For most English-speakers, astrology means first and foremost Western Sun Sign Astrology—the classic signs of Aries, Taurus, Gemini, and the rest.

No doubt, a major reason why astrology has fascinated people for millennia is because Sun Signs can be surprisingly illuminating. As The Oxford Companion to the Mind (1987) neatly explained:

Anyone who has taken even the most casual interest in astrology will have noticed that, contrary to all common sense, it seems to work. That is to say, the personal characteristics that are supposed to be governed by the 'sun signs' often appear curiously accurate...And most of us can, without too much trouble, recall acquaintances who are typical Leos, Cancers, Geminis, etc. (p. 50)

However, those of us who engage seriously with our own and others' Sun Signs usually encounter a classic glass-is-half-full dilemma. Sun Sign astrology can have a sense of truth or reliability that is unexpected, even stunning. But it can also fail to capture differing cross-currents in people’s characteristics, drives, and compatibility with others. 

The basic problem is simple. Think of any two people who share the same Sun Sign. There are no doubt elements of their personalities that are strikingly similar. Yet their differences can also be stark. 

We can of course also think of people who share the same Sun Signs in the world of celebrity. Making connections between celebrities has its limits, of course, because we don't really "know" them as we know family and friends. But some famous illustrative examples might include Ariana Grande (06/26/1993, Cancer Rooster) and Larry David (07/02/1947, Cancer Pig), who share the Sun Sign of Cancer, or Bruce Lee (11/27/1940, Sagittarius Dragon) and Brad Pitt (12/18/1963, Sagittarius Rabbit), who share Sagittarius. In the former case, the respective creative outputs of Grande and David arguably exhibit a common concern with empathy and interior security that is characteristic of Cancer. In the latter, Lee and Pitt have created public personas that reflect the strongly philosophical, somewhat emotionally detached qualities of Sagittarius. Yet in each of these examples, the differences are at least as stark as the similarities as well.

Western astrologers have acknowledged these limitations since time immemorial. To address them, Sun Sign astrology has been supplemented in various ways. Many people knowledgeable about astrology have found that their rising sign or Ascendant, moon sign, or the influences of other planets augment their Sun Sign to provide key insights into their personality and relationships.

However, there is no clear equivalent in Western astrology for the Chinese year, which is based on the lunar calendar rather than constellations of stars. Devotees of Chinese astrology frequently experience a similar sense of surprising resonance, when they apply Chinese astrological theory to their own and others' lived experience. And there is a natural symmetry between the 12-sign cycle of Western Sun Signs every 12 months, and the 12-sign cycle of Chinese signs every 12 years.

Theory is one thing. More importantly, combining the revelations of Western Sun Sign astrology with those of Chinese year signs can produce a practical and incisive guide to real-life energy influences. For example, if we take the combined energy of Aries Snake, the Snake is apt to be most comfortable in the world of the sensuous and philosophical, whereas Aries is associated with great ambition and fearlessness. Here a person with these combined energy influences will likely vacillate between these at times counter-intuitive energies of abstract thought and flow, with the raw and frenetic energy of Aries. 

Another example where Western and Chinese signs provide more obvious contrasting influences is the Leo Sheep or Leo Rabbit. Leo is a powerhouse sign in the Western zodiac, for instance, a bursting-with-confidence lover of the limelight, with natural aptitude to lead and inspire. Yet when Leo is combined with far gentler qualities identified in Chinese astrology, such as with the Leo Rabbit or Leo Sheep, the resulting qualities can require a management of seemingly paradoxical or conflicting tendencies. The Leo energy moves at once towards confidence, leadership and accomplishment, whilst the Sheep is known for their great sensitivity and potential for skittishness, which can result in tendencies towards anxiety and worry. A Leo Sheep or Leo Rabbit may then be drawn to roles that require dominance and strength whilst needing to manage their innate fretfulness. 

Understanding how combined energy forces act upon individuals, under every combined Chinese and Western zodiac sign profile, can therefore be profoundly empowering. This is because these combined signs help us to understand how such Western and Chinese zodiac energies co-exist and manifest in our respective aptitudes, qualities and desires. In turn, this can enable a unique self-awareness as individuals, as we navigate the challenges and rewards of our daily lives and relationships.

Moving back to the world of celebrity offers us further examples of how these combined energies manifest under different combined signs. If we consider further the celebrity examples mentioned above, Ariana Grande shares her Cancer Rooster combined sign with rapper RZA (07/05/1969), actor Frances McDormand (06/23/1957), and novelist Cormac McCarthy (07/20/1933). Among these diverse examples, the sensitivity and empathy of Cancer coalesces with the incredible work ethic and fashion consciousness of the Rooster. This arguably enables a far more nuanced and precise understanding of the character of these celebrities, and anyone with whom they share the Cancer Rooster combined sign, than the Sun Sign of Cancer alone. 

The same goes for Larry David's Cancer Pig combined sign, which he shares with Missy Elliott (07/01/1971), and Elon Musk (06/28/1971). Some might claim that comparing Musk and David would be ludicrous (not least the pair themselves). Yet there may be a powerful argument that, in spite of their contrasting public personas, strong affinities are actually apparent. For both, the impressionability and interiority of Cancer seem to knit with the great generosity, irreverent naivety, and plain good luck that are famously associated with the Chinese sign of the Pig. Imagining Larry David’s outrageously politically incorrect semi-autobiographical character on Curb Your Enthusiasm (2000-2024) saying some of the seemingly unfiltered, provocative things Musk has said provides a surprising yet enlightening insight into the combined energy they share.

As for Brad Pitt and Bruce Lee? Let's just say that contrasting Pitt's Chinese sign of Rabbit with Lee's Dragon offers a compelling explanation for the divergent public profiles and private lives of these two cultural icons, both born under the Western Sun Sign of Sagittarius.