Lesson 7: A Comparison Between Chinese and Western Astrology
Many astrologers have attempted to blend Chinese and Western astrology, or to find similarities between the two. This lesson will discuss the two methods, contrast and compare them, and show how both can be used to provide a very comprehensive view of an individual.
Similarities & Differences
Similarities
At first glance, there appear to be few similarities between Western astrology and Chinese astrology. My experience with both indicates that they are like two parallel streets; they represent different paths but arrive at the same destination.
Yet, many similarities do exist. According to ancient legend, knowledge of the 5 elements was brought to earth by the spirits of the planets Jupiter (wood), Venus (metal), Saturn (earth), Mars (fire), and Mercury (water). These planets also figure prominently into Western astrology, with a few differences. Chinese astrology considers water as governing communication; Western astrology considers this an air function, hence Mercury here is thought of as a mental or air planet.
In performing chart analysis, I often find that an individual with strong Fire, Earth or Water tendencies in their Western chart will have Chinese charts that mirror these influences. Those with heavy Air influences have heavy Water and Metal influences as both of these elements have some of the characteristics of the Western Air element. Also, the character or second number in Nine Star Ki very often correlates well with the Moon sign in Western astrology.
Other similarities exist as well. Zi Wei Dou Shu has twelve houses or planets just like the Western chart wheels do. Many of the pieces of the Western pie correlate well with the functions of the Chinese palaces. The Destiny house correlates to the 1st house or ascendant house, the second house to the Finance house, etc. The positions of stars in each house is interpreted in much the same manner as the positions of planets and asteroids are in a Western chart. Also, the meanings of the moon and the sun are the same in both.
Differences
The most significant difference, as mentioned in the beginning of the course, refers to the fact that the Chinese focus on the concept of fate and then work towards "cures" to change the most probable fate. Western astrology focuses on internal psychology, although there are well known symbols here as well that indicate wealth, happy marriage, etc.
The elemental differences as mentioned in the last section also make a one-to-one interpretation impossible. Both Metal and Water in the Chinese system have some of the characteristics of Air. The symbolism of Water in the Chinese system is different from the Western symbolism of depth and emotion. Also, the Western system tends to lump both Wood and Earth into the Earth element and the Chinese system breaks them out into two separate and distinct elements.
The Western system also presents all information as symbolic in nature - even though there are indicators (such as Gemini in the 7th house of marriage) that show two or more marriages - a Western astrologer will be more inclined to say " You MAY have two or more marriages" whereas a Chinese astrologer will state it with absolute certainty!
Last but not least, the Chinese Zi Wei Do Shu system deals with mathematical abstractions called stars, and the Western system deals with actual planets and asteroids.
