Neil Somerville - Your Chinese Horoscope 2011

TO ROS, RICHARD AND EMILY

As we march into a new year

we each have our hopes, our ambitions and our dreams.

Sometimes fate and circumstance will assist us, sometimes we will struggle and despair, but march we must.

For it is those who keep going, and who keep their aspirations alive, who stand the greatest chance of securing what they want.

March determinedly, and your determination will, in some way, be rewarded.

Neil Somerville

Cover Page

Title Page Your Chinese Horoscope 2011 Neil Somerville What the Year of the Rabbit holds in store for you

Dedication TO ROS, RICHARD AND EMILY

Epigraph As we march into a new year we each have our hopes, our ambitions and our dreams. Sometimes fate and circumstance will assist us, sometimes we will struggle and despair, but march we must. For it is those who keep going, and who keep their aspirations alive, who stand the greatest chance of securing what they want. March determinedly, and your determination will, in some way, be rewarded. Neil Somerville

INTRODUCTION

THE CHINESE YEARS

WELCOME TO THE YEAR OF THE RABBIT

THE RAT

THE OX

THE TIGER

THE RABBIT

THE DRAGON

THE SNAKE

THE HORSE

THE GOAT

THE MONKEY

THE ROOSTER

THE DOG

THE PIG

APPENDIX

RELATIONSHIPS BETWEEN THE SIGNS

YOUR ASCENDANT

HOW TO GET THE BEST FROM YOUR CHINESE SIGN AND THE YEAR

Acknowledgements

About the Author

Copyright

About the Publisher

The origins of Chinese horoscopes have been lost in the mists of time. It is known, however, that oriental astrologers practised their art many thousands of years ago and even today Chinese astrology continues to fascinate and intrigue.

In Chinese astrology there are 12 signs named after 12 different animals. No one quite knows how the signs acquired their names, but there is one legend that offers an explanation. According to this legend, one Chinese New Year the Buddha invited all the animals in his kingdom to come before him. Unfortunately, for reasons best known to the animals, only 12 turned up. The first to arrive was the Rat, followed by the Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Goat, Monkey, Rooster, Dog and finally Pig. In gratitude, the Buddha decided to name a year after each of the animals and that those born during that year would inherit some of the personality of that animal. Therefore those born in the year of the Ox would be hardworking, resolute and stubborn, just like the Ox, while those born in the year of the Dog would be loyal and faithful, just like the Dog. While it is not possible that everyone born in a particular year can have all the characteristics of the sign, it is incredible what similarities do occur, and this is partly where the fascination of Chinese horoscopes lies.

In addition to the 12 signs of the Chinese zodiac there are five elements and these have a strengthening or moderating influence upon the signs. Details about the effects of the elements are given in each of the chapters on the signs.

To find out which sign you were born under, refer to the tables on the following pages. As the Chinese year is based on the lunar year and does not start until late January or early February, it is particularly important for anyone born in those two months to check carefully the dates of the Chinese year in which they were born.

Also included, in the appendix, are two charts showing the compatibility between the signs for personal and business relationships and details about the signs ruling the different hours of the day. From this it is possible to locate your ascendant and, as in Western astrology, this has a significant influence on your personality.

In writing this book I have taken the unusual step of combining the intriguing nature of Chinese horoscopes with the Western desire to know what the future holds, and have based my interpretations upon various factors relating to each of the signs. Over the years in which Your Chinese Horoscope has been published I have been pleased that so many have found the sections on the forthcoming year of interest and hope that the horoscope has been constructive and useful. Remember, though, that at all times you are master of your own destiny.

I sincerely hope that Your Chinese Horoscope 2011 will prove interesting and helpful for the year ahead.

The names of the signs in the Chinese zodiac occasionally differ, although the characteristics of the signs remain the same. In some books the Ox is referred to as the Buffalo or Bull, the Rabbit as the Hare or Cat, the Goat as the Sheep and the Pig as the Boar.

For the sake of convenience, the male gender is used throughout this book. Unless otherwise stated, the characteristics of the signs apply to both sexes.

Whether nibbling the grass in a lush green meadow, living on a hillside or kept as a family pet, there is an air of contentment about the Rabbit. Little seems to trouble him and he just gets on with life in a quiet and peaceable manner. And while a lot can happen in a Rabbit year, it can touch the lives of all of us in a positive and inspiring way. This is a time which favours the family and encourages learning and personal growth as well as the commemoration of major events.

Politically, Rabbit years are times of diplomacy and negotiation. In this one, in view of some of the tensions and warring going on, many of the world’s leaders will be examining ways forward, exploring options and trying to reach consensus. Over the year some carefully negotiated agreements will be forged which will not only bring peace to some troubled regions but also help in reducing carbon emissions, decommissioning weapons and tackling world economic issues. The year will see a succession of summits and, as a result, the strengthening of ties between world leaders and nations.

Interestingly, previous Rabbit years have seen the formation of the Entente Cordiale between Britain and France, the establishment of a hotline between Moscow and Washington, the ending of the Vietnam War and, in 1987, the INF treaty between America and the Soviet Union being signed, which paved the way for the destruction of all land-based medium-and short-range missiles. It was in that same Rabbit year that Soviet President Mikhail Gorbachev introduced glasnost , the policy of openness that was to transform life in the Soviet Union and later have a great impact on events in Eastern Europe. What happens in 2011 can be equally far-reaching.