The Handbook of Chinese Horoscopes (40th Anniversary Edition)

by Theodora Lau

  There will be no large clashes between Monkey and Pig because both are outgoing and can relate easily to each other, especially if they share the same goals. They can establish a fairly good relationship once they realize they need each other’s skills. The Monkey can spot opportunity a mile away, while the Boar (aka Ms. or Mr. Moneybags) will back the Monkey up 100 percent. The Monkey will be less extravagant than the generous Boar and may persuade the Boar not to go overboard entertaining or giving handouts to family and friends. Boars also need Monkeys to curb their optimism and plan for the unexpected contingencies they may prefer to ignore but that are sure to crop up in their partnership.

  The Monkey 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 Monkey 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 blessed with a sparkling personality. Nothing will stop you from savoring everything life has to offer and hanging on to your money at the same time. With the Rat as your ascendant, you will be very enterprising but also sentimental. You will always try to hire your relatives and old classmates and will never like to turn friends away. Frugal, possessive, and inquisitive, you are likely to be the life of the party.

  1 a.m. to 3 a.m. = Hours of the Ox

  You could be a quiet Monkey, straitlaced but with better credentials. With the Ox as your ascendant, you tend to favor the sure and proper way of doing things. Never one to leave things to chance, you tend to plan far, far in advance, and you can be harsh to anyone who does not follow the rules. A good student, hard worker, and patient teacher, you put your responsibilities first and believe in caution and devotion to duty.

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

  With the colorful Tiger as your ascendant, you could be a forceful and exuberant Monkey. However, both signs here are too self-confident and a bit wary of other people and their motives. You have great vitality and charm, but if you are overly aggressive, you could land in a heap of trouble—and still you might be unwilling to take anybody’s advice or concede defeat. Nonetheless, it will be impossible to keep you down or ignore your many talents and contributions. Get a handle on your unpredictable temper, and half your battles are won.

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

  Since you are fortunate enough to have the Rabbit as your ascendant, you will be a subtle, less mischievous Monkey, with more caution and restraint. You could be almost psychic in your assessments of and dealings with others. You are discreet and careful, make wise decisions, and give excellent advice. The Rabbit provides you with tact and good taste, while the Monkey side can still be calculating and ambitious. But with your savoir faire, no one will ever know unless you let your guard down. And that is most unlikely.

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

  The bombastic Dragon ascendant produces an overly conscientious and doubly ambitious Monkey. With your phenomenal prowess and the Dragon’s high-powered drive, you will prefer to do things on a grand scale and organize vast projects to show off your expertise. Thankfully, you may be the kind of person others rally to and support. With the Dragon in you and your natural Monkey genius, your wildest dreams could come true, if you don’t get carried away by your uncontrollable imagination and optimism.

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

  With the wisdom of the Snake thrown into this combination, you could be a Monkey with great intellect and penetrative powers. You will probably have considerable sex appeal because of that Snake mystique. Tenacious and introverted, you rarely like to explain yourself at length. You formulate your plans in secret and then strike when ready. It will be very difficult for anyone to second-guess you, and they shouldn’t even bother to try.

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

  With the strong and independent Horse as your ascendant, your reflexes will be superior, and you are destined to be athletic or a lover of sports. Although you tend to make hasty judgments and can be outrageously bold and stubborn, you are liked for your ability to act on your convictions in a commanding way. Your magnetic Monkey personality will opt for quick, easy, and unconventional solutions to problems, and you will be very realistic in your outlook. A capable doer, you love to be in the thick of action and are not likely to be a person who shies away from confrontation.

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

  You will be a dreamy, romantic, and artistic Monkey with many wiles and creative ideas. The Sheep ascendant could make you oversensitive, even melodramatic at times, but the winning Monkey wits should be as sharp as ever. In spite of your peaceful demeanor, you will not miss many opportunities to exploit your talents and resources. Your agreeable and acquiescent nature makes it easy for you to deal with people from all walks of life and get them to trust you. Your success usually comes from working well in a team, and you are able to secure considerable influence by networking among your many contacts.

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

  Having the same ascendant as your birth sign makes you a “pure” sign, so the positive and negative qualities inherent to your birth sign will be magnified. Yours could be an extremely adroit and highly evolved personality who will be convivial and supremely optimistic. There isn’t anything you cannot do or get away with. Affable, ambitious, and always enthusiastic, you will be a problem solver of the highest order. Fascinating and adaptable, you could be an inventor or a master tactician. Your wit and ability to improvise make you very competitive. If there is an answer to any mystery, you will be the one to find it.

