Chinese Zodiac

[Mook Jong]

I was just wondering if there was a big difference between each kind of elemental year. So for instance would an earth dragon be alot different from a metal dragon?

[Emeraldphoenix]

I am no expert but, I do know that each Zodiac is influenced by one of the elements. Each element will influence the zodiac differently but the zodiac will in essence be the same. If that makes sense. So yes an earth dragon and a metal dragon are of the same influence but will differ to some degree based on their elemental alignment.

[Xiao3 Meng4]

Some basic calendar info:

There are three primary calendar types in the world: Solar, Lunar, and Luni-Solar.

In a lunar calendar, months are determined by the moon's cyclic phases. A new moon signifies the beginning of the month, a full moon the middle. The new year is determined by the ending of the 13th month, placing the new year ten days ahead each year. This calendar was/is more relevant in terms of hunter-gatherer societies.

In a solar calendar, the new year is determined by the arrival of a specific date in a fairly rigid cycle of light and dark - the solstices and equinoxes. This calendar payed close attention to seasons and light levels in the year, and is/was therefore more relevant to agricultural societies.

The Luni-Solar Calendar takes both the solar and lunar years into account when calculating a date. The solar calendar is used as the foundation, since it is more fixed than the lunar calendar. The lunar calendar is then overlayed and synchronized with the solar calendar.

In the solar calendar, the winter solstice is the time when yin reaches its utmost and gives birth to yang, and the summer solstice is the utmost of yang and the birth of yin. The equinoxes (days of equal light and dark) are times when yang and yin are equal. In the chinese calendar, the are considered the MIDDLES of the seasons, rather than the beginning and ending of seasons. Hence, the spring equinox is the middle of spring - the time when yang and yin are equal. Since each season is three months long, the equinox is placed at the 1.5 month mark. Counting backwards, this puts the beginning of spring (the chinese solar new year) on February 4th.

In the chinese calendar, the new year is calculated by "synchronizing" the two calendars - that is, the lunar new year is annually reset to the new moon closest to february 4th.

A new year where the new moon fell on february 4th would be considered a perfectly syncrhonized (or balanced) year. This is rarely the case, and most years have either a few extra or a few less days than the balanced year. Up to a month can be added or subtracted from the year. When a month is added, it is called a "leap month." Since months are lunar, a leap month must therefore fit into a season, meaning one season has an extra month. Likewise, seasons can have missing months. This is where the excess and deficiency of years and phases (also known as elements) comes in.

If a year has a extra days, it is a yang year. The phase of the year is determined by the season which will have the extra days or month. If the year is missing days, it is a yin year. Again, the phase is determined by the season which is affected by the missing days.

So, every year is either yin or yang, and relates to one of the seasons or phases.
Originally, People simply worked off of the natural cycle. Eventually, a system was designed in which fit harmoniously, however this formalized calendar quickly went out of sync with the natural cycle. It is still the one in use today. The system is based on the combination of 10 heavenly stems (yin and yang transformations of the five elements) 12 earthly branches (generally symbolized by the 12 animals) for a total of sixty permutations.

So, yes, there is a difference between each year, season, month, and even time of day, however calendars are not necessarily accurate portrayals of the natural cycles. If you want to understand the synchronization between a person and nature, it is best to learn about the five phases, twelve meridians, and the principles of date calculation. The Nei Jing is one of the better sources, but don't discount modern astronomy, physics, and chronobiology, either.

That should get you started, at any rate.

CSP

[David Jamieson]

elemental siginificance is similar to the build/destroy pentagram/circle that you see in 5 phase theory.

so a water sign would hold up a wood sign while being stifling to a fire sign.

a metal sign would cut down a wood sign, an earth sign would smother a water sign and so on.

worthy of note that you generally, as a rule of thumb can't have 2 dragons in the same house. It's in teh nature of dragons to not want to share the horde with another dragon.

[Xiao3 Meng4]

5 phase theory has two natural transformations and three "unnatural" transformations.

The first transformation is that of engenderment, and is generally represented as a mother/child relationship. The mother nourishes the child. Spring nourishes summer. Wood nourishes fire. Plans nourish accomplishment.

The second transformation is that of natural restraint. It is generally represented as a grandparent/grandchild relationship. The grandparent naturally restrains the child while still allowing the child to flourish (keeps the child from running into the street while waiting at a crosswalk, for example.) Fall naturally restrains spring. Metal naturally restrains wood. Sensory input naturally restrains planning.

These two transformations can be unbalanced. The mother can fail to nourish enough, and the child can take more than the mother has to offer. The grandparent can be overbearing, and squash the child's potential.

A third imbalance is a transformation known as "insulting." That is, the grandchild rebels against the grandparent. If the grandchild were water, it would insult earth. An example of this is fear not allowing proper reflection of the situation.

When discussing personalities, makes sure you take into account which person is excess or deficient, yin or yang.

CSP

[mantis108]

Very impressive! :)

To All,

Solar Calendar is approx. 365 1/4 (5 hours 48 mins)

Luna Calendar is approx. 29 days 12 hours 44 mins - 354 or 355 days per year

There is about 11 days difference so adjustment is need.

Stem-branch Calendar is said to have been in use since the legendary Yellow Emperor's time. It is a constant 360 days a year. It is pretty much the only known calendar that's in continuous use since its invention. So it is thousands of years old. The SBC is also holistic and organic. Qi theory largely based on this knowledge. If this is understood, then we can see the fallacy of new age "Qigong" that's being made up by the so called masters.

The SBC is technically sexageismal (a base of 60) but it is basically mixed-radix system of base 10 and 6. This is interestingly similar to Babylonian numerals.

The 12 Earthly Branches (basic unit of hour and month) are believe to be related to movements of Jupiter while the 5 phases would have been related to the movements of Venus (hence, the star shape which is also a later invention). The animal attributes are assigned according to the hour of the day (ie first/Zi hour - rodens are most active during midnight, etc)

So there is no such thing as a wood dragon or a metal dragon is good or bad by default. It's a matter of how the astrological conditions at the time come together so to speak. So watch out for people trying to scam your money by giving you false reading on your fortune. ;) But if you are entertained by it, well I suppose it's money well spent lol...

Mantis108

[Xiao3 Meng4]

Hi Mantis108,

I've heard of a middle-eastern numerical connection as well, only in relation to the Sumerians.

Here's a quote from Alexander Waugh, describing a plausible Sumerian Finger-counting system devised by French Mathematical Historian Georges Ifrah. (square brackets added by me.)


