Your Chinese Horoscope 2012: What the year of the dragon holds in store for you
The year 2012 is the Chinese Year of the Dragon – what will this mean for you? This complete guide contains all the predictions you will need to take you into the year ahead – a year which offers great hope, advancement and opportunity.The ancient art of Chinese astrology, which predates the Western zodiac, is a detailed system of divination that has been in use in the Orient for thousands of years.The depth of its wisdom and the accuracy of its character analysis and prediction has caught the imagination of the Western world in recent years and led to a rapid rise in its popularity.This popular and enlightening bestselling guide – now in its 21st year – includes:• Everything you need to know about the 12 signs of the Chinese zodiac• An explanation of the Five Elements: metal, water, wood, fire and earth, and which one governs your sign• Individual predictions to help you find love, luck and success• What the Year of the Dragon has in store for you, your family, your loved ones and friends.
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25th Anniversary Edition
Neil Somerville
What the Year of the Dragon holds in store for you
Your Chinese Horoscope 2012
TO ROS, RICHARD AND EMILY
Contents
Introduction
The Chinese Years
Welcome to the Year of the Dragon
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
How to Get the Best from your Chinese Sign and the Year
Acknowledgements
About the Author
Copyright
About the Publisher
AND A SPECIAL NOTE FROM THE AUTHOR
This year marks the twenty-fifth anniversary of Your Chinese Horoscope, and not only does this represent a personal milestone for me, but it is also a chance to convey my gratitude to many. Not only have those I have worked with at HarperCollins always been helpful, but for a great many years Liz Hutchins has carefully assisted with the editing, and so, Liz, and all at HarperCollins, a special thank you.
I have also been impressed by the quality of the many foreign language editions produced and would like to thank the publishers for the care they have taken, as well as for helping to make Your Chinese Horoscope so widely available.
The messages I have received from readers over the years have meant a great deal to me and I am especially grateful to those who buy my book every year for their wonderful support. To all readers, whether new to this series or regular, I wish every good fortune.
I hope to continue writing Your Chinese Horoscope for many more years. The first 25 years have been interesting … and just a prelude to the possibilities that lie ahead.
With thanks and best wishes,
Neil Somerville
INTRODUCTION
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 2012 will prove interesting and helpful for the year ahead.
THE CHINESE YEARS
Rat 18 February 1912 to 5 February 1913
Ox 6 February 1913 to 25 January 1914
Tiger 26 January 1914 to 13 February 1915
Rabbit 14 February 1915 to 2 February 1916
Dragon 3 February 1916 to 22 January 1917
Snake 23 January 1917 to 10 February 1918
Horse 11 February 1918 to 31 January 1919
Goat 1 February 1919 to 19 February 1920
Monkey 20 February 1920 to 7 February 1921
Rooster 8 February 1921 to 27 January 1922
Dog 28 January 1922 to 15 February 1923
Pig 16 February 1923 to 4 February 1924
