Your Chinese Horoscope 2009: What the Year of the Ox Holds in Store for You

NEIL SOMERVILLE

What the Year of the Ox Holds in Store for You

Content

Acknowledgements

Introduction

The Chinese Years

Welcome to the Year of the Ox

The Rat

The Ox

The Tiger

The Rabbit

The Dragon

The Snake

The Horse

The Goat

The Monkey

The Rooster

The Dog

The Pig

Appendix:

Relationships between the Signs

Your Ascendant

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

INTRODUCTION

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 hard working, 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 12 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 2009 will prove interesting and helpful for the year ahead.

THE CHINESE YEARS

NOTE

The names of the signs in the Chinese zodiac occasionally differ, although the characteristics of the signs remain the same. In some books the Ox is referred to as the Buffalo or Bull, the Rabbit as the Hare or Cat, the Goat as the Sheep and the Pig as the Boar.

For the sake of convenience, the male gender is used throughout this book. Unless otherwise stated, the characteristics of the signs apply to both sexes.

WELCOME TO THE YEAR OF THE OX

Whether ploughing fields or carrying heavy loads, the Ox has served mankind well. Strong, hard working and reliable, he is a dutiful worker. This sense of duty will be very evident in the Ox’s own year. A lot will happen in 2009 and while it may not always be an easy year, it will be one for steady growth and some often historic developments.

The emphasis in the Ox year is on effort and commitment and this will be reflected in many areas of life. In the political world the new American President, inaugurated just a few days before the Ox year begins, will be keen to establish their authority and introduce certain policy measures which, while not always popular, could have an impact on the economy, foreign policy and the environment as well as the number of troops serving overseas. Over the year decisions will be taken which could have far-reaching implications both in the US and overseas.

The Ox year is very much a time of conviction politics and many leaders, both new and well established, will be intent on change and improvement. This was illustrated in the Ox year of 1985 when President Reagan met the new Soviet leader Gorbachev, a meeting that marked a new era in Soviet–American relations. It was also at this time that President Gorbachev embarked on the policies of perestroika and glasnost which were to transform the Soviet Union and later Eastern Europe. This Ox year is also likely to see a coming together of world leaders and some momentous decisions.

One area that will feature prominently over the year will be law, order and security, with many governments introducing further measures to counter criminal and terrorist elements. For those who do operate outside the law or embark on illegal protests or militant action, the consequences could be considerable. In the Ox year law and order reign supreme, and challenges to authority will be countered with considerable might.

Education and the environment will also be in the legislative programmes of many governments during the year. In education there will often be increased funding for further education as well as a greater emphasis on vocational and more specialist training. This could include large companies and organizations being encouraged to make more work-experience and job-training opportunities available, as well as a growth in apprenticeship and job-release schemes. And with the pressure on natural resources, many countries will see the introduction and enforcement of rigorous new environmental measures, some of which will have an impact on daily life.

This year will also see continuing advances in medicine and technology, some of which will be the culmination of many years of research, study and effort. Notable medical and technical breakthroughs in previous Ox years have included the use of insulin to control diabetes and lasers to clean out clogged arteries and the building of the world’s first jet engine.

The Ox has a strong affinity with the land, and farming issues will also feature strongly this year. These could include assistance being offered to poorer regions to encourage a greater level of self-sufficiency as well as the introduction of hardier crops. It was an Ox year that saw the mammoth Live Aid concert, with a television audience of an estimated 1.5 billion, which was to raise so much for famine relief in Africa. Positive advances will again be made this year, but more ominously the year could also be marked by disease. It was the last Ox year that saw the killing of all the chickens in Hong Kong to stop the spread of avian ’flu, and while it is hoped there will be no recurrence of this or other diseases, the omens are not promising.

As far as the world stock markets are concerned, this will be a mixed year, with many markets sensitive to news and reacting quickly to events. As a result there could be wide fluctuations in prices and investors will need to remain vigilant throughout the year.

In the world of arts and culture, 2009 is likely to be marked by some often impressive and thought-provoking works. Harry Potter made his appearance in the last Ox year, with the publication of J. K. Rowling’s first book, and that year also saw the release of some particularly ambitious films, including Titanic and The Lost World: Jurassic Park. Some new releases in the current Ox year could be equally impressive.

Although the British royal family is rarely far from the news, 2009 is also likely to be marked by some royal events that will attract worldwide comment.

For many, the Ox year will be a positive and constructive one, although it does call for commitment. Results will need to be worked for and time allowed for efforts to filter through. The Ox proceeds in a sometimes slow but always sure and measured way. His year favours traditional paths and values, and in consequence many people will decide to improve their domestic life over the year. The Ox year also has a strong practical edge to it and the emphasis will be on action. And as Henry David Thoreau, himself born under the sign of the Ox, once wrote, ‘I know of no more encouraging fact than the unquestionable ability of man to elevate his life by a conscious endeavour.’ In 2009 many will feel inspired to make that conscious endeavour and will reap the benefits.

I wish you good fortune and every success in the interesting year that lies ahead.

YOUR CHINESE HOROSCOPE 2009

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