The New Astrology report blends Western signs with Chinese signs and comes up with 144 "New" signs. If you are a Sagittarius and were born in the OX year 1949, then you are a Sagittarius/Ox. Simple. Take your regular, familiar astrological sign and match it with the animal sign of the year you were born. And you have found your New astrological sign.

        Everybody has a dual nature. Some people are naturally greedy and grasping about money. But surprise! These same people can be generous to a fault in emotional ways, strewing sentiment and affection on their entourage like Santa Claus on a gift binge. People are complicated. They baffle us with their contradictory behavior. We even confuse ourselves with our own haunting ambivalences. How come you get along with Jack and care so much about him when in fact he gets on your nerves? Jack has an abrasive personality. You know that. But you can't help liking the guy. He fascinates you. Why? It's a dilemma. With a solution.

        The New Astrology attempts to help us understand human behavior within the universe through the "marriage" of occidental and oriental astrology.

        The Chinese have divided time differently from us Westerners. Whereas we have 100-year centuries, the Chinese have periods of sixty years. We divide our centuries into ten decades. The Chinese divide their sixty-year spans into "dozencades" or twelve-year periods.

        In the West, we divide our year up twelve times by its suns. Each 30 day month has its own astrological name. Every year our cycle begins anew. In the East, each year within the twelve-year dozencade has its own animal name. At the end of each twelve-year period the Chinese cycle begins anew.

        The twelve occidental months have celestial sign names: Aries, Taurus, Gemini, Cancer, Leo, Virgo, Libra, Scorpio, Sagittarius, Capricorn, Aquarius, Pisces. The twelve oriental years have animal sign names: Rat, Ox, Tiger, Cat, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Goat, Monkey, Rooster, Dog, Pig. In both cases the astrological sign name refers to the character of people born under its influence. The cycles of names always repeat in the same order.

        So, in fact, everybody in the world has not just one, but two main astrological signs: a Western "month" sign and an Oriental "year" sign. One sign is complementary to the other. Taken together, they show us more about the individual than either one can on its own. In the New Astrology, if someone is born in Aries and is also born in a Horse year, that person's New Astrology sign is Aries/Horse. Aries/Horses, as you will see, are not the same as Aries/Cats or Aries/Tigers.

        There are 144 New Astrology signs. Each is a combined East/West sign. Through the New Astrology we can learn to get along better with our friends, family and loved ones. We can find out why we tend not to harmonize with certain people. We can improve our knowledge of them, and of ourselves.

Western and Chinese Astrology Ruling Elements:

Western astrology uses four ruling elements:

Fire, Air, Earth, Water. Each Western astrological sign is ruled by one of these elements:

  Fire:
    * Aries, Leo, Sagittarius.
    * Fire signs are characterized by Movement, Obsession, Energy.

  Air :
    * Gemini, Libra, Aquarius.
    * Air signs are characterized by Receptiveness, Intellect, Aspiration.

  Earth:
    * Taurus, Virgo, Capricorn.
    * Earth signs are characterized by Function, Practicality, Solidity.

  Water:
    * Cancer, Scorpio, Pisces;
    * Water signs are characterized by Emotion, Compassion, Perception.

Chinese astrology uses five ruling elements: Metal, Water, Wood, Fire  and Earth. The animal signs are governed by only four of these. All  five elements are used elsewhere in Chinese astrology, but for our purposes in The New Astrology we need only  know:

  Metal:
    *  Positive  Metal-Monkey,  Dog.
    *  Negative Metal-Rooster, Pig.

  Water:
    *  Positive  Water-Rat.
    *  Negative Water-Ox.

  Wood:
    *  Positive  Wood-Tiger,  Dragon
    *  Negative Wood-Cat.

  Fire:
    *  Positive  Fire-Horse;
    *  Negative Fire-Snake, Goat.

Planets:

Each sign in Western astrology is ruled by one or more of ten planets or heavenly bodies. These are the "stars" astrologers are always said to be gazing at. The planets influence a sign's character. Your position in the heavens helps to predict the future.

 Aries is ruled by Mars representing: Impulse, Action, Bravery.

