Year of the Fire Monkey, 2016

The Chinese Lunar New Year occurs every year on the New Moon of the first lunar month, which is the second New Moon after the Winter Solstice. The exact date can fall anywhere between late January and the middle of February. A complete cycle of the Chinese lunar calendar takes 60 years and comprises five cycles of 12 years–12 animal signs and 5 elements.

The Chinese Lunar New Year differs to that of the Roman New Year because the Chinese calendar is based on the phases of the moon, whereas the Gregorian calendar, on which the Roman New Year is based, is an arithmetic calendar.

Each of the 12 years of the Chinese lunar calendar is named after an animal. These are: Rat, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Goat, Monkey, Rooster, Dog, and Pig. Legend has it that Buddha summoned all the animals to come to see him before he departed earth. Only 12 came so he rewarded those 12 by naming a year in the Chinese lunar calendar after them, in the order they arrived to see him.

As with western astrology where it’s believed that the Sun’s position at the time of an individual’s birth determines certain personality traits that a person will possess, it’s thought that each animal represented in the Chinese lunar calendar bestows certain characteristics on individuals who are born during the year that particular animal “rules.”

In 2015, Chinese New Year fell on February 18/19, but the year of the Goat ran from February 4th, 2015 forward.

In 2016, Chinese New Year falls on February 8th, but the Year of the Monkey runs from February 4th, 2016 forward.

The Monkey is the ninth sign of the Chinese Zodiac.

The Monkey is clever, versatile, a trickster, and popular. The Monkey year favors making changes and adjustments, stepping up to the plate, building, creating, and innovating. Problem areas can be deceptiveness, fickleness, and difficulties controlling our passions. It’s a fast-paced year that can be temperamental at times.

The Year of the Monkey 2016 is a Yang Fire year, and it’s a year for pursuing our interests, grabbing opportunities, and taking calculated risks. The year favors those who are self-motivated and who quickly bounce back from setbacks.

{Note that the sequence of years runs as follows: Yang Wood, Yin Wood, Yang Fire, Yin Fire, Yang Earth, Yin Earth, Yang Metal, Yin Metal, Yang Water, Yin Water.}

Caution and moderation were advised in 2009, the Year of the Ox, flexibility and the ability to deal with change were considered essential qualities in 2010, the ability to make compromises and to negotiate were important in 2011, adventurousness and boldness were favored in 2012, 2013 favored inner development and renewal/recycling, 2014 favored quick decisions and a quick pace, and 2015 favored healing and supporting.

The Monkey is the ninth sign of the Chinese zodiac, and 2016 is a 9 year in Numerology, so that the symbolism of this number is powerful.

The last Monkey year was 2004 (12 year cycle). The last Fire Monkey year was 1956 (60 year cycle). Events occurring this year can bear some similarities to these years in history.

 
In terms of how each Chinese Zodiac sign will fare in the Year of the Monkey, a major consideration is how compatible your sign is with the Monkey sign:

Monkeys are most compatible with Rat and Dragon (the Dragon, Rat, and Monkey form a harmonious triangle of affinity – all three signs are Water), and these are the signs that are expected to fare the best in 2016 generally speaking.

Monkey is Metal, like Rooster and Dog, and this helps boost the year’s fortune for both animals.

Monkeys are most incompatible with Tiger (their opposite sign) and to a lesser degree with Pig, and these are the signs that are expected to find 2016 the most challenging, for the most part.

 

Another important consideration is your Element. The year 2016 is a Yang Fire year.

Fire creates Earth, and Wood creates Fire. Water destroys Fire, and Fire destroys Metal. As such, Fire is in good shape with Earth and Wood, and is in difficult relationship with Water and Metal.

Fire is friendly or compatible with Earth and Wood.

Metal and Water are incompatible with (destructive/hostile to) Fire.

Yang Fire is attracted to Yin Metal, so relationships can be very good for Yin Metal people in 2016. (The Rooster is naturally Yin Metal).

While 2016 is a yang Fire year, Monkey is naturally a Metal sign.

2016 is a yang Fire year, and since Horse is naturally yang Fire, which helps boost the year’s general fortune for Horse. There is Enmity between Yang Water and Yang Fire, so that the Monkey, which is naturally yang Metal may have some ups and downs in 2016.

Monkeys are traditionally not especially favored in their own year.

Love & Relationships in the Year of the Monkey:

In the Year of the Monkey, focus is on moving forward confidently and boldly in our relationships. 2016 is a Fire year. The Fire element is confident, bold, and decisive. Generally speaking, this is a time for taking action, movement, confidence, and innovation. There may be quick break-ups and quick hook-ups. This can be a disruptive year for some long-term, monogamous relationships.

Text thanks to Cafe Astrology