| YOUR FUTURE IN 2008 | | | | like pushing his or her weight around. But do not allow |
| CHINESE EARTH RAT YEAR STARTS FEBRUARY 7, | | | | tedium to get in the way of your survival instinct. |
| 2008. | | | | Prepare to scrimp a bit and tighten your stripes. You |
| HOW CHINESE ASTROLOGY WORKS | | | | will in any case be on the move. Wherever you go it |
| From the Year of the Rat through the Year of the | | | | seems you are being given options: new ways to |
| Pig, there are twelve animal signs romping through | | | | make a living or chances to join a prestigious group |
| the Asian or "Chinese" astrological system. To find | | | | or opportunities to be creative or to enhance your |
| your own sign, all you need to know is the year of | | | | public image. Basic trusts can be broken in these |
| your birth. Though there are no complicated rising | | | | years. You are not usually avid to be the one in |
| signs nor intricate charts to reckon with, the Chinese | | | | control. Being the titular boss, who answers |
| New Year falls on a different date each year. It can | | | | yammering phone calls and e-mails in an office all day |
| occur as early as mid-January or as late as | | | | long and waits for employees to show up at |
| mid-February. So if you were born in either of these | | | | yawn-filled meetings would send you straight into a |
| two months, please enter your birth date on my | | | | coma. But the Rat does not necessarily know this |
| web site for accuracy. A person born in late January | | | | about you. You appear so strong and so sure of |
| of a Snake year might not be a Snake subject, but | | | | yourself that the terminally insecure Rat feels |
| rather will be given the sign of the preceding Dragon | | | | threatened. Hence your life in this coming year may |
| year. | | | | prove to be less than delightful. The Rat could try to |
| The cycle of the Chinese zodiac renews itself every | | | | thwart even your most innocent of desires for |
| dozen years. As luck would have it, 1900 was a Rat | | | | self-governance, belittle your cleverest notions and |
| year. Since Rat is the first in the series of twelve | | | | may even sabotage your plans. There is also the |
| signs and its year opened our century, we can often | | | | possibility of chronic illness developing in a close friend, |
| calculate the signs of our contemporaries with ease. | | | | associate or member of your family. You will be |
| The year 2000 was not so convenient. Instead of | | | | called upon to deal with it. And you will. Another hint? |
| rounding out nicely to start the new century with a | | | | Don't be tempted to ally yourself with any Rats. The |
| Rat year, 2000 was a Dragon year. The Dragon, | | | | Rat not only wants power. He or she wants to be |
| unlike the Rat, is not the first sign of the Chinese | | | | the sole owner of that power. Rats are hoarders and |
| Zodiac but the fifth. So in this new century we have | | | | savers. You are the spendier, devil-may-care guy or |
| to work a bit harder to calculate our Chinese sign. | | | | woman who believes that money grows on trees |
| Every Asian person about to make a major decision: | | | | and that so long as you keep changing forests, there |
| mar¬riage, family, profession, burial, or relocation | | | | will always be more ready cash hanging from the |
| will first check to see if his sign and those of the | | | | branches. Conflict between your splurging spirit and |
| people involved indicate that any benefit will result | | | | the Rat's desire to stash will arise. Advice? Plan to |
| from the anticipated act. In many Asian countries | | | | travel and make changes this year. Don't bother to |
| parents still arrange marriages. If the family considers | | | | try to save money. You don't know how. |
| that a Horse son is not well matched to a Rat | | | | CAT/RABBIT Not the most encouraging of years for |
| woman, the wedding will be called off. | | | | you Cat/Rabbit people. Why? Because the Rat tends |
| Astrology - like various other "ologies" - is yet | | | | to envy your settled, secure lifestyle and would not |
| another way of finding out who we are and how we | | | | in the least mind turning it on its head. Rats love |
| can be happier. Astrologers do not claim to have all | | | | drama and excitement. Like you, they are |
| the answers. As a soothsayer, I do not presume to | | | | budget-conscious. But they don't settle down the |
| know if you must or must not buy a pickup truck on | | | | way you do. They crave (and often create) havoc |
| Thursday, the twenty-ninth of July, 2021. But what I | | | | and excitement. You favor safety over histrionics |
| do know is that the animal symbol that rules the | | | | and will opt for simple jaunts in the countryside |
| year of your birth has endowed you with certain | | | | instead of choosing excitement for its own sake. Of |
| basic characteristics and helped to define your | | | | course, you are the more sagacious of the two signs. |
| funda¬mental nature. | | | | You prefer not to have to enter any fray or conflict |
| Once you are made aware of your qualities and have | | | | to get what you want and always seek to avoid |
| accepted certain aspects of your faults, it is | | | | belligerence. Rats are forever stalking dominance and |
| conceivable that you will have a better chance of | | | | are unafraid of confrontation. I advise Cat/Rabbits |
| making life cooperate with you. Given definite | | | | not to perform any public stunts which will attract |
| attributes to work with, you will then possess the | | | | attention to them during this sharp-edged year. It's |
| wherewithal to fashion your own life to fit your | | | | not the moment to run for mayor of your town or |
