nwasianweekly.com
Feb. 9, 2008

NWAW’s own forecast for the Year of the Rat

By Yoon S. Park
The Northwest Asian Weekly

Falling precisely a week before Valentine’s Day this year, Lunar New Year, the beginning of the Year of the Rat, will no doubt be celebrated by a large portion of the Asian community both here and abroad Feb. 7.

While Valentine’s Day is marked with greeting card exchanges (as well as flowers and chocolate, if you’re lucky) the Lunar New Year celebration takes on a flavor all its own. Something akin to Christmas and traditional New Year’s all rolled into one, the festivities include public fireworks displays and parades in larger communities, as well as extravagant food preparations and gift exchanges in private celebrations with family and friends.

Returning to the first position on the Chinese zodiac, the Year of the Rat begins during a period of political unrest and turbulence in the world economy. Headlines abound in newspapers and Internet blogs regarding the struggles between candidates as they fight for the White House. The evening news serves up daily doses of alarming stories of record-breaking weather occurrences, continued instability in the Middle East, and the ups-and-downs of the stock market.

The rat is traditionally a dualistic symbol. At times, it is acknowledged as a protector and harbinger of prosperity. On the other hand, it is also associated with pestilence and conflict. It remains to be seen which of the two this year will prove itself to be. If the latter is indicative of the period in which the present Year of the Rat is beginning, then how does one handle such a seemingly uncertain interval?

Strangely enough, some would suggest that the basic attributes of the rat are ideal for adapting to and thriving under these types of challenging conditions. Rats tend to be practical, hard working, thrifty, ambitious, intelligent and cunning people. They are also known to be energetic, versatile and quite charming.

Despite the long list of positive traits, those born under the sign of the rat also tend to be on the controlling side, stubborn, resistant to let go of a grudge and may try to manipulate the situation to their advantage. Although rats are gregarious by nature, they also guard their privacy and dislike perceived intrusions into private affairs.

Noted astrologer Shelly Wu warns of “suggested investments or questionable ventures” during the Year of the Rat. This does not necessarily mean avoiding them altogether. Rather, if you choose to engage in the activity described, then proceed with due caution. And the rat is nothing if not cautious. Wu further predicts “a year of new beginnings filled with happy family events, even the possibility of a new addition to the family.”

Other astrologers look to the Year of the Rat as “one of plenty, bringing opportunity and good prospects.” A common link appears among the advice and predictions for the Year of the Rat in that they both encourage careful long-term planning, and avoiding unnecessary risk when possible. In addition, there appears to be general consensus that frugality is highly desirable during the year ahead. To clarify, frugal in terms of price, not quality.

Occurring every 12 years, the Year of the Rat was preceded by the Year of the Pig. Each year corresponds to an animal in the Chinese zodiac. Those born in the years 1912, 1924, 1936, 1948, 1960, 1972, 1984 and 1996 are all born under the sign of the Rat. An even further distinction is made with each Rat year corresponding to one of four elements: water, wood, fire and earth. This year is the Earth Rat, which is known for its stable nature and inclination to build slowly and steadily toward an end goal.

In matters of the heart, rats are considered to be most compatible with those born during the Year of the Dragon, Monkey or Ox. On the other hand, they are considered incompatible with the rabbit, goat, rooster and horse.

According to Chinese Astrologer Man-Ho Kwok, the “rat is associated with the element of water, which works in harmony with the element of wood but is overwhelmed by the element of earth.” Kwok also concludes that the rat “has powerful yin qualities linked to peace and reflection.” He further explains that the animals in the Chinese zodiac are linked to a direction of the compass. For the rat, that direction is north. Kwok states that yin is at its strongest during midwinter. Indeed, the complexity and depth of Chinese astrology is only just barely touched upon here. There is further analysis, which includes, but is not limited to, breaking down the date and hour of birth.

Yoon S. Park can be reached at info@nwasianweekly.com.

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