A basic introduction to the ancient system of astrology based on the Chinese lunar calendar from the author of Simple Feng Shui. Introduced by the emperor Huang Ti between 2700 and 2600 B.C.E., Chinese astrology is based on the culture’s lunar calendar, which is made up of five cycles of twelve years each, with a complete cycle taking sixty years. According to legend, Buddha summoned all the animals to come to him before he departed earth, but only twelve came to pay their respects. To honor them, he named a year after each animal in the order that they appeared: Rat, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Sheep, Monkey, Rooster, Dog, and Boar. These became the twelve astrological signs that determine your personality, behavior, and proclivities according to the year and time of day you were born. This age-old practice tells you what to expect—in life, career, and romance—in the coming years. Featuring illustrations and tables, this guide makes this exacting science and art of divination and personal analysis accessible to Western readers.

In Simple Kabbalah, journalist and Jewish scholar Kim Zetter outlines the history of this mystic tradition, the main tenets of its belief system, and explains its central symbol, the Tree of Life. She then shows how to practice the wisdom of Kabbalah in everyday life through meditation and exercises for calming the mind and sharpening awareness. As we gradually absorb this ancient form of knowledge, we see how it affects every aspect of our lives, from attitudes about work and the environment to our social and personal interactions. Despite its popularity at cocktail parties and in the media, few people genuinely understand what Kabbalah is. Unlike traditional Judaism, Kabbalah views God as a divine source of light, energy, and love, ever present in the physical world, rather than a patriarchal diety. Kabbalah practitioners look beyond a literal interpretation of the Hebrew Bible for information about the soul; the nature of God, Creation, and the spiritual world; and humans' relationship to God and to each other.

How does your Chinese zodiac sign influence your life? How does your lunar date of birth affect your fortune? Find out the answers to these questions and more, in this easy-to-follow guide to the fascinating ancient art of Chinese astrology. This book shows how to make accurate readings about every aspect of your life based on your date and time of birth according to the Chinese calendar. From your love life to your career, and from your own personality to your compatibility with others, it offers a wealth of advice giving invaluable insight into almost any situation. Now you can discover what your future holds.

This lively folk tale from Orissa, India, explains why tigers eat their food uncooked and why cats live with people. The tiger child is sent to fetch some more fire from the village, but on the way he gets distracted by his friends. By the time he gets to the village, he has forgotten what he has been sent to fetch.