Your Chinese Horoscope 2017: What the Year of the Rooster holds in store for you. Neil Somerville
involves herself in a multitude of different activities. She has a wide circle of friends, enjoys entertaining and is an attentive hostess. She is also conscientious about the upkeep of her home and has good taste in home furnishings. She is most supportive to the other members of her family and, due to her resourceful, friendly and persevering nature, can do well in practically any career she chooses.
Although the Rat is essentially outgoing, he is also a very private individual. He tends to keep his feelings to himself and while he is not averse to learning what other people are doing, he resents anyone prying too closely into his own affairs. He also does not like solitude and if he is alone for any length of time he can easily get depressed.
The Rat is undoubtedly very talented, but he does sometimes fail to capitalize on his many abilities. He has a tendency to become involved in too many schemes and chase after too many opportunities at once. If he can slow down and concentrate on one thing at a time, he can become very successful. If not, success and wealth can elude him. But, with his tremendous ability to charm, he will rarely, if ever, be without friends.
The Five Different Types of Rat
In addition to the 12 signs of the Chinese zodiac there are five elements and these have a strengthening or moderating influence on the signs. The effects of the elements on the Rat are described below, together with the years in which they were exercising their influence. Therefore Rats born in 1960 are Metal Rats, Rats born in 1972 are Water Rats, and so on.
Metal Rat: 1960
This Rat has excellent taste and certainly knows how to appreciate the finer things in life. His home is comfortable and nicely decorated and he likes to entertain and mix in fashionable circles. He has considerable financial acumen and invests his money well. On the surface he appears cheerful and confident, but deep down he can be troubled by worries that are quite often of his own making. He is exceptionally loyal to his family and friends.
Water Rat: 1972
The Water Rat is intelligent and very astute. He is a deep thinker and can express his thoughts clearly and persuasively. He is always eager to learn and is talented in many different areas. He is usually very popular, but his fear of loneliness can sometimes lead him into mixing with the wrong sort of company. He is a particularly skilful writer, but can get sidetracked very easily and should try to concentrate on just one thing at a time.
Wood Rat: 1924, 1984
The Wood Rat has a friendly, outgoing personality and is popular with his colleagues and friends. He has a quick, agile brain and likes to turn his hand to anything he thinks may be useful. His one fear is insecurity, but given his intelligence and capabilities, this fear is usually unfounded. He has a good sense of humour, enjoys travel and, due to his highly imaginative nature, can be a gifted writer or artist.
Fire Rat: 1936, 1996
The Fire Rat is rarely still and seems to have a never-ending supply of energy and enthusiasm. He loves being involved in some form of action, be it travel, following up new ideas or campaigning for a cause in which he fervently believes. He is an original thinker and hates being bound by petty restrictions or the dictates of others. He can be forthright in his views but can sometimes get carried away in the excitement of the moment and commit himself to various undertakings without thinking through all the implications. Yet he has a resilient nature and with the right support can go far in life.
Earth Rat: 1948, 2008
This Rat is astute and very level-headed. He rarely takes unnecessary chances and while he is constantly trying to improve his financial status, he is prepared to proceed slowly and leave nothing to chance. He is probably not as adventurous as the other types of Rat and prefers to remain in familiar territory rather than rush headlong into something he knows little about. He is talented, conscientious and caring towards his loved ones, but at the same time can be self-conscious and worry a little too much about the image he is trying to project.
Prospects for the Rat in 2017
The Rat is resourceful and sets about his activities with great energy. And his efforts in the Monkey year (8 February 2016–27 January 2017) will have enabled him to do a great deal and enjoy some pleasing results. However, in the remaining months he will need to focus and use his time well. With an increased number of commitments, he could find some weeks especially busy, and the better organized he is, the more he will be able to benefit.
At work, many Rats will take on additional duties or a new role. While this will often be pleasing, these Rats should concentrate on their objectives and avoid being sidetracked. It is through focus that the best results will be achieved. The end of the year will bring pressures, but could see potentially significant developments.
The Rat should be disciplined in his spending at this time. His outgoings are set to increase, but by thinking through his purchases, he can make some good decisions and find some bargains.
The Rat always attaches great importance to his relations with others and the closing months of the year will see a flurry of activity, including opportunities to go out. Many Rats will also enjoy surprise occasions and treats and welcome the kindness shown by their loved ones. In some instances, if the Rat talks over his concerns or hopes with those around him, he could find their advice well worth heeding.
The Year of the Rooster starts on 28 January and will be an eventful one for the Rat. There will be several highs and lows to the year, but thanks to the Rat’s skills and resourcefulness, far more of these will be highs.
A key factor for the Rat is to listen to his inner voice. Proceeding with something he has misgivings about could lead to problems and regrets later on. At times the Rat will have to be firm and prepared to state his case. This need for openness extends to virtually all aspects of his life, and indeed, almost all aspects will see a considerable amount happen over the year.
For the unattached Rat, there will be good romantic possibilities, although it will be a case of proceeding steadily and allowing a relationship to strengthen over time rather than rushing into a commitment. Some Rats will find true love this year, while others will find that some romances are not meant to be. For these Rats, there will be lessons to learn and chances to move on. A lot will happen for a reason this year and will work out to the Rat’s ultimate advantage. March, June, August and December could be key months for meeting others, making personal decisions or enjoying some good personal news.
For Rats with a partner, this can be a busy year, and here again, openness will be to the Rat’s advantage. If he has ideas for home improvements, including purchases, he should let these be known. Similarly, if there are activities, holiday destinations or new interests that appeal to him, if he talks these through with his loved ones, he will often be encouraged to take his ideas further.
Ambitious projects will go ahead in many a Rat home and in some instances plans which have been considered for some time will now be undertaken. Disruption and inconvenience will inevitably occur and effort be required, but the results will be worthwhile. Some Rats will also decide to move. For these Rats, the Rooster year will also see times of intense activity, but by the year’s end, a lot will have been accomplished and many Rats will appreciate the benefits (and opportunities) their actions have brought.
The Rooster year will also be eventful work-wise, with almost all Rats feeling the effects of change. Over the year many will face increasing demands as new responsibilities are given and pressures increase. In some cases, a flurry of activity will make some weeks frenetic and the Rat may feel overwhelmed. However, the challenges that arise will give the Rat the chance to demonstrate his judgement and underline his strengths. The reputation of many Rats can be considerably enhanced over the year and when further opportunities arise, they will be in a strong position to benefit. April, May, September and October could be busy and significant months for work developments.
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