The Handbook of Chinese Horoscopes (40th Anniversary Edition)

by Theodora Lau

  Dog

  The Dog is friendly but pragmatic. The Rat has great respect for the Dog, who will not contest the Rat in any struggle for dominance, as the Dog has different priorities. Both know their limits and territories. They do not have any serious differences in outlook and will work together as a team when necessary. However, should the Rat clash with a Horse or Tiger, the Dog will not be on the Rat’s side because most Dogs will be on the side of the Horse and Tiger every time.

  Boar

  This can be a moderately happy and workable partnership. The Boar will respond generously to the Rat’s need for commitment. The crafty Rat brings intuition and an ability for self-preservation into such a union, two things that a Boar will find invaluable. The Rat will also discover that luck always favors the good-hearted Boar. Both will benefit from their association and come out feeling like winners.

  The Rat and Its Ascendant Relationships

  We all have a shadow that follows us throughout life. Sometimes it grows bigger than life, and at other times it shrinks until it disappears into the soles of our feet. Sometimes it walks tall before us, and on other occasions it lags behind like a sulking friend. In Chinese horoscopes, this constant partner, manifest or not, is our ascendant, the animal sign that rules the hour of our birth and becomes a comrade in our journey through life. We may view it as friend or foe, or even a little of both. It surfaces when we least expect and shows a better or worse side of our nature. We can often be confounded by the way we listen to our “other self,” and we can feel resentful of the significant influence it can exert on us. Actually, a personality has many rings around the center of the self, and each ring can have a different size, texture, and aura. When all these factors combine, they bring forth the unique individual that the person truly is.

  Hence, a Dragon with an incompatible ascendant, like the Dog, has perhaps a more difficult inner struggle than a Snake born during the hours of the Snake. The double intensity of the Snake person will be easily understood by horoscope readers, while the more intricate Dragon/Dog may exhibit the contrary Dog and Dragon traits to varying degrees. There are many voices within each person, but in the end, only the individual determines which course he or she will follow, which choices he or she will make.

  Following are the time periods governing the twelve ascendants, with descriptions of each ascendant’s effect on the Rat born during that period. The time of birth used to determine the ascendant is always the local time in the place of birth.

  11 p.m. to 1 a.m. = Hours of the Rat

  You are a super-charming, very intuitive, and occasionally conceited person. Besides being an excellent writer, reporter, or lawyer, you are openly inquisitive and love the limelight. You are quick to learn new things, agile and superior in mental pursuits. You can also be demanding and domineering. You are renowned for your spicy wit and dry sense of humor. Try not to be so possessive and critical.

  1 a.m. to 3 a.m. = Hours of the Ox

  You have a serious nature and favor the slow, sure ways of the Ox. You will still have the Rat’s appealing personality, but your gambling instincts will be curtailed by the Ox’s caution. You may be dominated by the Ox’s love of home and duty and be less adventurous than other Rats. Nonetheless, you are strong-minded and cannot be easily deterred from what you want. With the Ox’s fortitude and the Rat’s intuition, you should go far.

  3 a.m. to 5 a.m. = Hours of the Tiger

  The Tiger is an aggressive ascendant. When added to your normally acquisitive nature, you will be an overachiever. You find it hard to be satisfied with anything you have and will always strive for better and more. With the Tiger roaring in you, however, you will find it hard to hold on to your money. You are more generous than other Rats and more colorful, too. A natural performer, you will love being on stage or in films.

  5 a.m. to 7 a.m. = Hours of the Rabbit

  A soft-spoken and docile person with impeccable taste, you could inherit the Rabbit’s taste for diplomacy and be known for your astuteness and business acumen. You may be calculating and ambitious, but with your beautiful Rabbit manner, your associates will never know—until it’s too late.

  7 a.m. to 9 a.m. = Hours of the Dragon

  Having the Dragon as your ascendant will be a blessing. You will be big-hearted and magnanimous—sometimes against your better judgment. You will give someone a large loan and then regret it almost immediately. But the Dragon’s expansive nature could curb your covetous ways. People are drawn to your leadership abilities. The Dragon’s luck combined with your money-making talents will bring you the attention and success you crave.

  9 a.m. to 11 a.m. = Hours of the Snake

  The Snake ascendant gives you immense sex appeal. You will have hordes of admirers. But the Snake could make you secretive and introspective. You are charming, intelligent, and inscrutable where your emotions are concerned. It will be hard for others to read you because of that Snake mystique. You love your privacy and will not explain your motives to anyone. They will have to accept you the way you are.

  11 a.m. to 1 p.m. = Hours of the Horse

  You are a dashing but daring Rat who tends to take unnecessary risks. The fun-loving ways of the Horse may also make your love life turbulent. Financially, you tend to ride high on a wave of success or teeter on the brink of bankruptcy. You must learn to rein in the passion of the impulsive Horse within you and take the middle of the road.

