Challenged Roosters, Enriched Rats in 1996
Challenged Roosters, Enriched Rats in 1996
JAKARTA (JP): What will the Year of the Rat bring to both the
Rat and the other 11 animals of the Chinese zodiac?
Neil Somerville, in his book Your Chinese Horoscope 1996,
provides a glimpse into the future. The following are excerpts of
his forecasts:
THE RAT
31 January l900 - 18 February l901 -- Metal Rat
18 February l912 - 5 February l913 -- Water Rat
5 February 1924 - 24 January l925 -- Wood Rat
24 January 1936 - 10 February 1937 -- Fire Rat
10 February 1948 - 28 January l949 -- Earth Rat
28 January l960 - 14 February l961 -- Metal Rat
2 February l984 - 19 February 1985 -- Wood Rat
19 February l996 - 6 February l997 -- Fire Rat
The Year of the Rat starts on Feb. 19 and is going to be a
significant and enriching year for the Rat. From almost the very
start, he will feel more confident and more determined than ever
to make the most of himself and his many abilities.
By adopting and maintaining a positive stance, the Rat can
turn l996 into one of the most rewarding years he has enjoyed for
a long time. Almost all his activities will go well and bring him
pleasure but, in order to capitalize on the favorable trends that
prevail, he should decide on his priorities and resist temptation
to get involved in too many activities all at the same time.
Throughout l996 he should remain alert to all that is going
around him and follow up the openings that he sees.
Almost all Rats will make significant progress in their work
over the year and the months of March, April and October could be
particularly significant for career opportunities. But his level
of progress does rest with him. He should decide what he wants to
achieve over the year -- whether it is a new job, a change of
accommodation or attaining a personal ambition -- and should work
towards that goal. The aspects are most favorable and it is up to
the Rat himself to give of his best and take advantage of the
considerable opportunities that his own year brings.
For the bold and determined Rat, this can be a truly
auspicious and rewarding year.
THE OX
19 February l901 -- 7 February l902 -- Metal Ox
6 February l913 -- 24 January l914 -- Water Ox
25 January l925 -- 12 February l926 -- Wood Ox
11 February l937 -- 30 January l938 -- Fire Ox
29 January l949 -- 16 February l950 -- Earth Ox
15 February l961 -- 4 February l962 -- Metal Ox
3 February l973 -- 22 January l974 -- Water Ox
20 February l985 -- 8 February l986 -- Wood Ox
The Year of the Rat is going to be a favorable year for the
Ox. He can look forward to making progress in many of his
activities as well as enjoying several strokes of good fortune.
During the year, the Ox should continue to set about his
activities in his usual purposeful way. In his work he will
greatly impress others and many Oxen will be promoted or given
new and more challenging responsibilities.
The Ox has many talents and abilities and in the Year of the
Rat he should make the most of them. Any Ox who is dissatisfied
with his present position or is seeking work should remain alert
for opportunities to pursue. He can accomplish much in l996, but
it does rest with him to take the initiative. For those Oxen who
are prepared to be bold, the rewards of the year can be
considerable.
Generally, this will be a positive year for the Ox and he can
accomplish much in almost all areas of his life. Financial
matters are well aspected and there will be some excellent
opportunities for him to pursue in his work, particularly arising
out of changes that take place around him.
However, in l996 the Ox should resolve to make the most of his
abilities and be willing to adapt to new situations. He should
also remain mindful of the advice and views of others and, while
he does like to retain a certain independence in his actions, he
would be greatly assisted if he were more prepared to involve
others in his ideas and plans.
THE TIGER
8 February l902 -- 28 January l903 -- Water Tiger
25 January l914 -- 13 February l915 -- Wood Tiger
13 February l926 -- 1 February l927 -- Fire Tiger
31 January l938 -- 18 February l939 -- Earth Tiger
17 February 1950 -- 5 February l951 -- Metal Tiger
5 February l962 -- 24 January l963 -- Water Tiger
23 January l974 -- 10 February l975 -- Wood Tiger
9 February l986 -- 28 January l987 -- Fire Tiger
The Year of the Rat is going to be a variable year for the
Tiger. He could find his progress slow and not all his plans will
work out in the manner he would like. However, while the Year of
the Rat may not be the best years for the Tiger, he can still
turn this into a constructive and significant time. The Tiger is
blessed with many fine qualities; he is enterprising, has a wide
range of talents and is capable of much original thought. These
talents, together with his resourcefulness, will help him greatly
over the Rat year.
