After the turbulent Fire Pig 2007, the Earth Rat year starts on the first day of the Chinese lunar calendar, which falls on February 7 this year.

The Rat is number one in the ranking of the twelve animals and considered the leader in the Chinese Zodiac.

The magical or power name of Earth Rat Year 2008 is Mou Tzu that means the start of the new twelve years reign beginning from the Rat down to the Pig year. The Chinese word Tzu also means infant and signifies the New Era. It is also used for the midnight hours from 11 p.m. to 1 a.m. announcing the birth of a new day.

Principally, its most auspicious directions are the North called the seat of the heaven star brining speculative luck, power and authority, and the East where the wealth star is located brings prosperity career luck and much happiness. The Sexy Star that lies in the north east direction gives romantic opportunities as well as scholastic success. It would be much favorable if renovations, repairs or additional constructions are made possible on these corners or parts of a house, building or room.

In 2008 the argumentative star lies in the west and influences quarrels, rocky relationships, court cases and family troubles. The illness star lies in the north west bringing physical ailments, injuries and diseases, and in the south west lies the violent star that brings robbery, violence and havoc. Constructions or renovations in there directions of a house or building is a taboo or no-no so as not to invite disasters in the family or ones life.

December is the principal month and this Rat sign corresponds to the western zodiac sign Sagittarius; everyone under this sign will be most lucky and progressive together with Aries and Leo. Gemini's counterpart in Chinese animal signs is the horse that will have the most challenges and trials for this year.

Chinese astronomers reckoned the passing of years by an imaginary pointer in the sky called the Tai Sui or year marker. It moved around the heavens like the hour hand of a Cosmic clock reaching its original starting point every twelfth year in the Rat Year.

Rat years are long considered the years of plenty; however for 2008 it is an optimistically cautious year. The world economy, including the Philippines, will boom but wild stock market speculations, fluctuations in the prices of oil, commodities, money exchange rates and basic needs will have their up and downs.

This is the year to inaugurate new plans, and to expand into new fields of development. It is also a time for new methods, fresh systems for reorganizations and revitalization to be discussed and implemented. There will be oppositions, setbacks and skepticisms later; but the moment to draft schemes in outline is favorably expected.

Unnecessary risks are not advised; careful preparation of ventures are needed for advancements to materialize. The year promises a lot of political bickering behind the scenes, bargaining and petty arguments among national and local leaders, that will do little harm.

Earth is the accompanying element of the year; most successful businesses will be water and metal related. While those with earth will have steady progress. There will be minor troubles with fire businesses. The main conflicts, trials, failures and hardships may possibly occur in wood related ventures or industries.

On health matters the year 2008 is favorable due to renewed vitality.

In romantic involvements, the earth rat year is a good year for marriage and interludes. Women will be in the forefront in all endeavors whether in politics, arts, sciences, environmental upkeep, scholarly works and entertainment. Those without partners are likely to find them, while those who are married or settled could expect additions to the family, either children or grandchildren.

Water related tragic incidents, disasters or calamities either the over-abundance or lack of it will occur. Earthquakes, tidal-waves or tsunamis, landslides, forest fires, droughts, super typhoons or cyclones and other abnormal, climactic changes will be happening not only in the Philippines but in other foreign countries.

Nonetheless, earth Rat Year 2008 will be a congenial year that will find most of the people socializing and enjoying themselves with their loved ones.*

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