Though billed as a pseudo science, astrology remains inviting to all who seek the smallest glimpse into the future, whether a positive omen to gamble on romance or business, or simply to stay home if there’s a slight possibility of disaster.

But even those who believe in the Chinese zodiac may have problems believing that everyone born in the same year, whether dragon or sheep, faces the same fate.

According to author Joey Yap, the 12 animal signs are a simplification of the ancient code of bazi. The Malaysia-based feng shui and astrology consultant recently released "Bazi the Destiny Code" (JY Books, $29.95) to introduce the Chinese concept of bazi (pronounced "bhat ji" in Cantonese, or "baa z" in Mandarin) to Western audiences.

The literal translation of bazi is "eight characters," but because the characters appear paired in four columns they are also known as "si zhu," or the Four Pillars of Destiny.

Bazi was codified in the Five Dynasty era (907-978 A.D.) with a system still in use today.

In it, an individual’s hour, day, month and year of birth correlate to four pairs of Chinese characters called "jia zi." The characters comprise yin and yang variations of five elements: wood, water, metal, fire and earth. The structure of the bazi is said to reveal great detail about a person’s character and talents.

Yap explains that bazi is not actually a person’s fate or destiny, but that understanding one’s particular code will help steer the individual toward the endeavors most likely to use one’s skills and result in success.

In bazi, a person’s fortune is set by the day of birth, or day master symbol. Mine, for example, is yang water, represented by the power of the ocean current or running river. Water careers can literally involve working with water, but it also applies to careers requiring thinking, creativity and analysis, so I think journalism fits that bill.

To chart one’s bazi manually requires buying another of Yap’s tomes, "The Ten Thousand Year Calendar," but you can save yourself the expense by going to his website, www.masteryacademy.com. and entering your birth information by clicking on "Bazi Ming Pan Calculator" in the "online tools" section.

Once you understand the many variations of elements, their effects on each other, and the impact of seasons, you will be able to chart your own destiny, whether making plans to avoid mistakes or capitalizing on a particularly rich period. But it isn’t easy material to absorb.

Although Yap’s writing style is meant to be entertaining and breezy, you’ll need lots of paper and ink to chart the forward and reverse cycles of seasons, and you’ll need scholarly attention to gain any meaning from your chart. Although Yap tries to share several combinations of nature elements, seasons, animal signs, earthly stems and heavenly branches, there are thousands of possible combinations, and all are subject to interpretation.

For example, your chart may show you will be surrounded by people, which can be interpreted to mean you’ll have a lot of friends, or that you’ll simply live in a big city.

But for those who believe in creating their own luck, any extra insight can help.

"Bazi the Destiny Code" is available at Dragon Gate Bookstore, Chinatown Cultural Plaza, 100 N. Beretania St., 533-7147.