The Snake in 2017: Your Chinese Horoscope

Thorsons

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First published by Thorsons 2016

FIRST EDITION

© Neil Somerville 2016

A catalogue record of this book is

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identified as the author of this work

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About the Author

Neil Somerville is one of the leading writers in the West on Chinese horoscopes. He has been interested in Eastern forms of divination for many years and believes that much can be learned from the ancient wisdom of the East. His annual book on Chinese horoscopes has built up an international following and he is also the author of What’s Your Chinese Love Sign? (Thorsons, 2000; HarperElement, 2013), Chinese Success Signs (Thorsons, 2001) and The Answers (Element, 2004).

Neil Somerville was born in the year of the Water Snake. His wife was born under the sign of the Monkey, his son is an Ox and daughter a Horse.

Dedication

TO ROS, RICHARD AND EMILY

Epigraph

As we march into a new year,

we each have our hopes, our ambitions and our dreams.

Sometimes fate and circumstance will assist us,

sometimes we will struggle and despair,

but march we must.

For it is those who keep going,

and who keep their aspirations alive,

who stand the greatest chance of securing what they want.

March determinedly,

and your determination will, in some way, be rewarded.

Neil Somerville

Contents

Cover

Title Page

Copyright

About the Author

Dedication

Epigraph

Acknowledgements

Introduction to Your Chinese Horoscope 2017

The Chinese Years

Welcome to the Year of the Rooster

The Snake

Appendix

Relationships between the Signs

Your Ascendant

How to Get the Best from Your Chinese Sign and the Year

A Closing Thought

Other Titles in this Series

About the Publisher

Acknowledgements

In writing Your Chinese Horoscope 2017 I am grateful for the assistance and invaluable support that those around me have given.

I would also like to acknowledge Theodora Lau’s The Handbook of Chinese Horoscopes (Harper & Row, 1979; Arrow, 1981), which was particularly useful to me in my research.

In addition to Ms Lau’s work, I commend the following books to those who wish to find out more about Chinese horoscopes: Kristyna Arcarti, Chinese Horoscopes for Beginners (Headway, 1995); Catherine Aubier, Chinese Zodiac Signs (Arrow, 1984), series of 12 books; E. A. Crawford and Teresa Kennedy, Chinese Elemental Astrology (Piatkus Books, 1992); Paula Delsol, Chinese Horoscopes (Pan, 1973); Barry Fantoni, Barry Fantoni’s Chinese Horoscopes (Warner, 1994); Bridget Giles and the Diagram Group, Chinese Astrology (HarperCollinsPublishers, 1996); Kwok Man-Ho, Complete Chinese Horoscopes (Sunburst Books, 1995); Lori Reid, The Complete Book of Chinese Horoscopes (Element Books, 1997); Paul Rigby and Harvey Bean, Chinese Astrologics (Publications Division, South China Morning Post Ltd, 1981); Ruth Q. Sun, The Asian Animal Zodiac (Charles E. Tuttle Company, Inc., 1996); Derek Walters, Ming Shu (Pagoda Books, 1987) and The Chinese Astrology Workbook (The Aquarian Press, 1988); Suzanne White, The New Astrology (Pan, 1987), The New Chinese Astrology (Pan, 1994) and Chinese Astrology Plain and Simple (Eden Grove Editions, 1998).

In addition, I would like to record my thanks to all at HarperCollins who have helped with the editing, production and promotion of Your Chinese Horoscope over the years, as well as to thank my current editor, Carolyn Thorne, for her input and my copy editor, Lizzie Henry, for her wonderful work over so many years.

Introduction to Your Chinese Horoscope 2017

The origins of Chinese horoscopes have been lost in the mists of time. It is known, however, that oriental astrologers practised their art many thousands of years ago and even today Chinese astrology continues to fascinate and intrigue.

In Chinese astrology there are 12 signs named after 12 different animals. No one quite knows how the signs acquired their names, but there is one legend that offers an explanation. According to this legend, one Chinese New Year the Buddha invited all the animals in his kingdom to come before him. Unfortunately, for reasons best known to the animals, only 12 turned up. The first to arrive was the Rat, followed by the Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Goat, Monkey, Rooster, Dog and finally Pig. In gratitude, the Buddha decided to name a year after each of the animals and that those born during that year would inherit some of the personality of that animal. Therefore those born in the year of the Ox would be hardworking, resolute and stubborn, just like the Ox, while those born in the year of the Dog would be loyal and faithful, just like the Dog. While it is not possible that everyone born in a particular year can have all the characteristics of the sign, it is incredible what similarities do occur, and this is partly where the fascination of Chinese horoscopes lies.

In addition to the 12 signs of the Chinese zodiac there are five elements and these have a strengthening or moderating influence upon the signs. Details about the effects of the elements are given in each of the chapters on the signs.

To find out which sign you were born under, refer to the tables on the following pages. As the Chinese year is based on the lunar year and does not start until late January or early February, it is particularly important for anyone born in those two months to check carefully the dates of the Chinese year in which they were born.

Also included, in the appendix, are two charts showing the compatibility between the signs for personal and business relationships and details about the signs ruling the different hours of the day. From this it is possible to locate your ascendant and, as in Western astrology, this has a significant influence on your personality.

In writing this book I have taken the unusual step of combining the intriguing nature of Chinese horoscopes with the Western desire to know what the future holds, and have based my interpretations upon various factors relating to each of the signs. Over the years in which Your Chinese Horoscope has been published I have been pleased that so many have found the sections on the forthcoming year of interest and hope that the horoscope has been constructive and useful. Remember, though, that at all times you are master of your own destiny. I sincerely hope that Your Chinese Horoscope 2017 will prove interesting and helpful for the year ahead.

This edition also marks the thirtieth year of publication and a personal milestone for me. I would like to take this opportunity to thank all who have bought this and other books in the series. Indeed, some, I know, have read Your Chinese Horoscope for many years. I am grateful to you all for your support and interest. However, with deep regret I have decided that this will be the last annual book in the series. Instead, I will turn my attention to a new volume and hope to share with you and many others special insights on Chinese horoscopes, including ways of making the best of your sign and a horoscope for each and every year. I hope such a volume, entitled Your Chinese Horoscope for Each and Every Year, will be of value and lasting interest.

But for the moment, the Year of the Rooster is one rewarding effort and commitment and I hope it rewards you well.

Welcome to the Year of the Rooster

With his shrill cock-a-doodle-do, proud strutting and distinctive plumage, the Rooster is an impressive bird. He commands attention and, with his beady eyes, is always alert and summing up situations. And his vigilant nature will be seen in his own year.

The Year of the Rooster promises much, but above all it calls for effort and hard work. Those who slack could feel the effects of the Rooster’s beak! Roosters have high standards and over the year important progress will be made.

On the international stage there could be much posturing and flexing of military muscle. As a result there could be periods of tension in some areas, especially where there is a power vacuum or a strong surge of nationalism, but a lot of the posturing of the Rooster year is just for show and in many instances agreements will be brokered and tensions eased.

A further feature of the year will be the increasing voice of some minorities. Long-standing resentment can surface and in some instances sweep away established orders. Some of the year will be unsettling and its effects – including on some national borders – far-reaching.

Early in 2017 the newly elected American president will take office and be quick to exert their authority. Not only will they be keen to start on their own legislative programme but also eager to make their mark on American foreign policy. International developments early on in the Rooster year could lead to swift responses and set the tenor of the new administration. In addition, the Rooster year will see much dialogue between world leaders, with key issues being addressed, especially ones relating to global security, environmental concerns and trade. Some landmark treaties will be signed and their effect can be considerable.

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