The Element Encyclopedia of Birthdays

Putting It All Together

As you can see, the basic principles of Western and Chinese astrology, numerology, Tarot and color analysis, and even scientific studies on birth months, are interrelated. But as you read this book, rather than focusing (as you may have done in the past) on the general characteristics associated with your sun or animal sign or whatever Tarot card, color or number represents you, take a fresh new perspective on yourself. Focus on what your date of birth says about you.

There is a world of possibility contained in each date of birth. You were born during a particular season, under a particular sun sign in a particular decanate. Your sun sign corresponds to a Chinese astrology sign. Each day also has a numerical vibration, Tarot association and a color vibration that have a specific meaning and significance. All these invisible energies shape your personality, relationship and career choices and life experiences, and, when combined with the science of birthdays and personality, as well as research into what influential people born on your birthday have in common, this creates the 366 unique and in-depth personality profiles. The hope is that you will refer to this book time and time again, not only to help you understand yourself and others better by referencing your and their date of birth, but also to help you unlock the potential hidden in every day of the year.

The psychological approach for each profile involves you in becoming an expert on yourself and others. Use the insight here to help you develop a deeper understanding of what makes you and other people tick. Use it to help you discover what your strengths are and to find ways to compensate for your weaknesses. Use it to work toward positive growth and change in all aspects of your life. And use it to help you attract luck and success into your life all year round.

Ultimately, this book is a celebration of growth of all types, including personal growth: the process of growth and change that can be seen each year as the seasons melt into one another; growth and change that manifest in all human development and transformation; and growth and change that bring meaning and purpose to all our lives. If you are going through challenging times, remember that diamonds are made under pressure. Growth simply doesn’t happen when you are in your comfort zone, and sometimes growth hurts. Meditate on the insight offered in your birthday profile and allow it to guide and inspire you to become a better person than you were yesterday. The purpose of our lives is to constantly learn and grow. As long as you are learning, you are living a meaningful life.

Only by finding ways to challenge yourself and work toward your true potential can you live for today, transform your tomorrows and start discovering all the wonderful gifts the universe has bestowed upon you from the moment of your birth. Your birthday profile is a defining factor that distinguishes you from other people. But never forget that your profile merely highlights potential strengths and weaknesses, and that you always have a choice.

You can choose to see the light or hide in the shadows. You can refuse to budge or you can seize the day. You can wait for luck to happen or you can try to make your own luck. You can watch or you can join in. You can sleep or you can dance under your stars.

Isn’t it time for you to dance and live as only you can?

Heed Your Signs

“Some day you will be old enough to start reading fairy tales again.”

C. S. Lewis

Before reading your individual birthday profile and the profiles of people you know or anyone you hope to understand better, be sure to read about the generic personality traits of your sun sign and Chinese sign equivalent, referring to the page numbers listed below. Many other factors make up a birth chart, but more than anything else in astrology, the sun represents your potential. It shines an intense light on what motivates you in life, or what will likely bring you the greatest fulfillment. So, even if you don’t feel you are entirely true to your sun sign, familiarizing yourself with your sun-sign personality potential and pitfalls can offer you profound life lessons and wisdom.

 Aquarius and the Tiger(January 20 to February 18)

 Pisces and the Rabbit(February 19 to March 20)

 Aries and the Dragon(March 21 to April 19)

 Taurus and the Snake(April 20 to May 20)

 Gemini and the Horse(May 21 to June 20)

 Cancer and the Sheep(June 21 to July 22)

 Leo and the Monkey(July 23 to August 22)

 Virgo and the Rooster(August 23 to September 22)

 Libra and the Dog(September 23 to October 22)

 Scorpio and the Pig(October 23 to November 21)

 Sagittarius and the Rat(November 22 to December 21)

 Capricorn and the Ox(December 22 to January 19)

Be aware, too, that the wheel of the zodiac begins with the sun sign Aries and ends with Pisces, and each of the signs symbolizes the wheel of life and the different ages, phases and stages in our lives. Aries and Taurus are the babies of the zodiac, Gemini and Cancer the children, Leo the teenager, and Virgo and Libra the adults. Scorpio and Sagittarius symbolize a mature hunger for knowledge, Capricorn the consolidation of experience and Aquarius and Pisces move toward idealism and a desire to see the bigger picture, which often accompanies life’s later stages. This isn’t to say that all Aries-born are innocent and childish or that all Pisceans are wise and mature, as many factors make up a birth chart, but seeing the sun signs in this light can help give you an instant sense and understanding of the driving force behind each sun sign.

By contrast, the Chinese zodiac begins with the sign of the Rat, then follows in this order: Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Goat, Monkey, Rooster, Dog and Pig. According to legend this is the order they finished in a race, but this placement also suggests that curiosity, acquiring knowledge, gaining experience, looking beneath the surface of things and confidently setting intentions should perhaps be the foundation stones for building a fulfilling life. In other words, in Chinese astrology there are strong similarities between endings and beginnings, and the end can become the beginning. Do bear in mind, though, that Chinese astrology acknowledges that the year a person is born and Western sun-sign equivalents are not the only considerations, as animal signs can be assigned by month, day and even hour, meaning every person is a unique combination of several different animals.

