The Element Encyclopedia of Birthdays

With their ability to see clearly, adapt to change and solve puzzles, these people are born troubleshooters in any career they choose to dedicate their considerable talents to. Bold business ideas are more likely to appeal to them than specialist ideas, and financial return is important. Computer programming, engineering, medicine, accountancy, banking, finance, the law, advertising and management all appeal. Their unconventional flair and willingness to take risks may lead them into entertainment, sport entrepreneurship or even to the unknown—these people are highly likely to volunteer for space travel. They need exciting outlets for both their mental and physical energy. For self-care, before you talk to, write, text or email someone today, pause for a few moments to consider the impact of your words on the person you are addressing.

In relationships these people can be jealous and controlling, but there is softness beneath their closed-book persona. Likewise, they can appear grumpy and lacking in empathy, but they are not negative or unhappy, just truth-tellers. It isn’t until they hit their forties and beyond that they become more empathetic toward those less able to cope with change and the ups and downs of life. Once they begin to understand that not everyone is as clear-sighted as they are, and that a gentler approach can help them achieve their objectives more effectively, people born on this day can earn the loyalty of others and make a lasting impact on the world. Their destiny is to bring both themselves and others closer to the truth, with their revealing assessment of people and situations.

Tarot card, lucky numbers, days, colors: Wheel of Fortune, 1, 2, Saturday, Sunday, brown, orange

Born today: Rod Stewart (singer); George Foreman (boxer); Pat Benatar (singer)

Potential: Honest, original

Dark side: Insensitive, negative

11 JANUARY

The Birthday of the Expert Assessor

“I fight injustice and right wrongs”

The life lesson: is feeling powerless to change things.

The way forward: is to understand that you can only change the things you can and, when you can’t, you must learn to let go.

Luck maker: Sometimes you need to give others the benefit of the doubt.

January 11-born are insightful and intelligent. They have a natural talent for assessing every situation and person they encounter. They see right to the heart of people and situations, judging them according to their own very high standards. When their formidable powers of evaluation are combined with their discernment and insight, they become outstanding decision makers. Underlying their talent for assessment is a strong sense of justice. They feel compelled to do the right thing in life and to pass judgment, but sometimes this can lean toward critical and controlling behavior and the belief that their word really is the law.

Born helpers, they are drawn to careers where they can use their sharp mind to fight injustice and assist others. Education, journalism, vlogging, campaigning, lobbying, business, counseling, psychology, social work, politics, the law, the police, the military or even the clergy can appeal, as can therapy, music and the arts. These people need to avoid compassion overload by caring for others or fighting for their rights at the expense of their own physical and emotional needs. Self-care is a priority. Surrounding themselves with the color silver can bring inner peace. For self-care, every time a voice in your head tells you that you are not doing enough or not doing things correctly, listen to a really upbeat song and hum along or dance to it.

Learning to pronounce their opinions less forcibly and understanding that everybody has a right to a viewpoint empowers both the personal and professional life of those born on this day. They are loyal companions, but it can take an age for them to trust someone enough to really open up to them. Around the age of 40, often sooner, their emotional sensitivity grows stronger and they start to develop a more powerful inner life and greater self-confidence. They have high standards for others but also for themselves, and, because they have the courage and determination to live up to these standards, others will seek them out for advice when they learn to be a little less inflexible. Their destiny is not only to fight injustice but also to help others beat the odds and turn their dreams into reality.

Tarot card, lucky numbers, days, colors: Justice, 2, 3, Saturday, Monday, black, white

Born today: Alexander Hamilton (statesman); William James (psychologist); Mary J. Blige (singer)

Potential: Fair, compassionate

Dark side: Controlling, perfectionist

12 JANUARY

The Birthday of Single-mindedness

“The work I do makes a difference, it is my calling”

The life lesson: is to stop feeling you need to prove yourself to others.

The way forward: is to place more emphasis on who you are than on what you do.

Luck maker: Spend more time listening and networking.

January 12-born are utterly unique in that they somehow manage to be both confident and elusive, occasionally at the same time. Either way, they don’t do anything half-heartedly. Once they have settled on a goal, they pursue it with single-minded dedication. Whatever their calling in life, whether it be raising a family, running a newspaper or campaigning for a cause, it becomes their single purpose. They are forever on the lookout for opportunities that can help them achieve their goals, and their sharp wit and uncanny good fortune often mark them out as success stories.

Work is everything and they run the risk of losing themselves to it, so choosing their career wisely is a big deal. Born winners, those born on this day are likely to succeed in any career, but their biggest struggle is choosing what career to pursue. Independent-minded, they can work in teams, often excelling in business, entrepreneurship, sales, marketing, politics, sports, journalism, negotiation, the media and all forms of art. January 12-born have high energy levels, but their intense focus can mean they neglect the most important thing in their life: their health. Self-care and regular exercise are essential, and they would also benefit from meditation to encourage self-awareness. For self-care, every morning when you wake up, reflect for a few moments on this question: If you had one year to live, what would your priorities be?

