Western systems. Jupiter, the wood planet, however, is associated with birth and
springtime, associations that distinguish the meaning of the Chinese Jupiter from the
Western Jupiter. And Venus, as a metal planet, is associated with martial, masculine
characteristics, traits alien to the Western Venus.
While all traditional civilizations evince an interest in divination, the Chinese
appear to have had a peculiarly strong interest in foretelling the future. For example,
THEASTROLOGYBOOK [145]
Chinese AstrologyAn image of the zodiacal dog from Chinese astrology. Reproduced by permission of Fortean
Picture Library.