Happy Year Of The Sheep! Astrology Tip of the Week…
This week begins the Chinese New Year, calculated every year by using a combination of the lunar calendar and the Gregorian, and always falling in late January or early February according to their solar calendar… they also use a lunar calendar which has the new year starting this year on the 19th…
(Don’t ask me to explain how it’s done – I barely know what day of the week it is…)
This coming year is the Year of the Green Wood Sheep, also referred to as a Ram or Goat.
Since I practice the system of astrology of India, which is nowhere near China, I have no idea what that means.
But years ago I had a wonderful teacher (the dearly departed, late, great George Roman) who studied Chinese astrology extensively as well as Vedic, and said that it was equally AMAZING.
(And my husband’s late, great best friend, the actor Brandon Lee – yes, THAT Brandon Lee, son of Bruce – used to love to remind him that while my husband’s white, Irish and British ancestors were still living in homes made of sticks and mud, the Chinese were the world’s greatest astronomers, navigators, linguists, and more… Brandon would have been fifty this past Sunday, sigh. But I digress…)
I took some time to read up on Chinese astrology and this business of the Year of The Green Wood Sheep and I have to say, it sounds like it’s going to be a great year – much better than last year’s turbulent Horse year. Phew!
The Chinese system uses a twelve-sign system made up of animals, but instead of lasting for a month, each lasts for a year. (The year is then broken up into months of other signs, and weeks, days, and even hours.)
So everyone born during that year is considered the same sign, and is believed to have personality traits of that sign.
Interestingly, it’s not just individuals who are thought to have the qualities of the sign of the year they are born, it’s believed that the entire world is impacted by the sign of the Chinese new year.
So world markets, governments, economies, the weather – all are supposed to be impacted by the qualities of the year.
I recommend you read up on your Chinese sign – it’s fun!
(You can easily discover your Chinese sign if you don’t know it already. Just go to lunch at a Chinese restaurant, and read it off the place mat. Okay, bad joke. Google it, and be careful if you’re born in January, or the very beginning of February, like I am. That will actually make you the animal sign of the year before…)
I was born in the year of the Fire Horse, and I must admit everything I read about the “horse” personality is pretty darn accurate in my case and in the case of my many friends born the same year.
We’re known to be super social (yup), active, impulsive, intuitive, and risk taking.
We’re super motivated and ambitious, and love working for ourselves or being in positions of leadership, and “running around” doing all kinds of different things. (Hmmm… I’ve always had like five jobs – and even now do five things at all times…)
We go with our gut and take action quickly. (So true!)
As a result, we can get ourselves into situations we later regret (since we didn’t check them out fully, or plan wisely – we just went for it) and take on more than we should. (Boy – where was my Chinese astrologer like thirty years ago, when I could have really used one?)
According to this ancient system, the most prominent personality trait of horses is that we are opinionated!
If you’ve been reading this newsletter for over a week, then you don’t need me to tell you that’s more than just a little bit true in my case.
What’s really fun is comparing how your Chinese sign goes with those of the people in your life.
Just like in other systems of astrology, the different signs either go together or do not.
Apparently, a Horse gal like me should be best friends with someone born under the Chinese sign of a dog (one of my longest, closest girlfriends is) and I should marry a tiger (I did!)… Wacky, huh?
Last year was the year of the Wood Horse, and there’s NOTHING calm and stable about a year like that.
(Did you notice a bunch of craziness? Increased radical terrorism, tons of plane crashes, and intense weather… not to mention the return of overalls and crop tops. However did we manage?)
Yes, last year was considered a year of turmoil and bad luck according to some astrologers, and opportunity and powerful breakthroughs according to others. Some said it would be great for finances and economies, for example, while others said it would be too unstable and chaotic, so even gains made wouldn’t last long…
(Because I’m a Horse, I had an AMAZING year last year, with more travel than ever in my entire life – something that nomadic animal is known for… if you’re a Sheep, this is YOUR year, so get psyched!)
The description of the sign of the Sheep is almost the opposite of the Horse. They are not impulsive, overly passionate, or spontaneous. In fact, it takes a while for them to make a decision, and when they do so they like to have detailed plans and systems.
In matters of the heart, they are also cautious…
It can take a while for them to open up and let others truly know them. They hold back for a time, not because they’re unemotional, but because they’re so sensitive and deeply emotional that they want to be sure they won’t get hurt, and need to have their trust be earned before letting anyone too close.
They are attached to their families (usually) and prefer being a happy homebody to a party animal.
They are methodical and savvy when it comes to career pursuits, and tend to focus on one thing… and they are a lover of the arts and beauty.
As a result, this is considered a successful sign, once they know what they want and they’ve put in the time to master their skills.
(Their “Steady Eddie” nature allows them to go far, and stay the course when the going gets rough.)
They prefer predictability to surprises, and put one foot in front of the other with sure steps vs. quantum leaps…
(Think of a mountian goat, going up craggy cliffs, able to keep their footing where virtually any other species would fall or turn back… though the going can be slow and arduous, the heights they can attain can be astonishingly high!)
