by Theodora Lau
Chinese doctors and herbalists have always been aware of the body’s own clock and have prescribed herbs and treatment to be taken at specific times. They went even further by scheduling medical treatment according to the moon’s phases. Surgery of any kind (including tooth extractions) was usually done after the full moon, preferably during the last quarter, as bleeding would be considerably less and the wound would heal faster if the moon was in decline. Cutting one’s hair was recommended during the first phase of the moon, as it would promote further hair growth in somewhat the same way that pruning branches encourages a tree’s renewal. Medications used to regulate a woman’s menstrual cycle also had to be taken after the full moon and in the evenings to get the best results. Farmers, too, relied on the moon phases (upon which the Farmer’s Almanac is based) to plan the planting and harvesting times of their crops.
The New Moon
The new moon symbolizes birth, renewal, sowing, and awakening. It occurs during the first lunar phase—from the first day of the lunar month to halfway through the eighth day. Each phase of the moon is connected to a season, direction, element, and three animals of the Chinese cycle. The new moon’s season is spring, its direction is east, and its element is Wood. The new moon has influence over the Tiger, Rabbit, and Dragon.
This first phase represents a young and vibrant spring in which birth, growth, and beginnings are emphasized. It is an excellent time to put seeds into the ground, start new ventures, or open a business. People born during the first week of the lunar month are the spring people—equipped with lively, innovative minds, free spirits, and a love for new ideas and adventure. They are generally impressionable, inventive, and outgoing but also impulsive and restless by nature.
The First Quarter
The first quarter symbolizes potency, maturity, full growth, or complete development. The second lunar phase occurs from halfway through the eighth day to the fifteenth day of the lunar month. This phase of the moon corresponds with the summer season, the south direction, and the Fire element. The first quarter rules the Snake, Horse, and Sheep lunar signs.
This second phase is identified with summer and denotes both mental and physical maturity because it ends at the peak of the lunar month. This is a prime time to transplant seedlings and to fertilize the soil to promote lush growth. The moon’s continuing ascent favors aggressive and forceful action. Summer or first-quarter people will likewise be strong minded, as they are competent fighters and capable doers. Full of potent energy, they are the leaders of the cycle.
The Full Moon
Symbolizing organization, harvest, collection, and storage, the full moon happens in the third lunar phase, which occurs from the fifteenth to halfway through the twenty-third day of the lunar month. Its season is autumn, its direction is west, and its element is Metal. The full moon guides the Monkey, Rooster, and Dog signs of the Chinese cycle.
The third phase, commencing with the full moon, has a great affinity for autumn or fall. This is a time to harvest ripened fruit and grain, mend broken fences, cut wood, preserve food for winter, and consolidate one’s resources after the harvest. The moon begins her descent after the fifteenth day. Autumn natives will like to organize, restore order, resolve problems, and settle disputes with intelligence and calm reason. Theirs is the phase of the harvester and collector.
The Last Quarter
The last quarter represents completion, conclusion, hibernation, and rest. It occurs during the fourth lunar phase, from halfway through the twenty-third day to the twenty-ninth day of the lunar month. This phase of the moon corresponds with the winter season, northern direction, and Water element. It rules the Boar, Rat, and Ox signs.
During this fourth week, the lunar month is in its winter, and this is generally the time to settle debts, close a business, or finish up a project. The waning moon is also conducive to slaughtering livestock, extracting teeth, pruning plants, and the like. It is also believed that operations performed during this period will result in less bleeding. Winter people born during the seven and a half days of the last phase are the thinkers, keepers of confidences, and makers of analytical decisions. Like potent roots that lie asleep in the earth beneath a blanket of winter snow, they will conserve their energy and burst forth with new life when the time is right.
Acknowledgments
To Kenneth Lau for supporting this book from an idea into print. His collaboration and creative talents were indispensable. Without him, The Handbook of Chinese Horoscopes would not have happened!