These people often put their emotional life on hold in pursuit of their goals in life. Sometimes they can be so driven that they lose touch not only with loved ones but also with themselves. They are quirky, attention-seeking and critical of others, and being ignored plunges them into a low mood. Carving out a personal life separate from work helps them get their sense of self-worth from within rather than externally. Typically, from around the age of 39 (though hopefully sooner), they place more emphasis on reflecting on what truly matters and inner growth, and this is the key to their happiness. Once they know how to balance their work and their personal life, their destiny is to dedicate themselves to a worthy cause or purpose.

Tarot card, lucky numbers, days, colors: The Hanged Man, 3, 4, Saturday, Thursday, black, purple

Born today: Jack London (author); Jeff Bezos (entrepreneur); Christiane Amanpour (journalist)

Potential: Dedicated, inspirational

Dark side: Workaholic, attention-seeking

13 JANUARY

The Birthday of Progression

“I can and will reach my potential”

The life lesson: is not feeling frustrated when others don’t live up to expectations.

The way forward: is to accept others for who they are right now and not for who they could be.

Luck maker: Focus on what you can change about yourself, not what you can change about others.

People born on January 13 rarely pause. Self-improvement, often combined with social or global improvement, is their focus. They are always moving forward, whatever their circumstances. Their ability to adapt to change and overcome obstacles, making even the most difficult tasks seem easy, and keep their cool when all around are losing theirs, gives them a natural charisma. When setbacks occur, they pick themselves up, learn from mistakes and do all it takes to reach their goals—and reach them they will.

People born on this day particularly enjoy initiating new projects and ideas, and they work steadily and in a disciplined way until they have attained what they desire. Born advisors, their calm intelligence suits them to many careers, but they can excel in acting, education, medicine, the military, emergency services, personal relations, counseling, personal transformation, life-coaching, writing and social and humanitarian reform. Instinctively understanding that a healthy body is a healthy mind, these people prioritize self-care. There is a danger of becoming too obsessive about their health. Moderation is important. Spending more time in nature will help keep them balanced and grounded. For self-care, every evening set aside a minimum of ten minutes to read a good book, preferably hard copy rather than digital.

These charming people attract admirers, but they want to admire their loved ones in return and this can put intense pressure on their close relationships. They progress faster if they can understand that not everyone has the same drive or need for achievement as they have, and that sometimes the price for always giving 100 percent means they have to stand alone. Of course, they feel disappointment and disillusion at times but, typically after the age of 38 and more often than not sooner, they understand that feelings can help them learn and grow as much as thoughts and logic can. Their destiny is to inspire others to move out of their comfort zone, help resolve disagreements and, in the process, make the world a more harmonious place.

Tarot card, lucky numbers, days, colors: Death, 4, 5, Saturday, Sunday, black, green

Born today: George Gurdjieff (philosopher); Ruth Wilson, Patrick Dempsey, Liam Hemsworth and Orlando Bloom (actors); Shonda Rhimes (producer)

Potential: Charismatic, high-achieving

Dark side: Bossy, unemotional

14 JANUARY

The Birthday of Conviction

“I see how the dots connect to create the bigger picture”

The life lesson: is to establish real emotional connection with others.

The way forward: is to apply the same level of commitment to your relationships as you do to your work.

Luck maker: Make sure there is a balance between giving and taking in your relationships.

January 14-born are a unique combination of discipline and instinct. They can take in vast amounts of information, weigh it all up, see the vision connecting everything and then work steadily toward their end goals. They are inquisitive and shrewd judges of people and situations. Their panoramic view and strong sense of right and wrong, which they present with absolute conviction, makes them sought-after peacemakers. Once settled on a course of action, they rarely lose sight of the end goal. Even if that means they alone must stubbornly see things through to completion.

Born observers, these people are drawn to work that utilizes their powers of moderation and curiosity or observation. Writing, design, art, photography, social media, broadcast media, publicity, advertising, business, banking and law appeal, but they are determined enough to excel in any career. Despite having a common-sense approach to health, they are often guilty of living on the edge or driving themselves too hard. Prone to stress and insomnia, calming and gentle exercise such as yoga is recommended rather than extreme or high-intensity workouts. Soothing chamomile or warm herbal tea before bedtime help them sleep better. For self-care, place your hand over your heart. Breathe deeply, feel your heart beating and hear what it is saying to you. Give your feelings as much consideration as your thoughts.

