiness: Happy people are more likely to have been born in June, July and August, according to a University of Vienna study. Meanwhile a study at the University of Tokyo found that people born in December, January and February were likely to be more pessimistic than those born at other times of the year.

Personality: Psychiatrists at the University of Umea, in Sweden, looked at personality differences in 2,000 people and found that women born between February and April were more likely to be novelty seekers than those born in October and February. Men born in spring were more likely to be impulsive, while those born in winter were prone to introspection.

Intelligence: Winter-born children may end up being bigger and more academically inclined than those born in summer. Psychiatrists and anthropologists from Harvard and Queensland universities tracked the development of 21,000 boys and girls over seven years, finding seasonal variations in intelligence, weight, height, and head size. Another study from the University of Vienna, however, indicated that female students born in spring and summer achieved better exam marks than those born in fall and winter.

Health: Research from the University Hospital Clinic of Modena, Italy, showed that women born in the fall have the fewest symptoms at menopause and those born in spring have the most. Work at Bristol University has shown that those born in winter have a greater risk of developing heart disease, while another study from the University of Southampton indicated that being born in the winter months may increase the risk of obesity.

True to your sign?

Aries

(March 21 to April 19)

The first sign of the zodiac is a fire sign ruled by Mars. The symbol of Aries is the ram. Aries-born people are typically dynamic, energetic and motivated toward action. Assertive is a good way to describe people born under this sign. They tend to be enterprising, impulsive, warm-hearted, and confident free spirits who say what they mean and mean what they say, although they can also be impatient, rash, tactless, excitable and bossy.

Taurus

(April 20 to May 20)

The second sign of the zodiac is an earth sign ruled by Venus. The symbol of Taurus is the bull. Taureans are typically reliable, loyal and patient individuals with a discriminating taste for quality and the good things in life. A good word to describe them would be determined. These people like to improve their knowledge so that they can make the best out of their intelligence and practicality, but they can also be lazy, materialistic and moody at times.

Gemini

(May 21 to June 20)

The third sign of the zodiac is an air sign ruled by Mercury. The symbol of Gemini is the twins. Geminis are often intellectual and natural communicators who are driven to forward thinking and analyzing, their minds capable of going anywhere. A good word to describe them would be inquisitive, but at times they can be inconsistent and changeable. Their endearing zest for ideas and something new can make committing to anyone and anything problematic.

Cancer

(June 21 to July 22)

The fourth sign of the zodiac is a water sign ruled by the Moon. The symbol of cancer is the crab. Being ruled by the Moon, these people are often highly creative and intuitive. A good word to describe them would be sensitive, but at times they can be oversensitive and insecure. Their empathy and good sense of humor win them many admirers but their moodiness can also be confusing.

Leo

(July 23 to August 22)

The fifth sign of the zodiac is a fire sign ruled by the Sun. The symbol of Leo is the lion. Like the Sun, these people are magnetic and bright, attracting the attention of everything they influence; charismatic would be a good word to describe them. Their lives are typically full of activity and they are often courageous, natural leaders but they are also prone to arrogance and attention seeking.

Virgo

(August 23 to September 23)

The sixth sign of the zodiac is an earth sign ruled by Mercury. The symbol of Virgo is the virgin. They are logical, analytical and practical, and their minds are intellectually oriented and capable of maintaining strong focus. A good word to describe them would be methodical; however, due to their perfectionist natures, these people can be self-critical, which may in turn make them critical of others.

Libra

(September 23 to October 22)

The seventh sign of the zodiac is an earth sign ruled by Venus. The symbol of Libra is the scales. Those born under Libra tend to be peace loving and agreeable, harmonious people, and balanced would be a good word to describe them. They are also naturally empathetic but their natural ability to understand the viewpoint of everyone can be interpreted as insecurity and indecisiveness.