| desires and ambitions. Moreover, as you examine the | | | | even to seek the presidency of your Bridge club. Nor |
| qualities and faults pertaining to your friends or | | | | is the Rat year a time for you to splurge on antiques, |
| acquaintances, you may learn why you (and they) | | | | classic vehicles or mansions in high end neighborhoods. |
| behave in ways hitherto incomprehensible. | | | | Anxiety may prevail as well because of on and off |
| WHO WILL BE RUNNING THE SHOW? | | | | tensions present in this coming year which will evolve |
| WHAT IS A RAT PERSON LIKE? | | | | mostly from dissension in some part of your private |
| According to a Chinese legend, one day during some | | | | life. Either you are married and experiencing a classic |
| dynasty or other, Buddha called all 12 major animals | | | | "rocky" period. Or you are not married and long to |
| together for a race. The Rat not only won the race, | | | | be, but can't get along with the intended for more |
| he was probably canny enough to ride on the Ox's | | | | than a week without quarreling. As you despise |
| back to do so. Oxen tend to be slow, but they are | | | | conflict, you flee. In your absence, she or he meets |
| steady and plodding. We all know from our own | | | | someone else. Now you are thoroughly upset, so you |
| legend about the Tortoise and the Hare that steady | | | | return on pitty pat paws to reclaim your territory. |
| plodding wins the race. | | | | And what do you discover? A love triangle. More |
| You won't find many steady ploddersamong the Rat | | | | discord. Further controversy. And perhaps even a |
| population. | | | | fight! Hang in there. Rat years are never wonderful |
| RAT YEARS | | | | for the Cat/Rabbit's love life. To change the subject |
| 1900, 1912, 1924. 1936, 1948, 1960, | | | | radically, your finances could come under some |
| 1972, 1984, 1996, 2008, 2020, 2052, | | | | scrutiny from the tax authorities. Better to lie low |
| 2044, 2056, 2068, 2080, 2092 | | | | and while away weekends listening to classical music, |
| NB- Born in January or early Feb.? Check my Chinese | | | | reading history books or polishing your antique clocks. |
| Sign page ( to be sure you are not among those | | | | Around November, you very well might enjoy a fling |
| who fall into the sign of the previous year. | | | | or two with someone charming and frankly, openly |
| Rat is the first sign of the Chinese Zodiac. | | | | sexy. Take pains to protect your reputation for |
| ON THE BRIGHT SIDE RATS BOAST: | | | | refinement and good taste. Money, this year, should |
| APPEAL SOCIABILITY | | | | not be scarce. Most Cat/Rabbits are known for their |
| INFLUENCE INTELLECT | | | | ability to see around corners in dodgy markets. |
| THRIFT CHARISMA | | | | DRAGON |
| ON THE RAT'S UNDERBELLY CHECK FOR: | | | | Here comes a bonanza year for you personally. |
| ANXIETY THIRST FOR POWER | | | | Nobody admires your dashing self more than the |
| VERBOSITY GUILE | | | | canny Rat. And the feeling is often mutual. You will |
| ACQUISITIVENESS MEDDLING | | | | be awash in propositions for new projects and called |
| "What? You tell me I'm a Rat. Yucko! Gross. No way!" | | | | upon to direct (the job you love best) everything |
| I hear these protests all the time. Nobody wants to | | | | from the village orchestra to the Neighborhood |
| be a Rat. Apparently, they'd rather be something less | | | | Watch. You are a rising Star in this Rat year, and |
| revolting. Rats don't benefit from an elegant | | | | what's more, you can feel it. A rush of approval and |
| reputation in our occidental, urbanized society. | | | | freewheeling comes over you about mid-March and |
| But think for a moment of the clever farm rat. It is | | | | won't leave until the end of next January. Take wise |
| this rat: the collector, the hoarder, the deft and | | | | advantage of the opportunities presented to you |
| admirable country rat, whom Buddha honored. This | | | | because they are almost all excellent chances for the |
| rural rat is, to this day, a scrounger for food, finder | | | | betterment of both your financial and personal life. |
| of warm places to nest and a procreator par | | | | An enticing love interest appears about halfway |
| excellence. Let us then put aside our base image of | | | | through the year. If you are otherwise attached, |
| the repellent city rat and concentrate on the | | | | beware of temptation. The person in question is |
| characters of his artful country cousin. | | | | most seductive and what's more is magnetized by |
| The key adjectives I like to use to describe Rat | | | | your charisma. If you are not hitched, go for it - give |
| people are: "charming, assertive, protective and | | | | him or her the full Dragon treatment: gifts, rings, trips |
| relentless." Rats go whole hog for what they are | | | | to exotic venues and cozy nights by the fireside. So |
| after and they never give up. You'll never meet an | | | | much for the positive aspects of the Rat year. On |
| unattractive Rat. They may not be classically | | | | the other side, toward the summer holidays, family |
| handsome. But they ooze allure. Neither will you find a | | | | members' needs may impinge on your time. Lavish |
| Rat person who doesn't seek to achieve and | | | | some of that precious Dragon time on those in need |
| succeed, stand out from the crowd and even | | | | of your moral support. But don't be tempted to |
| assume power over others. Rats are go-getters. | | | | shower them with funds. Don't let the syrupy |
| They are born with leadership qualities and a hefty | | | | sentimental side of your nature take over and drive |
| measure of guile. For the Rat, the ends frequently | | | | you to begin any useless squandering. Don't make |