 Taurus is ruled by Venus representing: Acceptance, Vanity, Love.

 Gemini is ruled by Mercury representing: the Intellect, Change, Adaptability.

 Cancer is ruled by the Moon representing: Receptivity, Emotion, Viscera.

 Leo is ruled by the Sun representing: Assertiveness, Will, Majesty.

 Virgo is ruled by Mercury representing: Analysis, Absorption, Logic.

 Libra is ruled by Venus representing: Sociability, Persuasion, Luxury.

 Scorpio is ruled by Mars and Pluto representing Courage, Creation, Passion.

 Sagittarius is ruled by Jupiter representing: Expansion, Vision, Justice.

 Capricorn is ruled by Saturn representing: Solitude, Rigidity, Ambition.

 Aquarius is ruled by Saturn and Uranus representing: Individuality, Cosmic Consciousness, Obligation.

 Pisces is ruled by Neptune and Jupiter representing: Enigma, Inspiration, Compassion.

Chinese astrology does not concern itself with celestial bodies. If Chinese astrologers look to nature for influence, they consult the climatic changes on Earth, the seasons or the moon's effects on the Earth.

Qualities:

Western astrology uses three different qualities: Cardinal, Fixed and Mutable.

 CARDINAL: Aries, Cancer, Libra, Capricorn-Dynamic, Authoritative, Active, Energetic.

 FIXED: Taurus, Scorpio, Leo, Aquarius-Concrete, Limited, Purposeful, Conscientious.

 MUTABLE: Gemini, Virgo, Sagittarius, Pisces-Moving, Adaptable, Harmonizing, Versatile.

Are the Yin and the Yang Qualities Too?

        Yes. In Chinese astrology, yin and yang are qualities. But yin and yang are far more powerful than our qualities because yin and yang are the two major and only forces in the Chinese philosophical universe. For them, everything present in the universe is either yin or else it is yang. Everything. Tables, chairs, light bulbs, cousins, aunts, uncles and kitchen sinks!

        In a way, yin and yang can be compared, in Western culture, to the application in certain languages of the qualities of "masculine" or "feminine" to inanimate objects or intangible nouns. Though it does not seem to make sense, in French a table is feminine. A log is feminine. A shoe is also feminine. Parks are masculine. Lakes too. Feet are masculine. So are eyes and foreheads. But mouths and even teeth are feminine. Worry is masculine. So are gossip and lipstick and panty hose.

        Though we may want to look for sexual significance in the application of gender to nouns, there is none. That's what makes it so difficult to remember from one language to the next whether a noun is considered masculine or feminine. Is the application of gender to nouns then perfectly arbitrary? Well, it must have come from somewhere. But nobody knows exactly how, when or why.

        There are no genders in the Chinese language. But, without saying how, when or why, Chinese philosophers can feel whether a thing or a person or an idea is yin or yang. It's just there. A known fact. Yin is rooted in the sun. Its goal is darkness. Yang is rooted In the Earth. Its goal is light.

Like everything else, each Chinese animal sign is either yin or yang.

  YIN: Rat, Ox, Monkey, Cat, Dog, Pig.

  YANG: Horse, Goat, Tiger, Rooster, Dragon, Snake
What is Yin and What is Yang?

Yin:

        The Chinese say that yin people are mainly interested in what happens in groups. They are frequently preoccupied with the organization of collective or communal events. They are attracted to politics.  They are self-confident. They trust nobody. They need success to survive. They worship efficiency. They are always questing after well-being for themselves and for those they love or like. They have good health and long life but may be prone to accidents. They don't smile a lot. They dress conservatively. They are not spiritual. They love their families. They are material.

        The way I see it, yin is open, civilized, interested in the good of others. Yin likes parties, feasts, holidays, sex and anything else that provides it with intense company. Yin is not feminine. But it is sometimes said to be subjective. Yin is active in the world. Other-directed. Public. It is different from and equal to yang.

Yang:

        The Chinese say that yang people are loners. They are individualistic. They are meditative. They are spiritual. They smile a lot. They have no sense of groups or family. They have delicate health. They like to dress for show. They avoid chains of command. They love nature. They are nonmaterial. Their only goal in life is personal development. They are objective. They keep their own counsel.