In 1996, the Tiger needs to put his activities carefully and
decide upon his priorities and objectives. This is not a year
when he can spread his energies too widely. In his work the Tiger
will need to proceed carefully and at all times bear in mind the
views of others. In all his activities, the Tiger does need to
work closely with others and curb his independent tendencies. He
should also try not to be impatient for results -- progress is
possible and will come, but it will take time and persistence.
Although l996 will be a variable year for the Tiger, it will
still hold some pleasurable times for him. His family and social
life will give him much pleasure and so too will his interests
and the traveling he undertakes.
However, he does need to be cautious when dealing with his
work and financial matters. This is not the year for taking risks
or pushing his luck too far. The Tiger needs to concentrate on
specific areas and proceed carefully and cautiously. Also, if he
is able to add to his skills and experience over the year, he
will find that this will stand him in good stead for the future.
THE RABBIT
29 January 1903 -- 15 February l904 -- Water Rabbit
14 February 1915 -- 2 February l916 -- Wood Rabbit
2 February l927 -- 22 January l928 -- Fire Rabbits
19 February l939 -- 7 February l940 -- Earth Rabbit
6 February l951 -- 26 January l952 -- Metal Rabbit
25 January l963 -- 12 February l964 -- Water Rabbit
11 February l975 -- 30 January l976 -- Wood Rabbit
29 January l987 -- 16 February l988 -- Fire Rabbit
The Year of the Rat is going to be a mixed year for the
Rabbit. During the year he will be able to make reasonable
progress with many of his activities, but he may also have to
contend with some problems and obstacles.
In his work the Rabbit can make substantial progress and for
those seeking work or wishing to transfer to another position,
the aspects are generally encouraging.
Many Rabbits will spot opportunities they can pursue in the
early months of the year and April and May could prove
particularly significant for career matters. However, while many
Rabbits will make progress in their work over the year, the
Rabbit still needs to exercise a certain caution in his
activities.
The Rabbit also needs to be his usual careful self when
dealing with financial matters. Again, this is not a year when he
can afford to take risks and he should avoid highly speculative
ventures. He also needs to handle his relations with others with
care; if not, he could find that other people let him down or
abuse the confidence he has placed in them. Fortunately, though,
the Rabbit is most perceptive when dealing with others and
throughout the year his usual good sense and judgment will
prevail.
Generally, 1996 will be a reasonable year for the rabbit and
there will be parts which he will very much enjoy.
THE DRAGON
16 February l904 -- 3 February l905 -- Wood Dragon
3 February l916 -- 22 January l917 -- Fire Dragon
23 January l928 -- 9 February l929 -- Earth Dragon
8 February l940 -- 26 January l941 -- Metal Dragon
27 January l952 -- 13 February l953 -- Water Dragon
13 February l964 -- 1 February l965 -- Wood Dragon
31 January l976 -- 17 February l977 -- Fire Dragon
17 February l988 -- 5 February l989 -- Earth Dragon
The Year of the Rat will be an excellent year for the Dragon.
Throughout the year he will make good progress with many of his
activities as well as enjoying some splendid times with his
family and friends.
To take advantage of the aspects that prevail, however, the
Dragon would do well to give himself some priorities for the year
and have some specific objectives to go after. By concentrating
his efforts, he can achieve much.
If the Dragon has any idea or projects he wishes to pursue,
this would be a good year to put them in motion. Those around him
will be generally supportive and he will find that most of what
he does in l996 will be well received. In the Year of the Rat,
the Dragon needs to give of his best and use his talents to the
fullest.
