Lifestyle

Western Astrology & Chinese Astrology 101

Brandon Santillan, Journalist

June 26, 2025

Picture of the Horoscope Chart from Pixabay-free images-https://pixabay.com/images/search/astrology/?pagi=2.

During summer break, we will not be able to provide your weekly horoscope. Please stay tuned for our weekly updates this fall. Until then, we re-posted some general information about Western Astrology and Chinese Astrology for your reference. Enjoy!

Western Astrology:

Similar to Chinese astrology, Western astrology includes twelve zodiac signs. Whereas the twelve signs in Chinese astrology originate from an old myth, Western astrology is built off the positions of constellations around Earth. Western astrology dates back to approximately the 3rd millennium B.C. In chronological order, it goes from Aries, Taurus, Gemini, Cancer, Leo, Virgo, Libra, Scorpio, Sagittarius, Capricorn, Aquarius, and Pisces. Since these are decided based on birth date, they are the sun sign. Your sun sign is believed to represent your personality. There are two other very important signs as well. Your moon sign, which represents your emotions, and your rising, or ascending sign, which represents how people perceive you. It’s pretty simple to determine your sun sign with just your birth date and month, but in order to figure out your moon and ascending sign, you need not only your birth date, but also your place and time of birth.

All of the signs are grouped in four categories, which are fire, earth, air, and water. Aries, Leo, and Sagittarius placements are fire signs, Taurus, Virgo, and Capricorn are earth signs, Gemini, Libra, and Aquarius are air signs, and last but not least, Cancer, Scorpio, and Pisces are water signs.

Earth Signs:

Taurus born April 20 – May 20 = BULL: determined, loyal, gentle, & stable.

Virgo born August 23 – September 22 = VIRGIN/MAIDEN: practical, trustworthy, perfectionist, & kind.

Capricorn born December 22 – January 19 = HORNED GOAT: ambitious, reserved, patient, & consistent.

Water Signs:

Pisces born February 19 – March 20 = FISH: imaginative, intuitive, emotional, & compassionate.

Scorpio born October 23 – November 21 = SCORPION: intense, passionate, cunning, & emotional.

Cancer born June 21 – July 22 = CRAB: sensitive, nurturing, bashful, & loyal.

Fire Signs:

Aries born March 21-April 19 = RAM: courageous, honest, adventurous, & aggressive.

Sagittarius born November 22 – December 21 = ARCHER: adventurous, spontaneous, optimistic, & freedom enjoyers.

Leo born July 23 – August 22 = LION: enthusiastic, loyal, confident, & romantic.

Air Signs:

Libra born September 23 – October 22 = BALANCE SCALES: charming, social diplomatic, romantic, & balanced.

Aquarius born January 20 – February 18 = WATER BEARER: intellectual, independent, contemplative, & philosophical.

Gemini born May 21 – June 20 = TWINS: curious, quick witted, adaptable, & outgoing.

To begin the astrological cycle, it all starts with Aries. Aries is ruled by Mars, which represents passion, aggression, war, and assertion. This makes sense due to Aries being the God of War in Greek mythology. Aries are typically strong-minded, passionate, and bold people. The Mars ruler of Aries makes them very competitive, driven, courageous, and brutally honest. One of the most common misconceptions about Aries is that they are just hot-headed mean people, which isn’t necessarily true. While an Aries may come off too strong, it may be due to the fact that they are just very direct people who know what they want, and they don’t sugar-coat the truth. Aries can be easily irritable people because of their drive to get things done, which could stem from them being a “Cardinal” sign. While not every sign reading isn’t 100% accurate for everyone, they do all hold some sort of truth. For example, take Mariah Carey, Reese Witherspoon, Diana Ross, Elton John, Lady Gaga, Emma Watson, and Pharrell Williams. All of these people have some traits in common, they are all very direct, out-spoken, and they all take the lead with ease. Surprise! They’re all Aries.