        The way I see it, yang is closed, unsociable, private. Yang likes books, music, gardening, long walks or anything that brings him closer to himself and nature. Yang is solitary. Self-directed. Yang's equilibrium comes from within.

Your Sun sign is Leo.

        Month:  Approximately  July 24 to August 23
        Ruler:  Sun.
        Element:  Fire.
        Quality:  Fixed.

Leo is the fifth sign of the occidental zodiac.

Characteristics of Leo:

NOBILITY, PHILANTHROPY, POWER, WARMTH, LOYALTY, PROTECTION.

Leo sins may include: ARROGANCE, TYRANNY, SELF-SATISFACTION, VANITY, IMMODESTY.

        The Leo subject, like the king of the jungle, is all power and innate substance. No Leo lacks for bravery or courage.  You are willful and belong to the sign that most characterizes ego and self-esteem. You are determined and able. You will always find a bevy of loyal subjects who adore and praise you. In the role of guide and pontiff, you can be both severe and indulgent.

        Most Leo people look a little like lions. Often you have huge lovely manes of thick curly hair and your manner of standing or sitting shows self-assurance and dignity. Lions are regal. Sometimes you appear overly confident and even arrogant. You are also identifiable by your sunny, superior demeanor.

        Leo people are generous with both their fortunes and their affection. Because of your innate superiority, you feel you can afford to be giving. You can practically always be counted on for aid in times of need. Not only does it come naturally for you to bestow good turns on friends, but with each favor you enjoy gaining an advantage.  You are above taking an "I told you so" attitude.

        Leos enjoy being surrounded. You often come visiting with an entourage. The sense of family is very strong in your life. You love to entertain and even to "hold court" with guests who will laugh at your jokes and nod at your outlandish declarations. You won't choose a snap job. Find you a citadel to conquer, a cause to embrace or a worthy enemy to track and destroy and you will be content. You are a conqueror. Triumph is your middle name, failure your mortal foe.

        Nothing inspires more pity than a downtrodden or beaten Leo. Defeat doesn't sit well with you, gives you indigestion and depresses you. I know Leos who are forever telling me how they got wounded in this or that professional or romantic situation because their adversary was wily or cunning and did not operate out of strength alone. Subtlety is not your strong suit.

        Leos are spendthrifts. Money, come by without too much struggle by the prodigious lion, eats away at the bottoms of your pockets. Then, when you've spent it all on what you deemed so "important and essential," you complain bitterly. "Where is my money? My lovely money." Thing is, you are serious about family matters and also about business responsibilities. You hate to be in debt and hasten to pay off in full whomever you owe, sometimes to the detriment of your cash flow.

        Leos are extremely vain people. It isn't surprising, then, that extramarital affairs tend to creep into your lives. You have energy and tenderness to burn. If you are not sufficiently adored and worshiped at home, you might just go looking elsewhere. Your innate sense of pre-eminence is comforting. To please you, people should tell you that you are fantastic and magnificent. And remember that with all your apparent panache and pride, you were once just a kitten.

Your Chinese animal sign is DOG.

Dog is Yin. Dog is the eleventh sign of the Chinese horoscope.

Dogs have the following characteristics:

CONSTANCY DUTY HEROISM INTELLIGENCE RESPECTABILITY MORALITY.

Dog sins may include: UNEASINESS CYNICISM CRITICISM UNSOCIABILITY SELF-RIGHTEOUSNESS TACTLESSNESS.

        People born in Dog years spend much of their time in an advanced state of suspicious outrage. You think the evil world is plotting against you, that the world is a dreadful place to live in, and that it's up to you to put things to rights. Dogs are crusaders.  Give a you a cause to campaign for and you'll unearth every bone you've buried for the last ten years in order to see that justice is done. Thorough, diligent, faithful, honest, loyal and devoted - all of the above apply to you.

        Even at your grumpiest, you are a lovable, if somewhat intractable, beast. You cannot be bothered with trifles because you are intensely involved in constructing an airtight case for some lawsuit.