  1 p.m. to 3 p.m. = Hours of the Sheep

  You have a very loving nature, compliments of the Sheep ascendant, but you may be oversentimental and easily discouraged by criticism. The Sheep brings good taste and refinement to your life, and you will be gifted with a keen eye for making good investments in the arts. Both your natural sign and your ascendant are opportunistic, but at different ends of the spectrum. It’s hard to imagine you not getting your way. You can talk or cry your way out of every tough situation.

  3 p.m. to 5 p.m. = Hours of the Monkey

  What an enterprising combination! That Monkey ascendant in you will help you find every trick in the book, while the Rat sign won’t hesitate to use it. With the Monkey’s influence, you are less sentimental and more inventive and creative. This is the sign of a problem solver and natural performer who will never take no for an answer.

  5 p.m. to 7 p.m. = Hours of the Rooster

  The perfection-loving Rooster will make you even more capable and alert. Nothing will escape your eagle eye. However, while the Rat in you may be saving money for that rainy day, the Rooster side has grand designs on how to spend it. You can redeem yourself by applying all your admirable qualities to running a business with other people’s money. Overconfidence will be your main stumbling block.

  7 p.m. to 9 p.m. = Hours of the Dog

  Under the Dog’s influence, you will be fair-minded and unprejudiced, but your basic craving for wealth and power could gnaw away at the Dog’s noble conscience. You may be forever in a struggle between doing the right thing and doing the profitable thing. This combination could make you a writer of some authority or a journalist/philosopher with an acid pen. People may fear your sharp tongue, too. There’s no shutting you up when you want to make a point.

  9 p.m. to 11 p.m. = Hours of the Boar

  Your Rat personality will hate carrying the Boar’s scruples around. What a burden! It makes you hesitant to take advantage of potentially profitable situations. You could end up a popular do-gooder who is taken advantage of. Then again, everyone will envy you for your large circle of friends and extensive influence. You will truly be surrounded by love.

  When Moon Signs Meet Sun Signs

  In our interpretation of Chinese horoscopes, the first lunar sign, the Rat, is not linked with the first Western astrological sun sign, Aries. Instead, we pair the Rat with its Western counterpart based on the month and season of the Rat, which are December and winter. This makes the most sense, as the lunar month of December (also called the Twelfth Moon or the Twelfth Earth Branch) is supposed to parallel th
e sun sign Sagittarius, the Archer. We envision the Eastern and Western horoscope cycles as two large wheels, each with twelve spokes. To correctly juxtapose these cycles, we must find the matching notch that will join them together. Once the Rat and Sagittarius are paired as the first signs, the other eleven signs of both systems fall into place with each other.

  Following are the twelve Western solar signs, with descriptions of each sign’s effect on the Rat born under that sign.

  Sagittarius: November 22 to December 21

  Sagittarius Rat = Fire + Positive Water

  A serendipitous dancer—the Sagittarian Rat is sleek and speedy, with the Archer’s aim and the Rat’s opportunistic insight. Sagittarius is Jupiter’s bold, proud child, and the Rat exudes charm and brilliance. This personality will be accommodating and cheerful. The Sagittarian Rat possesses great joie de vivre coupled with a strong hold on reality and is a clever judge of situations. Blessed with great presence of mind, this Rat will not flounder when faced with a crisis. A person of this combination loves to be in the thick of company. However, Sagittarian Rats can be brutally frank when angered or if they decide to speak their mind.

  Capricorn: December 22 to January 20

  Capricorn Rat = Earth + Positive Water

  Sociable, steady, resourceful. A consummate hoarder, Capricorn Rat labels, catalogs, and takes stock of possessions endlessly. Don’t laugh—come rainy weather, these Rats may have cornered all the umbrellas on the market, and you will have to depend on them. The Capricorn Rat is wise and careful, less mobile and adventurous than other Rats. Faithful and dependable, they like to form permanent relationships. With the secure Capricorn inside, this Rat is less likely to take chances or gamble. Whatever else they are, you can be sure these folks believe in being insured.

  Aquarius: January 21 to February 19

  Aquarius Rat = Air + Positive Water

  A match that could produce a bubbling or a babbling brook. Positive and versatile, this aerated water personality is crystal clear in expressing themselves and needs variety and freedom in every aspect of their life. Aquarian Rats are less acquisitive and value their personal relationships more than their financial ones. Impatient and at times audacious, they can be defiant when challenged. Armed with sharp perception and gifted with enticing charm, they can usually convince others to dance to their tune. They make amends for their uneven moods by giving their allegiance to good causes and serving others without expecting rewards. This is not a person who carries a grudge.

  Pisces: February 20 to March 20

  Pisces Rat = Water + Positive Water

  A pleasing double water personality, as Pisces is melodious and psychic, and Rats are well-versed in taking care of their own family and interests. A person who combines these two signs will always be able to demonstrate their creativity, even if they are shy and not desirous of facing the public. The Pisces Rat could be a prolific writer because of the Fish’s deep appreciation of human emotions and the written word. The natural aggressive and selfish tendencies of the clannish Rat are subdued to a fair degree, leaving a less charged individual with peaceful inclinations. This person will value home and security before all else. Meditative, resourceful, sensitive, yet productive, the Pisces Rat will get straight As for deportment.