Scorpio

(October 23 to November 21)

The eighth sign of the Zodiac is a water sign ruled by Mars and Pluto. The symbol for Scorpio is the scorpion. Scorpios are passionate, focused and sensual, and intense would be a good word to describe them. They can be highly sensitive and intuitive but they can also be secretive and destructive.

Sagittarius

(November 22 to December 21)

The ninth sign of the Zodiac is a fire sign ruled by Jupiter. The symbol for Sagittarius is the archer. Those born under Sagittarius tend to be unconventional and idealistic, and open minded would be a good word to describe them. They can be visionary and spiritually minded but they can also be reckless and ruthless.

Capricorn

(December 22 to January 19)

The tenth sign of the Zodiac is an earth sign ruled by Saturn. The symbol for Capricorn is the goat. Capricorn natives are often persistent and cautious, and steady would be a good word to describe them. They can be self-disciplined, stable and warm hearted but they can also be inflexible and mean at times.

Aquarius

(January 20 to February 18)

The eleventh sign of the Zodiac is an air sign ruled by Saturn and Uranus. The symbol of Aquarius is the water carrier. Aquarians are often idealistic, intellectual and unconventional, and a good word to describe them would be independent. They can be generous and altruistic but can also be unpredictable and emotionally detached.

Pisces

(February 19 to March 20)

The twelfth sign of the Zodiac is a water sign ruled by the planets Jupiter and Neptune. The symbol for Pisces is two fish. Pisceans can be intuitive and creative, and imaginative would be a good word to describe them. They can also be highly spiritual but they can also be dreamy, impractical and impressionable at times.

A brief introduction to numerology

Numerology assigns characteristics to the cosmic combinations of the digits 1 to 9, suggesting traits and weaknesses for every day of the year. It is based on the concept that the universe is mathematically constructed and the vibrational energy of people, places and things can be expressed through numbers. By reducing birth dates and names to numbers a person’s personality and destiny can, allegedly, be determined.

Although numerology probably has its origins in ancient Babylonia and among the early Hebrews, and many different numerology systems have been used in different parts of the world, numerology is most often associated with the fifth-century BC Greek mathematician and philosopher, Pythagoras. Pythagoras believed that there were mathematical connections between the gods, men and numbers that could be codified and if certain number patterns appeared they could be used to predict the fate of a person. According to Pythagoras, numbers were the source of energy in the world and the numbers 1 to 9 represent the nine stages of life. He is quoted as having said, "The world is built upon the power of numbers."

In numerology all numbers are reduced to a number between 1 and 9 and each number is also associated with a letter of the alphabet. Any larger number than 9 can be reduced to a single digit by adding all the digits together; for example, the number 123 becomes 1 = 2 = 3 = 6. The qualities of 123 are therefore equivalent to the symbolic number 6. Using the single digits as a guide, the patterns of different dates and a person’s name can be analyzed to define character and predict the future. Briefly, the numbers 1 to 9 represent:

1 Independent, creative, ambitious, extrovert

Downside: can be selfish with tunnel vision

2 Sensitive, domestic, imaginative, musical

Downside: can be timid and gullible

3 Scientific, powerful, knowledgeable, multi-talented

Downside: can be superficial and hedonistic

4 Practical, stable, honest, trustworthy

Downside: can be stubborn and overly serious

5 Energetic, sensual, daring, flirtatious

Downside: can find it hard to commit

6 Perfectionist, creative, artistic, compassionate

Downside: can be supersensitive and overemotional

7 Intellectual, philosophical, imaginative, intuitive

Downside: can be impractical and secretive

8 Practical, just, trustworthy, powerful

Downside: can be opinionated, impatient and intolerant

9 Spiritual, humanitarian, visionary and healer

Downside: can be self-serving, possessive and volatile

What astrology does through stars and Sun signs, numerology does through numbers. Like astrology, numerology is a symbolic system and one of the many tools we can use to understand ourselves and our life purpose better. Just as astrologers believe no one sign is better than another, numerologists believe no number is better or worse than any other. All the numbers have potential as well as a downside. The downside simply suggests challenges associated with this number; if these challenges can be faced and overcome, they can be a source of incredible strength.