"Look at your right hand with the palm facing. You will (unless there is something peculiar about your hand) notice that each of the four fingers is distinctly divided into three articulations or phalanges. Might the Sumerians have counted these phalanges? Since these people were built the same as we are, let us imagine, as we inspect our beautifully clean modern digits, that we have before us the primitive paw of a mathematically inclined Sumerian. If you count the phalanges [of the four right fingers with your right thumb], they should come to 12. In much the same way as an abacus works, the fingers of the right hand can be used to count single numbers from one to 12 while the fingers of the left mark off the twelves. The little finger of the left hand, let's say, represents 12, the next 24, the long middle finger 36, the left index 48 and the thumb 60. There you have it. The fingers, once you get used to working them, form a perfectly adequate abacus in base 12, of which the highest number is 60."(Time, Waugh, p.24)

Consider, then, that the Chinese calendar, which works off of the same base, may have come from a similar finger counting system.

CSP

[GeneChing]

Check out our Chinese horoscopes section. (http://ezine.kungfumagazine.com/info/horoscope/index.php) Our Feng Shui Astrologist, Wilson Sun, will occasionally distinguish between forecasts for different elements in the same sign. That gets pretty complicated pretty quickly since it expands a system of twelve into a cycle of sixty. He'll make the distinction for specific readings, but for our horoscopes column, it gets to be too much.

[Siu Lum Fighter]

WTF!! All of my horoscopes in KF Magazine have been a real bummer. Besides the general 2008 horoscope for the Rat, which says stuff like, "If you gamble, misfortune will befall you. Expect emotional crises. You want to be alone. Your creative juices dry up. You’ll waste time and energy mending broken relationships," the last couple of months have said stuff like, "Prepare for emotional lows," and, "You'll be trapped by your emotions. You'll feel hypersensitive."

Now this month's and next month's horoscopes for the Rat are especially grim. I don't have the issue on me but it says stuff like, "nothing works out for you no matter how hard you try," and "old sicknesses reemerge," and, "I'll experience bitterness over old sickness."

What the hell?!?!? Isn't it supposed to be the year of the Rat?? Can't I read something just a little more upbeat? I have to admit, things are looking pretty grim for me in all areas of my life right now. I broke up with my girlfriend, I'm nearly bankrupt, etc. But I really don't need to hear that crap.

[SPJ]

everything has its time, just like the tides of the ocean.

from full moon to eclipse.

We just have to hang loose and stay low during the off time or bad time.

even the weather is not sunny all the time.

and so are the days of our life.

keep or stay cool and chilling during bad weather or time.

some would play ma jong.

some would read a novel.

some would --

the year of rat is my element of life year or ben ming nian.

the 4th cycle for me.

--

:D;):):cool::eek::confused::p

[GunnedDownAtrocity]

buck up buttercup. (http://youtube.com/watch?v=LxQgXgS5G3c&feature=related)

[David Jamieson]

well, you can take comfort in the fact that astrology is a load of crap and horoscopes have about as much meaning as pocket lint.

You are captain of your own ship and if you have a goal, work towards it and arm yourself with the best methods to do so. If you have questions, seek answers, but don't look to hocus pocus voodoo nonsense for answers in your life or your life will amount to nothing more than misplaced actions built on misplaced beliefs.

horoscopes are for idle fun and not serious in the least. You do not honestly think yoruself exactly the same as everyone who was born in the same year as you do you? what a dry and dull world it would be if that was the way! lol

[Seppukku]

Go buy a fortune cookie.

The cosmic forces are not so kind. The gods have whispered something into my ear:

"You're ****ed."

[Siu Lum Fighter]

Go buy a fortune cookie.

The cosmic forces are not so kind. The gods have whispered something into my ear:

"You're ****ed."
lol

Gee, thanks. I feel a sh!tload better now.

[KC Elbows]

lol

Gee, thanks. I feel a sh!tload better now.

Your horoscope did say you'd feel hypersensitive.

[SPJ]

there is a big camp of people

that like to be positive thinking, and pro-active.

but there are times that we just have to do nothing or wait it out.

true, positive altitude and mood would effect people around you and may achieve more in a working environment.

but there are times that nothing is needed either way.

when it is all gloom and doom and nothing is going the right direction.

may be hands off for a while and let the world spin by itself, or let things go its own way and take care of itself by itself.

this is a very hard concept when I was young.

when we do nothing, actually we let ourself out of the picture for a while, sometimes, that is all that is needed.

--

:D;)

[SPJ]

when I feel down and out and nothing is working out for me.

some music always cheer me up or comfort me.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t-idDbIfGvw

a dude is away and missing his love one. sad and depressed but with the anticipation of meeting her again that brought some sweetness and excitement and made the waiting and loneliness more bearable etc etc.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8ONH3hIjO3c&feature=related

I love this song since a little kid. I did not know what it was saying.

but I sense that there is a great emotion of affection/love and anticipation.

--

sort of confide our feeling/emotions in music and songs and let them vent or let them out.

--

we may also confide our feeling/emotions in the mountain and water such as painting and touring the great scenic spots.

watching the waves on the ocean and gaze at the stars at nite etc, including going to the zoo.

--

they work for me.

:D

[SPJ]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NVu4oXw8aoY

chinese flute.

it is a song about a young boy watching cows at play.

the tempo is off, but it is a long note to remember and play.

the music let me unwind, loosen up and free of worries.

some times we have let our worried or worked mind rest.

--

peace and harmony.

--

etc etc.

no want, no need, and then no worries.

