Expert: Bill Hajdu - 10/5/2011

Question
I keep reading that the horse and ox are no good for each other, and that we have very little in common.  However, we appreciate the same music, love the same activities, are very attracted to each other, and share similar childhood experiences.  I do agree that she is stubborn and can come off as someone controlling...but its fine with me.  I appreciate her for who she is and she makes me laugh.  I was born April 7, 1978 She was born May 8th 1973.  Why does this not match what i've read about horse and ox previously?

Answer
Hi Tim,

Please bear with me; the answer's a little complicated.

Chinese Astrology uses Four Pillars, year, month, day and time of birth. And each of those consists of an animal sign and an element. So there are eight factors to consider.

I don't know your time, but I ran a compatibility query using your three pillars. From a Chinese Astrology perspective your match is 42% favorable, which is below average but far from hopeless.

Actually your three animal signs register a 54% favorable rating, which is good. Unfortunately your elements are not lucky for each other, thus reducing the rating to 42%. It could, however, be higher depending on times of birth.

Now let's look at the signs to see where all that good comes from!

You were born during the year of the Earth Horse, month of the Fire Dragon and day of the Earth Pig.

She was born during the year of the Water Ox, month of the Fire Snake and day of the Wood Dragon.

On the plus side. Dragon and Snake (your month signs) are complementary and make a powerful match. Speaking of power, you need/want a woman you can respect, not some whiny, clinging type. She probably fits that perfectly. Unfortunately your Pig day sign clashes with her Snake month sign. Yet, there is good in this too. You too are probably very good together --- sensually. Also, although she probably carefully guards her secrets - and you don't, - she is likely to be pleased by your openness and general truthfulness. So there is a lot of good in this match.

It's worth pursuing, but it's not likely to be smooth, especially as you become closer and more time passes. Unfortunately for her, since you're a Horse sign, odds are you will be the one to leave if the relationship eventually doesn't live up to your expectations. (Horse sign people are the first ones to take off when things don't go their way.)

If you would like to know more about Chinese Astrology, I recommend Susan Levitt's Taoist Astrology and also Shelly Wu's Chinese Sexual Astrology. Also, please visit my web site, www.onlinechineseastrology.com. If you would like a detailed analysis of your relationship, you can order one at the site. And, if you like the site, please "like" Online Chinese Astrology on Facebook and tell your friends about the site.

Thank you for your question.