        Poor Doggie, you drag yourself away from your desk, and you need to be loved. You seek comfort and understanding. You sit down at the knee of your favorite companion and lay your furry head in a welcoming lap. Your big liquid eyes stare beseechingly upward.

        Because of the crusader side to your character, you are often found in jobs where helping others makes up a large part of your responsibility.  You are a nurse or doctor or lawyer or architect - or poet. But you are usually not a politician or gangster. Dogs don't take to crime. You are not after easy gain. You just want a quiet life with a nice family where you will be left undisturbed by the roiling world of scandal and scum.

        Trouble is, Dogs are so busy rescuing others and caring about causes, they forget to take care of Number One. You don't look out for your own interests and are surprised and hurt when you realize you've been double-crossed or taken to the cleaners by ruthless characters. You even get a look of hurt on your face, a perplexed near frown that says, "Don't hit me again, I'm sorry. I'll be quiet. I won't chew up slippers anymore." It's adorably touching.

        This air of the beaten Dog is endearing. People are attracted to you. You are a nice, friendly, loving soul. Only thing though, you have frequent attacks of snappishness. The most placid peace-loving Dog person may suddenly blurt, "Why do you wear you hair like that?!" Dogs must play a lot of "catch-up" because they simply can't keep their yaps shut.

        You are basically too nice to be really nasty. But you are critical and very cutting. You reason too much, take things to pieces instead of looking at them globally, and avoid fancy because you fear it. You are not mean though. Basically, you are afraid of your own shadow. You lack confidence and are terminally restless.

        Dogs might be said to blame others for your own shortcomings. We all know that our failings are always partially our own fault. Not Dogs. You frequently cry victim and must be made to cop to your mistakes. You have tons of charm and masses of ability. You are noble, upstanding, moral and generous. You make a terrific mate for those who have a mission or want to spend all their time creating.

You are a Leo/Dog. The description below applies to you.

The Attributes of Leo are:

NOBILITY ARROGANCE POWER SELF-SATISFACTION LOYALTY VANITY PHILANTHROPY TYRANNY WARMTH PROMISCUITY PROTECTION IMMODESTY. "I will" Fire, Sun, Fixed.

The Attributes of Dog are:

CONSTANCY UNEASINESS UNSOCIABILITY CRITICISM RESPECTABILITY DUTY SELF-RIGHTEOUSNESS CYNICISM INTELLIGENCE HEROISM TASTELESSNESS MORALITY. "I worry" Positive Metal, Yin.

LEO/DOG:

        All the Dog's respectability, heroism and undying constancy shot through with Leo loyalty, nobility and philanthropy find us confronted here with one of the most frankly earnest people ever born. So indulgent are you with those you love that if one of your friends committed a cold-blooded act of horror before your very eyes, you would deny you saw it. You are incorrigibly caring.

        For the above reasons, no matter what happens to you, you are rarely really disappointed. You see life from the beginning as a kind of natural hell on earth crawling with injustices and wrongdoings of all sorts, which you are bound to bark at and try to chase away. Let's face it, you are not overly optimistic. But pessimism doesn't destroy your enormous capacity for belief. In certain other Dog people there is a tendency to crawl under the chair and stay there till the strife is over, cowering and growling when anything threatens. But not the Leo/Dog. You seem to be able to take enormous punishment from the vagaries of your life and still come up smiling, scrapping and facing up to responsibility, perched jauntily on your chair, wearing an expression of utter candor and warmth.

        The Leo/Dog is noted for your ability to work long and hard at many different and difficult pursuits. You never imagined that success comes easily and that you ought to have been promoted over somebody less capable. You make it your business to advance through life with rigor and pep. Leo/Dogs are not dreamers. You are doers.

        Leo/Dogs hate to hurry. You prefer to find yourself in situations where you are encouraged to take your time. You are deliberate and careful. You don't want to achieve just for the sake of achieving. If you get someplace in life, you want that place to have been earned by the sweat of your brow. You have a talent for concocting far-reaching plans and may thus be accused of moving too slowly in emergencies.

