The Monkey in 2017: Your Chinese Horoscope. Neil Somerville

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      In writing Your Chinese Horoscope 2017 I am grateful for the assistance and invaluable support that those around me have given.

      I would also like to acknowledge Theodora Lau’s The Handbook of Chinese Horoscopes (Harper & Row, 1979; Arrow, 1981), which was particularly useful to me in my research.

      In addition to Ms Lau’s work, I commend the following books to those who wish to find out more about Chinese horoscopes: Kristyna Arcarti, Chinese Horoscopes for Beginners (Headway, 1995); Catherine Aubier, Chinese Zodiac Signs (Arrow, 1984), series of 12 books; E. A. Crawford and Teresa Kennedy, Chinese Elemental Astrology (Piatkus Books, 1992); Paula Delsol, Chinese Horoscopes (Pan, 1973); Barry Fantoni, Barry Fantoni’s Chinese Horoscopes (Warner, 1994); Bridget Giles and the Diagram Group, Chinese Astrology (HarperCollinsPublishers, 1996); Kwok Man-Ho, Complete Chinese Horoscopes (Sunburst Books, 1995); Lori Reid, The Complete Book of Chinese Horoscopes (Element Books, 1997); Paul Rigby and Harvey Bean, Chinese Astrologics (Publications Division, South China Morning Post Ltd, 1981); Ruth Q. Sun, The Asian Animal Zodiac (Charles E. Tuttle Company, Inc., 1996); Derek Walters, Ming Shu (Pagoda Books, 1987) and The Chinese Astrology Workbook (The Aquarian Press, 1988); Suzanne White, The New Astrology (Pan, 1987), The New Chinese Astrology (Pan, 1994) and Chinese Astrology Plain and Simple (Eden Grove Editions, 1998).

      In addition, I would like to record my thanks to all at HarperCollins who have helped with the editing, production and promotion of Your Chinese Horoscope over the years, as well as to thank my current editor, Carolyn Thorne, for her input and my copy editor, Lizzie Henry, for her wonderful work over so many years.

Introduction to Your Chinese Horoscope 2017

      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 2017 will prove interesting and helpful for the year ahead.

      This edition also marks the thirtieth year of publication and a personal milestone for me. I would like to take this opportunity to thank all who have bought this and other books in the series. Indeed, some, I know, have read Your Chinese Horoscope for many years. I am grateful to you all for your support and interest. However, with deep regret I have decided that this will be the last annual book in the series. Instead, I will turn my attention to a new volume and hope to share with you and many others special insights on Chinese horoscopes, including ways of making the best of your sign and a horoscope for each and every year. I hope such a volume, entitled Your Chinese Horoscope for Each and Every Year, will be of value and lasting interest.

      But for the moment, the Year of the Rooster is one rewarding effort and commitment and I hope it rewards you well.

The Chinese Years

      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

      Rat 5 February 1924 to 23 January 1925

      Ox 24 January 1925 to 12 February 1926

      Tiger 13 February 1926 to 1 February 1927

      Rabbit 2 February 1927 to 22 January 1928

      Dragon 23 January 1928 to 9 February 1929

      Snake 10 February 1929 to 29 January 1930

      Horse 30 January 1930 to 16 February 1931

      Goat 17 February 1931 to 5 February 1932

      Monkey 6 February 1932 to 25 January 1933

      Rooster 26 January 1933 to 13 February 1934

      Dog 14 February 1934 to 3 February 1935

      Pig 4 February 1935 to 23 January 1936

      Rat 24 January 1936 to 10 February 1937

      Ox 11 February 1937 to 30 January 1938

      Tiger 31 January 1938 to 18 February 1939

      Rabbit 19 February 1939 to 7 February 1940

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