It’s probably safe to say that most of us know what sign of the zodiac we were born under. I’m a Gemini (June 12) as is my daughter Erin (May 27). My oldest daughter Rachel, on the other hand, is a Capricorn (December 27). But in Chinese astrology, Rachel is a Monkey, the ninth sign in the Chinese zodiac, which is based upon the year in which you were born, not the month. Each sign is associated with an animal, and according to my good friend Melissa Yamaguchi, who has been studying Chinese astrology for years, 2016 will be a good year for Monkeys. Melissa explains that the Chinese zodiac is based on energy (yin and yang) and the five elements (Wood, Water, Fire, Earth and Metal). Here’s how she explains the concept of energy: “The earth is vibrating at a measurable frequency every minute of every day, and an understanding of the animals and energy is nothing more than an understanding of how you individually vibrate in resonating with the energy of the day. Own your energy, own your life.” In the Year of the Monkey, she says, Fire, Metal, Earth and Wood will be strong. What’s missing this year is the element of Water. “Water represents law and order, thoughtful decisions and vision,” says Melissa, who suggests wearing a lot of blue this year to energetically pull in the water element. I took her advice and have been wearing my London blue topaz earrings and a deep shade of blue polish on my nails just to be safe. “While the Monkey is naturally a Metal energy, the year ahead is associated with the Fire element, which means we’ll have a Metal Monkey in a Fire Year. Hot!” says Melissa, who notes that due to the combination of Metal and Fire, along with the absence of Water, we’ll be hearing a lot about physical and financial security. And because the direction associated with Monkey is southwest, which also happens to be the direction of the matriarch, female energy will be strong this year, and harnessing it will make a difference in the world’s luck equation. If any of this piques your interest, contact Melissa, who can do an in-depth reading for you based on your Chinese zodiac sign. She also offers daily energy readings that can be sent to your smartphone. I live by them. Reach her at [email protected].