In the ancient courts of China, the Emperors would consult astrologers on major decisions. Chinese astrologers say our universe is full of changing energies, and that these changing energies bring different luck at different times. Each New Year would bring new luck, and the most important celebration on the Chinese calendar was — and still is — the Chinese New Year.
In all traditions of astrology, the time and date when a baby is born determines the natal chart. In Chinese Astrology, the first breath sets up the chart for the "Four Pillars of Destiny." The four pillars are the year pillar, the month pillar, the day pillar, and the hour pillar. Each pillar comprises an element and an animal.
A Chinese Astrologer can interpret a "Four Pillars of Destiny" chart to give you a life reading. A life reading helps you understand your luck, which changes with time. Some years are luckier than others. It's better for you to make big moves in your lucky years. With good luck, you get a better career, happier relationships, and personal happiness.
If we only look at the year of birth, we can offer a generalized snapshot using the year animal. There are 12 animals in the Chinese Zodiac. Each animal rules for one year within a cycle of 12 years, and there is a handover at Chinese New Year. This is popular Chinese Astrology, which is more general than the individual readings of birth charts.
Chinese Lunar New Year
In 2021 the ruling animal of the year is the Ox. The new lunar year, which starts on February 12, is the time for celebrating the new Ox Year. You might be aware that Chinese New Year can be any time from the middle of January to the middle of February. This is because the New Year celebrations are for the lunar New Year, which always starts with the second new moon after the winter solstice.
The Chinese calendar is both a solar calendar and a lunar calendar — a lunisolar calendar. Chinese New Year parties always take place at the lunar New Year. But Chinese astrologers chart the handover of the ruling year animal at the solar New Year, which begins every year on February 4.
Chinese Astrologers use the solar New Year on the 4th of February as the start of each year's animal sign. Astrologically, the year of the metal ox began on the 4th of February 2021.
The Year of the Ox
There is a famous Chinese legend about an Ox arriving at the Buddha’s palace for Chinese New Year.
One New Year, Buddha invited the animal kingdom to celebrate the lunar new year. The twelve animals were supposed to arrive in the following order:
Since the Ox was generous, it let the Rat ride on its back to the Buddha. But at the last minute, the Rat slid down the Ox’s nose, and he wound up being the first animal to bow before Buddha.
Because the Ox personality is calm and stoic, it didn’t mind that the Rat was the first in line to rule a year. The Ox knew that when it is his turn to rule a year, he would do it in his own style.
The energies of the Ox Year bring a sense of determination. 2021 is a year for persevering with your goals. Be cool, calm, and collected like the Ox. If someone else passes you at the finishing line, take it in stride and trust that your turn will come. Focus on what’s meaningful for you. There’s no need to look left and look right at others’ activities. Instead, look ahead, because that’s where you’re going!
The ox is a down to earth creature who likes to do its own thing. 2021 Ox Year is about getting back to basics — the most simple and fundamental things count. Apply this philosophy in your career, in romantic relationships, and in friendships.
Chinese horoscope for 2021
The Chinese astrological solar year starts on February 4 each calendar year. The year of the Rat was from February 4, 2020 to February 3, 2021. The year of the Ox runs from February 4, 2021 to February 3, 2022.
You can find your year animal sign using this table. If your birthday falls between January 1st and February 3rd, use the previous year for your year animal sign.
Some astrologers use the lunar year for determining your year animal sign, but I always use astrological solar year, which is the one most often used by Chinese astrologers.
Remember, though, that you have four animals in your full natal chart — the four pillars of destiny. The year animal horoscope gives you a snapshot of the year as a whole, prompting you to think about the year ahead in a general sense. The month, day, and hour, are more specific.
A helpful piece of guidance from a friend or a stranger can make all the difference this year. It would be wise to use your discretion and listen carefully for messages in a conversation. The Ox Year brings you good luck for connecting with people. It could be about renewing old ties as well as encountering new people. Be open to making new discoveries, and think critically about any advice before applying it in your life.
Quite often when you turn down the noise of the outer world you can hear the wisdom of your own inner voice. Self-reflection is the key to finding the answers this Ox Year, your own year. Be mindful that self-reflection is an opportunity for you to praise yourself. Recall those things which you did well. In those instances when you realize you could have done better make a mental note for next time.
Power and authority feature strongly for you in this Ox Year. You could be the one who finds yourself gaining authority with a promotion or award. Alternatively, you could be challenging the status quo. Be aware of your own power. Think about what really matters to you. Direct your powers towards those things. On minor matters let others have their way because you choose to let them.
Your rabbit personality loves to have the finer things in life. Good taste and elegance need not be expensive. If you’re lucky in wealth and make financial gains be careful with how you manage your money. You know money doesn’t grow on trees, yet there are things you can do to make money with money. The practical Ox Year influence will encourage you to spend wisely.
Because of your charismatic Dragon persona, many people find you attractive. It’s important to know who your friends are. You can be charming to everybody without letting them into your inner circle. The energies of the Ox Year bring you opportunities to meet new people. Remember it takes time to get to know people and first impressions are often not the full picture.
When it comes to hidden talents, it is often better to keep them hidden. If others underestimate you this year, then you can smile secretly to yourself. Your winning formula is to appear as if you’re not winning. You can cross the finishing line when others are not looking. Keep a low profile and do what you feel is right for you.
There are many outlets for your creative expression this year. Perhaps it’s time for you to re-decorate your home. Even if it’s just one room or one corner of a room, add something to it to make it feel rather special. You want to update your wardrobe and try some new styles and fashions. Draw inspiration from various sources and put your own Horse mark on it.
During this Ox Year, you might find yourself in many debates. Exchanging ideas can be enlightening and entertaining. Controversy rarely disappears overnight. There are situations where the best you can do is to agree to disagree. Time will often reveal the best way forward. Be open to considering different points of you without following them.
When faced with lots of information you still want to find an answer. Taking a step back and looking at the big picture will help you spot what is most important this year. It can be tempting to try and do lots of different things at once. Using what you already know you will be able to find a few things that you want to focus on. The answer might be closer to home than you first thought.
Doing things on your own can give you a sense of satisfaction. Sometimes you want to involve others so that you can make more progress in less time. Getting the right people to be by your side is your key to success in this Ox Year. Find ways of testing out which alliances work the best. Be prepared to chop and change to find what’s right for you.
The Ox Year can bring some fascinating people and ideas. If you come across a stubborn character, ask yourself if you understand how they see things. Imagine you are both looking at a teacup and only one of you can see the handle. Everyone needs to walk all around the teacup to see the whole cup. When you’re able to swap positions you will be able to overcome a challenging situation.
You get along with some people effortlessly. You find some people are not easy to understand. Take a moment to build some rapport with those who see the world differently. The Ox Year could bring you opportunities to broaden your horizons with new people and new ideas. When you gain insight into how others see things, you can see how they can help you. Managing others is a great skill to develop.
Foon Chik — aka Feng Shui Foon — is a Feng Shui Master and Chinese Astrologer who teaches students and offers consultations online to clients to help them improve their luck. She created the Chinese Destiny Stars Astrology app, which is available for iPhone and Android.
Get Shondaland directly in your inbox: SUBSCRIBE TODAY