To Hisae Matsuda, who shepherded this book with great care and wisdom, and the team at North Atlantic for their support.
TO OUR READERS:
Thank you for you reading, sharing, and helping us to evolve The Handbook of Chinese Horoscopes over all these years!
TO OUR FAMILIES FOR THEIR LOVE AND SUPPORT:
Kenneth Lau
Harsh and Alexander Karmarkar
Jonathan, Roslyn, Rachel, and Lauren Lau
Michele, Andy, Miles, and Dean Fujimoto
1
The First Sign of the Lunar Cycle
The Rat
I am the self-proclaimed acquisitor.
I am a link yet I function as
a complete unit.
I aim at encompassing heights
and strike my target,
sure and steady.
Life is one joyous journey for me.
Each search must end with a new quest.
I am progress, exploration, and insight.
I am the womb of activity.
I AM THE RAT.
Lunar Years of the Rat in the Western Calendar Elements
February 5, 1924, to January 24, 1925 Wood
January 24, 1936, to February 10, 1937 Fire
February 10, 1948, to January 28, 1949 Earth
January 28, 1960, to February 14, 1961 Metal
February 15, 1972, to February 2, 1973 Water
February 2, 1984, to February 19, 1985 Wood
February 19, 1996, to February 6, 1997 Fire
February 7, 2008, to January 25, 2009 Earth
January 25, 2020, to February 11, 2021 Metal
February 11, 2032, to January 30, 2033 Water
If you were born on the day before the start of the lunar year of the Rat, e.g., February 18, 1996, your animal sign is the one before the Rat: the Boar, the twelfth lunar sign.
If you were born on the day after the last day of lunar year of the Rat, e.g., February 7, 1997, then your sign is the one after the Rat: the Ox, the second lunar sign.
The sign of the Rat rules the two-hour segment of the day from 11 p.m. to 1 a.m. This period of time closes the day at midnight and ushers in a new day. People born during this two-hour segment are said to have the Rat sign as their ascendant; they will display many of the characteristics peculiar to this sign and will have great affinity for people born under this sign.
The direction appointed to the Rat is directly north. Its season is winter and its principal month is December. The Rat corresponds to the Western astrological sign of Sagittarius, which rules winter from November 22 to December 21. Water is its fixed element. The Rat has a positive stem and is considered a yang or masculine sign.
The Rat Personality
The charm and innovative personality of the Rat is legendary. The Rat did not become the first sign of the cycle without good reason. My mother, Theodora Lau, wove a tale about how this might have come to pass. According to her story, when the Lord Buddha issued the summons for all the animals to come to him before he departed the Earth, he entrusted the Rat and the Rooster with the mission to get the word out. Both did their utmost to reach as many of their fellow beasts as possible. The Rooster worked days and did most of its crowing during the sunlight hours, while the Rat worked during the night. In its intense diligence to round up as many animals as possible, the Rooster was delayed and was thus the tenth animal to arrive at the appointed time and place. After the Rooster came the Dog, and last came the Boar.
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One can imagine the Rat rushing about with the good news. The Rat went from place to place encouraging all the other animals to meet the Buddha before he departed. However, being the resourceful and practical animal that it is, the Rat decided to save energy by asking other animals for a ride because it was tired from running about conveying the Great Sage’s invitation. And the Rat certainly did not want to be late.
Knowing the Horse was the swiftest of the lot, the Rat tried to get a free ride from it. But the temperamental Horse would have none of it. Fiercely independent and proud, the Horse decided that no one could tell it what to do and when to do it. There was plenty of time to trot to the appointment when it was ready. The Horse told the Rat to get a ride from someone else. Ever since then, the Rat and the Horse never got along. The Rat thought the Horse was selfish and thoughtless, while the Horse felt that the clever Rat was too manipulative and demanding.