The Year of the Rat is one of the best years for the Dragon
and in almost all areas of his life, he will make pleasing gains
and obtain much satisfaction. There will be opportunities for
advancement in his career, a significant improvement in financial
matters and a splendid social and domestic life.
Also, for the unattached Dragon, this is an auspicious year
for romance. But, to maximize these trends, the Dragon needs to
remain positive and committed to his goals and aspirations. The
trends may be favorable, but the Dragon does need to act and take
full advantage of the opportunities that the year will bring.
THE SNAKE
4 February l905 -- 24 January l906 -- Wood Snake
23 January l917 -- 10 February l918 -- Fire Snake
10 February 1929 -- 29 January l930 -- Earth Snake
27 January l941 -- 14 February l942 -- Metal Snake
14 February l953 -- 2 February l954 -- Water Snake
2 February l965 -- 20 January l966 -- Wood Snake
18 February l977 -- 6 February l978 -- Fire Snake
6 February l989 -- 26 January l990 -- Earth Snake
The Year of the Rat is going to be an eventful year for the
Snake. He can make considerable progress in many of his
activities and, while not all that happens may be entirely to his
liking, he will still be pleased with what he is able to
accomplish.
The Snake generally likes to plan his activities and is not
one who cares to act without much careful thought. However,
several times during the year, he will find himself in a
situation where he will need to take decisions quickly and adapt
to changing situations. This particularly applies to his work.
In l996, several unexpected opportunities will occur and the
Snake will need to act quickly if he is to take advantage of
them. If not, he could miss some excellent chances and regret
what might have been.
Throughout the year, particularly in the early months of l996,
he needs to remain alert to all that is going on and pursue any
openings that he sees.
Generally, most of the Snake's activities will go well. In
work and financial matters, he can enjoy much success and both
his domestic and social life will give him considerable pleasure.
The Snake has many talents -- in l996 he must use them and give
of his best.
THE HORSE
25 January l906 -- 12 February l907 -- Fire Horse
11 February l918 -- 31 January l919 -- Earth Horse
30 January l930 -- 16 February l931 -- Metal Horse
15 February l942 -- 4 February l943 -- Water Horse
3 February l954 -- 23 January l955 -- Wood Horse
21 January l966 -- 8 February l967 -- Fire Horse
7 February l978 -- 27 January l979 -- Earth Horse
27 January l990 -- 14 February l991 -- Metal Horse
The Years of the Rat are generally not the best of years for
the Horse and he could find his level of progress slow. However,
although he may face some difficulties and delays, he can still
emerge from the year with some important gains to his credit.
l996 is a case of proceeding carefully and cautiously and leaving
nothing to chance. For the Horse, this is very much a year for
learning, planning and preparation.
As the Horse has such a sociable and outgoing nature, he
attaches much importance to his relations with others. However,
throughout the year, he does need to exercise care in his
relations with those around him. He should remain mindful of
their views and not to take their support for granted.
Similarly, if he wishes to proceed with any significant plans,
he should make sure he has the backing and support of those
around him. This is not a year when the Horse can act alone and
he will need to exercise restraint over his rather independent
and self-willed nature. To remain intransigent or inflexible
could make matters worse.
Although the Horse will need to exercise care and caution in
many of his activities, he can still accomplish much in l996. He
can make steady progress in his work, learn much from the
experience and prepare himself for the significant progress that
he will make in the next few years. The Year of the Rat may not
be the smoothest of years for him, but it can still be a valuable
and constructive year.
THE GOAT
13 February l907 -- 1 February l908 -- Fire Goat
1 February l919 -- 19 February l920 -- Earth Goat
17 February l931 -- 5 February l932 -- Metal Goat
5 February l943 -- 24 January 1944 -- Water Goat
24 January l955 -- 11 February l956 -- Wood Goat
9 February l967 -- 29 January l968 -- Fire Goats
28 January l979 -- 15 February l980 -- Earth Goat
15 February l991 -- 3 February l992 -- Metal Goat
The Year of the Rat is going to be another pleasing year for
him. The Goat can make progress in many of his activities over
the year as well as look forward to having some enjoyable times
with those around him.