--

:D

[GeneChing]

To the best of my knowledge, we are the only magazine or website that does monthly Chinese horoscope forecasts (http://ezine.kungfumagazine.com/info/horoscope/index.php). I am strangely proud of this, although if you had told me I'd be writing a horoscope ten years ago, I'd have thought you were being insulting. It came about in a most circuitous fashion. We had met with our feng shui horoscope columnist Wilson Sun and Gigi was very impressed by his skills. Personally, I take the Penn & Teller perspective on feng sham (I'm sure you've noticed my skepticism in some of my coverage (http://ezine.kungfumagazine.com/ezine/article.php?article=654)). Much to my chagrin, feng shui was gaining huge popularity with the new millennium, so we even did a pseudo feng shui special (http://ezine.kungfumagazine.com/magazine/article.php?article=115) to try to crossover to the new age audience (it did horribly on the newsstands - ironically today we are often found in the new age section next to the yoga, spirituality and renn faire mags :o, because the MMA mags have pushed us out of sports). Nevertheless, Gigi insisted we find a place for Wilson in the magazine, so we worked on a four-part series on Feng Shui for Kungfu Schools, which started in 2000 March (http://ezine.kungfumagazine.com/magazine/article.php?article=111) and concluded in 2000 June (http://ezine.kungfumagazine.com/magazine/article.php?article=117). That was fun and relevant. Then Wilson floundered for a spell - he did a romance article which was really off topic (Feng Shui and Your Soulmate, 2000 July (http://ezine.kungfumagazine.com/magazine/article.php?article=119)) and a two-part crystal piece, which is slightly connected to qigong but our readers didn't buy it at all (Crystal Qi-Feng Shui Power Healing for Kungfu, 2000 August (http://ezine.kungfumagazine.com/magazine/article.php?article=121), 2000 September (http://ezine.kungfumagazine.com/magazine/article.php?article=124)). Things weren't looking up for Wilson.

I should mention here that Wilson Sun is popular, established feng shui master in Taiwan. He has written newspaper columns and made T.V. appearances. He has immigrated to America, but still speaks little English.

While researching magazine industry trends, I discovered that horoscopes are hugely popular in print. Think about it - every newspaper has a horoscope and they are simply irresistible reads, if only for your own. So I suggested he write a monthly Chinese horoscope, just because I'd never seen such a thing, and that it be themed towards kung fu practice. Thus in November 2000 (http://ezine.kungfumagazine.com/magazine/article.php?article=128) (our Halloween issue because it was on newsstands in October - and that was not my idea either :rolleyes:), Kung Fu Horoscopes (http://ezine.kungfumagazine.com/info/horoscope/index.php) was born. God, I've been writing a horoscope for 8 years. What has become of me? :o

At first it was really weird. Wilson would make strange forecasts like 'this month, diarrhea' or 'your mouth will be prone to sores'. Gigi did the heavy-lifting in translating, and then I massaged it into something more digestible for Western readers. Then it started getting eerie. Wilson started hitting. We were getting very positive responses. He even made several predictions that rang true in our office here. Keep in mind that we usually prep the horoscope a few months before its time and then forget about it. It's only later when we go back that sometimes we'll find something that resonated with what had happened. Now I don't do much to interpret Wilson. We just translate it as he gives it to us, fairly literally. So if he says 'misfortune coming' that's what I print. Half of his stuff is negative, but in a cautionary way.

OK, end of Kung Fu Tai Chi history lesson. I'm moving this to our TC Media forum because I think it will live better there.

To address your question specifically, Siu Lum Fighter, in Chinese horoscopes, you actually do poorly in the year of your birth. I'm not sure why exactly, but this is often a confusing issue for Westerners. If you are a rat this year, it doesn't bode well. Gigi is a rat, so I totally sympathize. Things should get better next year.

[lkfmdc]

'this month, diarrhea'



Gene is a fountain of sig lines :D

[GeneChing]

...but it was just my translation of something submitted from our feng shui columnist, Wilson Sun.

[SPJ]

checking horoscope is ok. My brothers are big fans.

I used to travel alot so I always check weather forecast before I go.

now that I am no longer traveling not much, somehow I still check weather channel before I leave for work.

if you are a farmer or fisherman, absolutely, you would check farmer almanac, due to tide and the moon, where to find fish, when do what farming etc.

now that we are no longer in agricultural only society anymore,

--

It is always of interests to read signs, or whatever said in chinese farmer almanac

--

Feng Shui is a big thing, in Taiwan, China, singapore and Japan.

may be catching on in the west.

--

I have a good friend who is a Feng Shui Shi. He always carries a complicated compass. He confuses me alot, but sometimes, he does make sense.

as far as fortune telling, and palm or face reading, --

may be just for fun?

--

:D;)

[uki]

in classical chinese zodiac, the twelve animals relate to the 12 different types of energy. the animals themselves were chosen to reflect the best possible way for humans to understand the individual energy of whatever sign or type in question. by applying this understanding we can further enhance our practice by taking into account the 12 energies in relation to martial arts practice, not to mention any given situation wish arises during the course of our lives. so a breaking it down i will to each of the twelve energies and the lessons which can applied to practice.


ox- determination, willpower, straightforwardness. it is very hard to stop a rampaging bull ox.

rat- assimilation, intelligence, resourcefulness. the rat has an adept ability to have a well organized library of technique and method.

pig- logic, reasoning, balance. the pigs low center of gravity and logical, well-balanced applications of techniques is superb.

dog- loyalty, protection, security. dogs are faithful in serving their masters and ideals, they have both a bark and a bite and will risk their lives for family and friends(vital areas).

rooster- cautious, alertness, quickness. it's very hard to catch a rooster by suprise, let alone catch one running away from you.

monkey- cunning, deceptive, irritating. the monkey's superb ability to get under the skin allows others concentration to become unfocused.

goat- agility, mobility, dexterity. a goat is always poised to headbutt you.

horse- endurance, strength, nobility. the horse has the endearing qualities of continuation... to press on with a sheer and noble will to finish the task at hand.

snake- precision, patience, stealth. waiting until the proper time to strike quickly, accurately, and fatally...

dragon- presence, power, transcience. the powerful dragon has the uncanny ability to vanish and reappear instantenously.

rabbit- luck, speed, intellect. no martial artist is complete without the rabbit.:D

tiger- courage, ferocity, versitality. the tiger is nearly unstoppable and can attack from almost any position.

[Hebrew Hammer]

Ok so you're year of the Goat....is there a question here or just a statement.

[uki]

Ok so you're year of the Goat....is there a question here or just a statement.depends on if you're asking a question or making a statement.

[Hebrew Hammer]

depends on if you're asking a question or making a statement.

depends on whether we're really having a conversation.

[uki]

depends on whether we're really having a conversation.there's nothing wrong with attempting to have one... who knows, maybe it will become interesting during the process.

[GreenCloudCLF]

My wife is a Tiger. My 1 daughter is a rabbit. My son is a Snake. My other daughter is rat. I am a friggen sheep/ram/goat. How is that even fair?