| justify the means. | | | | meaningless sacrifices. You have better things to do |
| Rat people usually appear calm and at ease in | | | | with your money in Rat years than bail people out of |
| company. They're talkative (to a fault sometimes) | | | | gambling debt or lend your new BMW to your |
| and make pleasant conversationalists. But take a | | | | shiftless brother-in-law who lost his license for drunk |
| closer look. That Rat has a rubber band in his hand | | | | driving. You may however have to take charge of |
| which he incessantly snaps back and forth between | | | | everything to do with a flailing member of your clan |
| two fingers. The Rat woman keeps wiggling the | | | | this year. Somebody in your immediate home life has |
| fastener on her bracelet. Rats only seem tranquil. | | | | lost his or her bearings and needs a few Dragon |
| Inside, they are like nuclear reactors: churning, | | | | coaching sessions. Encourage and boost. But resist |
| bubbling, twisting and steaming. Rats seethe and | | | | the urge to preach. It's likely the person in question is |
| sizzle. But they never-or rarely-explode. | | | | depressed. If the condition persists, make them seek |
| Rats are not only stashers of food, they have a | | | | professional help. |
| well-developed sense of economy. They know | | | | SNAKE |
| where their money goes and for which frivolities | | | | Your health and well-being are in better fettle this |
| they are willing to spend lavishly. Parties and | | | | year. All the physical ills you were suffering last year |
| gatherings of all sorts please the Rat. In fact, any | | | | will dissipate in the salutary ambiance of the |
| chance to communicate is seen as a joyful occasion. | | | | protective Rat. Nevertheless, trouble will be afoot in |
| Rats love-no, need-to talk. If Rats have problems, | | | | your financial sector. Hide that checkbook, scissor |
| they talk them through. If they are depressed, they | | | | your credit cards and politely refuse the over draught |
| blab it out. If they lose a lover, they can only cure | | | | privilege at the bank. Although you will start the year |
| themselves of heartbreak by exposing the whole | | | | with a sense of plenty and even continue it in ample |
| gory story until the listener's ears are red with | | | | sufficiency, you will stumble on some unexpected |
| compassion and the Rat has emptied his despondent | | | | cracks in the sidewalk toward the end of the year. |
| soul. If you have a gabby Rat crony, keep your | | | | You should begin putting money away for the future |
| IPOD handy and pump up the volume. | | | | and stop the buying frenzies. Shopping may be |
| If you are loved by a Rat, consider yourself lucky. | | | | tranquilizing for you while it's happening. But when |
| Rats will fiercely defend and cheerfully spoil the | | | | those hair-raising credit card bills and excessive |
| people they care about. But outsiders don't count. | | | | mortgage payments start avalanching into your |
| The Rat wants to be surrounded with those who like | | | | mailbox, it will be bye bye to serenity and hello to all |
| and admire him. He will lavish presents on them and | | | | night nail-biting sessions. In the professional sector, |
| feed them all till they burst from admiration. Loyal | | | | there will be no more obstacles to prevent you from |
| companionship is the Rat's idea of contentment. | | | | making sudden huge strides. Your talents and abilities |
| Rats are not necessarily high-minded. Nor are they | | | | will be more in demand than you ever dreamed was |
| artistic dreamers. But they are wily and intelligent. | | | | possible. You could even become an overnight star or |
| And they are often gifted - too clever by half. They | | | | experience a giant breakthrough in an area of |
| make excellent lawyers and executives. Too, Rats | | | | expertise that you hitherto imagined was closed to |
| dabble more than a little in politics. They crave power. | | | | you. As the Pig year was less than clement for most |
| Richard Nixon, Jimmy Carter, George Bush Sr. and | | | | Snake people, the Rat year will come as a grand |
| John McCain - Rats to a man. And they know how to | | | | relief. Little by little you will feel renewed and |
| use their brains with words. In the world's Rat Pack, | | | | energetic. With this new dynamic, you will be able to |
| you will find all manner of highly talented writers, | | | | shed many of the preconceived notions you |
| composers, singers, actors and actresses. Here's a | | | | harbored about your entourage. Too much emphasis |
| famous Rat sampling: | | | | has been put on your family situation for the past 12 |
| 1912 (Water Rat Mary McCarthy, Loretta Young, Roy | | | | months. Now it's time to attack career goals and |
| Rogers, Gene Kelly, John Cage, Eugene Ionesco, | | | | make them happen for you and your loved ones' |
| Laurence Durrell, Werner Von Braun, John Cheever, | | | | benefit. The Rat is a nervy sort and that sizzling |
| Perry Como, Studs Terkel, Woody Guthrie, Julia Child, | | | | edginess which emanates from inside the very |
| Michaelangelo Antonioni, Danny Kaye. 1924 (Wood | | | | vector of this year, can cause you to occasionally |
| Rat) Marlon Brando, Lauren Bacall, Sarah Vaughan, | | | | doubt the loyalty of your partner. Not to worry. You |
| James Baldwin, Truman Capote, Charles Aznavour, | | | | are sufficiently loved and admired. This year, make |
| Doris Day, Lee Marvin, Zizi Jeanmaire, Sidney Poitier. | | | | no major purchases. Invest only in what you can |
| 1936 (Fire Rat) Glenda Jackson, Dennis Hopper, Keir | | | | actually afford. Otherwise, when next year rolls |
| Dullea, Yves St Laurent, Dick Cavett, Vanessa | | | | around, you will be paddling against the current for |