Apparently a Sheep year is much like the animal itself – gentle, timid, social… and for some reason (maybe because of their wool being used for so many things?), creative.
Some signs do better during certain years than others, and a Sheep year is supposedly best for Sheep, Rabbit, and Pig natives. (Horses are supposed to do well, thanks to the momentum created last year. Fingers crossed!)
Everything I read said the year of the sheep year will be a year in which things are calm and stable, in which common sense prevails. Peace will be the order of the day, and finances abundant.
Which would be nice!
(We are actually seeing this abundance already, with better numbers in many markets – jobs, stocks, real-estate, etc. – than in forever. Apparently this will get even better.)
As with any system of astrology, our individual charts and karmas differ year to year… But there are themes that can be seen for the world at large.
And for those more collective themes, this year should be a year in which we can all take a sigh of relief. This stable animal symbol, combined with the wood element (which feeds the earthy nature of the sheep) should make the ease, solidity, and predictability of the coming year be extra strong – especially if you know what you want to achieve this year, and you create and implement a solid plan, with support from others.
(Sheep hang out in herds, after all).
Sheep energy is tranquil and social… bringing peace and prosperity to all, despite all the saber rattling and dire economic predictions going on.
It’s expected that by the summertime, great strides in harmony and diplomacy shall be reached.
On the relationship front, romances begun in a Sheep year can take a bit to get going, and likely don’t start with a lot of fireworks, but can be very solid once things gel.
And pre-existing relationships that need a boost, can also respond well to solid plans and better systems. (Maybe it’s time to do oh-so-romantic things like schedule time for sex, get more support from your friends and family, or have weekly “check-ins” – while this may not sound romantic, it may just save the day!)
This is an excellent year to focus on creative pursuits, deepen your discipline and focus, and let go of immature or outmoded ways of doing things.
If you’d like some help doing all of the above, this opinionated filly has many things that can help!
If you don’t have a man in your “field of love” and WISH you did, I have a suggestion. (Yup – like always…)
If you’re single, a Sheep year is the PERFECT time to implement a new “man plan” to help you meet new people and join new herds – I mean groups!
It’s a great year to take conservative, cacluated risks with the RIGHT men. You know – GOOD ones who won’t hurt you (at least not on purpose!).
If you’ve spent your life “following your feelings” and diving in too quickly, and have found it’s not the most reliable way to go, stop the madness! In a Sheep year, you have a chance to find a better way.
CHECK HIM OUT first, and discover if your instincts are right – or will only lead to getting your heart “rammed.” (Get it? Ram…)
Amazingly, ancient astrologers figured out quick, easy techniques to determine from a man’s chart if he’s a good man – able to be a good partner.
He might be utterly adorable, funny, smart, successful and sexy – and he might even be a great guy to his friends…
But that doesn’t mean he’ll be able to treat you right.
A man’s chart can reveal an adorable personality – but a man who is too selfish, insensitive, independent, unstable, or insecure to make any woman happy.
Remember – this is a year in which tranquility and serenity should take priority over excitement and drama…
Make sure yours goes well. Check him out here.
If you’re already in a relationship and are concerned that it doesn’t have a solid foundation, but is mostly due to excitement and drama, this Sheep Year can help you to find the right tools and systems to strengthen your connection.
Often a couple will have intense combos for chemistry, but these same connections will make it virtually impossible to keep the peace.
And this is just the year that can bring compassion and peace to such a union.
If you find over and over that the man in your life makes you see red, or frays your nerves like no one else, it may not be YOU.
Maybe it’s the combination of THE TWO of you…
(If you’re reading this and WISHING that were the case, but don’t have fireworks of ANY kind with your man, read on…)
Find out what’s going on with an in-depth compatibility technique that explains it all, and then tells you what to DO about it all.
This technique is at the heart of “The Right Man Report” – nine-eleven pages of personal information about YOU and ANY MAN you’re with (or wondering if you should be with)…
You can find this life and love-saving information here.
This technique will tell you if you have good enough communication to get along easily – or not…
If you share the same sensibility or will always have to explain yourself over and over…
If you have a healthy balance of power, or if one of you is always dominating the other… (yuck!).
If there’s a basis of friendship between you, and overall goodwill…
If you’re on the same wavelength and so can be yourselves…
Or if, no matter what you do, it’s as though you step on landmines together, and can never just relax and enjoy each other…
I’ve been doing this technique for women all day every day for eighteen years and it never fails.
Find out if you should hold on this year or if you’re working way too hard and kidding yourself…
And what to do to make things as good as they can be.
It’s all right here.
I hope this green woolly new year brings you all good things!
For now, this little filly needs to gallop off to the barn for a snack and a nap…
It’s my sincere wish that God and his planets and stars shower you with love, this year and every other!
Carol Allen
P.S. If you’d like to know how every day is going to be FOR YOU this coming year, check out an astrology calendar made just for your entireastrology chart, with multiple symbols every day to tell you just what to expect and how to make the most of things…
Best days for love, money, health, success, socializing, traveling, and more are all easily seen.
