EY Y01 L21 The Zodiac

When is your birthday? What star sign are you? What characteristics does that star sign have?
Do you have those characteristics? Why do you think that?
How often do you read your horoscope? Why?
What superstitions do you have? For example, what do you own, carry or do that brings you luck? Do you visit shrines or temples? How and when?
Are birthdays a big thing in your country? How did you celebrate your birthday as a child? How do you celebrate your birthday now?
In Japan, superstitions exist about blood type, star sign, Chinese zodiac birth year, palm or fingerprint patterns, marriage date, the kanji in your name and birth order. Have any of the predictions of your life or character been true? Which have been patently untrue?

Aries March 21 - April 19

Strengths: courageous, determined, confident, enthusiastic, optimistic, honest, passionate
Weaknesses: impatient, moody, short-tempered, impulsive, aggressive

Taurus April 20 - May 20

Strengths: reliable, patient, practical, devoted, responsible, stable
Weaknesses: stubborn, possessive, uncompromising

Gemini May 21 - June 20

Strengths: gentle, affectionate, curious, adaptable, ability to learn quickly and exchange ideas
Weaknesses: nervous, inconsistent, indecisive

Cancer June 21 - July 22

Strengths: tenacious, highly imaginative, loyal, emotional, sympathetic, persuasive
Weaknesses: moody, pessimistic, suspicious, manipulative, insecure

Leo July 23 - August 22

Strengths: creative, passionate, generous, warm-hearted, cheerful, humorous
Weaknesses: arrogant, stubborn, self-centered, lazy, inflexible

Virgo August 23 - September 22

Strengths: loyal, analytical, kind, hardworking, practical
Weaknesses: shyness, worry, overly critical of self and others, all work and no play

Libra September 23 - October 22

Strengths: cooperative, diplomatic, gracious, fair-minded, social
Weaknesses: indecisive, avoids confrontations, will carry a grudge, self-pity

Scorpio October 23 - November 21

Strengths: resourceful, brave, passionate, stubborn, a true friend
Weaknesses: distrusting, jealous, secretive, violent

Sagittarius November 22 - December 21

Strengths: generous, idealistic, great sense of humor
Weaknesses: promises more than can deliver, very impatient, will say anything no matter how undiplomatic

Capricorn December 22 - January 19

Strengths: responsible, disciplined, self-control, good managers
Weaknesses: know-it-all, unforgiving, condescending, expecting the worst

Aquarius January 20 - February 18

Strengths: Progressive, original, independent, humanitarian
Weaknesses: Runs from emotional expression, temperamental, uncompromising, aloof

Pisces February 19 - March 20

Strengths: Compassionate, artistic, intuitive, gentle, wise, musical
Weaknesses: Fearful, overly trusting, sad, desire to escape reality, can be a victim or a martyr

Question 1

My birthday is August 2nd. That means I was born under the sign of Leo, the Lion. As far as star signs go, that's a pretty good one. Among other things, it means I'm supposed to be creative, passionate, generous, warm-hearted, cheerful, and humorous. On the other hand, Leos are supposedly arrogant, stubborn, self-centered, lazy, and inflexible.

Question 2

To different degrees, I agree with all the positive characteristics, except maybe "cheerful". I mean, I'm a happy enough person and I enjoy my life but I might not show it as much as other people. To a certain extent, I agree with all of the negative traits as well. I prefer to think of myself as "prideful" rather than "arrogant" but that's probably just splitting hairs.

Question 3

I never go out of my way to read my horoscope. However, if there is a newspaper, a magazine, or a weblink to my latest horoscope right in front of me, I might take a look at it. I don't take them seriously, of course but they can be interesting to read from time to time. That said, I would recommend students check their daily horoscope online regularly. They're short pieces of English text that don't take long to read. They change each day and they often contain unusal vocabulary and expressions. Try one of these (or both!):

Question 4

I carry a talisman I got from Miwa-jinja with me everywhere I go. It's supposed to grant good health to the bearer; with all of my health problems, I'm not sure it's working. I also have a happiness charm on my keyring. I'm told it's a recreation of a magic charm from the Book of Solomon. I just think it looks cool. I also go to shrines and temples but just as a tourist. Religion is a bit beyond me.

Question 5

Yes, of course. The milestone birthdays in Australia are your 16th, 18th, and 21st birthdays. Sixteen because you can get your drivers license. Eighteen because you are legally an adult at that age. Twenty-one is a holdover from years ago when people were regarded as adults. In Australia, as with most places around the world I guess, birthdays are celebrated with cake and presents. This becomes less and less the case as we get older.

Question 6

I really don't know about any of this. I think it's fun to think about sometimes, the way it's fun to think about ghosts, aliens, superpowers, conspiracy theories, and the like. Pointless conversations over a beer. I don't put much stock in any of it though.

Tough Vocabulary

- English -	- Japanese -
as far as that goes	それに関しては
among other things	とりわけ
on the other hand	一方
to different degrees	異なる程度に
to a certain extent	ある程度まで
splitting hairs	細かすぎる
go out of my way	邪魔にならない
talisman	お守り
beyond me	理解しにくいです
holdover	余弊
don't put much stock in it	それに多くの在庫を入れないでください