To make the most of the year, however, the Goat needs to
decide upon his objectives and priorities. If not, he could
squander his energies by getting involved in too many activities
all at the same time or just going from one activity to another
without achieving as much as he could. By giving himself some
goal or specific task to go after, the Goat will be able to use
his time constructively and achieve more as result.
The Year of the Rat can be a constructive year for him but the
initiative and the effort must come from the Goat. In his work,
the Goat can make particularly good progress. Throughout the year
there will be several opportunities that he can pursue and many
Goats will take on new and more interesting responsibilities as
the year progresses.
The Goat can also look forward to an improvement in his
financial situation during the year and some goats could receive
money from an unexpected source.
Generally, l996 will be a constructive year for the Goat and
with a determined attitude he can achieve much. He also needs to
decide upon his priorities, plan his activities and then act.
Good fortune favors much of what he does and it rests with him to
take advantage of the trends that prevail. Providing he is
careful in money matters and arranges his activities well, he
will find this a pleasing constructive and satisfying year.
THE MONKEY
2 February l908 -- 21 January l909 -- Earth Monkey
20 February 1920 -- 7 February l921 -- Metal Monkey
6 February l932 -- 25 January l933 -- Water Monkey
25 January l944 -- 12 February l945 -- Wood Monkey
12 February l956 -- 30 January 1957 -- Fire Monkey
30 January l968 -- 16 February l969 -- Earth Monkey
16 February l980 -- 4 February l981 -- Metal Monkey
4 February l992 -- 22 January l993 -- Water Monkey
The Year of the Rat is going to be one of the best years that
the Monkey has enjoyed for some time. In almost every area of his
life, he will do well and opportunities for progress abound. The
Monkey is blessed with a most resourceful nature and this will be
a year in which he will not only enjoy himself but be able to
make the most of his considerable abilities.
Throughout the year those around the Monkey will be most
supportive and will do much to help him with his various
activities. The Monkey's family life in particular will be most
satisfying and many Monkeys can look forward to some memorable
family occasions over the year.
The Monkey will also do well in his work. Many Monkeys will be
given new and more interesting responsibilities over the year and
the opportunities for promotion or a move to a better position
are excellent.
Generally, l996 will be an excellent year for the Monkey and
it rests with him to make the most of the progressive trends that
prevail. Domestically and socially, he can look forward to some
happy times and in his work and career there will be some good
opportunities to improve upon his position.
Money matters will also go well. In l996 much is in the
monkey's favor, but to make the most of these auspicious trends,
he needs to decide upon his priorities and concentrate his
efforts on specific matters rather than spread his energies too
widely. With determination and his usual positive attitude, his
accomplishments over the year can be considerable.
THE ROOSTER
22 January l909 -- 9 February l910 -- Earth Rooster
8 February l921 -- 27 January l922 -- Metal Rooster
26 January l933 -- 13 February l934 -- Water Rooster
13 February l945 -- 1 February l946 -- Wood Rooster
31 January l957 -- 17 February l958 -- Fire Rooster
17 February l969 -- 5 February l970 -- Earth Rooster
5 February l981 -- 24 January l982 -- Metal Rooster
23 January l993 -- 9 February l994 -- Water Rooster
The Year of the Rat is going to be a challenging year for the
Rooster. Although he is a fine organizer, he could find that in
the Year of the Rat even the best laid plans go wrong and it may
be difficult for him to make as much progress as he would like.
However, while this may not be the best of years for the Rooster,
it is still possible for him to get much of value from it. He
will be able to widen his experience as well as lay the
foundations for the considerably better times that await him in
l997.
Throughout the Year of the Rat, however, the Rooster needs to
proceed carefully. In his work he should not take undue risks and
he should also pay close attention to the views and opinions of
all around him. This is not a year when he can afford to go it
alone or adopt too independent an attitude. To make any sort of
progress in l996 the Rooster does need the support and
cooperation of others.
The Rooster can consider l996 as a year for taking stock of
his present position, for learning and for laying the foundations
for the significant advances he will be making over the next few
years.
