by Sementawy Horemheb & Fenton Brigantes

Jump to: The Rat Born in - 1912, 1924, 1936, 1948, 1960, 1972, 1984, 1996, 2008, 2020 The Ox -1913, 1925, 1937, 1949, 1961, 1973, 1985, 1997, 2009 The Tiger - 1914, 1926, 1938, 1950, 1962, 1974, 1986, 1998, 2010 The Hare - 1915, 1927, 1939, 1951, 1963, 1975, 1987, 1999, 2011 The Dragon - 1916, 1928, 1940, 1952, 1964, 1976, 1988, 2000, 2012 The Snake - 1917, 1929, 1941, 1953, 1965, 1977, 1989, 2001, 2013 The Horse - 1918, 1930, 1942, 1954, 1966, 1978, 1990, 2002, 2014 The Ram - 1919, 1931, 1943, 1955, 1967, 1979, 1991, 2003, 2015 The Monkey - 1920, 1932, 1944, 1956, 1968, 1980, 1992, 2004, 2014 The Rooster - 1921, 1933, 1945, 1957, 1969, 1981, 1993, 2005, 2015 The Dog - 1922, 1934, 1946, 1958, 1970, 1982, 1994, 2006, 2016 The Boar - 1923, 1935, 1947, 1959, 1971, 1983, 1995, 2007, 2017

The Year of the Rat, is your year in more ways than one. For Rats, 2008 offers success and breakthroughs in study and career. Look for new opportunities and strive to fulfil ambitions, even if it’s just to achieve more satisfaction from your business or work. You can expect to be rewarded and respected for your efforts. If you’re single, there’ll be tingles of romance after the spring. However, watch out for annoying viruses, stress from overwork and general exhaustion: exercise, eat nutritiously and calm your mind.

During Winter the Rat should watch their stress levels, with extra chores around the home and family and more responsibility in the workplace. You will feel like you’ve been left to cope on your own. Luckily, you’ll be able to get everything done and the pressure will ease by Winters end.

Spring sees the Rat in holiday mode bringing more balanced celestial energies into play, promoting social outings, hobbies, creativities and spiritual studies. This is not a season under which to make investments, lend money or even finance an existing business – remain cautious.

Summer sees closer family relationships spotlighted and it’s an excellent time to bring people closer together or bond with younger family members.

Fall sees the Rat with the grumps. Be patient and refuse to become curmudgeonly, and this will pass. Also, don’t be talked into anything which goes against your own judgement, and if there are misunderstandings, act swiftly to clear them up.

The Year of the Rat favours the Ox. The difficulties that have pestered you over the last twelve months will fade away as this year picks up speed. There’ll be at least one important celebration within the family. This is a year in which to fully enter the spirit of whatever you are working towards. If you’re studying, work hard, enjoy it, and you will achieve. Those of you on a spiritual path will find your commitment is rewarded. For the career Ox there will be recognition for your efforts: a useful step forwards and perhaps a new job or business.

During Winter, accept the social invitations that arrive, and don’t be too shy to initiate gatherings and entertainments. One of your favourite relatives will have some good news to share.

Spring for the Ox is positive but problematical. It will allow you to make the progress you need at work and with property matters, but there will be delays and obstacles to attend to. Have confidence in what you’re doing, focus your mind and endeavour to stay calm, and you’ll see your way through the treacle.

Summer and Autumn sees the Ox nurturing romantic relationships and you won’t be disappointed. You’ll hear news of a birth and if you’re seeking a baby yourself, this is an optimum time to make the effort. You’ll be called on to travel with work or to sort out family and friendship dilemmas. You can expect the odd unexpected guest too. It’s fortunate to be welcoming, even if it’s really inconvenient.