Personal life often takes second place to work, but this can be for fear of getting hurt. Behind the strong image lies a person who often feels misunderstood; these feelings are heightened if they haven’t found a direction in life to which to devote their considerable energies or a person who loves them for who they are rather than what they do. Those born on this day become more emotionally confident and more attuned to the importance of details in their mid- to late thirties and beyond. Once they understand it is not wealth or status they crave, but emotional connection and the ability to make positive change, they can leave their insecurities behind and find their true destiny, which is to introduce positive reform or new ways of doing or looking at things.

Tarot card, lucky numbers, days, colors: Temperance, 5, 6, Saturday, Wednesday, black, green

Born today: Albert Schweitzer (philosopher); Cecil Beaton (photographer); Emily Watson (actor)

Potential: Principled, convincing

Dark side: Obsessive, insecure

15 JANUARY

The Birthday of the Protagonist

“I am a voice and a force for good”

The life lesson: is to learn to cope when there is no recognition or praise.

The way forward: is to do things because you believe in them rather than for show.

Luck maker: Share your success when you can and allow others to take the recognition.

People born on January 15 can be idealistic, instinctive and ambitious, with a strong desire to lead, innovate and inspire. They passionately want to live a meaningful life and make the world a better place. For them, everything happens for a reason and this spiritual perspective, combined with an uncanny sense of the motivations of others, gives them a talent for seeing life as an exciting ride, with possibilities for great highs and lows, and to learn and grow from both success and failure. They have dramatic flair and others often see them as invincible, with hero-like qualities. Their Achilles’ heel is their desire for recognition or credit, and occasional reluctance to share the limelight.

Born campaigners, those born on this day have great empathy for those who are disadvantaged and often find themselves speaking on behalf of others, fighting for human rights or raising awareness of a cause. Whatever career they choose, be it the law, social reform, the military, the police, art, theater, architecture, management, civil rights, healthcare, science or online influencer—they are likely to stand out as decisive innovators. Health-wise, they have a pleasure-seeking tendency that can lead to excess, so it is important for them to follow a healthy diet and exercise plan. Moderation in all things is key. They can also benefit from wearing, meditating on and surrounding themselves with shades of blue and green, to stay balanced. For self-care, make a point today of saying “thank you” or praising someone out loud for doing a good job.

These people have a passionate nature. Initially drawn to those who speak to their ego rather than their heart, they do possess a vulnerable side and start to live in an increasingly heart-centered way and to seek out people who speak to their hearts from their mid-thirties onward. This shift toward their inner life and greater sensitivity toward others is an extremely positive thing because, once they find a vocation they believe in and understand that in the drama of their lives other people have parts to play too, their destiny is to become an important and much-needed voice for the good of the people.

Tarot card, lucky numbers, days, colors: The Devil, 6, 7, Saturday, Friday, black, blue

Born today: Molière (playwright); Martin Luther King (activist); Charo (actor)

Potential: Idealistic, inspirational

Dark side: Self-indulgent, obsessive

16 JANUARY

The Birthday of Satisfaction

“I get things done”

The life lesson: is to manage anxiety about what others think and what will happen to you in the future.

The way forward: is to focus on validation from within and what is good about your life right now.

Luck maker: Fake a smile when you don’t feel like smiling to trick your mind into positivity.

People born on January 16 are a delightful mix of empathy and intellectual insight, the mystical and the material, the creative and the logical. They have great organizational skills and it gives them enormous satisfaction to see a job well done. They prefer doing to talking and structure to uncertainty because they believe rules improve their chances of getting things done, but they can become restless if life gets too routine. Although satisfactory completion of tasks is their goal, it is important for them not to become overly negative about themselves or others when results are not as good as expected.

Born managers, these people make excellent organizers, consultants, managers, coaches, advisors, troubleshooters and accountants. Publishing, politics, social reform, charity work, police and the law appeal, as do the caring professions or dealing with people in sales, teaching and personal relations. Music and art offer outlets for emotional expression. For self-care, get up as early as you can at the same time each day, even on weekends, and make your bed mindfully. If you need more sleep, go to bed earlier.

Even though they are often highly valued and admired, those born on this day can become over-anxious about where their lives are heading or prone to the belief that they can never live up to their own or other people’s expectations. They need to understand that the satisfaction they crave comes not only from their achievements but also from within and from having fulfilling relationships. They prefer to show their love for others by doing things or helping out rather than articulating their feelings. Typically, around the age of 35, though often sooner, they reach a breakthrough point that emphasizes the importance of being more in touch with their emotions and the present moment, which serves them well for the rest of their lives. Once they are able to view mistakes not as failures but as opportunities to learn and grow, they have the potential for an extraordinary life. Their destiny is to communicate to others the importance of doing things the right way and seeing things through, leaving the world not just better organized but a happier place.

Tarot card, lucky numbers, days, colors: The Tower, 7, 8, Saturday, Monday, brown, blue