All Year Round

After reading about the blessings, challenges and wisdom of your sun sign, it’s time to dive into the 366 Birthday Profiles. And once you’ve digested and reflected on your individual profile, and those of all the people you know, be sure to read The Best and Worst of Days and Reach for the Stars. These closing sections will help you transform this book into a cosmic yearbook that you can use every single day of the year. Simply refer to today’s date, and align yourself with the themes and massive potential for personal growth offered for that day. In this way you can harness birthday guidance and inspiration all year round, whether today is your birthday or not!

366 Birthday Profiles: Your Cosmic Yearbook

“It is never too late to be what you might have been.”

George Eliot

In the pages that follow you will find a birthday profile for every day of the year. Remember, this profile represents your potential. It is not written in stone. I’ll risk repeating myself, as this is too important: You are born with free will and the choice is always yours about what you decide to do with your one precious life. Hopefully, what you read about the unique power of the day on which you were born will resonate strongly with you, and inspire you to believe in yourself and live your dreams.

If what you read doesn’t completely resonate, this doesn’t mean you are born on the wrong day or the profile is flawed. It simply means you are forging a new path, and there can be nothing more exciting than that. Perhaps what you read in your profile will still offer you food for thought or a different perspective. There are infinite possibilities and many different paths to take in life. And every path you take, even if it is a winding one that doesn’t lead to any destination in particular, will teach you something valuable that you need in your search for the bigger picture of your life.

It is not so much the arrival at a destination, but the journey of life itself—and what you learned about yourself during those times you felt lost—that ultimately gives your life its meaning. As long as you are learning and living each day of your life to the full, rest assured you are already living a meaningful life.

Birthstones

Birthstones are gemstones that represent each month of the year. Each stone is said to have a unique energy, meaning and significance. It is widely believed that wearing the birthstone of the month on which you were born can attract good fortune your way. You may want to research the meaning of your birthstone and meditate on, wear or use it in your daily life. But don’t feel you can’t draw on the healing energies of all the other birthstones, too. A birthstone may be aligned to a certain month, but birthstones and the magic they can bring are for everyone regardless of the month they are born.

1 1. January: Garnet (luck)

2 2. February: Amethyst (wisdom)

3 3. March: Aquamarine (peace)

4 4. April: Diamond or quartz (courage)

5 5. May: Emerald (hope)

6 6. June: Pearl (love)

7 7. July: Ruby (vitality)

8 8. August: Peridot (beauty)

9 9. September: Sapphire (truth)

10 10. October: Opal or tourmaline (healing)

11 11. November: Topaz or Citrine (happiness)

12 12. December: Tanzanite or Turquoise (intuition)

These Are the Days of Your Life

And once you’ve reflected on your profile, and those of people you know or have yet to get to know, don’t allow yourself to waste the potential of any day in your life ever again. Every morning be sure to meditate on the birthday profile for the day ahead. Let the life wisdom there help you tap into the secret potential and power of that day and attract good fortune your way so that you can choose to make every day of the year, and of your life, a very special day.

JANUARY

1 January

2 January

3 January

4 January

5 January

6 January

7 January

8 January

9 January

10 January

11 January

12 January

13 January

14 January

15 January

16 January

17 January

18 January

19 January

20 January

21 January

22 January

23 January

24 January

25 January

26 January

27 January

28 January

29 January

30 January

31 January

1 JANUARY

The Birthday of Self-improvement

“When one door closes, another always opens for me”

The life lesson: is to believe you are good enough and that making mistakes isn’t a crime.

The way forward: is to learn that nothing is a failure if you learn and grow from it.

Luck maker: Let go of expectations.

Bursting with enthusiasm, people born on January 1 are instinctive and idealistic trailblazers. They value the lessons they have learned from their past and use this to plan ahead for a better future. Once they settle on a goal, their drive, determination and organizational skills typically ensure success. But when things don’t go according to their best-laid plans, they can become impatient, oversensitive and insecure. They need to break through their fear of the unexpected and recognize that their way isn’t always the best or only way.

These people are born experts, often rising to leadership roles where their opinions and skills are highly valued. There is a voice inside them urging them to work harder and longer, and to always do better. This quality makes them big achievers, but they can get so caught up in their self-improvement that they lose their sense of humor and the bigger picture along the way. They thrive when self-employed, but are also drawn to careers in teaching, business, the law, finance and education, healthcare, programming, gaming, personal development or any work that allows them to rise to the top and engage and enlighten others through specialization. Burnout is one of their biggest health risks and, because they are so self-critical, they can suffer from bouts of depression. Listening to their intuition rather than their head will help them find inner peace. Breathing in a few drops of lavender essential oil on a handkerchief can ease stress. For self-care, rise and shine at the same time each day. Avoid lying in or burning the midnight oil. Successful people retire and rise early.

