Find Your Perfect Mate Using Your Chinese Element

by Nicole S. Ianniello November 03, 2009 06:37 PM EST

Looking for love? It’s undeniable that your astrological sign plays a significant role in lifelong attraction and compatibility, but it’s also wise to consider another aspect of the Chinese zodiac: the Elements. Depending upon your birth year, you are the beneficiary of a Water, Wood, Fire, Metal or Earth elemental energy. This often-overlooked facet of Chinese astrology augments your unique sign personality, and determines what type of people you’re attracted to.

Water

If the need to communicate and relate with your mate is a top priority, you could very well be a Water personality. Quick-minded and persuasive, you tend to possess resourceful and productive characteristics. Look for love during the winter months, and in colder climates. Your nature is best suited by the cooperative and nurturing Wood element. For a mutually beneficial and successful union or business partnership, seek out a Metal personality.

Wood

Being fair-minded and unprejudiced is not always easy, but the Wood individual considers it a way of life. People who share humanitarian and moral interests will likely find themselves in the company of many-a-Wood-element folk. This influence will help them succeed in endeavors with Fire personalities, where they’ll be a creative and unstoppable team. To ground the Wood’s sometimes-scattered interests, it’s in their interest to work with Water element people.

Fire

The poised and domineering Fire element has much to offer in romantic relationships. Potential mates might find you aggressive and selfish, but you simply see yourself as confident and goal-oriented. A union with an Earth element lover will no doubt be artistic, clever and original. Partnerships with a Wood personality will result in adventure -- a perfect opportunity to learn and create! Romance for you is at its height during the summer months.

Metal

For some, it’s hard to give up independence for companionship. Metal elements have a taste for luxury and power, and will not stop until they get it. Water or Earth personalities work well with you, but if Fire or Wood types claim that you’re unreasonable and inflexible, shrug it off and keep on walking – you’re fine going it alone. You need a companion who will not tie you down or limit your ambitions. Autumn is the best time of year for you to seek out new relationships.

Earth

Are you seeking a reliable, steadfast and conservative relationship? This is indicative of an Earth elemental personality. You tend to be serious and logical; intelligent and rational. You fare best with Metal or Fire energy, which provides your structured nature with a sense of spontaneity and adventure.

The Best Gem for Your Sign

by Jenni Ellingson November 30, 2009 11:10 PM EST

Many people know their birthstones from western astrology , but do you know the best jewel for you in the Chinese zodiac? In Chinese astrology, each of 12 stones is believed to have certain powers and influences specially matched to bring out your animal sign's natural luck, and balance the uniquely challenging areas of your life. If you're considering adding to your jewelry collection this holiday season, or that of someone you love, you may wish to make your list using the wisdom of Chinese astrology.

Don't know your Chinese Sun sign? Find it here.

RAT: Garnet
Garnet fosters loyalty and passion in your life. Its deep red color is associated with lasting love. Charming Rat is also a relentless thinker, and garnet should ward off melancholy, pessimistic thoughts. Garnets are believed to guard against theft. Thrifty Rat knows, however, this added security should not replace the home alarm system.

OX: Garnet
Aquamarine cultivate peaces of mind for the Ox, whose persevering nature requires both emotional and physical strength. Its pale blue color is reminiscent of tranquil waters, and even land-loving Oxen should emulate the Chinese fishermen, who carry them for protection against deadly squalls.

TIGER: Sapphire
Sapphire, a stone of guidance, is also referred to as the "third eye." Sapphire boosts the Tiger's ability to concentrate and visualize, and to see what is right and true in the midst of so many temptations. The deep blue stone fortifies the Tiger's position as a natural leader with unshakeable inner confidence. In a Tiger year, wearing sapphire is a lucky move for everyone.

RABBIT: Pearl
Aligned with innocence and purity, the smooth white pearl guards against corruption. Single Rabbits take note! A pearl is worn to help find your soul mate. Before Red Bull, Rabbits adorned themselves in pearls for that extra boost of energy they sometimes need.

DRAGON: Amethyst
Like Dragon itself, amethyst is associated with powerful forces, including intuition, wealth, royalty and spirituality. It enhances psychic ability and is used for meditating as well as warding off destructive addictions. In fact, some wear the purple gem at parties to avoid inebriation. Moderation is slightly more effective, of course, but a strategy that holds little appeal for Dragons.