  Aries: March 21 to April 19

  Aries Rat = Fire + Positive Water

  A person with typical Aries fearlessness tempered by the Rat’s craft and immense charm. A magnificently headstrong but likable, progressive personality. Self-assured and always in full control of situations, this Rat will plunge into a busy and involved existence, with a tendency to be somewhat rushed and too goal oriented. Well-read and boldly inquisitive, the Aries Rat mixes and mingles freely in all circles because of their vibrant love of the limelight.

  Taurus: April 20 to May 20

  Taurus Rat = Earth + Positive Water

  Here, enterprise and activity blend with a love of security. The Taurean Rat is a practical and companionable person who keeps up with changing times and has strong literary leanings. Money is very important to these Rats, and their realistic souls teach them early in life not to bank on anyone but themselves. This Rat is amenable and clever at arranging beneficial compromises, while the Bull is not curiosity prone or given to misadventures, especially monetary ones. A person born with this combination could write or talk their way out of trouble, but they won’t like to waste their money on legal fees. William Shakespeare was a Taurean Rat.

  Gemini: May 21 to June 21

  Gemini Rat = Air + Positive Water

  A tremendously energetic combination. Both signs have an unmistakable flair for words; hence, this personality could be an indefatigable talker or writer, or both. But the Rat is careful, whereas the Twins are carefree. Consequently, these Rats tend to give their attention to too many different projects without being selective, and in the end, they accomplish less than they should. No doubt, the Gemini Rat is innovative and exciting to have around, but their interests may change too quickly to be relied on.

  Cancer: June 22 to July 21

  Cancer Rat = Water + Positive Water

  A deeply intuitive and secretive personality. The Cancerian Rat is a veritable well of emotions. The Rat’s outgoing personality here could enliven and lessen the Moonchild’s strong inhibitions or shyness. In this combination, we find a person not easily led astray by impractical aspirations. Things have to be tried and found true before the Cancerian Rat gives their trust. They are relaxed only in familiar surroundings. Both solar and lunar signs are concerned with domestic affairs, and this personality desires a close-knit family life in addition to accumulating wealth and material possessions.

  Leo: July 22 to August 21

  Leo Rat = Fire + Positive Water

  The perceptive Rat is a strong believer in getting real value for money. The Lion checks the Rat’s avarice and makes this personality less calculating. The Leo Rat is aristocratic, impetuous, and involved in everything. Daring and proud, they love their freedom but can be relied upon to lead, a trustworthy person who will not neglect important details or the financial aspects of matters. Leonine integrity coupled with the Rat’s presence of mind and sagacity result in a magnetic, appealing person who has a lively sense of humor.

  Virgo: August 22 to September 22

  Virgo Rat = Earth + Positive Water

  These two active signs make up a very industrious soul with a natural aptitude for investigation. The pure-minded Virgo will be made more jovial and delightful by the Rat. This person is bound to be an inquisitive perfectionist who will explore every option before making a move. The Virgo Rat will be an ingenious and studious soul with limitless capabilities if they learn how to hold their critical tongue.

  Libra: September 23 to October 22

  Libra Rat = Air + Positive Water

  An exciting personality, bubbling like soda water with life and laughter. The balanced scales of Libra love society and harmonious relations, as does the Rat; both signs are born charmers. The Libra Rat is bound to be very flexible and understanding. Yet a person born under this combination will not lose the Rat’s love of economy or Libra’s knack for joint ventures. Because of these qualities, they will possess a sharp eye for beauty matched by a keen nose for bargains.

  Scorpio: October 23 to November 21

  Scorpio Rat = Water + Positive Water

  A scheming, intense, fantastically effective Rat. The Rat is competitive by nature, and here Scorpio will strengthen the Rat’s willpower and possessiveness. Efficiency is at its maximum here. Hardworking and productive, this personality is as powerful as a waterfall and will generate tremendous support wherever it goes. Being a double water combination, the Scorpio Rat is silent and deep. If they had the power, they would not hesitate to strike out at their adversaries with the use of a pen. While they are good writers, they are even better critics.

  The Seasons of the Rat

  Spring

  As we mentioned earlier, Rats born in the
evening are more alert, active, and hardworking than those born during the day. When Rats are born in the spring, they will lead an exciting existence. Just as spring awakens us from the long sleep of winter, spring Rats will show above-average involvement, curiosity, and creativity. Like eager-beaver go-getters, these people are self-starters and do not need to be told twice how to do something. Forever enchanted by the newest, fastest, best things or ways to do things, the lively spring Rat is abreast of the latest news and trends. Quick and agile both physically and mentally, persons of the Rat year born in this season possess ample wit and humor and will liven up any party.

  Summer

  Summer Rats born during the day will enjoy a comfortable existence. Food is plentiful, and they will not be in need. Feeling warm and indolent, they will not have to work too hard to have a good life. The long summer nights spent in full granaries are theirs to enjoy and explore. If they stay close to their family and home, they need never fear danger or want.