January 1-born are often kind-hearted and trusting, but can become controlling of others. They need plenty of adventure and intellectual stimulation in their love relationships, otherwise they will get bored. Under the age of 40 they run the risk of becoming workaholics and marginalizing the importance of their personal growth, but fortunately this destructive trend diminishes the older they get. Once they figure out that resilience, open-mindedness and a sprinkling of laughter mixed with optimism are just as important for success as hard work, their destiny is to lead and inspire others to new heights with their dedicated sense of purpose.

Tarot card, lucky numbers, days, colors: The Devil, 1, 2, Saturday, Sunday, blue, orange

Born today: J. D. Salinger (novelist); Christine Lagarde (politician); Chai Jing (broadcaster)

Potential: Dedicated, inspirational

Dark side: Manipulative, impatient

2 JANUARY

The Birthday of the Intuitive Leader

“I see clearly what others miss”

The life lesson: is to understand that being different from everyone else isn’t a weakness.

The way forward: is to value your uniqueness as a strength.

Luck maker: Focus on your strengths, and see your weaknesses as opportunities to learn and grow.

The motivated and dedicated but also intuitive and highly observant people born on January 2 have a remarkable ability to tune into their surroundings and the feelings of others. Their sensitivity can work against them, making them feel isolated and different rather than unique and natural. But once they can learn to value their intuition, January 2 people can unlock incredible creativity in themselves and others.

Those born on January 2 are natural artists, teachers and healers, but can also thrive in public relations, management, personal development, life-coaching, counseling, photography, art, writing, social media and any career that offers them an opportunity to observe themselves, others or the world in a creative way. Although they are by nature serious and reserved, when their self-confidence is high their intuition works at its best and is the force that helps them excel in any chosen career. Self-critical perfectionists, they can sometimes be their own worst critic and enemy. January 2-born need to ensure they take regular time out to unwind and relax with their loved ones, friends or pets. Carrying a small rose-quartz crystal around with them helps them to attract the energy of self-love. For self-care, every morning on waking immediately think of three things in your life to be grateful for.

The potential for rising to the top of their chosen field is there, but if self-belief is lacking, they will waste their talents with self-doubt and not maximize this potential. The same applies to their relationships. Their giving nature can be taken advantage of. Sometimes, their acute sensitivity makes them unpredictable and moody and it is hard for them to know which feelings belong to them and which belong to others. There is a powerful shift toward setting boundaries and personal growth before the age of 50, and after that they really come into their own. Once they love themselves enough, and realize that thinking is not the same as doing, their destiny is to confidently express their uniqueness and, by so doing, encourage others to do the same.

Tarot card, lucky numbers, days, colors: The High Priestess, 2, 3, Saturday, Monday, blue, silver

Born today: Isaac Asimov (sci-fi writer); Daisaku Ikeda (Buddhist leader); Christy Turlington (model)

Potential: Intuitive, dedicated

Dark side: Indecisive, moody

3 JANUARY

The Birthday of Determination

“The darkness comes before the dawn; I will shine through”

The life lesson: is to avoid obsessiveness and narrow-mindedness.

The way forward: is to experiment with different approaches and understand that failure can sometimes teach you more than success.

Luck maker: The only person to compare yourself with is the person you were yesterday.

Failure is never an option for the appealing and extremely determined people born on January 3. They are at their most inventive when challenged and, even if it looks like they have failed, they will learn and grow from it and stage a comeback. Their admirable persistence means that they can overcome incredible odds. Sometimes, however, their stubbornness can make them appear intolerant. January 3 people can impose unbearable standards, not just on themselves but also on others, and when pushed into a corner they can resort to using their charm to help them get what they want in a manipulative way.

Born innovators, idealists and self-starters, they can achieve outstanding success in self-employment and business, but they can also excel in charity, the law, prison, the police, charity and humanitarian work, as well as politics, education, environmentalism, digital technology, and as creatives, authors, artists, filmmakers and social-media influencers. Prone to personal vanity, any concerns about appearance should ideally be managed not by cosmetic shortcuts but by a healthy diet and lifestyle, and a youthful and optimistic approach to life. They need to constantly remind themselves that appearance matters but inner beauty matters more. For self-care, close your eyes and tune into your intuition for a few minutes each day. Reflecting quietly on what your body, mind and, most importantly, your heart are trying to tell you can help you make better decisions.

In relationships January 3-born easily attract admirers and are loyal and trusted companions, but their tendency to constantly seek attention can become draining for the people in their life. However, when they let go of the need to control and allow others to breathe around them, their relationships can be deeply comforting and fulfilling. Around the age of 40 they typically discover that connecting with their intuition rather than seeking identity and attention from others, causes or projects is the path to true fulfillment, and their life transforms. Once they have mastered this “inside-out” approach to life, their destiny is to share their powerful creativity and make the impossible seem possible.

Tarot card, lucky numbers, days, colors: The Empress, 3, 4, Saturday, Thursday, purple, gray