The second sign in the astrological cycle is Taurus, which is represented by the bull. This sign is ruled by Venus, which is the planet that represents love, money, and beauty. Tauruses are typically very stubborn, but intelligent people. A Taurus might come off as very quiet and as if they aren’t paying attention, but in reality, they’re just very good observers! People who fall under this zodiac are usually very calm people but just like their zodiac sign the bull, they have a hidden temper that doesn’t come out very easily but can be a bit frightening. Another common misconception about Tauruses is that they are lazy people, but the truth behind this myth is that they are just picky with what they spend their time on. They need to see value in something to really put their energy into it. Some famous celebrities that are Tauruses include Kehlani, Robert Pattinson, Gigi Hadid, and Adele. All of these people are known to be very down-to-earth and easy to get along with.

Gemini. The third sign in the cycle, an air sign ruled by Mercury. This planet symbolizes memory, communication, intellect, and creative expression. The spirit for Gemini is a deer. If you are only finding out more about astrology due to TikTok and other social media, you might have an incorrect perception of Geminis. You might have been told that they are unreliable, but this is only due to the fact that Geminis change their minds often. They have trouble staying still or in one spot, but this doesn’t mean that they are flat-out unreliable. This just shows that just like their ruler, Mercury, they are curious and intellectual thinkers. Mercury represents tearing things apart and putting them back together, which is exactly what Geminis do. They can pick apart whatever they are thinking of, put the pieces all back together, and make a decision based on that, which is why their decision-making might seem unreliable, but it is in fact just the way they think. Geminis are very playful people, and usually have no trouble finding friends within any kind of group. Some examples of celebrities that share this sign are Tupac Shakur, Morgan Freeman, and Amy Schumer. These three people definitely share something in common, they’re all very well-liked people.

Next in line are Cancers. This sign is represented by the crab and the ruling planet is the moon, which signifies emotions and domesticity. People who are Cancers tend to be affected more by the moon cycle than any other zodiac sign. Cancers are typically known for feeling intense emotions, and you can just tell by how passionate and loyal they are to the people that they love. While this can be a good thing, their intense feelings can also become overwhelming and suffocating. Due to the fact that Cancers feel such strong emotions, they are usually very good at reading the energy of a room, and the mood of people around them. Some famous Cancers are Selena Gomez, Meryl Streep, Ariana Grande, and Solange Knowles. All four of these women are known for their spectacular portrayal of emotions in their work, and their ability to move people with it.

The end of Summer babies- Leos! They are ruled by the Sun, and their spirit sign is a Lion. This fits their personalities perfectly because they love being in the spotlight. Leo’s are known for their confidence and leadership. When a Leo sets their mind to something, they will be determined to achieve that goal. One of the weaknesses a Leo can possess is a lack of self-awareness. They sometimes give more than they receive, because they enjoy receiving compliments and being praised. Leos stand out from the crowd. For example, celebrities like Sandra Bullock and Jennifer Lopez. Both of these women play a plethora of lead roles in movies, and their performances are always stunning!

To kick off the start of Fall, we have Virgos. Virgos are symbolically represented as the bear and are ruled by Mercury. Mercury is a planet that deeply values analytics and logic. Virgos are thought to be very practical and quick thinkers. Since they’re earth signs, they are well-grounded and thoughtful people. They are usually very patient people, this means they always choose to see the good in people and are capable of giving them space. While Virgos are very hard-working people, this can also become a negative trait. Since they have such high standards when it comes to work and work ethic, they can sometimes be overly judgemental and critical toward others. Virgos take their responsibilities very seriously, which makes them reliable people. Zendaya, Keanu Reeves, Sydney Sweeney, and Beyonce are all great examples of Virgos. They are all extremely dedicated to their work, and it shows in their performances!

Next in line is Libra! The Libra spirit animal is a gray wolf, and they’re ruled by Venus. Venus is a planet that has a lot of values. Since it has a lot of values, it governs over love, money, relationships, and materialistic items. Venus also shares rulership over Taurus as well! Libra’s are typically extroverted and friendly people. They are the type of people who fantasize a lot, and they are able to look at things from every angle. Since they’re able to see all perspectives on things, they tend to be indecisive. They tend to avoid conflict, which makes them very good peace-makers between people. Take Bruno Mars, for example. He is a very successful man (hence being ruled by Venus), and you never see him in conflict with others. Will Smith is also another Libra, and you can tell by how much of a socialite he is.

