Zodiac Spirits

Deep within the recesses of the human psyche, an age-old knowledge has been sealed away, forgotten for centuries except by a select few. This knowledge comes from the source of life and existence, those spirits whose living forms have long since left the Earth, leaving only an unquestioned urge to gaze at the stars in those who were left behind.

Among these spirits are a select twelve who guide the paths of the living creatures of the Earth. They divided their duties up by stations of the year, each giving special attention to those born when the sun is in their sky and lending coincidental attention to the rest. Thus, humankind is imbued with direction, ideals and goals that they pursue unthinkingly, acting only on subconscious desires and whims.

Ohitsujiza, The Ram, carries out her duties during the first station of the year, from the Spring Equinox until mid-April. Those born under her guidance often share her characteristics of an adventurous and energetic nature, enthusiasm and confidence, but also often share her darker traits of impulsiveness and impatience, causing them to be foolhardy or quick-tempered on occasion.

Oushiza, The Bull, picks up the second station of the year from mid-April until mid-May. He is a patient, reliable and loving spirit, and those born under his guidance are often endowed with the same warm traits. However, the need for security and warmth can lead these lives toward jealously, possessiveness and self-indulgence if not kept in check by other spirits or factors.

Futagoza, The Twins, are a unique pair. They share one name as they look upon themselves as one being - in fact, they are joine the the wrist by an ethereal bond that neither can break. Where one goes, the other goes, though not always in agreement. One twin predominates their lighter side of adaptability, versatility and intellectualism, while the other predominates their darker nature of nervousness, superficial wants and a cunning and inquisitive nature. Humans born under their guidance share an inner struggle of dual-naturedness with them, and twins born under their guidance often reflect their polar opposites, one predominating light and the other predominating dark.

Kaniza, The Crab, gives men born under his guidance the traits they love to hate. He endows his protectees with an emotional, loving and sympathetic nature, and in those not careful it can go to the extreme of moodiness, clinginess and a changeable nature. Because of this, Kaniza can cause humans to become a widely varying personality unless he has the support of other spirits helping him.

Shishiza, The Lion, dominates the hot summer station of the year from late July to late August. In keeping with the sunny, happy days he watches over, those born under his guidance tend to be generous, warm hearted, enthusiastic, and faithful, loving people. However, his muted darker side can rear its ugly head in some people when it is left unchecked, causing them to become pompous, bossy or intolerant.

Otomeza, The Virgin, leads the world into autumn by guiding those born from late August to late September. Keeping true to her name, she is modest, shy, practical and intelligent. She imbues those she guides with similar characteristics, making them wonderful, wise people hidden under a quiet exterior. However, her modest nature can slip into the extremes, causing fussiness, worry and perfectionism.

Tenbinza, The Scales, has the unique feature of being named after an inanimate object. However, this spirit is far from inanimate - she is a romantic and charming woman who strives to imbue her charges with a diplomatic, sociable and peaceable nature. However, on the volatile planet Earth, these traits are swung far off their normal balance and can become much darker qualities of gullibility, self-indulgence and indecisiveness.

Sasoviza, The Scorpion, leads the darker half of autumn with his energetic, venomous nature. Humans born under his guidance quickly find that they are determined, powerful, magnetic people. They are some of the most profound and powerful people on Earth, just as their spirit leader is within his realm. The also have a tendency to become overbearing and obsessive, creating many enemies with their forceful words and nature.

Iteza, The Archer, is the epitome of the centaur. He not only excels at his favorite sport of archery (thus his name), he also is optimistic, good-natured, honest and philosophical. His most famous representative on Earth, Cherion the Centaur, became widely known as standing above his race with these traits. Humans born under Iteza\'s guidance, however, have to be careful not to become blindly optimistic, careless or irresponsible.

Yagiza, The Sea Goat, sets her protectees to endure the winter in w the they are born. She imbues her charges with practicality, patience and a disciplined nature that not only lets them overcome the harshness of winter but also lets them achieve and succeed in their goals. Her endurance and determination, endowed by the goat she is half bred from, shows up in every one of her charges\' lives. However, this determination can lead some of them to pessimism, miserliness and rigidity in the difficult world they find themselves facing.

Mizugameza, The Water Bearer, is world renowned for her friendly and humanitarian nature. Her honest, independent and intellectual guidance are often sought not only by those born during her station of the year, but by all humanity in general. She brings renewal and a peek at spring during the hard winter months, showing signs of better life to come and happier times to look forward to. However, she has to be careful that her guidance isn\'t twisted into perversity, unpredictability and an unemotional or detached nature, defeating the whole purpose she exists for.

Uoza, The Fish, finish out the year in patience and selflessness. These mermaids are twins like Futagoza, but even more inseparable as they are joined at the tails. Neither can exist without the other, much less act without the other. Unlike Futagoza, however, being twins does not give them a dual nature. These two work well togethereatreating an imaginative, sensitive and selfless nature that easily flows into those born under their guidance. However, their strong binding causes them to have a darker escapist nature, which can seep into their protectees and become idealism, secretiveness and weak wills.

These twelve reside in a heavenly spirit realm, guiding the living creatures of Earth through their subconscious minds and their inner nature. It is not their way to interfere directly on Earth, having left the planet eons ago for the spirit realm. However, since their nature is imbued in every living being in one form or another, should the need arise certain humans are able to act as avatars for these spirits, allowing them to directly influence and manipulate the very Earth they watch over.

They only hope that such a need never arises.