Zany Zodiac

So I have this new best friend Jason—you wanna hear how I met him? I'll give you a hint... the title gives a hint! *cough*

So anyway... coupla days ago on Facebook I get this message from a stranger.

“So I was reading your blog. What do you know about Gemini Earth Sheep?”

Well clearly NOT ENOUGH!

I was confused and scratched my head, then looked again. You know what threw me off? The darned Sheep! Let me e'splain...



Eastern versus Western Zodiac

This distinction is only difficult if you actively avoid learning about such things. WESTERN Astrology is the stuff you see in the daily paper...

ARIES, TAURUS, GEMINI, CANCER, LEO, VIRGO, LIBRA, SCORPIO, SAGITTARIUS, CAPRICORN, AQUARIUS, PISCES.

Aries begins with the Vernal Equinox (March 21, give or take) and each proceeds to last about a month and theoretically goes with a personality influence. What it MEANS is this is the sign at the BACK of the SUN on the day you were born—your sun sign. You also have a Western sign for every SINGLE other planet, and each planet (and the moon and pluto) have domains which define HOW that sign shows its influence. It's a lot of combos, and if you sit down with the list, almost everyone can spot WHY they might deviate from the standard description of their sign.

For example... I am a Cancer, which isn't terribly ME at all. Cancers are a clingy lot... emotionally insecure, home oriented... I DO identify with the crunchy on the outside, soft on the inside thing, and I definitely hang onto people, even if I lose a limb--once you're mine, I will NEVER let go *mad cackle*, but the limb grows back—resilience... but mostly... not so much..

Easily understood by my Virgo moon (so I am analytical about emotional stuff--an odd tick for an emotional sign), and my Gemini cusp (among my writer friends, there is a large flurry on this Gemini/Cancer cusp—a need to communicate (Gemini) in order to move or be moved (emotional Cancer). I think it's a perfect storm of the seeing and feeling, then being able to put it into words.

Aries is the starter............................ who never finishes anything.
Taurus is the lover............................ who tends to over indulge.
Gemini is the genius.......................... who is two-faced.
Cancer is the mother........................ who is needy.
Leo is the perfect host...................... who must be the center of attention.
Virgo is analytical and systematic...... and absolutely anal retentive.
Libra is balanced and fair.................. but can't make up his mind.
Scorpio charming and far sighted...... and secretive.
Sagittarius is happy and lucky........... and fickle.
Capricorn is hard-working............... and rigid.
Aquarius is FUN—a free-spirit........ who you probably shouldn't make plans around.
Pisces is perceptive.......................... and neurotic.

What else could there BE?

Well then we have the Eastern Astrology! The one I have learned is Chinese.

Confucius held a party and twelve animals came—he gave them each a year in the Chinese 'decade', he presented them with years in the order they showed up.

Rat was first.-- gregarious and LUCKY (Confucius' gift for being first to arrive)

Ox is hard working.
Tiger is seductive.
Cat is refined.
Dragon is charismatic.
Snake is amiable.
Horse is independent.
Goat is creative.
Monkey is clever.
Rooster is confident.
Dog is loyal.
Pig is giving.



So what was the sheep like, again? Say WHAT?

See, this is where I got confused by my best friend, Jason. OTHER countries have a few trades here... and it confuses the HECK out of me. My brother-in-law once asked me about Rabbits. (Bunny, what?)

Cat → Rabbit
Goat → Sheep
Pig → Boar

Therein was the initial confusion... Trickey Rabbit, Cats are for... well you get the idea...



Elemental Madness

To top it off, the Eastern Astrology has 5 elements (water, earth wood, fire, metal), each lasting two years, so in combination with the animals, they make up a 60 year 'Century'.


Overlay this with Western Astrology and we have 720 combinations. NOW maybe you understand why I was a little confused by my best friend, Jason's question... I mean, had he said a Cancer Fire Horse, there would have been no confusion whatsoever (or a Virgo Water Tiger—hubby, a Taurus Wooden-Pig---daughter...) but those animals that change with country—in fact a wooden boar, even though I HAVE one would have confused me.

So now YOU have heard a little something on the complexity, TOO—I know some stuff—pretty quick access to the traits that go with people I love, but some of it is harder to access, because... you know—there is A LOT OF STUFF!


ZOINKS

And there is a celebration on Sunday, if you are in the New York area that I feel obliged to share, even if I AM jealous of anyone who might be able to participate. This is the email I got:

This is all part of a movement we are creating, called The Levity Project.  http://lifelaughterlevity.com/

In honor of World Laughter Day, on this coming Sunday (May 2nd), we are taking to the streets of New York City to create some of this playfulness and fun, with the idea that through joy, we can all experience a bit more peace in our world.

Do you live near New York City?  Do you have friends, relatives, acquaintances that live there?  You are all invited to this celebration of fun! (please share this with those you know who live close to NYC!)


I can't think of much better (except maybe if they were doing this naked)—Peace through laughter is just ultimately appealing to me, so I hope there are some of you who CAN.