30 January  1968 - 16 February 1969    Monkey   Earth      (+)

The Monkey is lively, likable and witty. Highly sociable, the Monkey is talkative and, as a fascinating conversationalist, he attracts a wide circle of friends. People born under this influence have an innately low boredom threshold. Inquisitive in the extreme and forever believing that the grass is greener elsewhere, they need to find continual stimulation to keep themselves interested and amused. However, often Monkeys are too clever for their own good and can be mettlesome, opportunistic, and unscrupulous to the point of being tricky and manipulative. This is because Monkey types possess acute psychological perspicacity which enables them to read people like books. In particular, women under the Monkey influence can play rather subtle games with members of the opposite sex. And although Monkeys give the impression of getting on fabulously with everybody, this great rapport is often nothing but a ruse -- Monkeys are in fact egotistical and selfish. They tend to be lazy, concentrating on small matters while ignoring more important issues. They ignore obstacles, finding them beneath their consideration. Having a short attention span can make it difficult for the Monkey to successfully complete a task. For the Monkey to be prosperous, far-sightedness and vision are vital.
Playful, even obliging at times, the Monkey hides the poor opinion he has of others beneath his apparent friendliness. He distrusts people born under any other sign and considers himself to be superior to all of them. He has plenty of intelligence and a fantastic ability to pull the wool over people's eyes. He is so artful that he can even fool the Dragon -- who is strong, stubborn, and no fool himself -- and resist the magnetism of the Tiger, whom he teases unmercifully.
Monkeys are highly adaptable and versatile. Enthusiastic about everything, they spend their time broadening their minds and are especially fascinated with art. They like refinement, originality and luxury. Inventive and intelligent, those born in these years can solve most problems quickly and skillfully, and are able to accomplish much in business. Monkeys shamelessly acknowledge their attraction to money. They quickly assimilate facts and figures, picking up new skills and techniques almost instaneously. In business it is their opportunism coupled with their keen competitive instinct that gives them an eye for that tiny opening into which only Monkeys can insinuate themselves. Once they have instilled themselves, it is their ability to turn their hands to anything that will bring them ultimate success and, in many cases, even make their fortune. In short, the Monkey can do anything. For this reason, in Asia the birthrate skyrockets in the Monkey year, as in a Dragon year.
The Monkey can succeed in any profession. Politics, diplomacy, industry, trade -- none of them will have any secrets from him. He can try anything and anything will work, especially if he has been fortunate enough to have a higher education. Though the renowned adaptability of the Monkey personality takes those born under this sign into a variety of occupations, many will naturally gravitate towards show business. This is because Monkey-born people have a compelling need to be noticed. Unfortunately, because they are such audacious people and care very little about their reputations, it does not matter much to them whether the impression they create is one of pleasure or of shock. It is simply a case of the more publicity they can generate around themselves, the happier they are.
The first part of the Monkey's life will be happy. The second will be upset and confused and his plans will often miscarry. Once attaining a ripe old age, the Monkey will increasingly enjoy a simple, everyday life.

The Exciting Monkey
Monkeys are clever, social, witty people and these are the very qualities they will look for in their relationships with others. Being the gregarious sort, they normally have a wide circle of friends and acquaintances who provide them with the mental and social stimulation that is so important to the Monkey's well-being. But the natural curiosity and desire for new experiences that drives those born in this year mean that, all too often, serious long-term relationships simply don't provide enough excitement to maintain their interest. Monkeys revel in the thrill of the new; consequently, short-term love affairs tend to suit this group best.
Unfortunately, the Monkey is unlikely to find a satisfactory lover, for he is not a stable personality. Though he can be passionate, his critical sense and his clear-sightedness combine to cool off his ardor all too quickly. He has a tendency to treat relationships as games and as a consequence has trouble staying committed for an extended period of time. The impatient Monkey gets bored easily and is constantly looking for excitement, stimulation and new games. Luckily his sense of humor saves him from disaster. Mischievous rascals particularly through their earlier years, they delight in stirring things up and then standing back to watch the sparks fly. If there's the slightest hint of danger, intrigue, or downright outrageous behavior attached, so much the better.
In love no other sign produces more charming, amusing, and romantic companions than this one. Once a Monkey does decide to settle down in a permanent relationship he or she will make a splendidly stimulating partner. The Monkey's love life may tend to be complicated, but he or she will assume family responsibilities with equanimity and good humor. Whatever the sign of his marriage partner, the Monkey is likely to have a lot of children.
The Monkey gets on splendidly with the Rat, Dog, Dragon and Boar, although naive Boar needs to realize the Monkey is always three steps ahead of the game. He is avoided by the stubborn Tiger, whom he is advised to treat with respect, and the Rooster, who will criticize him.
September is the month of the Monkey. The time of the Monkey is from 3:00 p.m. to 4:59 p.m.; their direction of orientation is west-southwest. The Monkey's color is gold.