Theresa Cheung - The Element Encyclopedia of Birthdays

Tarot card, lucky numbers, days, colors:The Empress, 3, 4, Saturday, Thursday, purple, gray

Born today:J. R. R. Tolkien (fantasy author); Sergio Leone (film director); Greta Thunberg (climate-change activist)

Potential:Charming, inventive

Dark side:Vain, stubborn

“I am here to learn”

The life lesson:is that you don’t feel understood.

The way forward:is to put yourself in the other person’s shoes, and see their perspective before explaining your own.

Luck maker:Listen as much as you speak.

January 4-born are drawn to the eclectic. They gather, sort and then select only the best, and use this sorting approach to solve problems in all aspects of their lives. Their impressive list of contacts and numerous projects all on the go reflect their unlimited powers of imagination. This erratic approach may seem chaotic, but there is always method in their madness. By learning all that can be learned from a variety of sources, they often emerge triumphant with an encyclopedic knowledge of life that can help them solve almost any complication or cope with any challenge they encounter.

They need careers that give them variety, but also allow them to be creative and spontaneous, such as in the media or travel. The unlimited possibility of careers online suits them perfectly. Born investigators, they can also make inspiring educators, entrepreneurs, web designers, publicists, lawyers, writers, detectives, inventors, scientists, artists, technology experts, designers, influencers, activists and journalists. A brain-boosting diet rich in green leafy vegetables, oily fish, berries, nuts and seeds is recommended for the hungry minds born on this day. Regular meditation is also beneficial. For self-care, before going to bed compile a “to-do” list of what you hope to achieve the next day. The following day enjoy the satisfaction of ticking off all those items on the list.

Any interaction with these innovative and meticulous people has to have a point, otherwise they quickly lose interest. Their inability to indulge in chitchat and occasional bouts of intolerance can work against them in their personal and professional lives but, more often than not, their bluntness and conviction are welcomed as a breath of fresh air. Like a fine wine, these people become more successful with age and their potential for success is most likely to emerge after the age of 30 and beyond. The same applies to their relationships. Deep down they are caring, but it can take a while for them to find a partner who can keep up with them. Their destiny is to gather as much knowledge as they can and then to present that knowledge in an authoritative way that both informs and inspires others.

Tarot card, lucky numbers, days, colors:The Emperor, 4, 5, Saturday, Sunday, blue, brown

Born today:Isaac Newton (physicist); Jacob Grimm (folklorist); Tina Knowles (fashion designer)

Potential:Independent, imaginative

Dark side:Aloof, chaotic

“Self-knowledge is the beginning of my wisdom”

The life lesson:is to understand that for your enthusiasm to be effective, it also needs to be realistic.

The way forward:is to motivate others without overly raising expectations or making them feel cornered or controlled.

Luck maker:Sometimes less really is more.

January 5-born are resilient, glass-half-full individuals, but they can also be extremely practical. They recover well from setbacks, intuitively understanding that learning from the past and any mistakes made along the way is all part of life’s journey. They are often wise beyond their years and make commanding advisors, guides and leaders, truly coming into their own during times of crisis. Their buoyant approach to life wins them many admirers but, taken to extremes, it can also make them unrealistically confident, bordering on arrogant.

Born mediators, they thrive in careers that allow them to be a communicator, networker, advisor, politician, motivational speaker or whenever a positive spin needs to be put on things. Advertising, politics, publicity, social services, architecture, marketing and the law can appeal, as do careers in teaching, medicine, sports, counseling, entertainment, the performing arts, science and social media. Regular time out to switch off, relax or simply have fun is essential for the charismatic and often in-demand people born on this day. They may think it is a waste of time, but it will help them come back recharged, re-invigorated and with new perspectives. Wearing orange or red can help boost their energy. For self-care, every morning ask yourself—as Steve Jobs famously did—if today was the last day of your life would you want to do what you are about to do today. If the answer is “no” for too many days in a row, it’s time to make changes.

Love, for these people, starts in the head and they rate intelligence highly in others. This can make them appear emotionally distant at times but, more often than not, this hides a deeply sensitive nature that is simply afraid to give of itself unconditionally. In their mid-forties there is a movement toward greater responsibility and also toward greater sensitivity, which grows stronger with age. Once they learn to listen to both their inner wisdom and the viewpoints of others, and focus their considerable talents on getting organized and creating a plan to help them achieve their goals, their destiny is to bring the best out in people and be the inspirationally self-reliant rock people instinctively turn to in a crisis.

Tarot card, lucky numbers, days, colors:The Hierophant, 5, 6, Saturday, Wednesday, gray, green