Expert: Bill Hajdu - 1/25/2009

Question
QUESTION: I am a yin water serpent day of fire rat Month of Earth sheep hour of earth ox
july 24 1953 2:00 AM EST. Best companion is also earth sheep? wood monkey
ok wood is weak here very weak at a 2 so adventurous types are out. I need
thus stable wood partner yes? Or earth sheep or whom? Also career may be on
track now yes entering year of earth ox? Thanks!

ANSWER: Hi Christopher,

No, your best companion is not Earth Sheep. Although in general Sheep is a good match for Snake, that is out for you as Sheep clashes badly with your Ox, hour sign. Well, it's not exactly "out," but you have to understand that match signifies misunderstandings and clashes. The relationship has to be really good to withstand its ill effects in the long run.

Your element matrix is unbalanced, strong Fire, Earth and Water with no Wood and Metal. You need a partner with high average Wood and Metal---but not too much, or you will be too different (like ships passing in the night).

You have two signs from the Ox-Snake-Rooster compatibility group, making Rooster (4 yrs younger or 8 yrs older) your best match. There will still be clashes, as your Rat and Sheep don't go that well with Rooster. Nevertheless, the pluses of your outstanding Snake-Rooster and Ox-Rooster sign matches should far outweigh whatever hassle the conflicts turn out to be.

As for career, yes, your prospects should improve this year, even in the face of the poor, economic environment.

If you want to know more about relationships, I highly recommend Shelly Wu's Chinese Sexual Astrology. Also, please visit my site, www.onlinechineseastrology.com. If you would like a detailed analysis of your love life, you can order one at the site for a modest charge.

Thank u for your question.

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: A 4 year younger rooster would be a fire rooster. I suggest a metal rooster
from 1981 year with high average wood can be most compatible. Also there
are combinations of relationships based on quick matches from many signs
which offer compatibility as well. I hesitate to get into this much further with
a Fire Pig, nothing personally, fire pigs are among my LEAST compatible
types. It IS said that no Pig can ever please a snake. Again nothing personal.
Compatibility is such a far reaching and complex topic, even with the
advantage of astrology......don't you agree.

ANSWER: Hi Christopher,

You make a very good point. My wife has TWO Snake signs, month and day. We have our ....times.   ; Overall, though, our relationship works.

Yes, you are correct. So few people look at elements, let alone the constructive and destructive cycles. Given that most people are sensitive about age differences, I almost always mention the (animal) sign closest to them in age. Unfortunately, many of those fall within the destructive cycle (Water-Fire-Metal-Wood-Earth-Water), as in your case. So, you are correct, a Metal Rooster is more compatible.

You are a Snake true to your sign, willing to go into matters in depth. Well, I do too when I compare signs. I look at all eight characters of the four pillars in determining compatibility. So, even when I say Metal Rooster is the best, that is not necessarily true. It is only a short answer to the question. All eight characters must be factored in the mix to get a complete answer.

In your case, after visually looking at your chart (not actually doing calculations), I determined Rooster is best. You were, however, correct in observing my "error" in not saying METAL Rooster would be the best.

It's so complicated, something only a Snake (like you) is willing to deal with. There could actually be many cases where a Sheep is better for you than a Rooster, depending on the other six characters of the Four Pillars.

You know, Snakes have an insatiable thirst for knowledge. I'd probably have to do a complete reading of your hypothetically best match to make you completely happy. Here i'm trying to give you the most comprehensive answer i can in the time i can spare.

I hope that's sufficient. If/when you have a specific match you want analysed I should be able to give you a more satisfying answer.

Thank you for your question.

p.s. I would never hold it against you that you are a Snake. In fact, I 've discovered over the years Snakes are my fatal attraction (WATER Snakes included). I'm like Odysseus---tie me to the mast and let me enjoy those Snakes!

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Ok noiw we have some parity, I see your astroligical knowledge stems from
your relationship with your wife, and your dogged "firey" ability to discern
answers. May I ask your western sun sign? Ok. Now look at the birthdate of
cassandra calagera a 22 year old fire tiger and you will see extraordinary
compatibility with me. Beside that I currently have a relationship with a
capricorn girl 1944 december 22 wood monkey year metal monkey day. We
met late in life but she provides me with stability and thus we are a very
happy couple. There is a gemini metal rooster at work that I very much like
but she is young and foolish and she has a scorpio water dog friend who is
logically her worst enemy. I think I have to deal with the dog to get to the
quail so to speak. Physically I have a sagittarius water dog mother so I look a
lot like a charles bronson tough guy. You would be right in realizing my
elemental matrix makes me a predator LOL. ONLY sexually you realize.
Should I pursue the gemini rooster? or the water dog? or what? Can get more
info on the water dog if you wish.

Answer
Hi Christopher,

Aquarius here.

As you know I can't give you a definitive answer without knowing the four pillars (year, month, day and time of birth) of all three of you. My Pig/superficial answer is the Gemini/Metal Rooster is more compatible with you than the Water Dog.

There are two other factors that need to be considered here---or in any relationship analysis: element matrix and possibility of damaged goods. Taking the second first, all bets are off if one or both of the parties is damaged goods, i.e., has an addiction, mental problems, etc. It's also important to consider both parties' element matrix. Your overall balances need to complement each other rather than reinforce each other's strengths and weaknesses. For example, say you lack Earth. You would want your partner to have slightly above average Earth. Too little would not compensate for your lack, and too much would make you too different and thus contribute to incompatibility. On the other hand, if you had a lot of Earth, you would want your partner to have a low average amount of that element in her chart. You want to be able to relate to each other but not be weighed down by an excess of Earth between you. This could turn Earth's strengths into weaknesses, not to mention causing a shortage of one or more of the other elements.

As for Monkeys, they (along with Rats) have a greater likelihood of having above average intellectual capability/mental agility than the other signs. And, they can be quite versatile. Both these qualities appeal to the Snake's depth. So, there is plenty room for mutual respect as well as fun times together---even though overall those two signs are not especially compatible.

As for Pigs and Snakes, they most certainly can get along; although, they probably should not live together or see too much of each other. The more contact they have, the greater they are likely to get on each other's nerves and void the value of the (few) things they have in common.

Thank you for your question.

Good luck to u.