| Redgrave, Albert Finney, El Cordobes, Alan Alda, Kris | | | | twelve long, frazzled months |
| Kristifferson, Marion Barry, F.W. DeKlerk, , Dean | | | | HORSE |
| Stockwell, Glenn Campbell, Roy Orbison, Bobby Darin, | | | | Don't expect any jolly miracles to come waddling |
| Dennis Hopper, Englebert Humperdinck, Tom Snyder, | | | | down the trail to greet you this year. Rats and |
| Bruce Dern, Chad Everett, Geena Rowlands, Oscar | | | | Horses are notorious enemies. Between you, there is |
| de la Renta, Wilt Chamberlain, Buddy Holly, David | | | | usually an initial attraction, a brief honeymoon period |
| Carradine, Ismael Merchant, Lou Rawls, Shirley | | | | and then a swift slide into bickering and eventual |
| Bassey, Dyan Cannon, Boris Spassky. 1948 (Earth | | | | schism. Rats like power. You refuse to be told what |
| Rat) James Taylor, Olivia Newton-John, Mikhail | | | | to do. Get the picture? Rats need to surround |
| Barishnykov, Donna Summer, Gerard Depardieu, Billy | | | | themselves with people they can feel protective of, |
| Crystal, Al Gore, Andrew Lloyd Webber, Jimmy Cliff, | | | | look after and give direction to. In short, Rats need |
| Kathy Bates, Cat Stevens, Jeremy Irons, Mary Beth | | | | to dominate their friends and family in some way or |
| Hurt, Olivia Newton-John, Jackson Browne, Donna | | | | other: financially, intellectually or with pure authority |
| Karan, Kenny Loggins. 1960 (Metal Rat) Kenneth | | | | for its own sake. There is nothing worse for you |
| Branagh, Yannick Noah, Daryl Hannah, Sean Penn, | | | | Horses than to feel smothered by some meddling |
| Greta Scacchi, Meg Tilly, Ayrton Sienna, Kristin Scott | | | | outsider who sticks his or her nose into everything |
| Thomas, Antonio Banderas, Branford Marsalis, | | | | you get up to. Horses crave freedom and thrive on |
| Jean-Claude Van Damme, Nastassja Kinski, Valerie | | | | independence. Should you hanker to buy a new |
| Bertinelli, Hugh Grant 1972 (Water Rat) Shaquille | | | | home, build an extension on the one you have or |
| O'Neal, Carmen Electra, Busta Rhymes, Julie Gayet, | | | | invest in a second residence on a Caribbean island, |
| Elizabeth Berkley, Marlon Wayans, Ben Affleck, | | | | put it off till next year. Everything to do with visas |
| Cameron Diaz, Geri Halliwell, Liam Gallagher, Gwyneth | | | | and passports, building permissions and zoning permits |
| Paltrow, Eminem, Toni Collette, Jenny McCarthy, | | | | will be fraught with delay. You execrate paperwork. |
| Alyssa Milano, Vanessa Paradis. | | | | Filling out forms is torture for you. You do not fancy |
| Rats are not infrequently found meddling in other | | | | rendering accounts to anyone whatsoever. So in this |
| peoples' business. They are intensely curious and can | | | | Rat year, you had better remain in the wings. Don't |
| become overly involved in the lives of friends and | | | | attempt any great stunts or public displays of your |
| neighbors. They cannot be termed "busybodies" - but | | | | talents. Of course you probably won't follow my |
| almost. Rats also delight in the running of committees | | | | advice anymore than you would follow the Rat's |
| and will gladly take over the administration of a board | | | | instructions. You Horses can be led to water but we |
| of directors. Rats will not usually volunteer to be on | | | | cannot make you take even one tiny sip if you don't |
| the cleanup committee. Nor are they apt to beg to | | | | want to. No amount of coaxing or blackmail or guilt |
| decorate the church crypt for the charity bazaar. | | | | trips will make you ingest a drop. So Horses mine, this |
| They may tell you how they want it done. But they | | | | coming Rat year will be a bit of a trudge. Low profile |
| are not about to actually DO the decorating. No. It's | | | | time. Take off to the countryside with your main |
| power that Rats are after-power and influence and | | | | squeeze and spend the time thinking about the heft |
| lots of praise and kudos. | | | | deals you will pull off when the Goat year rolls |
| Rats too are marriers. They crave security and need | | | | around. But as you will not heed my counsel . . . as |
| to be attached. They hoard money and foodstuffs in | | | | they say for good luck in the theater "Break a leg." |
| secret places so they will never be caught short of | | | | GOAT |
| either. Show up unannounced at her place, the Rat | | | | You inventive Goats are hard put to make much a of |
| will feed you well. But don't try to borrow any | | | | (of a) personal statement in this year. Being dictated |
| money or expect to be treated to lavish meals at | | | | to by a Rat doesn't have a positive effect on you |
| the Four Seasons or the Ritz. Rats are much more | | | | devil-may-care creatures. You are always willing to |
| conservative than their splendid surroundings would | | | | oblige when asked politely to perform. But when |
| have us believe. | | | | someone literally kicks you in the rump and orders |
| THE EARTH RAT YEAR | | | | you to get a move on, you either buck or back |
| FEBRUARY 7, 2008 TO JANUARY 25, 2009 | | | | away in fear and loathing. You may feel |
| Hang on to your hat, here comes the Rat! | | | | misunderstood and sulky this coming year. You |
| 2008 promises to be a whole new Rat Race. This | | | | definitely don't feel like painting the Mona Lisa or |
| year jump starts the Chinese twelve year cycle all | | | | re-inventing pizza. Expect to have to deal with some |
| over again. Prepare for twelve months of Monday | | | | productive pain. The beginning of the year (until mid |
| mornings. | | | | July) will be freighted with petty miseries of an |
| We just oinked our way through and oozed out of | | | | emotional nature. Fallout or remnants from a past |
