BRANCHES

Zi (Rat)

Gall-Bladder with underlying Yang water energy

• like midnight or midwinter, force of wood with the strength of yang rising up out of the depths.

• Very yang.

• push against the odds to get what they want, if needed can be adaptable

• patient in pursuit of their goal. do not give up easily

• Very determined, decisive and have the ability to take control

• are ambitious

• Gall bladder ‘is the impartial justice from whom judgments are derived’

• Decision-makers, very good at weighing up situations and they give very good counsel to others

• a good overview, maintain clarity in difficult situations and delegate well

• like to make up their own minds about situations and do not take advice from others

• are not comfortable taking orders and they are competitive

• have good physical and psychological strength

• Are relied upon in disasters

• Well organised, although not necessarily interested in details, whoich they leave for others

• If fearful, then react with hostility and anger

Chou (Ox)

Liver with underlying Yin earth energy

• active, smooth flow, warm hearted and generous

• interact easily and freely with others

• work well with others and will have influence

• like to get involved with local politics as a way of serving the community

• have good negotiating skills and are persuasive

• prevent any group from becoming stuck

• will act on decisions

• are hard working, practical people and very determined

• strong characters, honest and to the point

• can become stubborn and pushy

Yin (Tiger)

Lung with underlying Yang wood energy

• are the engine to any group, if they behave without wanting too much recognition

• can be high achievers, have a lot of energy

• Are valued by those in authority, can be fiercely protective to the one’s they love

• they value loyalty

• Martial Arts and discipline are good for them

• Are sensual and romantic but also need alone-time

• Can struggle with letting go

Mao (Rabbit)

Colon with underlying Yin wood energy

• The colon has the function of releasing to the outside; both in terms of waste products and when the body is attacked by external pernicious influences

• are defensive on the outside but warm and loving inside

• make good fathers

• can feel very vulnerable in love and prefer to feel safe.

• can be argumentative and bad tempered, or defensive and emotionally withdrawn.

• like to bring things into the open, especially when they feel under threat, and may say harsh things about others or tell secrets as a defence

• can react badly to their own preference for other people as they regard this as a weakness

• can easily shut off their feelings and become detached from people

Chen (Dragon)

Stomach with underlying Yang earth energy

• Their core nature is the nourishment for others, and so they are very generous and give freely of themselves

• are also able to provide for themselves. They feel secure. Are stable in life

• are dynamic, transformative, inventive, opinionated, bountiful, clever, well informed and communicative

• make excellent mediators because of earth’s ability to be equable.

• love distribution, whether of goods or ideas

• like to be at the centre of activity

• Have a danger of ruminating obsessively

• like to get every last ounce of use out of situations or ideas

Si (Snake)

Spleen/Pancreas with underlying Yin fire energy

• background is harmonious and giving

• bring people together and create a community around themselves

• connect with others easily and give to each whatever is wished for

• bring about transformation in groups

• have a clear intellect that likes to gather and transform information

• are clever, analytical and enjoy reading but they are not obsessive

• are more purely intellectual

• are sympathetic and have a nurturing attitude

• Can forget about themselves

Wu (Horse)

Heart with underlying Yang fire energy

• can either be extremely quiet or extremely talkative.

• People listen when they speak.

• have unique perspectives and insight, and are full of originality.

• are not followers and an idea must become their own before they will adhere to it.

• cherish autonomy and will not submit easily to being controlled.

• have a strong spiritual side.

• can be easily startled and need regular routine (regular meal times and sleep times).

• need sleep.

• can easily become disconnected from real life and live in a rarefied atmosphere.

• can be charismatic.

• act quickly in mind and body.

• Mentally prefer getting to the core of a subject and are not happy with a surface understanding.

• are naturally optimistic.

• compliment people freely and easily

Wei (Goat)

Small Intestine with underlying Yin Earth

• These people are very clear headed and discriminating.

• They are very sensitive to others’ needs and know just the right thing to give or do in each situation.

• They are very refined.

• They sort out what is essential for a healthy life, take what they need and discard the rest.

• They let go of the past easily and do not get bogged down in negativity.

• They like to focus on the good.

• Intellectually they learn well by rote and are not so interested in the underlying principles – as long as the ‘rules’ of the theory work, they will accept it.

• They are courteous and make natural ambassadors.

• They have an affinity for luxury and the good life

Shen (Monkey)

Bladder with underlying Yang metal

• The background is the cool harshness

• can become involved in charities for the obviously downtrodden.

• have a tendency to see the struggle of life as a war or constant battle against injustice

• have an air of grief or martyrdom, and are prone to self-pity and resentment

• can also be very cautious and fearful

• can be strict and express harsh judgements and punishments.

• like to take part in debates, especially on matters of war or religion.

• are outwardly confident and bold.

• have an ashen complexion (mixture of white and black).

You (Rooster)

Kindey with underlying Yin metal

• strong constitution and are hard working

• are very focused and have a quiet determination, flowing on and around whatever obstacles are in their way

• can also be pessimistic and mistrustful and fearful

• are naturally cautious

• are wise but secretive

• are naturally quiet people and talk only to a few trusted people

• tend to isolate themselves and become lonely

Xu (Dog)

Perikard with underlying Yang earth energy

• very warm and giving and have a pure heart.

• emotionally very sensitive.

• find it hard to block out feelings it makes them protective of their own space.

• also self-protective emotionally, which can make them shun intimacy.

• require stillness.

• are baffled by people’s behaviours (especially in comparison with their own)

• follow their intuition rather than their intellect.

• respect others’ autonomy and do not like to interfere in others’ business.

• like to be of service and are dutiful, loyal and devoted, nurturing and sympathetic.

• are non-judgemental.

• would feel at home in religious orders (b/c of protective group and connection to rites)

Hai (Pig)

San Jiao (3 Heater) with underlying Yin water energy

• Cautious when meeting new situations, but quickly find their level and fit in at all levels of society.

• Comfortable in every place (of the chain of hierachy). Able to switch

• relish freedom, especially the freedom to move about, from country to country.

• hate the restrictions of borders, can struggle with boundaries

• facilitate others at every level.

• keep the flow moving and keep communications clear.

• seem to have an endless and selfless capacity to give.

• can refine coarse materials, and they seek out ‘unpolished diamonds’

• easily see potential in others.

• like to work at bringing about change and have an interest in alchemical processes.