The Year of the Rat sees Tigers with the chance to revitalise old relationships or evolve new love-bonds. There will be good times socially, but be careful who you choose to take into your confidence. Don’t allow worry to seize hold of you. Luckily, meditation, yoga, T’ai Chi and all spiritual exercises, whether mind or body orientated, are favoured. The Rat Year also urges financial caution. In business there’ll be cash flow problems, and personally you can expect extra expenditure. However, if you refuse to be cash impulsive and try to save, you’ll remain quietly happy.

Winter advises care with money matters and don’t expect too much progress at work. To balance this, social Earth energies will bring laughter and chances to get together with friends or special family members. You will also bump into someone who’ll become important later on.

Spring for the Tiger initiates a forward momentum which will inspire you with new ideas concerning work advancement and property interests. Beyond the middle of the season the Ox should stay out of quarrels, no matter how irritating others become. This is a time to be diplomatic and refuse to involve in wrangles surrounding co-workers, friends or relatives.

Summer and Autumn will find that it’s authoritarian powers that are frustrating Tigers. If you loose your temper, it will be you that suffers. Remember to pay those bills. Autumn is useful for sorting out relationship niggles, but don’t be too forceful or yout temper will be your undoing.

For Hares, the Year of the Rat is calm and reflective, and that’s how you prefer it. Work, study, hobbies and spiritual life will flow forwards steadily but slowly. You won’t make all the progress you’ve been looking for and working towards but at the year’s end you’ll reflect back and feel reasonably satisfied. This is an inspirational year for making plans for the future, moving home and purchasing property or land. Hares in a satisfactory love-relationship should work to consolidate it and nurture greater togetherness.

Winter for Hares will be a tad icy. Until then, utilise your positive energies to plan out your year ahead. If you’re negotiating a property change or purchase you’ll find your path eased, the ice melting.

Spring might prove a trial, and you’ll have to work hard to maintain your position financially and in any career structure. Don’t be dispirited though, keep going as you are building up fortune increasing energies which will be released later in the year. You’ll need to combat the stress caused by both relationships and career pressures. If you don’t, your health could suffer. Eat well and exercise too!

During the Summer and Autumn, be attentive to loved ones and seek to smooth over any emotional disturbances. Express yourself and give reassurances where needed. It will not however, be a good phase to initiate any sweeping changes. Plans and arrangements will take longer than expected to finalise and see to fruition.

The Year of the Rat is kind to Dragons, with smooth running at home and work. It’s a fine time to consolidate your position and make yourself indispensable. The year also offers deep romantic energies.

Single Dragons will be presented with a special relationship and some will find more than one love opportunity. Those of you already committed will find it easy to work towards greater happiness. If you’re planning to go self-employed or start a business, both the grounding earth energies favour your efforts. You’ll make money, but be careful not to fall prey to scams.

Winter for Dragons will see them enjoying some relaxation time and links to special people in their lives. Extra hours spent with loved ones and children will pay dividends.

Spring and Summer stirs a progressive phase for creative Dragons. If you’re seeking inspiration, cross reference to other arts and enjoy exploring. There could arguments and tensions ruffling the workplace and family circle. Strangely these disputes won’t be aimed directly at you, and it would be wise not to enter them or comment or their focus will turn to you and your faults.

During the Autumn the Dragon should expect difficulties when travelling or commuting. Stay patient and plan journeys thoroughly. New exercise and eating regimes will flow well, and if you’re changing your diet pattern to gain optimum health, you’ll be gratified in your progress. Active Earth energies promote team work.

Although snakes and rats don’t get on in nature, the Year of the Rat shines for Snakes. Study and career gateways will offer exciting new horizons, and you’ll experience progress intellectually and spiritually. Prepare to have your mind expanded! This is excellent for artistic Snakes, granting fresh inspiration and whole new ways of working. Prepare for at least one dramatic event during the year.

You won’t become wealthy during the Year of the Rat so don’t lend or borrow money. If you find yourself arguing in any situation, absorb criticism, compromise, and strive to discover mutual ground. During the cold months remain financially prudent and save if you can. Building work, inside or out is favoured by helpful Earth energies.