[uki]

My wife is a Tiger. My 1 daughter is a rabbit. My son is a Snake. My other daughter is rat. I am a friggen sheep/ram/goat. How is that even fair?the lesson is different for all involved... your wife being a tiger natural describes the chaos surrounding her, not considering the fact that tigers tend to eat the goats... your only comfort(relatively speaking in energy terms) would be your rabbit daughter as you and her share a trinity. considering you and your tiger wife have a near 2 on a scale of 10 in relationships, if and when you two split up, even if you find your most harmonious match(the pig) it will be in direct conflict with your son(the snake) which is opposite the pig... as for the rat, heck they do fine where-ever they go. so all in all... this explains why the goat is always whining BAAAAA!!! BBBBAAAAAA!!! and why it is always poised to ram heads with something... :D

[GreenCloudCLF]

BLAH BLAH BLAH [/I] tigers tend to eat the goatsBLAH BLAH BLAH

What I actually read.

[uki]

What I actually read.you need bi-focals or something?

[uki]

ok so here's my situation... i'm a wood tiger, girlfriends a water dog, my first daughter, from an earth goat ex, is a metal dragon, my other two children are a wood monkey and a fire pig. it actually works out well, atleast the monkey shares my element... my girlfriend(water) nutures me and my youngest daughter(wood) and i nurture my son(fire) who can only be doused by mommy(water)... the metal dragon is the ax to the treetrunks(wood), yet wood conquers and controls earth(why the custody issues always seem to end up in my favor as far as dads are concerned)... the dragon and monkey are two peas in a pod save the metal is always instigating the wood... i could go on and on and relate every single person in my life in this line of understanding. once you become familiar with the energies, patterns and inter-reactions become much clearer.:)

[irontiger1981]

uki my wife is an ox and i am a metal rooster we are the best matches for each other , now do you think we should have a child purposely in a year we both match well with through our energies?because me and my dad are clashes in energy, he is a rat one of my worst and my book says that exact thing that we are very bad for each other, but dont get me wrong, i love my father. so what are your thoughts????

[uki]

uki my wife is an ox and i am a metal rooster we are the best matches for each other , now do you think we should have a child purposely in a year we both match well with through our energies?if that were the case you'd need to plan for a snake, next one is 2013.


because me and my dad are clashes in energy, he is a rat one of my worst and my book says that exact thing that we are very bad for each other, but dont get me wrong, i love my father.parental energy relationships manifest different than spouses, mates(girlfriend-boyfriend), and whonot... my youngest daughter is a monkey, my opposite... yet i realize that all things happen for a reason; for her to have a tiger as a father will help develop and refine her energy to be able to relate to all tigers... i would say vice versa, but i already understand the frigg'in monkey...


so what are your thoughts????i would say that it doesn't hurt to plan, but then i would also tell you that planning gets you nowhere... whatever happens will happen and it will be for the best.:)

[irontiger1981]

if that were the case you'd need to plan for a snake, next one is 2013.
Parental energy relationships manifest different than spouses, mates(girlfriend-boyfriend), and whonot... My youngest daughter is a monkey, my opposite... Yet i realize that all things happen for a reason; for her to have a tiger as a father will help develop and refine her energy to be able to relate to all tigers... I would say vice versa, but i already understand the frigg'in monkey...
I would say that it doesn't hurt to plan, but then i would also tell you that planning gets you nowhere... Whatever happens will happen and it will be for the best.:)

cool thanx as always uki

[GeneChing]

Of course you know that our magazine has had the longest-running Chinese horoscope column of any English language publication (http://ezine.kungfumagazine.com/info/horoscope/index.php), yes?

:cool:

[uki]

Of course you know that our magazine has had the longest-running Chinese horoscope column of any English language publication (http://ezine.kungfumagazine.com/info/horoscope/index.php), yes?

:cool:i must say i did not know that... as i was already years into my studies before i discovered your magazine.

[David Jamieson]

astrology is bull**** (http://www.thebestpageintheuniverse.net/c.cgi?u=astrology)

[uki]

astrology is bull**** (http://www.thebestpageintheuniverse.net/c.cgi?u=astrology)let's put it this way... i believe you are so full of sh!t, that i won't ever click your link.:)

besides the only smell around here arises after you post something.

[David Jamieson]

let's put it this way... i believe you are so full of sh!t, that i won't ever click your link.:)

besides the only smell around here arises after you post something.

lol. you of the open mind has typed again. lol

seriously, you should click the link astro boy, maybe you'll get a laugh.

[uki]

lol. you of the open mind has typed again. lol

seriously, you should click the link astro boy, maybe you'll get a laugh.i laugh more at the games i play with you irish whisky boy.:p

[David Jamieson]

i laugh more at the games i play with you irish whisky boy.:p

wow.

first of all, read the bottle buddy. You are having problems with your spelling.

secondly, If I wanted a battle of wits, I would pick on someone who is unarmed such as yourself.

[mawali]

I used to think the Chinese astrology stuff was BS but as I begun to understand a little bit, i was surprised. My understanding is less than basic but it is art and science together and one must know how to interpret.

[uki]

wow.glad i can be of help.


first of all, read the bottle buddy. You are having problems with your spelling.i was spelling it according to the scottish. duh.


secondly, If I wanted a battle of wits, I would pick on someone who is unarmed such as yourself.which is why you can't pick on me, because i will rip you a new feces dispenser faster than you can dispense yourself.

[GeneChing]

I thought David Jamieson's link was amusing. If someone told me a decade ago that I'd be writing a horoscope, I would not have believed them. My wife is heavy into astrology, but I'm not, truth be told (although I'm mindful during Mercury in retrograde mostly because I think it's a really funny concept).

As for Wilson Sun's horoscopes, they are very popular. It's probably the most read section in the magazine. We put it up on our site because horoscopes is a very common search word. Wilson can be uncanny too. I used to mock him. I don't anymore.

[uki]

(although I'm mindful during Mercury in retrograde mostly because I think it's a really funny concept). funny how an optical illusion can have such wide and diverse effects which are not...


I used to mock him. I don't anymore.i relate to everyone according to there sign... one of the first things i ask from someone is what year they are born... cashiers, co-workers, kids, everyone, for me it is more imporatant than their given name... and nearly everyone around me who thought astrology was BS has made a U-turn.

I used to think the Chinese astrology stuff was BS but as I begun to understand a little bit, i was surprised. My understanding is less than basic but it is art and science together and one must know how to interpret.once ones perception moves up a notch, you'll be able to figure someone out without them even talking...

[GeneChing]

Retrograde motion is not an optical illusion. Have you done any research on astrology? Retrograde motion was an theoretical construct used by medieval astrologers who believed the sun revolved around the earth. Under that assumption, the planets seem to travel backwards. It's a CYA to maintain the dominant paradigm in light of contradictory evidence.