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

  The Rooster ascendant makes you an unconventional and adventurous Monkey with very high aspirations. With the Monkey’s aptitude, perhaps even the Rooster’s daydreams could come true. Calculating, methodical, and a tireless investigator, you are a veritable storehouse of knowledge and an overachiever with a computerlike brain. Your deductive powers and love of precision and perfection make you an industrious and tenacious worker. However, you should sharpen that Monkey love of humor and zest for life and not be a workaholic like the Rooster.

  7 p.m. to 9 p.m. = Hours of the Dog

  With the Dog as your ascendant, you are less materialistic, more loyal and law-abiding, somewhat emotionally detached, and less inclined to accept every challenge that comes your way. You don’t have to constantly be the best or the brightest. Being loved and accepted for who you are is often satisfying in itself. The Dog may even turn you into a
cool satirist who prefers a simple, rustic life. Still, the Dog makes you a realist who prefers to take the middle of the road. Fair-minded, but not apt to hold your tongue, you tend to be protective and honest in your dealings with everyone.

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

  The Boar that hides in your heart will make you a sporting and less self-conscious Monkey. With the scrupulous Boar’s presence, you are less devious and are easier to deal with. You will strive hard to keep your end of any bargain. A generous heart and larger-than-life need to be appreciated will characterize your personality. Helpful, sincere, and amorous, you could be passionate and devoted to both your duty and those you love. You have the ability to overcome great odds with your endurance and tactical mind. Everyone would do well to consult you regarding work or play; you tend to be an expert in whatever field you choose.

  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 the 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.

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

  Sagittarius: November 22 to December 21

  Sagittarius Monkey = Fire + Negative Fire

  The Monkey provides sustaining fortitude and organizational talent for the high-minded Sagittarian. The Archer will certainly make sure the Monkey’s objectives are as straight and true as the Archer’s aim. This personality will possess both integrity and an impenetrable mind, despite that footloose and fancy-free image they may project to throw us off. These clever and intelligent manipulators never reveal their real angle until they are sure of clinching the deal. The native is a lucky and dynamic conjuror produced by the combined forces of the aristocratic Sagittarius and the ingenious Monkey.

  Capricorn: December 22 to January 20

  Capricorn Monkey = Earth + Positive Metal

  Both signs here are coordinated and competent, although the Monkey is delightful, whereas the Goat can be staid and honest. Here, Capricorn has access to the Monkey’s mental agility and lively imagination, while the Monkey revels in the unwavering forcefulness the Goat brings. The result is a quiet and diligent personality, still clever but not so audacious. These Monkeys will keep their feet firmly planted on the ground, but their sights will be set on the heavens.

  Aquarius: January 21 to February 19

  Aquarius Monkey = Air + Positive Metal

  A spicy character never at a loss for words, the Aquarian Monkey combines the astounding intellect and agility of the Monkey with the ample generosity of the Water Bearer. Both signs have a streak of willfulness and impertinence, so don’t expect this person to fall obediently in line. Cerebral yet playful, sincere yet tricky, direct yet complicated, they are the sum total of Aquarian restlessness and Monkey magic. The Aquarian Monkey is also likely to be ultramodern, flexible, and searching due to the eager Monkey’s tactics and the Water Carrier’s thirst for knowledge.

  Pisces: February 20 to March 20

  Pisces Monkey = Water + Positive Metal

  Cool as a cucumber, delicate as the scent of lavender, and intricate as a maze, the calculating but innocent-looking Piscean Monkey will be the perfect go-between, benefiting from all the buyers and sellers of the world with unparalleled ease. The Monkey is naturally charming, and Pisces is never outdone when it comes to casting mystic spells. The Monkey’s Metal is a vessel that contains the Fish’s mercurial sentimentality, giving his or her talents more form and substance.

  Aries: March 21 to April 19

  Aries Monkey = Fire + Positive Metal

  This unique combination sounds off loud and clear like a brass gong. Blessed with an ease of expression, these Monkeys sell themselves and avidly promote their ideas. The Aries Monkey is full of mental poise and balance. Swinging from one tree to another, they will participate in everything, in every sense of the word. They are unimpressed by restrictions, and nothing will deter them from their plotted course. The Ram gives the Monkey an appearance of unabashed honesty; he or she will look you straight in the eye with sincerity. What goes on in their brain could be a different matter. After they give you that firm handshake, anything goes.

