Both Western and Chinese astrology share a deep relationship with the Tarot. The common thread is that all three systems draw insight and direction from the same source: the astral plane.
Western astrology leans more scientific, centering on planets and elements, whereas Tarot cards are more open-ended—readers interpret them, and they carry a narrative quality. While Western astrology's link to Tarot is well established, Chinese astrology also has a connection, though it works somewhat differently.
This article explores how Tarot cards relate to the Chinese Zodiac and how combining knowledge of your sign with Tarot can offer guidance across all areas of life.
The Link Between Tarot and Chinese Astrology
In Chinese astrology, people are represented not by planetary signs as in Western astrology, but by an animal tied to their birth year. The two systems also interlock because each animal corresponds to a particular Western zodiac sign.
The Rat in the Major Arcana: An Example
Consider the Rat. Its Western equivalent is Sagittarius, the sign associated with curiosity, energy, and mediation. The Major Arcana card linked to Sagittarius—and thus to the Rat—is Temperance.
Temperance is about finding compromise and navigating difficulties by mixing and matching, using original thought alongside equal parts creativity and cleverness. The Rat embodies this perfectly. In one traditional Chinese Zodiac legend, a race was held, and each animal's position at the finish determined its place in the 12-year cycle.
The Rat, the smallest creature, needed a cunning strategy to avoid finishing last—or not finishing at all. He devised a clever plan: jump onto the Ox's back and let the Ox carry him to the finish line, then bound over the Ox to seize first place. That is Temperance in action—finding a compromise and blending ideas to reach a workable solution.
The Rat, with its clever and astute mind, is the archetypal Temperance card.
The Rat in the Minor Arcana
In the Minor Arcana, the 10 of Wands is one card that represents the Rat.
The 10 of Wands speaks of struggle and burden—taking on so many things at once that the load becomes nearly impossible to bear, unless the bearer can find a way to carry all ten wands without collapsing under the pressure.
The Rat is a resourceful sign, one that calculates and plans to reach its goals. At times, however, Rats can be so determined to achieve their ambitions that they take on far more than they can handle. Using intelligence and determination, they find a way to carry these burdens and see things through to the end.
While finding a solution, the Rat learns more about itself, understanding what it can and cannot accomplish. To be a Rat is to maneuver through life—dodging, twisting, and turning—but ultimately reaching a compromise.
Tarot and the Chinese Zodiac in Daily Life
With esoteric methods like astrology and Tarot, the more you know, the easier it becomes to find guidance and wisdom in areas of life that are confusing or challenging.
Understanding how your Chinese Zodiac sign corresponds to different Tarot cards brings clearer clarification and those 'Aha!' moments that may pop into our heads. Although Tarot card meanings are open to interpretation, each card does have several fundamental meanings specific to it.
For example, if you are a Dog in the Chinese Zodiac, your Western equivalent is Libra, and your Tarot correspondent is the Justice card.
The Dog's innate qualities of fairness and justice can be further understood through the Justice card, which exemplifies these qualities and elaborates on the Law of Karma and achieving equilibrium through comprehending right and wrong.
Final Thoughts
Tarot and astrology are complex subjects that can greatly aid us as we travel the road of life. Having a Tarot reading and seeing a card appear that corresponds to your Chinese Zodiac sign can bring deeper meaning and understanding to your reading.
The human mind is incredible, and we all have the capacity to use our own creativity and innovation to find answers to puzzles and guidance when we are at a crossroads. Combining these two powerful and mysterious forces can work wonders in assisting us in all areas of life where we may need a little helping hand along the way.