Nonetheless, the Rat was too intelligent to be discouraged for long and used its wits again. This time it approached the sturdy and kind-hearted Ox, who was more than happy to carry the little Rat on its back. Furthermore, the dutiful Ox was early for the appointment and was therefore the first animal to arrive on the scene. But when the Lord Buddha said he was going to honor the Ox by naming it the first sign of the lunar cycle, the Rat jumped down from the Ox’s back and claimed that privilege. The Ox did not oppose the Rat, as it felt the Rat had done more than its fair share by bringing the news to all the animals. So the Buddha justly conferred the esteemed first place and leadership of the lunar cycle upon the crafty Rat. This was how the Rat got its free ride and also got to be number one.
The Rat can be forthright, inquisitive, and intrusive but always in such a disarmingly honest way that we find ourselves at a disadvantage. We are simply caught off guard by the Rat’s friendly approach, so we naturally spill the beans. It is in business that this sign really excels. Once there was a young man in the streets of London promoting some gadget for sale. He presented quite a novel image of himself and his wares, but above all else, everyone noticed the T-shirt he had on. It read: “Be Alert! England Needs Lerts!” That sense of humor combined with keen business acumen summarizes the Rat’s inborn entrepreneurial sense. Yes, the Rat is always alert to any opportunity for making money.
Remarkably easy to get along with, hardworking and thrifty, Rats will be generous only to those they are inordinately fond of, so if you get an expensive gift from them, you know they hold you in high esteem. Yet, in spite of their penny-pinching ways, the Rat will never be found wanting for admirers, as they emit such fantastic appeal.
On the surface, some Rats may appear reserved, even placid, but they are never as quiet as they may seem. Something is always going on inside that sharp mind. Actually, Rats are easily agitated, but they are able to maintain self-control, which explains why they are so popular and have such a multitude of friends.
The Rat person is usually a bright, fun-loving, and sociable character. Occasionally, you may come across a supercritical or grouchy, fault-finding Rat. But on the whole, they enjoy parties and other large gatherings. They will endeavor to join exclusive clubs and as a rule can be found in a close circle of friends or fellow conspirators. The Rat is very outgoing and likes getting involved. How else are they going to be in the thick of things and amass all that information they have about everyone?
Rats really cherish their friends, coworkers, and family relations. At times they get hopelessly tangled in other people’s affairs because they cannot easily rid themselves of strong emotional attachments once they make them. Their capacity to love can only be overruled by their shrewdness and love of money.
A Rat boss may demonstrate great concern about whether their employees are getting enough exercise or eating a balanced diet. In their heart, they sincerely care about an individual’s welfare; they will visit them when they are sick and make the other person’s problems their problems. Yet when it comes to giving a hardworking employee that well-deserved raise, they will hedge and be a little stingy. A lot of arm-twisting and collective bargaining is needed when it comes to parting a Rat from their money.
The Rat parent may continually amaze you by being a model of frugality. They are forever distributing old clothes, recycling toys, buying or selling secondhand items, and stretching meals, leftovers, and the budget until the family could scream. However, they may not care to apply these same penny-pinching standards when dealing with their own precious offspring. If a Rat’s children figure out how to get around them, the Rat parent will find it hard to deny them anything. Rat people are rarely tightwads where their loved ones are concerned. Strange how every time a Rat cuts a cake, their child will get the largest slice, no matter whose birthday it is. They cannot help but favor their own children unconsciously. Rats are also voted most likely to recycle a gift, which gives new meaning to the saying “what goes around comes around.” The sport of matching a gift with one who will truly appreciate it is a happy pasttime for the Rat. Of course, if both money and time are saved in the process, how can anyone blame the resourceful Rat?
Rats are by nature decidedly clannish. Maybe there is some truth in the belief that there is safety in numbers. The Rat never worries about having another mouth to feed and will allow their relatives, in-laws, and friends to stick around the house and live off them. Why? Because the crafty Rat will always find something for them to do to earn their keep. Laggards, wanderers, and freeloaders will all get put to work swiftly in the Rat’s household. Charity has its limits. Trust the efficient and practical Rat to exemplify that.