| the prosperous Pig year. If you recall, I forecasted a | | | | romance or spent passion want to haunt your aura. |
| year of too much plenty. I warned that the rich | | | | Unfinished business. The feelings may manifest in the |
| would get richer and the poor would do far less well. | | | | form of insomnia or nightmares. Or they may simply |
| Of course I could not have predicted that women's | | | | present as free-floating anxiety. My advice? 1) Build |
| handbags would increase in value to the point where | | | | yourself an armor of spiritual awareness thought |
| some ladies are carrying around ten bucks and a | | | | meditation, yoga or even martial arts. Your soul (not |
| lipstick in a hot pink crocodile clutch bag that cost | | | | your mind) needs a boost. 2) Actively seek new |
| their husband's credit card $4000. Seriously, I just | | | | romantic interests. Mix with people in groups or find |
| consulted the Neiman Marcus online shopping | | | | them online. Attend parties and functions where you |
| catalogue and in such top stores women's' purses | | | | stand a chance of meeting someone new and |
| cost upwards of $1000. Some (and not just a few) | | | | "possible". Do not sit on your hands and worry or |
| cost six thousand smackers! That's a concrete | | | | lose sleep over past blunders. What is gone is gone. |
| example of what I said would happen under the | | | | Better prospects are on the way come September. |
| influence of the Fire Pig. Glut for glut's sake. End of | | | | By that time you should have begun to emerge from |
| cycle excess. Quantity over quality. For some, it was | | | | all angst. Make an effort to look your best at work. |
| a great year. In 2007, "Them that has" had | | | | You can expect to be promoted this year. All |
| themselves a hugely piggy Pig year. | | | | supplementary professional efforts will be rewarded. |
| Here's a quote from my last year's forecast: "People | | | | You may quietly pursue your pet creative projects at |
| are going to have more "stuff" in the Pig year. | | | | home in a protected environment where you feel |
| Extravagant real estate and luxury items, jewelry and | | | | safe and cared for. But stay out of the spotlight. Rat |
| antiques, authentic old masters - everything having to | | | | years are no time for building a reputation as the |
| do with wealth and affluence will be favored. But... | | | | genius you often are. Hang in there and love will |
| this abject profusion of material possession means | | | | come trotting along in the Autumn of this year. |
| that anyone who is not rich or prosperous or rolling in | | | | Someone sweet and strong (a Pig if you're lucky) will |
| gold bullion cubes will - by virtue of the scales being | | | | be overcome with a stunning admiration for you. This |
| tipped too far - fare worse." | | | | love interest will appear out of nowhere . . . a |
| And are not a slew more wealthy humans cluttering | | | | restaurant, a public beach or even on an escalator |
| up golf courses and crowding shopping mall parking | | | | going the other direction. Don't miss out. Say "yes" to |
| lots with their splendiferous gas guzzling cars? And, | | | | the urge to take up with this sterling character. |
| by contrast, are not a lot more people out of work, | | | | MONKEY |
| out of luck and nowadays even out of their homes? | | | | For Monkeys in this year, it's all systems go. After |
| Well folks, the party (and the twelve year cycle) is | | | | wading through a couple of challenging years, you are |
| most decidedly over. | | | | finally entering a gentler period. All year, you will feel |
| 2008 will be an Earth Rat year. Rat years are always | | | | understood and admired. Rats and Monkeys get on |
| choppy and appeal mostly to those with a | | | | like a pair of matched socks. The Rat is an emotional |
| finely-developed sense of economy. But the Earth | | | | sort who often has problems making decisions. |
| Rat year (The last one was 1948) is also chockablock | | | | Should I buy a red car or a blue one? Marry a Dragon |
| with market upsets and other unspeakable bolts | | | | or a Tiger? Take that new job offer or stay in my |
| from the blue. NO. I can't tell you what color, size or | | | | current position? How should I configure my life now |
| shape the bolts will be. Just think surprise events | | | | that my parents are no longer around? What should I |
| which jolt your synapses and give your heart goose | | | | wear to the ball? By now, we all know that any time |
| bumps. I am not threatening earthquakes or | | | | one is in the throes of a dilemma big or small, the |
| typhoons, although we will surely see our share of | | | | solution is to dial-a-Monkey for assistance. Monkeys |
| those. The bolts from the blue will be more personal | | | | cannot solve their own problems all that readily, but |
| than that. They will take the form of accidents or | | | | they are masters at helping others to make quick, |
| mishaps due to inattention, clumsiness or pure bad | | | | workable choices. So in a Rat year, you Monkey |
| luck. In an Earth Rat year, we learn (usually the hard | | | | people will find yourselves being called upon to give |
| way) that we cannot possibly anticipate what might | | | | advice, to sort out thorny issues or to untwist the |
| happen next. Some might say, "Then let's just have | | | | knickers of someone whose temper has him or her in |
| fun. Why worry?" Others of you will shudder and | | | | a state of advanced frenzy. You can always figure |
| shake, fearing insecurity and mourning free lunches. | | | | out how most gracefully to exit a dilemma. Should |
| Relax! Worry is a waste of your precious time. What | | | | you have in mind to begin a huge project, build a |
