Understand the whole picture

We considered Chinese zodiac animals that clash and ones that are in harmony in the previous article. This may partly explain why we get along with certain colleagues, but argue with others. However, simply considering the years of birth do not give us the entire picture.

For the whole picture, consider the time, day, month and year of birth. In Chinese astrology, each unit of time is represented by one of the 12 zodiac animals and also one of the five natural elements of water, wood, fire, earth and metal. For example, if you are born in the year of the rabbit, you could be born in the hour of the monkey, the day of the tiger and the month of the sheep. Astrologers can ascertain your personality and fortune from the four elements and the four animals that make up your complete chart. The elements and animals are known as the 'Eight Characters of Birth'.

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