The Element Encyclopedia of Birthdays. Theresa Cheung

29-born are persuasive. They say what they think and are direct and forceful without being offensive. Their generous nature and strong belief that there is good in everyone earn them the respect and love of all who cross their path. They often use their expressive, quietly rebellious streak to support the rights of others. The keys to their success are their intuitive power, sensitivity to the mood and needs of others, and their desire to work cooperatively rather than independently. They sense what others are feeling, and when the moment is right, when to make a move. They also understand the power of synergy and how a group of people working toward a common goal is the greatest force of all.

      Born campaigners and negotiators, these people have a compassionate nature that marks them out for careers in politics, the law, humanitarian work, charity and social reform. They are intellectual and artistic too, and this can lead them to a career in the media and entertainment or to lecturing, teaching or writing. People-related careers, such as sales, marketing, advertising, personal relations, commerce, or as lifestyle gurus, are also a good fit. Sensitive to both others and their environments, they can be prone to unexpected mood swings, so need to learn ways to protect themselves from absorbing negative energies. For self-care, visualize a protective bubble around you whenever you feel uncomfortable in an environment or situation.

      Those born on this day may occasionally withdraw into unassertive behavior when challenged and can get very hurt if people criticize them. In their relationships they can hold back emotionally and be self-sacrificing. They tend to find love later in life. Around the age of 22 and 52, they reach turning points when they develop a greater degree of emotional resilience. Life gets easier for them in their early thirties and beyond as they become more resilient and start to realize that within them is the power to achieve almost anything. Once they finally believe in themselves, and understand that it is impossible to please everyone, their destiny is to right wrongs and fulfill their role as the mystic warrior—strong-willed and with the ability to inspire others and gather support for their chosen cause.

      Tarot card, lucky numbers, days, colors: The High Priestess, 2, 3, Saturday, Monday, blue, white

      Born today: Oprah Winfrey (talk-show host); Thomas Paine (political activist); Anton Chekhov (playwright)

      Potential: Intuitive, generous

      Dark side: Indecisive, withdrawn

      

       30 JANUARY

       The Birthday of Assurance

       “I do things my way”

      The life lesson: is dealing with feeling lonely.

      The way forward: is to accept people as they are and not as you expect them to be.

      Luck maker: In conversations, ask questions and listen carefully to the answers.

      People born on January 30 are confident in their convictions and put their personal mark on things. They live according to their own moral code and are always on the side of the underdog. Their strong social conscience, combined with their determination, charm and intelligence, means they are agents of positive change. Everybody will be in no doubt of where they stand on the important issues, but they are prone to worry and making impulsive decisions. They have a talent for bringing like-minded people together; living in a commune would not be unacceptable to them if it meant they could live according to their all-important ideals. Although they arrive at their position of certainty through reasoned judgment, they do also rely heavily on their instincts. This ability to combine intuition with logic marks them out as exceptionally gifted leaders.

      Born campaigners, these people succeed in careers that require them to lead, inspire, educate, manage, negotiate and inform, such as politics, the law or police or even military work. They don’t suit routine unless the routine matches their ideals, and may be drawn to aviation, navigation, entertainment, the arts or consultancy work of any kind, be it as head of department, doctor, social worker, psychologist, producer or director. As they are energetic 24/7, it is important for them to schedule regular rest and relaxation. Surrounding themselves with shades of blue can induce feelings of inner calm. For self-care, write a short letter of forgiveness to someone who has upset you, but don’t post it. As you write, remind yourself that forgiving is not forgetting—it is letting go of negativity, which can drag you down.

      A vain need to win the approval of others can lead those born on this day to fudge the truth. They can also find it hard to forgive those who upset them. It is important for them to speak truth to themselves and others, and to know when to let go. Around the age of 21 and then again at the age of 51 they experience significant turning points, which make them less anxious and more balanced. Once they have learned to value the viewpoints of others without seeing them as a threat to their convictions, their destiny is to transform their empathy into compassion and take action to make a positive difference.

      Tarot card, lucky numbers, days, colors: The Empress, 3, 4, Saturday, Thursday, blue, purple

      Born today: Franklin D. Roosevelt (US president); Gene Hackman (actor); Emilio Segrè (physicist)

      Potential: Generous, confident

      Dark side: Moody, dishonest

      

       31 JANUARY

       The Birthday of the Bright Spirit

       “I have my mission and I choose to accept it”

      The life lesson: is to rely less on the approval of others.

      The way forward: is to trust what your gut says more than what others say.

      Luck maker: Certainty—and not the approval of others—gives you the strength and determination to succeed. Take a stand.

      January 31-born tend to have an overwhelming desire to be noticed and, because they are bright, endearing people, they often achieve this goal with ease. They are adored for their creativity, originality, determination and easy expressiveness. They can also be quite progressive, with a touch of genius about them. Although they can appear absent-minded and chaotic at times, this is only because their thoughts are always on fast-forward, their mind ever overflowing with ingenious ideas. When they feel on the verge of a creative breakthrough they can get over-excited, but others tend to find their enthusiasm and creativity appealing rather than annoying.

      Born