SNAKE: Opal
Don't be fooled by superstitions that opals are unlucky. Especially for Snake, these mysteriously multicolored stones connote honor, spiritual journeys and the power of the mind. Snakes who are active dreamers should wear opals for more potent visions. Indeed, it is considered the "dream stone", and solicits good advice from spirits during sleep.

HORSE: Topaz
The sparkling, golden-yellow hue of topaz is a source of inspiration. For free-spirited Horse, it channels your inborn originality, imagination and courage into high-flying action and triumph. Topaz should be worn for a helpful advantage when seeking creative solutions to problems that stand between you and your desires.

SHEEP: Emerald
Amorous Sheep's powers of attraction are enhanced by the green emerald. Known for rarity, it's connected with love and money, but also signifies integrity, truth and self-knowledge. Emerald is the gem of the mother goddess. According to legend, it acts as an enchanting truth-serum. Those wearing emeralds find it difficult to lie.

MONKEY: Peridot
Peridot combats the negative energy of envious people. The multi-talented Monkey arouses jealousy in others from time to time, so it's no wonder peridot is her lucky stone. Known as the "ego stone" for its ability to soothe wounded pride and soften rising tempers, the olive green gem is also used in Chinese wedding ceremonies.

ROOSTER: Citrine
Flamboyant Rooster revels in the abundance and intellectual achievement cultivated by citrine. Called the "stone of success", citrine is used by students and teachers to broaden the mind. Because it is affiliated with material wealth, according to tradition, the pale yellow gem should only be given to people with generous hearts!

DOG: Diamond
Diamond. Referred to as the "morality stone", diamonds are believed to enhance fidelity, friendship and virtue. For the Dog, loyal champion of good, it also offers protection against evil and anxiety, and serves as a link to the divine. While diamonds are a Dog's best friend, you won't hear complaints from any sign receiving this gem.

PIG: Ruby
Peaceable Pig also tends to be popular, and a ruby -- the red "stone of the famous" -- can make even home-loving Pigs well-known far and wide. It symbolizes leadership, good fortune and health, once coveted by emperors to ward off illness. Used in traditional medicine to create body heat, it couldn't hurt to experiment with this unusual quality at home.

star sagitarius's importance

Love Horoscope for Friday 1st October 2010

Venus and Mars align on Sunday. This weekend is the prelude. It's said that there's a very thin line between love and war and you could experience the truthfulness of that saying over the next couple of days. A major issue seems to be your work-load - and how much time you're allowing for leisure and pleasure. It may be that someone close (and perhaps born under a Fire sign) feels neglected. There's also the matter of others wanting things done quickly and you moving at a pace they don't like. So, yes, you could experience friction - or maybe that will be excitement? There's the high probability of a group hoping you'll join them in doing something outlandish. Maybe a little adventure would do you good?

Love Horoscope for Friday 1st October 2010

This weekend is between a Last Quarter and a New Moon: a period that's excellent for finishing things off and preparing for new opportunities. On Sunday however Venus and Mars align at the top of your solar chart. This puts the accent on moving forward - and could leave you feeling irritated that you need to look back at all! That said, you may have concerns about a relative whose romantic life is going through upheaval and where there's possibility that you might lose a friendship that's been more valuable to you than you'd thought. So, you could experience a little wistfulness - and, perhaps, some irritation. As always, you're at your best when you know where you stand - something that could start to happen on Sunday and which ensures you wake up in lighter mood on Monday.

Love Horoscope for Friday 1st October 2010

Saturn's alignment with the Sun in your sign on Friday (the first such meeting for nearly three decades) provides a salutary reminder both of the care needed to maintain old relationships and of how much you value long-term commitment. At another level it might feel as though time is passing you by and that you need to generate excitement somewhere. Is it possible that you're so caught up with either health or work matters that you don't feel there's room for playtime? Venus' meeting with Mars on Sunday reminds you that you HAVE to make room - or risk losing something valuable. By listening closely to what a good friend has to say you could determine the changes you need to make - and get these started (with their help) by next weekend.