After Libras, we have Scorpios. Scorpios are symbolized as a scorpion and are ruled by the dwarf planet Pluto. Pluto is the planet of destruction and transformation. You might ask, “What does this mean for a Scorpio?”. Well, to answer this question, they experience intense emotions and seek out spiritual regeneration. The stereotypical misconception about Scorpios is that they are a fire sign. Scorpios are actually water signs, but they get mistaken for fire signs because they are passionate and strong people. While everyone is worrying about their next moves, Scorpios have already planned it out. They wait until the best moment to strike, then come out of nowhere. Everything is a game of chess to them, and they are always several steps ahead. This may sound like a bad thing, but it isn’t always with negative intentions. Scorpios are very determined people who know what they want, they just don’t mind playing the waiting game in order to orchestrate it the way they want it to unfold. Julia Roberts and Kris Jenner are great examples of Scorpios. Both of these women played the waiting game in their careers in order to be where they are today, and I bet you they had it all planned out before we even knew what was coming.

Sagittarius’s are ruled by Jupiter, the planet of knowledge, good luck, and exploration. They are known to be extroverted, as well as very direct people because they do things the way they want, and when they want to do it. Another thing they are known for is their emotional intelligence, which gives them the ability to connect with others on a deeper level. Due to this along with their keen sense of humor, they are magnets to everyone around them. A great example of a Sagittarius is Miley Cyrus. She is definitely a charmer, but she knows what she wants and she does it regardless of what people think.

To begin the new year, we start with Capricorns. Capricorn is represented by the sea goat, and they are ruled by Saturn. Saturn is a planet of discipline, hard work, and determination. Typically, Capricorns are known to be workaholics and successful people. They tend to be very cold on the outside, but when you get to know them, they are very caring people. Capricorns attempt to mask their weaknesses by isolating themselves and indulging themselves in work, but in reality, they are very reliable and loyal people to the people in their close circles. People like Denzel Washington and John Legend are perfect examples. They both have a very strong work ethic and have risen to the top in their fields.

Next, we have Aquariuses, which are symbolized by a buck. Aquarius is ruled by Uranus, the planet of rebellion and innovation, which makes sense because they are known to be rule breakers who always find loopholes in things. They are very clever and self-reliant people and tend to stay away from being generalized into one box. Some Aquariuses can be outgoing and extroverted, while others can be extremely calm and quiet. Alicia Keys, Michael B. Jordan, and Oprah Winfrey are some of the most famous Aquarians. While some of them might be introverted, the others may come off as extroverted, and this just goes to show the versatility of Aquarians and that they can’t be confined into one category.

Last but not least, we have Pisces. The spirit animal for Pisces is a monkey, and the sign is ruled by Neptune. Neptune represents spirituality, intuition, and dreams. This can be seen in a lot of Pisces because they tend to be very creative people in their own unique ways. They tend to be daydreamers, and their dreams usually have another deeper meaning to them. They are also deeply emotional people, and because of this, they are able to sympathize with others and do the best of their ability to ensure the happiness and satisfaction of others around them. Rihanna is a Pisces, and when you listen to her music, you can just hear the emotion and the power within her music, and she is successful because of this. She uses her creativity in music to be able to connect with people.

While there is a lot that goes into Zodiac signs, not everything might be accurate to you. Everyone is their own individual and has differences, these are just the stereotypical traits that are seen in these signs. Another important aspect to think about is your rising and moon sign. Although sometimes zodiac reading may relate to your sun sign, it is also important to remember that it could harmonize with your rising and moon sign. Again, remember that everyone is different and it is okay to not relate to any of these traits. Enjoy exploring more about astrology and your zodiac signs!

Chinese Astrology:

If you’re not familiar with the Chinese zodiac AKA Shengxiao, it has 12 animal symbols in total: the Rat, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Goat, Monkey, Rooster, Dog, and Pig. 2025 is the Year of the Snake in the Chinese zodiac, starting on January 29, 2025, and ending on February 16, 2026. It’s also the year of the Wood Snake, combining the Snake’s characteristics with the wood element. This year may bring opportunities for growth, transformation, and introspection, particularly for those born in the Year of the Snake. Here is the full list of Chinese zodiacs:

Rat: (birth years including 1924, 1936, 1948, 1960, 1972, 1984, 1996, 2008, 2020) are described as quick-witted, resourceful, versatile, and kind. They get along best with Ox, Dragon, and Monkey, and they don’t get along best with Horses or Roosters. They sometimes get along with Rat and Tiger. They’re popular and they are good artists.