[uki]

Retrograde motion is not an optical illusion.yet you follow up this statement with...
Retrograde motion was an theoretical construct used by medieval astrologers who believed the sun revolved around the earth. Under that assumption, the planets seem to travel backwards.any comments?

whats to research in astrology? just observe and relate...:p

[Lucas]

astrology is bull**** (http://www.thebestpageintheuniverse.net/c.cgi?u=astrology)

that guy is actually kind of funny.

he has a whole list of things he b!tches about.

http://maddox.xmission.com/

edit:

it says on the main page;

"This page is about me and why everything I like is great. If you disagree with anything you find on this page, you are wrong."

LOL, what a nut

[Lucas]

sorry but that guys website is freaking hillarious.

here you guys have to read this one

Fashion tips for women from a guy
who knows **** about fashion (http://www.thebestpageintheuniverse.net/c.cgi?u=fashion)

[uki]

how do the astrological energies affect you and your kung fu?? this year of the the monkey is sure coming in fast for this tiger - on all levels of reality, not just the martial ones. anyone else pay attention to the years over the years? considering it's essential embryonic relationship to kung fu, i am curious to see if anyone else is as curious as myself on the influence of stars, planets, and celestial alignments on the numerous levels of reality we find ourselves in, which of course includes the concepts and differential manifestions of what is collectively known as "kung fu". i mean... it must be kinda important, the mag donates most of a page to the chinese horoscope. :D

[GeneChing]

it must be kinda important, the mag donates most of a page to the chinese horoscope. :D
Actually, it's a page and a half in every issue (http://www.martialartsmart.com/19341.html) and three in our MAR+APR issues as those come out in the beginning of February around Chinese New Year. Our horoscope column launched in 2000 (http://www.kungfumagazine.com/magazine/index.php?magyr=2000), making it the longest Chinese Horoscope in print. We post our horoscopes online (http://www.kungfumagazine.com/info/horoscope/index.php) too, although not the introductions with the prescribed Feng Shui recipes (those are only in print). When the column first began, I encouraged our Feng Shui master to focus on forecasts for martial artists. Sometimes he does. ;)

Note that I launched a thread specific to this Year of the Monkey (http://www.kungfumagazine.com/forum/showthread.php?69208-Chinese-New-Year-2016-Year-of-the-MONKEY), like I've done for the past few years.

Also this year, we're holding a Monkey King Championship (http://www.kungfumagazine.com/info/tournament/MonkeyKing.html) at Tiger Claw Elite Championships (http://www.tigerclawelite.com).

:cool:

[uki]

don't know how long i'll stay, but it's spiffy in here for the time being. :D

[GeneChing]

INDYLIFE
WHAT DO CHINESE PEOPLE LOOK FOR IN A PARTNER? ZODIAC SIGNS AND MARRIAGE MARKETS ARE INVOLVED (http://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/china-dating-what-chinese-people-look-for-partner-relationships-zodiac-signs-marriage-market-a7846486.html)

"No people whose Chinese Zodiac is a sheep," one parent said. / LIU JIN/AFP/Getty Images

'My mother is a sheep, my girlfriend is also a sheep... this superstition is nonsense, sheep have the best temperament,' one man commented.

BETH TIMMINS
an hour ago

People born in 1991 and 1979 are struggling to find love in China because of the stigma surrounding the sheep zodiac sign, a magazine has claimed.

State-owned magazine Phoenix Weekly caused a stir online after interviewing numerous parents on Beijing on what it was like to try to set their sons and daughters up with a suitor.

They found that people born in the year of the sheep are seen to equal a lifetime of bad luck as romantic partners. According to the article, for those born in the year of the sheep, “life is not good -no children even if other conditions are appropriate.”

The Chinese custom of meeting in parks to discuss potential matches with relatives is popular in Beijing, and elderly people can typically be seen sitting on their own stools, carrying various “blind date materials”, which usually detail income, house registration and education.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U9bOtthyLUg

The ‘blind date marriage market’ has even been known to question whether the parents of the prospective match work in old Beijing, if they are Communists and the details of their ‘intellectual family’ according to the article.

One prospective partner, Peng Shunli, was rejected by partner’s parents due to the fact of being born in 1991, but filling all other requirements: “If not sheep I certainly choose your daughter!”

In a flood of comments about the story on Weibo, people are saying how unfair the judgements are for those born in the year of the sheep.

"No wonder so many people are still single," remarked one person, according to the BBC.

"My mother is a sheep, my girlfriend is also a sheep... this superstition is nonsense, sheep have the best temperament,” another man said.

The most recent year of the sheep was 2015 and those with a 1991 and 1979 year of birth can expect to be frowned upon by some Beijing matchmakers.

According to Chinese astrologer Master George Tang, those born in the year of the zodiac sheep, also known as the goat, are “refined, cunning, aesthetic, perceptive, charming, serene and sensitive.”

“The Zodiac enacts a profound influential role in the culture and communities of China,” Master Tang explains.

“Millions of people follow this for life and luck guidance and many base their relationships on the characteristics for each sign,” he adds.

Other people remarked on the thread that they thought the anti-sheep sentiments derived in snobbery and superiority.

A single man quipped: "I am a cow, you can come and eat grass with me."

I didn't heed any of this, but I'm a dragon and married a tiger.

[GeneChing]

As a Dragon child myself, I agree. :cool:


Chinese children born in the year of the dragon are more successful—but not due to supernatural forces (https://qz.com/1065374/chinese-children-born-in-the-year-of-the-dragon-are-more-successful-but-not-due-to-supernatural-forces/)

https://qzprod.files.wordpress.com/2017/08/rtr2wxfy-e1504060322697.jpg?quality=80&strip=all&w=1600
Born this way. (Reuters/Bobby Yip)

