I am a mystery
Appearing when least expected
Charming and social
Introverted and secretive
I’m a powerful protector
An unforgiving enemy
I observe and react
Seek reform and Justice
I demand perfection and fear failure
My objective is survival

The year of the Rat is for the opportunist, the proactive, the profiteer. The politician or the businessman who can turn other peoples losses into his or her own gains.

This indeed will be a year to keep a watchful eye on those who run the world financially, intellectually, and dictatorially. The Rat year is also one of change, reform; and for anyone who has patiently waited for the right time to make a move, this will be the year to put your well thought out strategy to work for you.

Many will prosper this year with a little finesse and a whole lot of poker faced plays. Worldwide it is a time when security will count and when the political and financial giants will want to protect what’s theirs, less eager to help the underdog and just as quick to point the finger or use past mistakes made by others to advance. The United States will fare much better during the year of the Rat with such planets as Jupiter, Saturn, and Uranus forcing much needed change politically, which will by the end of the Year of the Rat already start to show the stabling force that will follow.

For the US, a tighter budget, higher taxes, and biting the bullet will help to bring the economy back in favor; and although there will be some troubled times along the way, it will be accomplished throughout the term of the next president with 2010 and 2012 being crucial but substantially progressive years.

Canada will follow suit, also being born under the sign Cancer, however some uncertainty and false imaging regarding it’s financial position will continue to confuse the business sector and housing market. The United Kingdom will benefit financially during the Year of the Rat, and although a calmer year can be expected, they mustn’t become too relaxed regarding protection against terrorism as the Year of the Rat heads out and the year of the Ox in.

As for the average Joe, the Year of the Rat can be a time to turn losses into gains and instability into security, a time to be disciplined but recognize the importance of joy and happiness, and to readjust priorities by not buying into a consumer market that is not so important in the big scheme. A time to enjoy the simple pleasures and to not judge a man by what he has but by whom he is as a person, a human being, a Good Samaritan, for this is what will truly lead to satisfaction.

So I supplicate you to stand up and be counted for who you are not what you have. To be proud and confident enough to do your part during the Year of the Rat to help put an end to the hunger, terrorism, greed, war, global warming and human and animal suffering that in the past has been so prominent on our planet.

By EUGENIA LAST

COPYRIGHT 2008UNIVERSAL PRESS SYNDICATE 4520 Main St., Kansas City, Mo. 64111; (816) 932-6600

 According to Chinese legend, the order of the twelve signs was determined by Buddha, upon celebration of the Chinese New Year (which falls on different dates, from mid-January to mid-February.) The Buddha invited all of the animals in the kingdom together for a meeting, but only 12 creatures attended. The first animal to arrive was the talkative Rat (who was aggressive enough to jump off the back of the Ox in order to be the #1 arrival) next in place #2, came the serious, enduring and hard-working Ox with the honorable Tiger, and cautious Cat. The outspoken Dragon joined the others, along with the philosophical Snake. The physically active Horse arrived with the artistic Goat. The spirited Monkey and the showy Rooster came as well. The last to join the others was the watchful Dog and the meticulous, resigned Pig. Buddha gave each animal a year of its own, bestowing the nature and characteristics of each to those born in that animals year. As the Chinese say, 'This is the animal that hides in your heart'

-- shelly wu