While the Rooster may not have things all his own way over the
year, he will still learn much from the year. As long as he sets
about his activities in his usual careful way and is willing to
adapt to changing situations, he can make steady progress. He
will also be pleased with the work that he carries out on his
home.
However, 1996 is not a year for taking risks or ignoring the
views and advice of others. If he remembers this, then the
Rooster will do much to mitigate the more adverse aspects of the
year. He will begin to notice a gradual upturn in his fortunes
towards the end of the year and this upturn will gather pace as
the next Chinese year, the Year of the Ox, approaches.
THE DOG
10 February l910 -- 29 January l911 -- Metal dog
28 January l922 -- 15 February l923 -- Water Dog
14 February l934 -- 3 February l935 -- Wood Dog
2 February l946 -- 21 January l947 -- Fire Dog
18 February l958 -- 7 February l959 -- Earth Dog
6 February l970 -- 26 January l971 -- Metal Dog
25 January l982 -- 12 February l983 -- Water Dog
10 February l994 -- 30 January l995 -- Wood Dog
The Year of the Rat will be a pleasing year for the Dog. In
many areas of his life he can look forward to making progress and
generally this will prove a most constructive year for him.
During the Year of the Rat, the Dog should set about his
activities with vigor and be determined to make the most of his
considerable talents. In his work he should promote his ideas,
follow up any opportunities he sees and also use any chance he
gets to widen his skills and experience.
The early months of the Year of the Rat, from March to May,
could prove most significant for career matters. The Dog also
needs to remain aware of the views of his colleagues as well as
keeping a close watch on all that is going on around him.
Sometimes the Dog does have a tendency to withdraw into
himself or keep his thoughts to himself and in l996 he should try
not to let this happen. This is a year of opportunity and he
needs to be positive and assertive.
Generally, the Dog will enjoy the Year of the Rat and if he
sets about his activities with determination and gives of his
best, then he can make splendid progress. Also if there is some
ambition or objective that he wishes to obtain, he should work
purposefully towards that objective.
He can achieve much over the year and he will find that
positive action on his part will lead to satisfying results. With
the progress he will make, an upturn in financial matters and a
pleasing domestic and social life, it will be a year the Dog will
greatly enjoy.
THE PIG
30 January l911 -- 17 February l912 -- Metal Pig
16 February l923 -- 4 February l924 -- Water Pig
4 February l935 -- 23 January 1936 -- Wood Pig
22 January l947 -- 9 February l948 -- Fire Pig
8 February l959 -- 27 January l960 -- Earth Pig
27 January l971 -- 14 February l972 -- Metal Pig
13 February l983 -- 1 February l984 -- Water Pig
31 January l995 -- 18 February l996 -- Wood Pig
The Year of the Rat is going to be a variable year for the
Pig. He can consolidate any recent gains he has made and make a
reasonable amount of progress, but it is not a year in which he
can afford to take risks or trust his luck too far.
In his work the Pig will continue to impress and his astute
business sense will be valued and appreciated. However, he will
need to work closely with others over the year and make sure he
has sufficient backing before commencing any new project. Most of
those around him will be keen to support and encourage him, but
he must not take this support for granted, nor adopt a too
independent or go-it-alone attitude.
Progress will come from close cooperation with others. The Pig
should also be wary of taking unnecessary risks and if he does
plan to make any changes in works, whether in seeking promotion
or switching to another type of work, he should find out what is
expected of him before he agrees to any commitment.
The Year of the Rat is, for the Pig, in many ways a year for
consolidation, a year for taking stock and a year for planning.
Providing the Pig proceeds carefully and cautiously over the
year, it will be a reasonable one for him. In many of his
activities, he can make steady progress as well as gain much
useful experience.
Also, the work he undertakes and ideas he develops now will
help prepare him for the advances he will make in the next few
years, particularly in l997, a much more favorable year for him.
However, the Year of the Rat will still contain many enjoyable
moments for the Pig and his family. Friends and travels will all
give him considerable pleasure.