WRITTEN BY Isabella Steger
OBSESSION The Art of Parenting
August 30, 2017

No, children born in the year of the dragon are not born inherently superior.
Instead, the apparent success of these “dragon children” comes down to a lot of nurturing, according to two researchers at Louisiana State University (LSU) who studied the academic performance of people born in the year of the dragon in China. Due to the superstition that those born in that zodiac year will grow up to be more successful, places like China, Singapore, and Taiwan typically see a “baby boom” in those years. The last one fell in 2012.
In a working paper (http://www.nber.org/papers/w23709) published this month by the US National Bureau of Economic Research, the researchers found that dragon children receive higher test scores in China’s national college examination and are more likely to go to university than people of a similar age born in other Chinese zodiac years. The researchers note that the findings come even as logically speaking, competition should be more intense for people born in the year of the dragon if there were more babies born in that year.
The researchers drew on recent Chinese surveys for the data to make the comparisons. These included an annual social survey that covers all provinces and includes birth year, and a survey of 5,000 randomly selected college students on their test scores. The paper has not been peer-reviewed.
A similar study published in 2011 in the Journal of Economic Behavior & Organization also found that Asian immigrants born in 1976, a dragon year, were better educated than comparable immigrants who were born in non-dragon years, while there was no discernible difference in education levels among children born in a dragon year in the US in general.
Both of these studies attribute the dragon babies’ apparent success to the parents’ behavior, shaped by their beliefs. “[T]hese results are not because of family background, student cognitive ability, self-esteem or student’s expectations about their future,” said the LSU researchers.
For example, parents of dragon children were more likely to take the initiative in contacting their kids’ teachers and enroll their children in kindergarten, while dragon children are less likely to be made to help their parents out with household chores, they found.
“[T]he parents of Dragon children have higher expectations of their children and they invest in their children more intensely. In the end, these higher expectations yield better educational outcomes. Put differently, these expectations create this self-fulfilling prophecy,” wrote the LSU researchers.


Can Superstition Create a Self-Fulfilling Prophecy? School Outcomes of Dragon Children of China (http://www.nber.org/papers/w23709)
Naci H. Mocan, Han Yu
NBER Working Paper No. 23709
Issued in August 2017
NBER Program(s): ED HE LS PE CH
In Chinese culture those who are born in the year of the Dragon under the zodiac calendar are believed to be destined for good fortune and greatness, and parents prefer their kids to be born in a Dragon year. Using province level panel data we show that the number of marriages goes up during the two years preceding a Dragon year and that births jump up in a Dragon year. Using three recently collected micro data sets from China we show that those born in a Dragon year are more likely to have a college education, and that they obtain higher scores at the university entrance exam. Similarly, Chinese middle school students have higher test scores if they are born in a Dragon year. We show that these results are not because of family background, student cognitive ability, self-esteem or students’ expectations about their future. We find, however, that the “Dragon” effect on test scores is eliminated when we account for parents’ expectations about their children’s educational and professional success. We find that parents of Dragon children have higher expectations for their children in comparison to other parents, and that they invest more heavily in their children in terms of time and money. Even though neither the Dragon children nor their families are inherently different from other children and families, the belief in the prophecy of success and the ensuing investment become self-fulfilling.

[GeneChing]

I get sent a lot of weird stuff. This one was particularly amusing because Astrology doesn't mesh with the Bible.


Thou art wearied in the multitude of thy counsels. Let now the astrologers, the stargazers, the monthly prognosticators, stand up, and save thee from these things that shall come upon thee. Behold, they shall be as stubble; the fire shall burn them; they shall not deliver themselves from the power of the flame: there shall not be a coal to warm at, nor fire to sit before it.

Isaiah 47:13-14

I've always interpreted this passage to mean that Jews, Christians and Muslims that read horoscopes are hypocrites, but what do I know? :rolleyes:



Biblical Signs in the Sky? (http://www.vofoundation.org/blog/biblical-signs-sky-september-23-2017/) September 23, 2017
January 25, 2017 Christopher M. Graney
One day last fall I was working in my office when my desk phone rang. It was a reader of The Catholic Astronomer, calling me with a question. He asked why the Vatican Observatory blog was full of discussion on black holes or whatnot, when there was something much more momentous to talk about.

It turns out that the momentous thing to which my caller was referring was an arrangement of celestial bodies that will occur this year (2017) on September 23. On that date, according to various Internet sources, the heavens themselves will be a tableau of Revelation 12:

A great sign appeared in the sky, a woman clothed with the sun, with the moon under her feet, and on her head a crown of twelve stars. She was with child and wailed aloud in pain as she labored to give birth.… She gave birth to a son, a male child, destined to rule all the nations with an iron rod.

On September 23, 2017 the sun will be in the zodiac constellation Virgo—“a woman clothed with the sun”. The moon will be at the feet of Virgo—“with the moon under her feet”. The ‘nine’ stars of the zodiac constellation Leo, plus three planets (Mercury, Venus, and Mars), will be at the head of Virgo—“on her head a crown of twelve stars”. The planet Jupiter will be in the center of Virgo, and as the weeks pass after September 23 Jupiter will exit Virgo to the east, past her feet, so to speak—“She was with child and wailed aloud in pain as she labored to give birth”. Jupiter is the largest of the planets, the “king” of the planets, so to speak—“She gave birth to a son, a male child, destined to rule all the nations with an iron rod”. Must this not be a sign of something momentous, like the Internet sources say?

https://i0.wp.com/www.vofoundation.org/blog/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/SeptVirgo8.jpg?resize=1024%2C345
Results of a Google image search for September 23, 2017 and Revelation 12. Note that this and all images in this post can be enlarged by clicking on them.

Now, I know that the readers of this blog are diverse. People with interest in astronomy are a diverse group! And you all will have diverse reactions to this question. Some of you are probably saying right now, “what a bunch of nonsense!” Others of you may be thinking that my caller had a good point, and you would like to learn more. Fortunately, I am a community college professor! Community college people are the ‘A-Team’ of the academic world (as in B.A., Hannibal, and the crew from the T.V. show and the movie—who are tougher than anyone else and able to save the day using duct tape, PVC pipe, and a butane lighter). We thrive on diversity! No question phases us! We know that there are a lot of smart people out there who have not had much formal education in a topic like astronomy, and that interest in questions like this reflects a basic interest in astronomy combined with interest in religion and scripture. My caller was familiar with the Stellarium sky software. He could call up the skies of September 23, 2017 on Stellarium and see for himself that this celestial arrangement was a real thing. His was a reasonable question. Scientists need to be able to answer questions people have like this one, without treating the questions as nonsense, because the questions will not go away just because they are dismissed. And thus before long I was having a nice conversation with the caller, and I ended up telling him I would look into his question, and write a post on this topic. But I said it was unlikely to be the post he was looking for. He was OK with that.

