Chinese Astrology is based on the moon's influence on Earth. Scientists today offer proof, indisputably, that the moon commands a direct influence on water — all water, ranging from vast oceans to a glass of drinking water. The human body contains approximately 70% water. Therefore, it is reasonable to conclude that water within the human body is also affected by the moon's influence.

Scientists use the moon to predict high tides, currents in the sea, weather, and optimum farming conditions. Our entire atmosphere contains water. The moon's influence on all things is immeasurable.

COINCIDENCE OR PATTERN?

Saddam Hussein, Adolf Hitler, Pol Pot, Machiavelli, and the Duke of Wellington (the guy who defeated Napoleon at Waterloo) — what do these men have in common? They were all relentless warriors and dictators who would stop at nothing to win, and they were all born under the exact same Western astrological sign Taurus during the Chinese lunar year sign of the Ox. The chances of a person being born under the exact same Western sign and Chinese/Eastern sign is 1 in 144. This is not a coincidence, it is a pattern. The exact birth date of Idi Amin, who was born in the 1925 Ox year, cannot be verified. Nevertheless, Amin displayed characteristics of other Ox dictators, and he was perhaps a Taurus-born Ox.

Our personalities gradually develop with the influence of our environment, biology, and astrology. Therefore, a Taurus-Ox who is raised in a loving environment and strong democracy, with a well-developed sense of empathy, could thrive and be an extremely positive asset to his or her community, such as Madeleine Albright.

Barack Obama (Leo-Ox), Napoleon Bonaparte (Leo-Ox), and Menachem Begin (Leo-Ox) demonstrate an array of Leo-Ox power, and Princess Diana (Cancer-Ox), Elizabeth Edwards (Cancer-Ox), Margaret Thatcher (Libra-Ox), and Barbara Bush (Gemini-Ox) are a few examples of female Ox power put to good use.

President Ronald Reagan, former Vice President Dan Quayle, and Congressman Sonny Bono were all born under the sign Aquarius in Chinese years of the Pig. These were all very nice men who continually surprised us with their career feats. During the years Ronald Reagan performed in Hollywood films with chimpanzees, most people would never have expected him to someday be elected President of the United States. Similarly, most of us did not expect to see Sonny Bono elected to congress after listening to his tone-deaf attempt at singing during the 1960s. This sign demonstrates a good example of how to anticipate the unexpected with the use of Chinese astrology.

And we mustn't forget Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger (Leo-Pig) — another very nice man who started as a muscle-bound film actor with a heavy Austrian accent - - turned action hero - - turned Governor of the State of California, making him one of the most powerful and influential leaders in the world. We should remember...never underestimate the intelligence and success potential of a Pig!

Then there are Dogs. We love them and anxiously await their next display of unique charm. Elvis, Cher, Madonna, Prince, Michael Jackson, and Bill Clinton to name a few, seem to have a knack for being able to carry off a provocative style that the rest of us would never consider attempting: Elvis and his erotic pelvis in the '50s, Cher and her bellybutton fashions in the '60s and '70s, Michael Jackson and his crotch gestures in the '80s and '90s, Bill Clinton and his impeachment activity, Madonna and her . . . well, you get the idea.

CHINESE ASTROLOGY — THE BARE FACTS

Individuals born under the same birth signs have similar and predictable personalities. Similar to Western astrology, which features 12 signs, Chinese astrology also features 12 signs pertaining to yearly cycles of the moon.

Basically, Chinese astrology is built on a 12-year cycle, referencing each of the 12 years with animal names, i.e. Rat, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Sheep, Monkey, Rooster, Dog, and Pig.

Each lunar sign lasts for one full year, differing from Western signs that last for approximately one month. Each of the 12-year cycles repeat sequentially through five different elements (metal, water, wood, fire, and earth), and a full cycle completes after 60 years.

A SIMPLE METHOD

A simple method for most people who begin their study into Chinese astrology is to refer only to the 12 yearly animal signs, without considering the five elements. However, it is extremely beneficial to combine the study of Chinese astrology with knowledge of the twelve Western astrological signs and to consider a person's environment and biological aspects. Fundamentally, this allows you to study 144 different sign combinations.

EXPLAINING THE WESTERN-EASTERN DIFFERENCE

During one full lunar year, all twelve Western signs travel through the same Chinese sign, and after a 12-year lunar cycle there are 144 combinations. For example, a person born under the sign Aries would also be born with a lunar Chinese astrological sign. This means that there are 12 different types of Aries-born people, each born in a different Chinese lunar year, i.e. Aries-Rat, Aries-Ox, Aries-Tiger, Aries-Rabbit, Aries-Dragon, Aries-Snake, Aries-Horse, Aries-Sheep, Aries-Monkey, Aries-Rooster, Aries-Dog, and Aries-Pig.

By using the Western-Eastern lunar combination, along with knowledge of how these signs interact, a detailed personality profile is unveiled. Chinese astrology is a powerful tool, one that therapists and counselors would do well to employ.

USING THE UNDERESTIMATED ASSET

Chinese astrology offers studied patterns for understanding a person's strengths and vulnerabilities. Expert practioners use this understanding to empower people, especially at critical crossroads in their lives by identifying strengths, building on them, and strengthening vulnerabilities.

Chinese astrology offers guidance to understand the changing cycles in an individual's life and destiny, it even predicts and prepares us for the inevitable cycles in our lives — it truly is the underestimated asset.