A FRESH way of viewing human behaviour and unravelling personality type is by understanding the lunar cycles. These differ from sun signs. Unlike Western astrology, Chinese horoscopes are based on the 12 moons of the lunar cycle, plus an extra moon, the “Blue moon” every 13th cycle. This explains why the Chinese New Year never falls on the same day. The 12 moons are represented by 12 animals, which legend says were chosen when Buddha, 500 centuries before Christ, invited all animals to celebrate new year, but only 12 ever came. Cheered by their presence, Buddha decided to show his gratitude by honouring each animal with a year. It is said, therefore, that when they are born, people inherit the characteristics of the animal of the same year. Western sceptics ask an obvious question: How on earth can all those born in the same year inherit the same characteristics? Of course, no two people are identical; but also, it is said that time of birth is another element which affects temperament. Goats born in summer, for example, are less capricious than those born in winter, whereas snakes born during a thunderstorm will be in danger all their lives. Western astrology in contrast is based on the movement of the sun and the stars. The movement of the two luminaries, the sun and the moon, in addition to the movement of the other eight planets, their distance from each other and their exact locations, influences one's life and by virtue of a precise mathematical calculation the personality of a person. The complete details of one's personal natal chart are studied on the basis of the sun signs. However, studying one's personal sun signs should not be confused with the “predictions” of star signs published in magazines and newspapers. The sun sign is a particular zone of the zodiac, with the sun being the most powerful of all stellar bodies. It colours the personality so strongly that an amazingly accurate picture can be given of the individual, who was born when the sun was exercising its power through the known and predictable influences of a certain astrological sign. These electro-magnetic vibrations continue defining the characteristics of the sun sign on a person throughout his life. The sun is not the only factor in analysing human behaviour and traits, but it is the most important single consideration. An individual's sun sign marks are approximately 80 per cent accurate, sometimes up to 90 per cent. The sun is a particular zone of the zodiac and its location at the moment one draws his first breath defines the traits of a person. There are two important positions in any natal chart after the sun sign that take a big part in analysing one's characteristics. The ascendant, first of all, modifies one's personal appearance as the sun rises on the eastern horizon as one takes his first breath. Secondly, the moon sign, the aspects formed between the planets and the luminaries at one's birth, modifies the planets' positions in the signs. The houses of the horoscopes also play an important role in affecting one's personality. Actually, each of the 12 horoscopes signals a sign. The first horoscope house is ruled by the sign of one's ascendant in counter-clockwise order around the circle which forms the horoscope. An astrologer who carefully calculates one's natal chart based on the exact time of his birth should take into consideration the geographical location of the horoscopes and, the planets falling within specified areas. It is true that a detailed reading can reveal the slight shades of a character, for instance, the inclinations towards or against addiction, multiple marriages, a disturbed childhood, attachment to relatives, hidden talents, career and financial potential. It can show tendencies to honesty or dishonesty, violence, fears, phobias, psychic ability, plus many other strengths and weaknesses of inner character which may be hidden for years until they burst out under provocation and which affect the natal planet positions for a period of time. Susceptibility and immunity to accident and disease are revealed. Secret attitudes, religion, children, work and romance are also unveiled. There are no secrets hidden from the accurately calculated natal chart, none except one's own decision concerning how much of his individual free will, he may decide to exercise. Once we understand how deeply ingrained certain attitudes are in peoples' natures, we will become more sympathetic towards their behaviour. It is not only through the study of horoscopes that a person's personality is revealed. According to one report, the Japanese believe that blood types reveal one's personality. People with blood type O want to be leaders, and when they see something they want, they keep striving until they achieve their goals. They are loyal, passionate, and selfconfident but their weaknesses include vanity, jealously and a tendency to be competitive. People with blood type A in contrast like harmony, peace and organisation. They work well with others and are sensitive, patient and affectionate. They are, however, stubborn and have an inability to relax. People with blood type B are rugged individualists; they are straightforward and like to do things their own way. They are creative and flexible. They adapt easily to any situation, yet their insistence on being independent can sometimes go too far and become a weakness. In conclusion, therefore, based on different scientific studies, many believe that a person's personality can be revealed. El-Sawy is an Egyptian writer. She contributed this article to The Egyptian Gazette.