The Rat native keeps their own secrets well but can be an expert at weeding other people’s gardens. They have few qualms about using vital confidential information or capitalizing on the mistakes of others. Trust them to investigate rumors and follow through on privileged information. What do you mean, insider trading? That couldn’t possibly apply to them. After all, one certainly cannot expect the Rat to ignore opportunity’s knock, especially when their ear is glued to the door so much of the time! A wink, a nod, or the tiniest move of an eyebrow is all you need to signal the Rat that something’s afoot. They will track that signal all the way to its source.
As much as the Rat likes to camouflage or hide their feelings, one can always tell when they are upset. They become edgy, curt, and impertinent. Some may even become absolute nags. Inefficiency, idleness, waste, and tardiness go against their active and industrious nature and cause them to harp at the subject of their displeasure until things are done right. The Rat loves to run the show, and everyone and everything had better look sharp under their stewardship.
On the negative side, the Rat person loves to gossip, criticize, compare, carp, and bargain endlessly—and usually over unimportant issues. Maybe they enjoy doing so just for the fun of it. Debates stimulate them, and they are never lacking an opinion or an intricately reasoned argument. They often buy things they do not really need just because they can get a good deal and are easily taken in by bargains. It’s the Rat’s inborn accumulative urge. Mementos, souvenirs, and hoards of sentimental junk will be found tucked away in their room and in their heart. Every once in a while you will hear a Rat wonder out loud about simplifying and downsizing to a smaller, more minimalist home. While they may try, the Rat will only be at ease if there is access to great storage. The Rat likes to be prepared for everything, so whatever space the Rat has, she will use.
A Rat also tends to be the neighborhood busybody, though more often than not their intentions are good. The solicitous Rat is always ready to share money-saving tips, recipes, sale specials, free samples, advice about discount store outlets, and where to go to get the most for the least. They will bring you a meal if you are ill, hold your packages while you are away, and if you are planning on a big purge of your home, the Rat is the best ally to have around. The one problem may be that they will cart all your junk over to their home and try to find uses for it. They don’t call such people “pack rats” for nothing.
It is not surprising that the Rat is reputed to be an excellent writer. Rats make it a point to know practically everything about everyone in town. They keep tabs, have an uncanny eye for detail and a good memory, and are incredibly inquisitive. The Rat loves to investigate. A reporter par excellence, they are good at keeping records and are always in on the latest news.
Rats tend to be active journalers. What can start as a way to organize one’s thoughts can quickly give way to long diary entries or perhaps a blog or newsletter. The Rat’s talent for communication, combined with their diligence and problem-solving abilities, make them particularly active and valuable members of any community. When Rats choose to be vocal, their reviews and articles are thorough, and the tips and tricks they share are always useful. When it comes to the topic of saving money, they are effective—but often not for the faint of heart. They will show you how to get the last gram of toothpaste out of the tube or perhaps an inventive way to reuse a mismatched sock, but many will not find the effort worthwhile. For those who appreciate a cheapskate in their element, the response will be, “Genius!”
You will want to be a member of any mailing list that a Rat manages. Their ability to access information, analyze it, and share how to circumvent challenges or access a deal in startling detail is always impressive. While the information may sometimes seem like a hodgepodge of disconnected items, you will find yourself looking through your inbox or scrolling through messages to find a little detail from a few weeks ago that is now indispensable. Treasure these bits of communication and know that you are part of a Rat’s inner circle, because for them sharing knowledge is a generous gift. Even better, be sure to send them a quick note of thanks. Everyone likes to be recognized for great work, but the Rat all the more so. They may be quiet about showing how touched they are, but they will relish the praise. One should note that those who don’t reach out in response to them are often pruned from the Rat’s mailing list. The Rat native avoids pestering people when possible, so in the absence of any clues to how their notes are being received, you will just stop getting them one day. So be sure to speak up if you want to stay in the know.