A dragon reads the signs

Press, 12 July 1980, Page 17

A dragon reads the signs

The Handbook of Chinese Horoscopes. By Theodora Lau. Souvenir Press, 1980. 314 pp. $16.95. (Reviewed by Ralf Unger) It has been interesting to notice that of all the books that I leave on my coffee table at home, this is the one that has been picked up most by visitors, (no matter what their political sympathies) and quickly leafed through until their own horoscope has been located, as well as that of their partner. The intense fascination that people today have with their future as written in the stars, also applies therefore to the moon phases which are the basic principle of the ancient Chinese fatalism. The system is based on twelve signs dating from 2637 8.C., with twelve animals assigned to each twelve years when, according to legend, the Buddha summoned all the animals to come to him before he departed from Earth and only these twelve came to bid him farewell. The years were then named in the order the animals arrived, an order which continues to exercise a profound influence on one’s life and “hides in your heart.” The animals in turn are combined with the five main elements of wood, fire, metal, earth and water, and in turn split into ppositive and negative poles, the Ying and Yang. Some children born in dreaded years, such as that of the Fire Horse which last came in 1967, lead in Asia to many voluntary abortions,’ proving the fear of anticipated disaster that such children will bring to their families and future spouses. Although modern China is inclined to discount the use of the horoscope, at one time their farmers decided upon the most favourable days each year to sow and reap their crops, to forecast the weather, and even the most auspicious day to visit the barber. The book promises to clear up your

surprise at the versatility of your local, expensive handyman who may turn out to have been born in the year; of the dexterous Monkey. Your slow, sure, conservative banker probably belongs to the year of the reliable Ox — although it may be better not to communicate this to him. Similarly, your friend who wears atrocious colours will turn out to have been born in the year of the flamboyant Rooster and thus is not really showing a lack of taste. Having read the introduction, it was, of course, my own urge as well as everybody else’s, to look up the formative influences on my personality. I find that overall, the animal signs, as well as the elements have pleasant effects on me which I appreciate. As a Dragon, “my presence disperses dark clouds and I nave been chosen to tame the fates.” Nevertheless, I am sometimes “overconfident, brash and deluded by. wonderful visions.” I am also, I am pleased to say, “usually spared deep psychological problems.” Having also looked up my wife, who turns out to be a Rabbit, I find that “she is indulgent, but tactful, and will manage an artistic and restful home for me.” The marriage “will be good if it does not allow petty or calculating concerns to interfere,” and naturally I have no intention of that occurring. The final section of the book links up the Sun Signs of Western astrology with the Moon Signs of the Oriental so that we can get the most out of both worlds of celestial influence, and our internal tides of liquid need no longer buffet us about without our full comprehension. The complete marriage guidance counsellor should not be without this book. Perhaps in the Domestic Proceedings Court we shall hear estranged partners blame the influence of their animal energies to explain their thrust and parry in the effort to draw blood.