Your Chinese Horoscope 2009: What the Year of the Ox Holds in Store for You. Neil Somerville
study or enrolling on a course, by furthering his knowledge in some way the Earth Rat will derive much satisfaction from his interests. For some Earth Rats, new interests and skills could also open up some exciting possibilities. This is very much a time favouring personal development.
As far as financial matters are concerned, however, this is a year for careful management. With possible family and accommodation expenses and other plans, including travel, the Earth Rat does need to keep watch over his outgoings as well as set funds aside for forthcoming expenses. The more control he has, the more he will ultimately be able to do. He should also be careful when dealing with financial paperwork. To delay or not give matters sufficient attention could be to his detriment. Earth Rats, take note and do be thorough and careful in money matters.
Being born under the sign of charm, the Earth Rat always attaches a great deal of importance to his relations with others and this year he can look forward to some rewarding times. In his domestic life he will enjoy setting about various household activities and for quite a few Earth Rats the year will have a strong practical element, including possible home improvements. By carefully considering their options, these Earth Rats will often delight in what they are able to achieve. The Earth Rat will also find others supportive and will benefit from their ideas. In addition some ideas of his own, possibly concerning trips out, a holiday or a treat he thinks his loved ones may enjoy, can lead to some particularly appreciated occasions and his thoughtfulness and care will add a lot to the quality of his home life. Domestically, this will be an active but rewarding year.
This will also be a gratifying year on a social level, with the Earth Rat again enjoying spending time with his friends. Often both existing and new interests can bring him into contact with others, and enrolling on courses, undertaking training or joining in with local activities can lead to him getting to know quite a few new people. Those Earth Rats who would welcome new friendships will find their activities over the year can bring a real improvement in their situation. The months from mid-March to May and August to early October could see the most social activity.
In most respects this will be a positive year for the Earth Rat and it will bring some good opportunities for him to develop his skills and interests. His domestic and social life can also bring him much pleasure. However, the Ox year will not be without its pressures and many Earth Rats will find themselves with a heavy workload, challenges to meet or situations not changing as quickly as they would like. Parts of the Ox year will ask a lot of the Earth Rat, but it can bring out his strengths as well as add to his experience. With care, discipline and the goodwill and support of others, the Earth Rat will be generally pleased with what he is able to accomplish.
TIP FOR THE YEAR
The support of others will be an important and encouraging factor over the year. Although you may already do a great deal for your loved ones, make sure this is a two-way process and at times of pressure, do ask for help. It will make a considerable difference to your year and what you ultimately get to do.
FAMOUS RATS
Ben Affleck, Ursula Andress, Louis Armstrong, Lauren Bacall, Shirley Bassey, Kathy Bates, Irving Berlin, Silvio Berlusconi, Kenneth Branagh, Marlon Brando, Charlotte Brontë, Jackson Browne, George H. W. Bush, Glen Campbell, David Carradine, Jimmy Carter, Aaron Copland, Cameron Diaz, David Duchovny, Noël Edmonds, T. S. Eliot, Eminem, Colin Firth, Clark Gable, Liam Gallagher, Al Gore, Hugh Grant, Geri Halliwell, Lewis Hamilton, Thomas Hardy, Prince Harry, Haydn, Charlton Heston, Buddy Holly, Mick Hucknall, Henrik Ibsen, Jeremy Irons, Samuel L. Jackson, Jean-Michel Jarre, Scarlett Johansson, Gene Kelly, Avril Lavigne, Jude Law, Gary Lineker, Lord Andrew Lloyd Webber, John McCain, Ian McEwan, Katie Melua, Claude Monet, Richard Nixon, Ozzy Osbourne, Sean Penn, Terry Pratchett, Ian Rankin, Lou Rawls, Burt Reynolds, Jonathan Ross, Rossini, William Shakespeare, Donna Summer, James Taylor, Leo Tolstoy, Henri Toulouse-Lautrec, Spencer Tracy, Carol Vorderman, the Prince of Wales, George Washington, the Duke of York, Emile Zola.
6 february 1913  | Water Ox |
| 24 january 1925 | Wood Ox |
| 11 february 1937 | Fire Ox |
| 29 january 1949 | Earth Ox |
| 15 february 1961 | Metal Ox |
| 3 february 1973 | Water Ox |
| 20 february 1985 | Wood Ox |
| 7 february 1997 | Fire Ox |
| 26 january 2009 | Earth Ox |
THE PERSONALITY OF THE OX
The more considered the way,
the more considerable the journey.
The Ox is born under the signs of equilibrium and tenacity. He is a hard and conscientious worker and sets about everything he does in a resolute, methodical and determined manner. He has considerable leadership qualities and is often admired for his tough and uncompromising nature. He knows what he wants to achieve in life and, as far as possible, will not be deflected from his ultimate objective.
The Ox takes his responsibilities and duties very seriously. He is decisive and quick to take advantage of any opportunity that comes his way. He is also sincere and places a great deal of trust in his friends and colleagues. He is, nevertheless, something of a loner. He is a quiet and private individual and often keeps his thoughts to himself. He also cherishes his independence and prefers to set about things in his own way rather than be bound by the dictates of others or influenced by outside pressures.
The Ox tends to have a calm and tranquil nature, but if something angers him or he feels that someone has let him down, he can have a fearsome temper. He can also be stubborn and obstinate and this can lead him into conflict with others. Usually he will succeed in getting his own way, but should things go against him he is a poor loser and will take any defeat or setback extremely badly.
The Ox is often a deep thinker and rather studious. He is not particularly renowned for his sense of humour and does not take kindly to new gimmicks or anything too innovative. He is too solid and traditional for that and prefers to stick to the more conventional norm.
His home is very important to him and in some respects he treats it as a private sanctuary. His family tends to be closely knit and the Ox will make sure that each member does their fair share around the house. He tends to be a hoarder, but he is always well organized and neat.