| you worry about today will certainly not happen. And | | | | new home, start a business, write a novel or take a |
| what will happen is something you might have been | | | | trip around the world, this is the year to undertake |
| worrying about but didn't even know existed. Just be | | | | that endeavor. Don't keep destiny waiting. Put |
| more cautious than usual about wasting - both time | | | | yourself in gear directly when the year begins in |
| and money. | | | | February. Make every day count toward producing |
| In this coming year, the fragile quality of the world's | | | | something that expresses who you are. You have |
| financial condition will become glaringly obvious. People | | | | been waiting long enough. Take advantage of the |
| and governments in the western world will wake up | | | | propitious aspects surrounding you. Strike while the |
| to the fact that they cannot go on spending more | | | | iron is hot. If you need to borrow money or stay |
| money than they have and get away with it. In fact, | | | | with relatives in Beijing or Paris or use someone's |
| many very rich people will barely have time to | | | | garage workshop to invent a better mouse trap, do |
| preserve existing finances. Get ready to swap those | | | | not hesitate to ask. You will be given a leg up at |
| $4000.00 purses for some spanking new food | | | | every turn. Power grabbing is a big part of this year's |
| stamps. Flog your $50,000.00 golf cart and learn how | | | | agenda. As you are the opposite of power hungry |
| to walk again. Give up caviar and luxury cruises in | | | | and don't even want to risk being in the forefront, |
| favor of hot dogs, macaroni salad and a romantic | | | | you are not in competition with the authority-hungry |
| rowboat ride on the local park lake. Forego smoked | | | | Rat. You might want to consider taking out a better |
| salmon and learn how to fish. This coming year will be | | | | insurance policy against theft and accidents. There is |
| about the prudent managing of finances, cost-cutting | | | | a chance that while you are building a new flying |
| measures and trendy cheap backpacks made in | | | | machine or sailing single-handedly around the world, a |
| China. It will also be about power. | | | | robbery, a flood or a fire might take place. Not to |
| Something intriguing about Rat years is that at first | | | | worry unduly. Just be sure your insurance premiums |
| they appear to bode only wealth and bounty. But | | | | are paid up. |
| such glittering harvests are merely the calm before | | | | ROOSTER |
| the storm and hunger pangs of future shortages. | | | | Protect the savings you have worked so hard to |
| Nobody will be spared. Already in February, inflation | | | | store up. The Rat does not dislike you, but has little |
| will be on the rise. People all over the world will see | | | | time this year to while away in your company. Cut |
| their buying power diminish. My advice? Open a | | | | back on extravagances. Stop thinking you can just |
| savings account. Plant a vegetable garden. Stash gold | | | | blithely fly off any old where, spend a few days |
| jewelry under your mattress. Junk the gas guzzler | | | | enjoying yourself in Paris or Marrakech or Bali and still |
| and buy a book of train tickets. Take the kids out of | | | | be able to make those car payments. You Roosters |
| private school. Teach them at home. Learn to cook | | | | are not very flexible and tend to crowd yourselves |
| cheaper cuts of meat or eat no meat at all. Take | | | | into a corner. If you're working, then the job |
| pride in wearing handsomely patched jeans and be | | | | becomes the only thing you can think about or do. |
| the first on your block to remember how to darn | | | | You obsess, overwork and can burn out very quickly. |
| socks. In general, in the coming Rat year, do as the | | | | Then, of course, you feel sorry for yourself and |
| British were advised after WWII, "Make do and | | | | decide that you are owed a break. But once again, |
| mend". We did it before and we can do it again. Might | | | | instead of just lying down and reading a fat novel for |
| as well face it. Scantier days are ahead. | | | | a couple of days at home, you must move about. So |
| This year is not all bleak, drab and gray however. It's | | | | you jet off to just the place you fancy with just the |
| a splendid year for power grubbers who gain | | | | right climate and the tastiest food and the best |
| dominion over others. Dictators will thrive in this Rat | | | | people. Then, as soon as you are there, you start |
| year. Hoarders of foodstuffs get a leg up. It's also a | | | | shopping up all the money you earned whilst |
| banner year for owners of savings (and even piggy) | | | | overworking and burning out. Is this beginning to |
| banks. And it's a fabulous year for people devoted to | | | | sound like a pattern? |
| living the simple life, playing music or party games at | | | | Well, the Rat year is a good year for you Rooster |
| home with their children, going on picnics, taking | | | | people . . . but only if you break this madcap pattern |
| advantage of free museum entries and walking | | | | of yours and espouse rest and relaxation in your |
| everywhere instead of taking the car. The inherently | | | | own surroundings. Sit still for heaven's sake. Welcome |
| parsimonious Rat year is here to help us clean up our | | | | the opportunities that waft your way. Of course, if |
| act. Join forces with Brother Rat. Dismount your | | | | you are never at home, you won't be there to |
| cherished Hummer. Slog a bit and drudge a bit. Cut | | | | receive them, will you? There are movements afoot |
| back and save. Take one paper towel instead of two | | | | in your career which can set certain things to rights |