Spring offers different challenges. Your ideas will be questioned and sometimes shot down in flames. Obstacles and delays will crop up unexpectedly. Keep moving towards your aims, but go with the flow and be prepared to wait for the right moment to put things into action, rather than forging ahead regardless in classic Snake style.

Summer on, allow your intuition to come into play in a personal situation, and be sympathetic to other people’s dilemmas and complaints. Impromptu social gatherings and outings will be much better fun than well planned occasions.

Autumn for Snakes will see the need to respond to any interest they receive. Don’t leave anyone guessing or you’ll be the one who loses out. Make sure to double check your figures and paperwork.

Just as a rat in a stable will startle the horses, this year will confront you with all the tensions and problems you’ve been sweeping under the carpet. Whether these are emotional or financial, remain cautious but don’t give up. By the year’s end you’ll find that you’ve sorted a lot of things out, come to some interesting new conclusions, and learned a lot about yourself and the people around you. Be sure not to try to help anyone out financially, or it’s your welfare that will suffer. There will be new romantic involvements, especially for younger and older Horses.

Refuse during the Winter to enter any new financial commitments and put off making expensive purchases. Refined celestial energies promise top entertainment value from cultural events, whether theatre, film, rock’n roll or opera going. As the snow melts it lightens your mind-load. You will receive more co-operation at work and home, and people will be receptive to your views and ideas.

By Spring you’ll feel as if you are in the driving seat once more, in charge of where you’re going and what you’re doing. However, to actually get things off the ground and done, you’ll still have to work hard, early and late.

Younger family members, employees and love-partners will seem moody, illogical or downright awkward during Summer and Autumn. Expect some surprises but keep your cool. You are meant to be the sensible steadying force. By the month’s end all Horses will have gained a little extra income.

The Year of the Rat is a bonus year for Ram, with extra income or promotion scheduled. New business ventures will blossom and many of you will gain extra funds from unusual sources: a chance business opportunity, a property sale or bingo luck. More importantly, you’ll feel good about yourself and sense that anything and everything is possible. Study and spirituality are highlighted, with fresh intellectual horizons stimulating your mind and creativity.

New people will offer fresh challenges on your social/work scene, and single Rams can expect to get partnered. If you wish to lose or gain weight, or just eat more healthily, your efforts will be supported by nutritious Earth energies.

Winter promotes family and friendship get-togethers, and romantic nights out or in. If you have children, work on their education, artistic aspirations or just do fun things together.

Spring warns against overspending. There’ll be extra household chores, repairs, needy relatives and vehicle mishaps to contend with. Watch for hassles linked to water: damp, ponds, taps, pipes, leaking boats, car radiators. A new friendship will appear as a result of your journeys and efforts. You may even discover a talent that you never guessed you had.

Summer and Autumn will invoke annoying sparring with friends, neighbours or family members, or extra demands on your time. Stay meditatively calm and this will pass. You’ll discover enjoyment and satisfaction from creative pursuits, whether decorating the spare room, painting a seascape, inventing new recipes for old favourites or redesigning the garden.

The Year of the Rat is fortunate for Monkeys, granting the insight to sort out many of the problems accrued from the previous twelve months. If you’ve been floundering in a financial pickle, you’ll find that things improve and you’ll be enabled to sort out paperwork, passports, bank hassles and credit dilemmas. All of you will be happy to accept extra income, either from enticing work opportunities or other sources. There will be news of a birth and stimulating newcomers entering your friendship circle. Whatever you initiate, you’ll receive helpful responses. Concentrate on spiritual and psychic development, and enlightening celestial energies will speed your progress.

During Winter focus on family or friendship activities. If you have young children, feed their minds and they’ll respond marvellously. Creative Monkeys that have let their talents lapse should ease back into the artistic swing.

Spring and Summer will continue the positive family vibe, but casts a dimmer light on career progress. Expect only modest results in work or business. Fend off extra responsibilities if you can, and try not to absorb the emotional turmoil of friends, as you’ll be busy enough with your own life.