Love Horoscope for Friday 1st October 2010

High level tension around this weekend could be the result of careless planning, too many social activities and general lack of attention to detail - all of which you may be acutely aware of on Friday. The rush to try to get things right could put you on collision course with someone who clearly doesn't have to juggle as much each day as you do! All that said, and for us much as some might be irritated, at least one person is likely to be charmed by you - and your ability to relate to a situation they're presently coping with. It's possible that this is a long term friendship in the making. There's also the possibility of being asked to cover for someone whose love-life is growing ever complicated.

Love Horoscope for Friday 1st October 2010

With four planets in Water signs and joined by the Moon until early Saturday evening (GMT), it would be understandable if you found yourself trying hard to keep emotions in check. Perhaps others are asking questions you don't want answer? It might not be possible to evade these inquisitors for long. With Venus and Mars aligning on Sunday, there's greater need to get the relationship lines drawn straight! Expect others to want to talk about emotional baggage and how best it can be stored. Know too that you're very, very special to some people and that they don't want to see you hurt. They probably do want you to be clear about what you want (or don't want). It would be helpful if you tried to stop yourself from saying things you think others want to hear - a mess could then be avoided.

Love Horoscope for Friday 1st October 2010

Venus and Mars align in your sign on Sunday. As always with a conjunction this is a beginning: in this instance falling between a last quarter and a New Moon: which may mean that you need to both wrap up the past before you can move on to the future. A mini collision between the old and the new seems likely - and yes, you may be worried about friction and tension. It would be natural to assume that others share your reactions. We're all different though and it may be that the other two people are working to very different scripts. Even though aware that someone ( a Gemini or Virgo?) needs more freedom, you might not appreciate what they have to say about their plans. Yet perhaps they too need to move on. In short: this is a weekend for change and adjustment.

Love Horoscope for Friday 1st October 2010

The Moon doesn't leave you sign until Saturday evening (GMT). Until it does, you may be a little emotional (at least that's what others may think). Little do they realise how much you're trying NOT to let on. There may be so, so much you'd like to talk about - and yet can't quite bring yourself to say. Maybe you're right: perhaps a better 'moment' will come along. Until it does, the help of old friends and even neighbours seem like blessings. Then, on Sunday, when Venus and Mars finally align in your pleasure zone, a piece of jigsaw falls into place and you then understand where someone's coming from. This - plus a little self-understanding - may be all that's needed to put a partnership back on even stronger footing.

Love Horoscope for Friday 1st October 2010

Domestic and financial matters could have your full attention on Friday - which is also when your responsibilities to a group meeting this weekend could also demand your care. It doesn't look as though there'll be much time to play - at least until Sunday. As with all the other signs, you might also experience a degree of tension - and mainly because some people seem -to you anyway - to have been too harsh. You, of course, are at your best when you feel you're resolving an injustice. So, by late Saturday, the best in you is set to surface: specifically offering assistance to someone who feels to be out of their emotional depth. You help them find humour (even if it's black) in the situation whilst getting them to change their perspective - which could do wonders for your romantic life too.

Love Horoscope for Friday 1st October 2010

The Moon reaches your sign late afternoon Saturday (GMT) and this, coupled with the alignment of Venus and Mars at the base of your solar chart on Sunday, suggest you'll be digging an emotionally deep trench. True, this could come about through exasperation with someone who's been prevaricating for weeks or whose loyalty to you might still be questionable. The key thing here though is that this time it seems you really are playing for keeps. It might take you until mid November to get this message across. The process starts now. Whatever the effort required to deal with someone's old emotional baggage, you now seem to be in 'bring it on' mode.

Love Horoscope for Friday 1st October 2010

Is it possible that you feel caught between two relationships? Or do you feel hemmed in by one? It's just possible that you're also overly-emotional and that if there is a problem, then it can be traced back to late January/ early February. What wasn't resolved then might need to be addressed now. Whilst all this is going on, it seems there are work or health issues to address - with some of these more than a little urgent. There's also the whole business of communications and misunderstandings and someone (probably not you) apparently deliberately evading an issue. Something you say on Saturday could prompt the other person to say what they really feel on Sunday. If this relationship is important to you, then take care not to over-react.