China's sports heroine, Guo Jingjing became the winningest female diver in olympic history at Beijing 2008. She has now won the gold medal in both individual and synchronized diving in the last two olympics, the first diver ever to accomplish that feat.

Her great success provides some insight into understanding how to determine if luck is with a person. Looking only at Guo Jingjing's animal sign, someone might conclude that the odds were against her, as 2008, year of the Rat, is not one of her more auspicious ones. In fact determining whether a particular day, month or year is auspicious requires consideration of a number of factors, not just this one.

This year, for example, is ruled by Earth, an element favorable to both Guo's birth year element and her sign's fixed element, Metal, as Earth produces Metal---Gold in this case! Zeroing in on the day of the event we find that it was 76% favorable for her, a very high rating. And, digging into the details of her chart, we find that Earth is her strongest element. This is in harmony with the year element of 2008, thus contributing significantly to her inner strength and peace of mind.

It is not surprising many traditional Chinese astrologers do not even refer to the 12 animal signs. Actually, they can be convenient and provide useful insights. Do not, however, be misled into thinking they tell the whole story. Even this short essay covers only a fraction of what Chinese Astrology can say about a person's luck. The Tong Shu and a Purple Star (Zi Wei Dou Shu)  Reading, for example, reveal much more.

Congratulations, Guo, on your wonderful accomplishment. You have brought glory to yourself and to China. May luck be with you as you pursue your goals.