        You are on your guard much of the time, and you can be very feisty. There is a definite tendency here to pick fights. You cannot leave details alone, and your disapproval is enough to make anyone feel like a criminal. But rest assured, it don't last long. As quickly as the desire to rip someone arises, it retreats. A mere smile will melt your heart.

        As the Leo/Dog performs many good deeds, you are particularly sensitive to receiving favors. You are sure to return kind gestures. But you are also showing how you feel the world ought to be. You are stating your policy by setting an example.

        Leo/Dogs, unlike most Leos, are modest to a fault. You don't want applause and you don't care about remuneration. You don't need anything but love and respect from other people. And even if you don't get either, you remain steadfastly loyal, fair and tolerant.

        A sentimental type, you cannot be swayed from your affections by reason or logic. You feel things strongly and are not afraid to turn your emotions into actions. You're pleasantly naughty and make a terrific friend.

LOVE:

        As I've already pointed out, the Dog born Leo is a lover of love. You will not feel the need to be physically faithful to a mate, but your moral and spiritual connection will be above reproach. You defend the best interests of your spouse - you believed in him or her once and you will go on believing always. Even when you have various subsequent sexual affairs, you remain loyal in spirit. You never interrupt friendships willingly. Once you care, you care irremediably and forever, without reserve.

        Leo/Dogs are ostensibly modest people. You never prance much (unless you're drunk) . But inside your noble stalwart heart lives a tiny shrinking violet on an enormous ego trip. You don't often let the violet show. But you do want your ego to be stroked occasionally.

COMPATIBILITIES:

        You suffer from testiness (not to mention paranoia). Stay close to Aries, Gemini, Libra, Sagittarius and Capricorn people born in Cat or Tiger years. Gemini/Horses are nice for you, too. You'll be less satisfied with a Taurus, Scorpio or Aquarius/Dragon or Goat. You don't need to be reminded that the world is a terrible place full of woes and perils. You just want to live with some pleasant, cheerful soul who boosts morale and provides sufficient applause. Try hooking up with a sexy Pig subject (Scorpio for example). The Pig's delight in all things sensual may help keep your eye from wandering too far afield too often.

HOME AND FAMILY:

        Don't go looking for luxury at the Leo/Dog's house. To you a house is only a place to live. Usually your house looks used and comfortable. The books might be strewn around a little and the dishes left unwashed for a few hours, but basically you like order. Underneath the slight mess will rule a definite statement of neatness. Opulence is of little importance to you.

        The Leo/Dog is a marvelous family member. As a responsible person you can be counted on to go fetch the kids at the movies and pick up sister's little friends at the skating rink. You're a good fellow about parties too, and enjoy entertaining and being entertained. But you aren't very funny. Don't try to tell jokes. And you worry constantly and earnestly and without restraint. You are generous (I didn't say spendthrift).

PROFESSION:

        Leo/Dogs are talented in all sorts of intricate work that requires analysis and logic, pondering and planning. You are capable of working alone and survive very well in jobs where no human interaction is necessary. You are terminally industrious and will always try to do a job properly.

        As a boss, you will be fair and put up with many shenanigans from your employees. Actually, you are seldom found in regular day-to-day boss positions. You either get somewhere on your own steam and at your own speed, or else you remain in the ranks. Often you hold important positions in those ranks. But you are not on any power trips and you don't really like policing others. You will either be a pillar or invisible in office situations. Otherwise, outside the normal routine of working for others, you can excel at personal causes, be a political or sociological innovator, and even shine in show business or in literary or artistic work. You make a good loner.

Career opportunities for LEO/DOG will be found in these fields:

        Engineering and science are natural fields for Leo/Dogs. You may also choose to pursue other careers where your humanitarian talents will be put to good use. Otherwise, I advise solo jobs of all sorts that don't put too much pressure on you to adhere to strict rules you may deem stupid and unnecessary.

Famous Leo/Dogs:

        Norman Lear, Alain Robbe-Grillet, Anna Paquin, Bill Clinton, Herbert C. Hoover, Jennifer Lopez, Kevin Cadogan, Laurent Fabius, Malcolm Jamal-Warner, Micheline Presle, Norman Schwartzkopf, River Phoenix.