Autumn brings the Monkey advice be sure not to lose any personal possessions. Hang onto car/house keys, your mobile phone and sentimental items. All month you’ll find you’re tearing around or travelling. To retain serenity, set aside some hours for a relaxing swim or a link with nature.

The Year of the Rat will challenge Roosters, but you’ll emerge stronger. You will feel as if you’re battling the world on your own, but the main thing is; you’ll win. Remember not to rely on assistance from friends or family. You’ll have to prove yourself at work too. Work away at your aims but remain tactful and moderate ideas and strategies if necessary. This is a year for financial prudence, and you’ll need to avoid unnecessary demands on your bank balance. Friendships and love-relationships will prosper with effort. In all situations, whether at work, home or out and about, for best results be discreet and tactful.

Winters cold will stir up some family discontent, gossip and rumour at work or socially, and a general lack of support for your ideas. Avoid arguing, be diplomatic and don’t push anyone too hard or it will backfire.

The new moons of Spring and Summer stimulates your self-esteem and feelings of personal power. You’ll sense that you’re getting more of your own way. At work or in study/business you’ll receive the co-operation you’ve been seeking, and many old problems will get solved. Travel and outings will prove worthwhile, bring laughter and spiritual focus.

Autumn's helpful Earth energies invite you to decorate, renovate, landscape, plant and buy furniture. Be careful with sharp objects and implements including tin openers, tweezers, needles and screwdrivers. Attend to medical matters swiftly and take relaxing steps to stop stress getting hold of you.

Dogs will prosper during the Year of the Rat. Apply for a better job, take on more study, start a business, above all have confidence and strive to progress. All of you will experience some ups and downs financially, but overall there’ll be extra income available. Hang onto it and avoid lending money. Expect home hassles with repairs, building work or neighbours. relax, it's nothing you can’t handle. Parent Dogs will have a few dilemmas to solve. Be patient and try to see it from a young point of view. Single Dogs will find love opportunities in their path.

Expect hitches during Winter if you’re moving or arranging home based activities. Also, check tyres, radiators, bus timetables and passports before travelling. You will be tempted to overspend. Avoid this if possible and don’t give in to requests for loans.

Spring fires up tensions in friendships or love relationships. These will blow over but watch out for misunderstandings. You might be joking but someone could take offence. Not all Animal signs share the Dog’s sense of humour.

During the Summer and Autumn don’t take what other people say too seriously as you will receive conflicting information. Follow your intuition and allow it to guide you through any workplace or emotional minefields. Single Dogs can look forward to some flattering attention. If you’re interested, return the signals. Swerve from confrontations at work or in education, even if you know you’re right! Enjoy yourself with country walks, shopping trips and evenings out.

Stay aloof during the Year of the Rat and you’ll gain knowledge, insight and experience. It would be unwise to take anything for granted. You will have at least one disappointment but take it in your stride and a replacement opportunity will emerge. There will be tensions and changes at work and home. Go with the flow and keep focussed on the long-term picture. It is positive. If you get lost in the difficulties, you’ll make them worse. Student, creative, communication, technology and media working Pigs, will make great progress if they remain calm. All of you will need to take action to combat worry: read, meditate, garden.

Winter is the time for Boars to press forwards with projects and new ideas, make contacts and promote yourself. Minor hassles and complications will envelope the family fold and romantic relationships. Sort out each worry as it arises, paying attention to detail and other peoples’ feelings.

Spring urges financial caution, as there’ll be extra expenditure. If you can, avoid parking/speeding/ fines, bank fees and letting bills become overdue. Whatever you’re up to, if it’s important, attend to it yourself as even trusted associates, colleagues or friends will become neglectful or forgetful at exactly the wrong time.

Summer and through to Autumn sport duties will apply added pressure, and you’ll feel that you’re fighting the war on your own. Don’t give up. Look on this phase as a test of stamina and courage.