And so, Mr. Caller:

https://i0.wp.com/www.vofoundation.org/blog/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/SeptVirgo1-2017.jpg?resize=1024%2C550
The constellation Virgo on September 23, 2017, according to the Stellarium sky software. The moon’s size is exaggerated for visibility.

https://i2.wp.com/www.vofoundation.org/blog/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/SeptVirgo1a.jpg?resize=1024%2C601
Green arrows show the “nine” stars of Leo. Blue arrows show the planets Mercury, Venus, and Mars. Red arrow is Jupiter. Violet arrow is the moon (shown enlarged). The sun is at Virgo’s shoulder.

First, in one year, thanks to the Earth’s annual orbit, the sun travels the entirety of the ecliptic, and thus passes through every one of the 12 constellations of the zodiac. The sun is in Virgo every September. Second, in one month the moon goes through its cycle of phases, and travels the entirety of the ecliptic, and thus passes through every constellation of the zodiac—all owed to the period of the moon’s orbit being one month. Therefore there is always a day or two every year when the sun is in Virgo and the moon is just to the east of Virgo (just past the “feet”). So, the celestial “woman clothed with the sun with the moon at her feet” is as common in September as is the U.S.’s Labor Day.

But what of the crown of twelve “stars,” comprised of three planets and the nine stars of Leo? The response to this question is another question—why nine stars in Leo? There are many more than nine stars in Leo. Those nine are just brighter ones that are often depicted as comprising the general outline or shape of the constellation. But in fact there are scads of stars in Leo and surrounding the “head” of Virgo.

https://i2.wp.com/www.vofoundation.org/blog/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/SeptVirgo2.jpg?resize=1024%2C576
There are many more than nine stars in the constellation Leo.

And not all depictions of Leo show those nine as its outline. Some show the outline of Leo as consisting of ten stars, for example. That would give Virgo a crown of thirteen stars here!
Continued next post

[GeneChing]

https://i0.wp.com/www.vofoundation.org/blog/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/SeptVirgo7.jpg?resize=1024%2C323
Two depictions of Leo outlined with ten or eleven stars rather than nine. The depiction on the left is from an astronomy book for children; the depiction on the right is from an old National Geographic atlas.

And yes, multiple planets being at Virgo’s head while Jupiter is in Virgo’s center and the moon is at Virgo’s feet is somewhat unusual. But it is not that unusual. The period of Jupiter’s orbit is a little less than twelve years, and therefore Jupiter will be in Virgo (with the sun there, too, and the moon at the feet) once every eleven or twelve years.

So the sun in Virgo, the moon at Virgo’s “feet”, and Jupiter in the constellation are regular occurrences. This leaves the planets at the “head” (the number depending on the number of stars granted to Leo) as the determining factor in making a “momentous” celestial arrangement. Indeed, while various Internet sources speak of the specific celestial arrangement here as being “unique in human history” or “once in 7000 years”, in fact it is not unique to September 23, 2017. This basic arrangement happened before—in September 1827, in September 1483, in September 1293, and in September 1056. These are all shown at the end of this post. I only searched back one thousand years, from 2017 to 1017—there are undoubtedly other examples outside of that time period, and probably a couple examples that I missed within that time period.

No doubt someone could go diving into the history books to scrounge up some events from 1827, 1483, 1293, and 1056 that the September skies of those years supposedly foretold. That’s the way it is with astrology. A person reads his or her daily horoscope and finds that it says “obstacles will be placed in your path today.” Then, that person picks those instances of getting stuck in traffic, or in a long line at the grocery store, or wherever, and says “hey, that horoscope was right,” when of course we all encounter such things every day.

It is true that astrology—reading the heavens for signs—is something astronomers used to believe was valid (or, my guess is that many of them pretended to believe it was valid, because it paid the bills). But astrology has been found to have no more scientific basis than Harry Potter’s wand. It doesn’t work (something that does not seem to hinder its popularity). If astrology had anything going for it, astronomers would not need to go begging for money to fund astronomical research. We could just use our astronomical knowledge to divine which way the stock market was going, invest accordingly, become “astronomically” wealthy, and fund astronomical research from our surplus. As it is, watching the heavens for signs of what is to come is a waste of time. And it is doubly a waste of time because “signs in the sky” appeal, for some reason, to all sorts of people out there—all of whom can use Stellarium to find this or that momentous “sign” signifying whatever they want to signify.

And that is why astronomers ignore the seemingly momentous celestial arrangement of September 23, 2017, and talk instead about black holes or whatnot.

https://i2.wp.com/www.vofoundation.org/blog/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/SeptVirgo3-1827.jpg?resize=1024%2C584
The constellation Virgo on September 24, 1827, according to Stellarium. In this and the images below, the moon’s size is exaggerated for visibility.

https://i1.wp.com/www.vofoundation.org/blog/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/SeptVirgo4-1483.jpg?resize=1024%2C622
The constellation Virgo on September 6, 1483.

https://i1.wp.com/www.vofoundation.org/blog/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/SeptVirgo5-1293.jpg?resize=1024%2C556
The constellation Virgo on September 5, 1293.

https://i2.wp.com/www.vofoundation.org/blog/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/SeptVirgo6-1056-VenusRegClose.jpg?resize=1024%2C647
The constellation Virgo on September 14, 1056. Venus and the star Regulus in Leo are very close to one another.

Nevertheless, come Sep 23, it might be prudent to dust off your tinfoil hats. ;)

Zodiac (http://www.kungfumagazine.com/forum/showthread.php?40462-Chinese-Zodiac) & 6-6-6 (http://www.kungfumagazine.com/forum/showthread.php?41575-6-6-6)

[GeneChing]

Our 2018 Kung Fu Horoscopes (http://www.kungfumagazine.com/info/horoscope/index.php) by Wilson Sun.

Thread: Chinese Zodiac (http://www.kungfumagazine.com/forum/showthread.php?40462-Chinese-Zodiac)
Thread: March+April 2018 (http://www.kungfumagazine.com/forum/showthread.php?70677-March-April-2018)

http://www.kungfumagazine.com/admin/site_images/KungfuMagazine/upload/5741_Horoscope-wheel.jpg

[GeneChing]

What does the Year of the Pig hold for you? See our 2019 Chinese Zodiac Horoscopes (http://www.kungfumagazine.com/info/horoscope/index.php).

