Theresa Cheung - The Element Encyclopedia of Birthdays

Over the years research has focused on the influence of one star in particular—the sun. This is because ultraviolet radiation (UVR), a type of radiation emitted by the sun, is believed to cause genetic changes in the developing baby that may have a shaping effect on their life and personality. This could explain from a scientific perspective why many of us believe that common characteristics and fates are shared by those born at the same time of the year. For example, researchers have found that your chances of living beyond 100 are higher if you are born in November or December. However, it is important to remember that the research on which this is based, on the impact of sun radiation, doesn’t necessarily apply to people born in the southern hemisphere, where summer starts in December and finishes at the end of February.

Here’s a snapshot of other significant findings by different researchers to date. Bear in mind that new studies come out all the time; now you have this book, you may want to keep track of them.

Happiness: According to a UK study, people born in March, April and May tend to be more optimistic than people born at other times of the year. But those born in winter and spring can also be more prone to mood swings, with January being the month most linked with bipolar disorder and May being the month most linked with depression. Those born in September, October and November have the lowest rates of depression, but can be more prone to irritability. Another study from Austria suggested that happy people are more likely to have been born in June, July and August. Meanwhile, research from Japan found that people born in December, January and February were likely to be more pessimistic than those born at other times of the year.

Personality: Swedish researchers found that women born between February and April were more likely to be novelty seekers than those born in October and November. Men born in spring were more likely to be impulsive, while those born in winter were prone to introspection. According to small studies of celebrities, being born in January and February increases the chances of becoming famous, as these months are linked to creativity. In general, many studies show that those born in winter are less positive in their outlook on life than those born in the summer. In addition, November- and winter-born children may end up being bigger, taller and more academically inclined than those born in summer, according to American psychiatrists, with September-born babies most likely to go to college. Babies born in the fall also tend to perform better at athletics and sports.

Health: British research has shown that those born in winter have a greater risk of developing heart disease and an increased risk of obesity. In general, the latest research into our month of birth and health in the northern hemisphere suggests that being born in January, June, August and December neither increases nor decreases the risk of disease; October and November are associated with increased risk, with September not far behind; February, March, April and July have a decreased risk; and May is the healthiest month of all in which to be born.

None of this research should encourage prospective parents to try to time the births of their children. There are many academic children born in the spring and many healthy people born in November. Your personality and your health are influenced by so many things other than the month you were born in. But what all this science of birthdays does show is that there is some scientific correlation between month of birth and personality traits. I have taken this correlation into account when creating the 366 profiles.

You’ll notice a “Born today” list of names for each of the birthday profiles. The characteristics these people had or have in common were also taken into account during the creation of each profile. Some of these people are world famous, but others less so. They were selected for inclusion because in my opinion in their different ways they are all people who maximized or are maximizing the mystical potential of the day they were born.

The people chosen all tilted or are tilting the world in a more positive or uplifting direction. (You won’t find Hitler, born on April 20, listed, for example, or Charles Manson, born on November 12.) In other words, we can admire and learn from them. Knowing you share a birthday with someone influential or inspirational can be educational and motivational.

Details about these individuals have been kept as concise as possible, simply listing their full name and what they are most well known for. This brevity will hopefully encourage you to do your own research about them because their life choices may offer you further inspiration about your own life choices. If in your research about people born on your birthday you do stumble across less savory examples, don’t let that dishearten you. Every person is born a complex mix of positive and negative potential. There are saints and sinners born every single day of the year. Your personality is formed and your destiny created not by your potential for positive or negative, but by the choices you make every day and what you actually decide to do with your one precious life.

Even though there may be certain similarities for people born on the same day, as mentioned earlier, never ever forget that every person is born unique and full of their own potential, just as every new day is also unique and full of its own potential. Bear in mind, too, that there are going to be both blessings and challenges associated with each birthday in the year.

We all have free will. Each one of us has a choice. We can choose to maximize the blessings of the day or allow negative choices to drain our potential. The purpose of our lives is to evolve. It is only by facing and overcoming challenges that we learn and grow. Sometimes growth hurts, but this struggle isn’t necessarily a negative thing. It can be the very best thing for your evolution or spiritual awakening. In other words, if your birthday seems to focus more on overcoming challenges, this doesn’t put you at a disadvantage. Quite the opposite. It suggests huge potential for personal growth and living a life of deep meaning.

Chinese astrology is similar to Western astrology in that it helps its followers understand themselves and others better. It also consists of 12 signs and each of these signs offers profound insight into personality traits. And just as in Western astrology your horoscope consists of more than your sun sign, that’s also the case with Chinese astrology. Each sign has an element, a balance of yin and yang and divisions to consider.

However, the similarities end there. The names of the 12 signs in Western astrology derive from constellations, whereas the names of the 12 signs in Chinese astrology derive from animals. The Chinese believe that the animal sign you are born under impacts your personality and destiny, as expressed in the saying, “This animal hides in your heart.” According to ancient myth, the Jade Emperor (some variations say it was the Buddha) called all the animals to take part in a race. But only 12 animals came, so these 12 were given the honor of having a year named after them according to their finishing place in the race, with the rat coming in first and the wild boar or pig last.

Perhaps the biggest difference between the two systems is that Chinese astrology determines your zodiac sign by year of birth, while Western astrology determines it by day and month of birth. Also, the Western zodiac year begins at the spring equinox. In the East each Chinese sign is determined by the lunar calendar and begins at Chinese New Year, which is the second new moon after the winter solstice.