Siu Lum Fighter, our horoscopes are wildly popular
To the best of my knowledge, we are the only magazine or website that does monthly Chinese horoscope forecasts. 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). Much to my chagrin, feng shui was gaining huge popularity with the new millennium, so we even did a pseudo feng shui special 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 and concluded in 2000 June. 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) 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, 2000 September). 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 (our Halloween issue because it was on newsstands in October - and that was not my idea either :rolleyes:), Kung Fu Horoscopes 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.
I'd love to claim that quote...
...but it was just my translation of something submitted from our feng shui columnist, Wilson Sun.
12 energies, chinese zodiac, kung fu.
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.