THREADS
Year of the Pig 2019 (http://www.kungfumagazine.com/forum/showthread.php?71112-Year-of-the-Pig-2019)
Chinese Zodiac (http://www.kungfumagazine.com/forum/showthread.php?40462-Chinese-Zodiac)

http://www.kungfumagazine.com/admin/site_images/KungfuMagazine/upload/5741_Horoscope-wheel.jpg

[GeneChing]

Thought this was the year of the earth pig...:rolleyes:



Opinion
The year of being water – a Chinese astrological reading of Hong Kong in a challenging hour (https://www.scmp.com/comment/opinion/article/3024004/year-being-water-chinese-astrological-reading-hong-kong-challenging)
It has been a turbulent Year of the Pig for Hong Kong. But believe it or not, an era of tender loving governance may be just round the corner
Foong Woei Wan
Published: 10:30am, 24 Aug, 2019

https://cdn.i-scmp.com/sites/default/files/styles/1200x800/public/d8/images/methode/2019/08/23/ef56c102-c540-11e9-ad8c-27551fb90b05_image_hires_112546.jpg?itok=AaPWjm7b&v=1566530752
Protesters on the march during a rally in Hong Kong on August 18. The water represented by a Pig year could have been a boon for Hong Kong, a Wood Dragon, but there is such a thing as too much water. Photo: AFP

A violent storm blows through Hong Kong with an unprecedented intensity, leaving a trail of broken glass, blocked roads and traffic disruptions, and the government comes under fire for failing to manage the situation.
That would be Super Typhoon Mangkhut, which hit the city on September 16 last year – a Pig day with an unusually forceful element of water, according to the Chinese almanac. But it could as easily be the protest actions that have engulfed Hong Kong this year, which happens to be a Pig year with an underlying element of water.
I am neither a fortune-teller nor a feng shui expert. I’m just a civilian who takes a geeky interest in Chinese cosmology, its poetic possibilities and its understanding of the interconnection of all things. Much ink has been spilled on how Hong Kong should move forward, but perhaps it would be useful to start from the beginning and see the city through the prism of ba zi, the age-old practice of analysing the eight characters denoting a birth time.
In Chinese astrology, hours, days, months, years and even decades follow the zodiac cycle. Hong Kong was reborn as a special administrative region of China on July 1, 1997, a Wood Dragon day, which makes it a wood sign. More precisely, it is a tree growing in wet, fertile earth, and its birth chart is a picture of a thriving forest: trees, a little stream, soil, sparks, starlight, sunshine.
When you are a wood sign, a suitable amount of water makes your world go round – it is mother’s milk, love and luck. Wood fuels fire or light, which is your productivity, and fire produces ash or earth, which is your money.
For a tree planted in the withering heat of summer, Hong Kong is in an enviable position. Although this Wood Dragon is flanked in the ba zi chart by a Wood Rat, a lucky tree that is even closer to the stream, there is enough water to go around and keep everyone fairly happy. (Could the other tree be Singapore or some other city? Your guess is as good as mine.) Besides, Hong Kong is capable. It keeps a little ecosystem running by tapping into water, radiating heat and producing earth to sink roots into. So far so viable, right?
But we need to talk about metal: an element that is virtually non-existent in Hong Kong’s chart, yet is making its presence felt in the city’s life. Metal symbolises structure. With regard to a tree, it is a controlling element that could take the form of an axe or shears; it could be a woodcutter or a gardener; it could be a boss.
Hong Kong is, by nature, a free spirit. In the forest it was planted in, there was no danger of being cut down for firewood or even having its leaves trimmed. Moreover, the fire in Hong Kong’s chart keeps it safe. Fire has no fear of metal, just as a resourceful employee has no fear of a stressful boss.
Yet, the water in Hong Kong’s chart needs metal. Metal is the surface on which water forms, just as order becomes a support for liveability.
Here, Hong Kong faces a paradox. In the Chinese zodiac, the Monkey and the Rooster represent big and small metal objects like axe blades and shears, respectively. By the alchemical logic of Chinese cosmology, it is the Monkey, not the Rooster, that bonds with the Dragon and Rat in Hong Kong’s chart to form more water – more luck to feed into the city.
However, think again of the axe-swinging woodcutter and the tree-pruning gardener. One is efficient, the other is patient. One wants the forest to thrive so there is more wood to be cut and more money to be made; the other wants the trees to thrive. Who would be a better boss?
Hong Kong has been in a Monkey luck cycle since 2009, but is moving into a Rooster decade next year. A gentler era might be just round the corner.
And what of this year? Why hasn’t it felt like a lucky year, despite the powerful presence of water symbolised by the Pig? Well, for a tree, real or imagined, there can be such a thing as too much water. In Chinese cosmology, water is a metaphor for the fluidity of thought, but also the rush of fear. However, fear is not Hong Kong’s style. I, for one, choose to believe the city can brainstorm its way out of this year.

Foong Woei Wan is a production editor at the Post

THREADS
Year of the Pig 2019 (http://www.kungfumagazine.com/forum/showthread.php?71112-Year-of-the-Pig-2019)
Chinese Zodiac (http://www.kungfumagazine.com/forum/showthread.php?40462-Chinese-Zodiac)

[GeneChing]

http://www.kungfumagazine.com/admin/site_images/KungfuMagazine/upload/5741_Horoscope-wheel.jpg

See what your future holds for the Year of the Metal Rat with our Kung Fu Horoscopes!

Note that the initial predictions for the year and the first period were published in our WINTER 2020 issue (http://www.kungfumagazine.com/forum/showthread.php?71573-Winter-2020), which hit newsstands in mid-November. Note that some of Master Sun's predictions are on point already.

The three new period predictions are in our SPRING 2020 (http://www.kungfumagazine.com/forum/showthread.php?71664-Spring-2020), which is currently at press and will hit newsstands around Valentine's Day.

THREADS
Chinese Zodiac (http://www.kungfumagazine.com/forum/showthread.php?40462-Chinese-Zodiac)
2020 Year of the Rat (http://www.kungfumagazine.com/forum/showthread.php?71622-2020-Year-of-the-Rat)

[GeneChing]

What will this year bring? READ 2021 The Year of the Metal Ox (http://www.kungfumagazine.com/info/horoscope/this-year.php) by Wilson Sun (with Gigi Oh and Gene Ching)

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EtZ34C_U0AEQSa0?format=jpg&name=small

threads
2021-Year-of-the-Ox (http://www.kungfumagazine.com/forum/showthread.php?71967-2021-Year-of-the-Ox)
Chinese-Zodiac (http://www.kungfumagazine.com/forum/showthread.php?40462-Chinese-Zodiac)