(7 February 2008 - 25 January 2009)

Famous Rats: Cameron Diaz, Colin Firth, Hugh Grant, Eminem, Gwyneth Paltrow, William Shakespeare, Charlotte Brontë, Bono, Tchaikovsky, Doris Day, Burt Reynolds, Gerard Depardieu, Louis Armstrong, Richard Nixon, George Washington, Ivan Lendl, Shaquille O'Neal, Marlon Brando, Al Gore, Yves St. Laurent, Antonio Banderas, David Duchovny, Sean Penn, Leo Tolstoy, Lauren Bacall, Jean-Claude Van Damme, Prince Charles, John F. Kennedy Jr, Julianne Moore.

On February 7, 2008 the Year of the Earth Rat begins as the year of the Fire Pig comes to an end. The Pig is the last sign in the Chinese Zodiac and the Rat is the first sign. Therefore we are now at the end of one 12 year Chinese Zodiac cycle and the beginning of another one. If you are looking for closure, now is the time in the last few days of the year of the Fire Pig. If you are looking for a new beginning, a fresh start approaches with the year of the Earth Rat.

After two Fire years in a row, life may seem calmer during this Earth year. That could be deceptive, however, as the Rat never stops moving, especially when it comes to mental activity.

According to the popular legend, the Rat was the first to arrive to a dinner hosted by Buddha (but only after hitching a ride on Ox’s back and then jumping over the finish line) so this is why the Rat is the first sign of the Chinese zodiac. It signifies new beginnings. 2008 is therefore an appropriate time to commence new ventures, including new ideas, directions, and ways of doing things. There will be ample time to see your projects through and opportunities for you to achieve success. However, keep in mind that your actions may have long terms effects, so be wise with your decisions.

The Rat’s fixed element is Water. Although Earth has a negative relationship with the Water. This is not entirely a bad thing, but it does mean that you should not be relying as much on luck this year.

The combination of Earth and Rat is extremely positive in terms of achieving results. The Rat is a risk taker, while Earth is associated with practicality and stability. Therefore there is a good balance which in turn can lead to good profits, increased productivity and accomplishments in many areas of life. And, under Earth's stable influence there could be fewer scandals than in other, Rat years.

The year of the Earth Rat is also a good year for intellectual activities as well as art related activities such as design and graphics.

Those people who are involved closely with working with the land will have a positive year. Combined with the Rat, those with careers in business, construction and engineering could see success.

Romance? For singles - it is a time for new relationships. Those already in a relationship should progress to the next level of your relationship – this could include marriage. If married already, why not renew your vows?

Overall, 2008 will not be a particular stunning year, but it will be a year of opportunities and new beginnings. It’s a year for progress.

2009 will be Year of the Ox

2007 was Year of the Fire Pig

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