In this book we will focus particularly on the qualitative interpretations of numbers in relation to a person’s date of birth. In numerology, your date of birth is thought to have a permanent influence on your life. Although you grow older and may change your name, your birth date number (for example, if you were born April 17 your birth date number is 1 + 7 = 8) always remains constant.

A brief introduction to Tarot

Your birth sign and your birth date number are also associated with specific Tarot cards.

Although the true origins of Tarot cards are unknown and may date back to ancient Egypt, the Tarot cards that we know today were created in Italy during the fifteenth century. The Tarot deck consists of seventy-eight cards in total, comprising the twenty-two major arcana cards which the nineteenth-century French occultist Eliphas Levi saw as having symbolic links to the twenty-two letters of the Hebrew alphabet, and the fifty-six minor arcana cards which are divided into four suits: wands, representing the element of fire; swords, the element of air; cups, the element of water; and pentacles, the element of earth. Many versions of the Tarot deck are in use today but most are based on the Rider—Waite deck designed by Arthur Edward Waite and Pamela Colman Smith in 1910.

Although each minor arcana card has a divinatory meaning, the major arcana cards are of greater significance in this book because they represent both archetypal symbols and the quest for self-knowledge. Their meanings are briefly summarized below:

The Fool: represents the divine child, one who is completely trusting of God. The Fool is beginning a journey and has no idea where it will lead, but is peaceful and content, and is living from his heart.

The Magician: represents creative power and having many options. Called the Magus in other Tarot decks, the Magician has access to all four elements of the Tarot to manifest the divine work he has come to earth to achieve.

The High Priestess: represents the psychic self, intuition, dreams and developing one’s inner spiritual intuition.

The Empress: represents the ability to adapt and flow according to the needs of the moment.

The Emperor: is the balance to the Empress and represents work, money, grounding, and the ability to fully manifest on the material plane.

The Hierophant: a symbol of one’s own inner spiritual authority, also known as your Higher Self. It’s also a compilation of the previous four cards, synthesizing these initial stages of spiritual growth on a new level.

The Lovers: represent the awareness of opposites, the relationship between opposites, and the ability to balance what appear to be different aspects of the self.

The Chariot: represents an alignment of your personal will with the divine will, and the transformation of the personal self toward a more planetary consciousness.

Justice: represents a karmic rebalancing process, so what has been out of harmony within your consciousness will be brought into a proper relationship with God’s love.

The Hermit: represents a time when the soul must learn to walk alone through darkness, guided by God and the inner light of spirit.

The Wheel of Fortune: represents a time of awakening to the awareness of one’s own destiny and soul purpose.

Strength: represents the integration between the higher and lower self. This card is sometimes interpreted as the learning process of seeing yourself as capable of having what you want.

The Hanged Man: this card represents a deep spiritual surrender where all is given to God. The process of surrender turns the soul "upside down," so that life and God can be experienced from a new perspective.

Death: represents a letting-go process related to old emotional patterns, especially in relationships.

Temperance: a card of integration, transformation and alchemy, representing the transformation of opposites into a new element.

The Devil: represents the awareness of one’s own negativity and darkness, and can also represent an encounter with negative energies.

The Tower: represents the shattering of illusion and the shattering of an old structure, which can be either a personality structure or a physical one.

The Star: represents divine spiritual healing and an opening to the higher dimension of light. This was made possible through the previous lessons which released the soul from illusion.

The Moon: symbolizes creativity, nurturing, family, and the emergence of subconscious negativity that has come to the surface to be healed and transformed.

The Sun: represents confidence and the emergence of one’s true self, stepping out into visibility in its full spiritual and physical embodiment.

Judgment: represents resurrection and rebirth, and is a symbol of this time we are living in, the time of total transformation.