For many centuries constellations and Chinese astrology have been used for divination purposes. Over 3000 years ago the “10 Heavenly Stems” and “12 Earthly Branches” were invented for chronological reasons. They were used to differentiate time and seasons.

Later on in time, as so many Chinese people were illiterate animals became used by people to represent the 12 Earthly Branches, these are used today, and in order are: mouse, ox, tiger, rabbit, dragon, snake, horse, sheep, monkey, rooster, dog and pig, in Chinese astrology, Ox is representative of 2009.

As legend will have it Buddha invited all animals to his kingdom for a Chinese New Year Celebration; out of all the species only 12 turned up for the festivities, the mouse being the first to arrive, etcetera. Buddha was so grateful that he named a year after each of them. Each year had its own significance and people born in that year were supposed to develop some traits of the particular signature animal, however there are other, more elaborate versions of this legend.

In Chinese astrology, on top of the 12 animal signs we find element signs. These are wood, fire, water, earth, and metal, each of these is represented by a color, and these are respectively, green, red, black, brown and white. The elements are each placed on top of the animal zodiac signs and are indicative of the element they fall under during that year. For instance a “fire Dragon” or a Water Ox”.

The animal zodiac consists of 12 and this is divisible by two, so each sign falls under the binary Yin and Yang years, with no two animal represented by both. They are either Yin or Yang and this is determined by if the year is an odd or even year. The combination of the animals, colors and elements leads Chinese astrology to have a 60 year cycle, and our present cycle began in 1984. The cycle always begins with a wood rat and ends with a water pig.

In Chinese astrology, ox is the second zodiac animal. Like Rat, Ox signifies new beginnings. The difference being, Ox is chiefly associated with slow sure action. It is important to make good choices as long term consequences are attached Ox years. 2009 is an earth year and it is also a Yin year, so this could indicate less turmoil. It is however unfortunate that the fixed element for Ox it water, to which earth is destructive, and this is the fourth out of six years where elements have conflicted. It comes as very little surprise to Chinese Astrologers that there has been so much trouble in the world during these years.

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