| at a time. If one doesn't do the job, you can always | | | | that may have gone awry in the past. You want out |
| go back for more. Wash your own car and polish it | | | | of something. You have finished a portion of your |
| too. Quit the expensive gym and ride your bike to | | | | existence in a job or a business or even in a |
| work. If you co-operate with the spirit of the Rat | | | | relationship and you want to see that engagement |
| year, you can expect to enjoy a carefree twelve | | | | come to an end. The currents in the work place are |
| months. But buck the system and continue to troll | | | | flowing in the direction you need right now. But if you |
| the thousand dollar handbag department at | | | | keep fleeing the work place and ignoring those subtle |
| Nordstrom or Harrods's or Galeries Lafayette and | | | | changes, you may miss the boat. The changes may |
| your golden goose will flap its wings a few times and | | | | take a few months to hatch. So to distract yourself |
| fall right over dead (next to the overdue credit card | | | | from the tedium you so fear, take breaks during the |
| bills) on your snazzy $10,000 dining room table. | | | | day. Go for a big walk. Get three (thee?) to the gym |
| Children born in Rat years are luckier if their birthdays | | | | or to tai chi or yoga classes. Meditate. Take Pilates |
| come in sum¬mer. They will not have to dig | | | | classes. And instead of squandering your hard-earned |
| through the snow for provisions and can benefit | | | | burnout cash on air travel and wine, put a bunch |
| from sultry sunshine to make the hay that they will | | | | away in the bank and let it earn you some interest. |
| so need to have stored away for the long, cold | | | | The message? Slow down, kick back and thrive. |
| winter ahead. | | | | Keep on racing breakneck willy nilly and you will live |
| WHAT WILL THE EARTH RAT YEAR BE LIKE | | | | to rue the day. |
| FOR EACH CHINESE SIGN? | | | | DOG |
| RAT | | | | The Rat year will be absent the idealism necessary |
| Your year at last! 2008 begins a whole new cycle of | | | | to spur Dogs into action. You Dogs find these years |
| Chinese animal signs and, as usual, you are leading the | | | | superficial and tritely material. This Rat year will not |
| pack. Directly following the New Year, life will seem | | | | be your most productive. Why? Because you are |
| suddenly more fluid. Bumps in the road will even out | | | | basically unlike the Rat. Dog people are more |
| for you and people you thought you could never get | | | | high-minded than mercenary. It's just the opposite |
| along with are all of a happy sudden on your side. | | | | with Rats. Rats seek power and stash cash. Dogs like |
| Profit from every possible angle you can wangle. But | | | | to have some power too but for entirely different |
| come April watch out for a tendency to let down | | | | reasons. And money? Not really a priority for |
| your guard and go slack when you should be quicker | | | | Pooches, except as a means to an end. Dogs only go |
| on the draw. Toward June, romance will increase in | | | | after authority and loot if it gives them the |
| intensity and want to become engagement. | | | | necessary clout to effect social change. The Dog |
| Commitment beckons. Then marriage is nigh. Don't | | | | presidents or leaders of the pack in any organization |
| hold off. If you feel you have found "The One", then | | | | wantto see justice done. They rule to improve the |
| go ahead and tie the knot. Real estate will doubtless | | | | world their way - notjust to order people about. Rats |
| become a preoccupation this year. You current | | | | rule to rule. So in this Rat year, you |
| property/ies is/are too costly, meaning that the real | | | | Dogs may bark as stridently as you wish, but no |
| estate that you own or rent and inhabit either | | | | matter how fiercelyyou yap, you won't get much |
| doesn't suit your lifestyle or work well with your | | | | further than the bottom of your garden. |
| commute or else it simply clashes with your taste. | | | | The Rat simply doesn't give a damn for what you |
| Find a new place to live that is appropriate not only | | | | care about. So be extra careful not to make |
| to your needs - but to your pocketbook. Before | | | | mistakes or cause them to be made by others. You |
| winter sets in, lay in stores. You will be needing them | | | | are borderline paranoid anyway and are normally an |
| around Christmas time when shortages loom. Keep in | | | | overly cautious person. But this year circumstances |
| mind that, overall, your main objective this year is to | | | | may crop up that make you feel you have slipped up |
| carefully plot out the next dozen years of your life. | | | | or blundered. This feeling certainly doesn't help you |
| Where do you want to be in twelve years? With | | | | regain lost self-confidence. But take heart. Next year |
| whom will you be living? How much do you want to | | | | will turn all of this around. Meanwhile, keep your eye |
| be earning and will you prefer the city or the | | | | on the doughnut and not on the hole. We learn from |
| country? You have twelve long years to get where | | | | our mistakes. Make sure you have taken stock of |
| you want to go with whom and for how much. Think | | | | those lessons. Your personal life should be carefully |
| ahead and be extra calculating. Make major long term | | | | monitored in August. Betrayal by a family member lies |
| decisions in 2008. And don't look back. Life is too | | | | in wait. As it's a family matter, this fundamental issue |
| short to regret missed opportunities that are | | | | is probably either about money or property (or both). |