  Taurus: April 20 to May 20

  Taurus Monkey = Earth + Positive Metal

  The Taurean Monkey can be composed and businesslike on the surface but bubbling with fertile ideas underneath. The Monkey’s presence polishes the Bull’s rough edges, making him or her more appealing. Taurus has an impressively sound character, while Monkeys are famous for their flexible intellect. Together, they will produce an ambitious and communicative person able to master their environment. The Venus child is earthy and faithful, while Monkeys are cooperative despite being preoccupied with their own interests. Consequently, the Taurean Monkey will be shrewd but honest, adaptable but steady. They are everybody’s friend but nobody’s fool.

  Gemini: May 21 to June 21

  Gemini Monkey = Air + Positive Metal

  Although this combination will never produce a deep, soul-searching personality, it could be a sign of genius. The Gemini Monkey is the epitome of versatility, as both signs can and will achieve the utterly impossible and will spout ideas by the dozen. Mercury’s Twins are deft and alluring, while the Monkey is the intrepid magician. A person born under this combination is inventive and self-reliant; he or she probably devised every shortcut in the book. The Gemini Monkey has the ability to bounce back from defeat ready to accept new challenges all over again. There is no holding them back once they have decided their course.

  Cancer: June 22 to July 21

  Cancer Monkey = Water + Positive Metal

  This is a home-loving, modest Monkey with unerring fiscal abilities and a good eye for investments. They may have rich tastes and prefer sumptuous and elegant decor for their surroundings. They will like to show off their success with artistic and other expensive possessions. This sort of person will also be found installing multiple gadgets in their home to eliminate irksome everyday chores. Yet behind their demure Cancerian appearance, these Monkeys will maintain their indisputable intellectual prowess and enjoy matching wits with the most able opponents.

  Leo: July 22 to August 21

  Leo Monkey = Fire + Positive Metal

  This is a personality fused by two signs of towering ambition and sound intelligence. The Lion is authoritative but never underhanded or mean. This should curtail the Monkey’s trickery, although the Monkey could be a splendid alter ego for this stately soul and add the Midas touch to the Lion’s undertakings. The Leo Monkey will be aristocratic and self-reliant. He or she can be cheeky or audacious with a tendency to pry into the affairs of others, mostly out of curiosity, not malice. This is a sparkling, super-positive person to work with or for.

  Virgo: August 22 to September 22

  Virgo Monkey = Earth + Positive Metal

  The Virgin is a diligent and competent worker, and the Monkey’s guile will provide the ideal catalyst to put Virgo’s administrative talents to work. The Virgo Monkey will be scientific and inventive, knowledgeable but never overconfident. Blessed with an exploratory mind and a computerlike memory, this Monkey will be a successful and avid businessperson, making sure and winning bets. Possessed of excellent critical faculties, they will compare and categorize endlessly to get practical answers of their own whenever necessary. The only problem could be that they take ages to make up t
heir mind.

  Libra: September 23 to October 22

  Libra Monkey = Air + Positive Metal

  Artful with words, polite and mindful, the angelic Libran Monkey has a smile that promises paradise. What they eventually deliver may or may not qualify as paradise, but the trappings are splendid, and no one in their right mind could possibly pass up this delightful package. Yes, Libra Monkeys will exploit situations to their advantage, but they are also not averse to taking in others on a partnership basis. Here, the enterprising Monkey will have Libra’s democratic cooperation and will therefore find more acceptance than normal.

  Scorpio: October 23 to November 21

  Scorpio Monkey = Water + Positive Metal

  The devious imp combined with Pluto’s self-love and intensity will produce a personality who truly exists for his or her own pleasure. Scorpio’s stealth keeps these Monkeys wedded to an uncompromising way of thinking. Submissiveness and consideration are not their chief virtues. Yet the Scorpio Monkey can be indispensable, efficient, attractive, clever, and most aspiring. They will work hard for what they want but can be pitiless to those looking to take advantage of them. The Monkey is positive and captivating but also incorrigible when it comes to getting his or her way. Both signs here are masters of retaliation; they will have to even the score—or die trying.