Ox: (birth years including 1925, 1937, 1949, 1961, 1973, 1985, 1997, 2009, 2021) are very diligent, dependable, strong, and determind. Their best match is Rat, Snake, and Rooster. They have hard times with Tigers, Dragons, Horse, and Sheeps. They could get along with Ox and Monkey. They are good listeners.

Tiger: (birth years including 1926, 1938, 1950, 1962, 1974, 1986, 1998, 2010, 2022) they’re brave, confident, and competitive. They get along with Dragon, Horse, and Pigs. Their worst matches are Ox, Tiger, Snake, and Monkeys. They might have a hard time getting along with Rat and Rabbit. They get respected for their deep thoughts and courageous actions.

Rabbit: (birth years including 1927, 1939, 1951, 1963, 1975, 1987, 1999, 2011, 2023) they are very quiet, elegant, kind, and responsible. They love Sheep, Monkey, Dog, and Pigs. They don’t like most Snakes and Roosters. They have an ok relationship with Tigers, Rabbits, Dragons, and Horses. They’re friendly and good to be around.

Dragon: (birth years including 1928, 1940, 1952, 1964, 1976, 1988, 2000, 2012, 2024) are best described as confident, intelligant, and enthusiastic. They match well with Rooster, Rat, and Monkey, they dont go well with Ox, Sheep, and Dog. They could match with Rabbit and Horse. They are very energetic and good listeners.

Snake: (birth years including 1929, 1941, 1953, 1965, 1977, 1989, 2001, 2013, 2025) are described as enigmatic, intelligent, and wise. They go best with Dragon and Rooster. Their worst matches are Tiger, Rabbit, Snake, Sheep, and Pigs. They could get along with Dogs. They have good taste in books, food, and music.

Horse: (birth years including 1930, 1942, 1954, 1966, 1978, 1990, 2002, 2014, 2026) are described as animated, active, and energetic. Their best friends are Tiger, Sheep, and Rabbits. Their worst matches are Rat, Ox, Rooster, and Horses. Their so-so matches are Rabbit, Dragon, Monkey, and Dogs. They’re popular, cheerful, and hard workers.

Sheep/Goat: (birth years including 1931, 1943, 1955, 1967, 1979, 1991, 2003, 2015, 2027) are very calm, gentle, and sympathetic. They get along with Sheep, Rabbit, Horse, and Pigs. They don’t go well with Ox, Tiger, or Dogs. They sometimes get along with Roosters. They’re good artists and they’re wise.

Monkey: (birth years including 1932, 1944, 1956, 1968, 1980, 1992, 2004, 2016, 2028) are known for being sharp, smart, and curious. They get along with Ox and Rabbit. They don’t go well with Tiger and Pigs, but they could get along with Horse and Rooster. They’re funny and good at problem solving.

Rooster: (birth years including 1933, 1945, 1957, 1969, 1981, 1993, 2005, 2017, 2029) are known as observant, hardworking, and courageous. They get along with Ox and Snake. They don’t get along with Rat, Rabbit, Horse, Rooster, and Dogs. They get along somewhat well with Sheep, Monkey, and Pig. They’re hard workers and very talented.

Dog: (birth years including 1934, 1946, 1958, 1970, 1982, 1994, 2006, 2018, 2030) are lovely, honest, and prudent. They get along best with Rabbit, and they’re worst with Dragon, Sheep, and Rooster. They could get along with Ox, Snake, Horse, and Dog. They’re loyal, good secret keepers, and they worry a lot.

Pig: (birth years including 1935, 1947, 1959, 1971, 1983, 1995, 2007, 2019, 2031) are described as compassionate, generous, and diligent. They are best with Tiger, Rabbit, and Sheep. Their worst matches are Snakes and Monkeys. They somewhat go well with Rooster. They’re good students, very honest, and always get things done.

So to sum everything up, Chinese Astrology are predictions about you and your characteristics, depending what year you’re born. It gives you a preview about other people as well. Enjoy!

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