| probably out of fashion anyway. Stay alert. Leap into | | | | It might also concern a young adult child who is |
| new projects with your usual enthusiasm, but hold | | | | threatening to leave school or home. Nip this in the |
| the reckless abandon. | | | | bud by taking the time to talk it through and offering |
| OX | | | | just alternatives. Do not despair. The Rat year is not |
| Rats covet power and they often get it. Whether in | | | | all bad for Dogs. You may not feel that you are |
| relationships, in government positions or in business | | | | making much progress. But at least you are learning |
| dealings, Rats seek dominion and go after it tooth | | | | and maintaining the status quo. In Rat years, that's |
| and claw. This coming year fairly reeks of the Rat's | | | | about as much as any Dog can ask for. |
| powerful influence. But that pungent smell doesn't | | | | PIG |
| bother you Oxen too much. You were born with a | | | | Rat years can be mostly fun for Pig people. Best of |
| keen sense of your own strength and haven't had to | | | | all, you are free of last year's responsibilities and have |
| struggle, as the Rat perpetually does, to gain and | | | | begun your own new 12 year period of |
| maintain control. In your case, control comes with the | | | | self-realization. This year is yours to enjoy. Let the |
| territory. Because the Rat's drive for supremacy | | | | Rat run the show. The Rat is a protector of those |
| doesn't threaten Ox people, you usually cruise right | | | | he loves. And he really digs Pigs. You Pigs possess a |
| through Rat years without missing a beat. Beware, | | | | brand of personal power that the power-hungry Rat |
| early this year, of developing symptoms of emotional | | | | respects. You are your own person. You depend on |
| stress. Your private life lacks satisfaction and this | | | | nobody and you know what you like and go after it |
| dearth of sexual or romantic excitement may cause | | | | in life. Rats are quite similar in that way. They are |
| you to doubt your ability to maintain relationships. My | | | | go-getters and are unafraid to take the reins and |
| advice? Stop listening to detractors. Clamp your front | | | | drive their own existence - their way. But Rats do |
| hooves over your ears and refuse to hear anything | | | | not own the rustic peacefulness of Pigs. Rats are |
| negative in your regard. Remember (when you can't | | | | more like urban dwellers than country folk. They live |
| sleep at night) that you are the one pulling this plow | | | | at a frenzied pace, are nervous and chatty and |
| under your own steam. Listen to the force of your | | | | needful of admiration from others. Pigs don't much |
| inner voice. That's where your self-confidence is | | | | hurry. Nor do they care who admires them. They |
| lurking. Way deep inside. Snatch it. Gobble it up. And | | | | just carry on tra la la with their conviviality and their |
| go back to sleep. | | | | taste for the authentic and comfortable in life. Rats |
| Rats move quickly. You tend to advance more | | | | also work at a frenzied speed and if things are not |
| slowly. But for you, it's constructive to march to the | | | | moving quickly enough, they can tantrum out in the |
| pokey cadence of your own inner drummer. This | | | | twitch of a whisker. Pigs, on the other hand, handle |
| year, from the outset, you will be encouraged to | | | | inter personal affairs with great diplomacy, take their |
| accumulate wealth, nurture your crops and tend to | | | | time about things and rarely freak out. Aside from |
| your family's harmony. In the Autumn, tension may | | | | minor health issues which tend to crop up in summer, |
| threaten your professional life. It will no doubt come | | | | you Pigs can be comfortable this year in the |
| from a person born in a Dragon or Rabbit year. Keep | | | | knowledge that you are protected and admired and |
| your ears pricked up for signs of nasty backbiting | | | | respected. It is however incumbent upon you to |
| and subterfuge in the wings at the workplace. | | | | perform economically (which implies putting the |
| Someone would like to see you fail. By November, if | | | | brakes on squanderous abandon). The Rat demands |
| there is no improvement in the situation, take pains | | | | you make wise investments or none at all. Control |
| to actively discourage that person's desire to do you | | | | excessive gourmandise and don't forget to invite Rat |
| in. Even if you must use force, this is one battle you | | | | people to all your country dinner parties. Let your Rat |
| do not want to lose. But be wise. And subtle. | | | | friends chat up the guests and take home the |
| Strategize. Prepare. You are not one to enjoy playing | | | | leftovers. That way, you Pigs can lose some weight |
| games. But this time, the prize will be worth the | | | | and gain extra points with King Rat. Do much thinking |
| departure from your usual bulldozer style. | | | | about your 12 year program. After last year's |
| TIGER | | | | planning sessions, you ought to have some idea |
| As you no doubt already know, whether in | | | | where the next dozen years want to take you. Be |
| relationships, in business or government or even in | | | | certain not to fritter away precious time hunting for |
| stupid traffic! - the Rat seeks to dominate. For you | | | | treasure in posh antique shops and art galleries. Don't |
| Tigers, this peculiar Rat character trait is both | | | | take up with lazy people who want your assistance |
| un-nerving and irritating. You find Rat years tedious. | | | | more than your affection. Don't be distracted by idle |
| You really hate it when someone who isn't you feels | | | | flattery. Stay ruthlessly on your own path. |