Astrology expert Susie Cox delves into the Chinese zodiac and what this year, a fiery rooster year, means.

“Welcome to the Fire Rooster year in Chinese astrology! The Western astrological New Year starts on the first day of Spring, or March 21st each year. Chinese astrology uses the lunar calendar to begin their new year, which starts at sunset after the second New Moon from the Winter Solstice in China. Therefore, it begins at a different date each year and in 2017 that day is January 28th.

“The Chinese zodiac has twelve animals, or signs, and 2017 will be the year of the intimidating Fire Rooster. Fasten your seatbelts, folks, because this is going to be a very wild year! 2017 will take on the personality of the new sign and everyone gets a chance to act out this style, for one year. The personality of the Rooster is arrogant, extremely confident, prone to large, overly-ambitious and unrealistic plans or wild goose chases. The colorful and charismatic Rooster likes to display his authority and trouble could occur due to his dominant approach. The Rooster’s dramatic style can trigger off petty clashes. Just think of his presence and visibility in the barnyard. The Fire Rooster likes to be in charge and lets everyone know it!

“This excerpt is out of Theodora Lau’s book, The Handbook of Chinese Horoscopes, 1989, and she states it better than I can. “Politics will adhere to hard-line policies. The diplomatic scene will be dominated by philosophical orators who rave a lot about nothing. Governments will be found flexing their muscles at each other, but just for show. There may be no real confrontations. It is just that everyone will be too occupied with himself/herself to hear or care what the other person is saying. The self-conscious influence of the Rooster will cause us to take offense at the smallest slight. We will tend to be terribly ostentatious about the splendid image we think we project. Dissensions and debates on all fronts will signify the Rooster’s penchant for argumentative exercises and will not be likely to do permanent damage to anyone when taken in the right context…. He is not cut out to be a diplomat since situations requiring tact, delicacy and discretion will cramp his style…. An outstanding performer, the Rooster shines when he is the center of attraction. Tremendously imposing as a personality, he will pursue any career than exposes him to the public eye.”

“Remember, folks, this isn’t just talking about any individual person, it describes the personality of the entire year that everyone will feel, and act out to a certain extent.

“Western astrology has only four elements (fire, earth, air and water), compared to Eastern astrology that uses five elements. The Chinese five elements are metal, water, wood, fire and earth. The Chinese astrology system differs from Western astrology with their 60-year system. Here is how it works: Each year the signs change but the element remains for two consecutive years. For example, last year was the Fire Monkey, which changes to the Fire Rooster in 2017. So, this year, only the sign changes and it keeps the same element of fire. If you multiply the 5 elements times the 12 signs, it equals 60. 5 x 12 = 60. So, when you reach 60 years old, the Chinese astrology is the same as when you were born.

“Now, let’s overlay the fire element on the volatile Rooster. Of all the elements, fire is the most unpredictable and unstable. With fire fueling the Rooster, his authoritarian capacity will be greatly enhanced. He operates independently and can also be temperamental, dramatic and overly nervous. Singly focused on his success, he can display leadership abilities. Although the defiant Fire Rooster will keep fanatically to his own views and will pursue his own fact-finding missions. His fire element will be rigid and unaffected by opinions of those around him. The Rooster can be inflexible in work compromises and will scrutinize people, holding his own standards. “If things do not measure up to his expectations, he could assume the role of an Inquisitor or cause major upheavals.”

“Looking at this extreme year, it would behoove us all to stay calm and make deliberate plans. Try not to be prone to over-exaggeration or risky situations. But I want to put a different spin on this year of the Fire Rooster. This particular Chinese sign can easily energize your personal power. It will be a good wake up call for us all. This is not a year to be passive and just let things happen. Take charge of what you can. Find your voice and crow like a strong Rooster!” — Susie Cox

Explore more features from the Lunar New Year Issue, past and present.