Sat, 24 Dec 1994

Prudence necessary in 1995, the year of the Pig

Beginning on Chinese New Year's Day (Jan. 31) we will enter the year of the Pig. According to Chinese astrology, which is based on the moon, the personality of the pig will influence the year which bears its name. Your Chinese Horoscope 1995, by Neil Somerville, published by Aquarian, London, 1994, and a table of Chinese years is provided to help you find out which sign you were born under and what your prospects are like in the upcoming year. We also include your zodiac horoscope from Your Personal Horoscope for 1995, written by Joseph Polanski, from the same publisher and predictions on Indonesia in 1995 appears on page 1. These articles are compiled by our reporter Lenah Susianty .

JAKARTA (JP): In Chinese astrology, there are 12 signs named after 12 animals. How the signs acquired their names is outlined in a legend.

According to this legend, one Chinese New Year's Day, Buddha invited all the animals in his kingdom to come before him. Unfortunately, for reasons only known to the animals, only 12 turned up. The first to arrive was the Rat, followed by the Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Goat, Monkey, Rooster, Dog and finally the Pig.

In gratitude, the Buddha decided to name a year after each of the animals and those born during that year would inherit some of the personality of that animal. Therefore, those born in the year of the Ox would be hard working, resolute and stubborn, just like the Ox, while those born in the year of the Dog would be, like the dog, loyal and faithful.

To find out which sign you were born under, refer to the table below. As the Chinese year is based on the lunar year and does not start until late January or early February, it is particularly important for anyone born in those two months to check the dates of the Chinese year in which they were born carefully.

The 1995 Chinese year starts on Jan. 31. Until then, the old year, the year of the Dog, is still making its presence felt. After the Jan. 31, it is the Pig which will rule.

Although the Pig may not be the most gainly of creatures, in Chinese horoscopes this sign is blessed with many virtues. The Pig is generally considered a genial, good-natured sign with a great capacity to enjoy itself and some of these traits will be evident in the year of the Pig.

1995 Prospects for:

The Rat

This will be a generally positive year for the Rat and his accomplishments will go a long way towards preparing him for his fortune successes, particularly for those in his own year of 1996. Throughout 1995, however, he should actively pursue any opportunities that he sees, widen his experience and also give some thought to his future objectives. In many of his activities the Rat would do well to join forces with others rather than retain too independent an attitude.

Although the Rat is usually careful in financial matters, he can sometimes be indulgent and extravagant in his personal spending. In 1995 he should keep a careful watch on his level of expenditure and not take any unnecessary risks with his money. This is a year for care and prudence.

The Rat can make significant progress in his career and many Rats will move to a better and more rewarding position. This is a year to remain positive and determined.

Socially, this will be a good year, with opportunities for new friends and romance well aspected. However, throughout 1995 the Rat needs to pay careful attention to the views of others and make sure that he has the necessary support before starting any new enterprise.

The Ox

A positive and fulfilling year ahead. Many Oxen will see several changes taking place in their life and out of these will emerge new and brighter opportunities. This is a year for the Ox to pursue his ambitions and if, in recent times, he has felt he has been in a rut or has been dissatisfied with his progress, 1995 is the year to take positive action. For the determined Ox, this can be a successful and rewarding year.

A highly favorable year for financial matters.

This will be a year of considerable opportunity for the Ox. He should remain alert to all that is going on around him and follow up any openings that he sees. Changes that take place over the year can bring some excellent opportunities for him.

Romantically and socially, this will be a favorable year. However, the Ox will need to deal with family and domestic matters with care and remain mindful of the views of those around him.

The Tiger

The year of the Pig will favor innovation and enterprise, two qualities very strong in the Tiger. He is likely to thrive throughout the year and can look forward to making considerable progress in many areas of his life.

One area which is especially well aspected for the Tiger is his work. If he is seeking employment, promotion or a new position, he should pursue any opportunities that he sees and, even if at the first attempt he is not successful, he should persist until he has got what he wants.

The Tiger does, however, need to exercise care in financial matters. He should not get involved in any risky or speculative ventures. He also needs to exercise great care if he gets involved in any legal matter over the year.

On a more positive note, the Tiger can look forward to leading a pleasing social life over the year. For the unattached Tiger there will be plenty of opportunities to make new friends although it would be in his interests to let any new romance build up gradually rather than rush into any commitment.

The Rabbit

This is going to be a reasonably good year for the Rabbit. In some areas of his life the Rabbit will do particularly well, but in others he will need to exercise a certain amount of caution and restraint.

The most positive aspects of the year concern his relations with others. With his friendly and considerate manner, the Rabbit is highly regarded by others and over the year he will be much in demand with those around him. His family, in particular, is likely to give him considerable pleasure. He can also look forward to being involved in a family celebration over the year and for those unattached, the prospects for romance and for marriage continue to be highly favorable.

The Rabbit also needs to exercise care in work and financial matters over the year. Progress in his work is possible, and indeed many Rabbits will do well over the year, but this will only come about by careful planning, preparation and concentrated effort. This is not the year for the Rabbit to trust his luck too far or to take unnecessary risks.

The Rabbit will derive much pleasure from his hobbies and interests over the year. The Pig Year very much favors creative and artistic pursuits and for those Rabbits who are interested in these areas this is the time to take the initiative and to bring their talents to the attention of others.

The Dragon

The Dragon has many talents and he can put these to good use over the year. This is a time for him to actively pursue his ambitions and to be his bold and enterprising self. Property matters do need careful handling, but travel is well aspected.

The Dragon will see an upturn in his financial situation over the year and could be successful in some investments he makes.

The Dragon can make substantial progress over the year. If he is able to widen his experience he will find this will do much to help his future prospects. He should advance any ideas he has.

Both domestically and socially the year will contain some happy times. There will be opportunities for new friendships and romance, but romantic matters do need careful handling. Also, the Dragon could find himself in a disagreement with someone over the year and it would be his interests to resolve the problem as quickly and amicably as he can.

The Snake

A challenging year. The Snake should be cautious in his various activities and remain alert and watchful to all that is going on around him. He should also give much thought for his future. The experience he gains and the plans he makes in 1995 will prove very significant in the next few years.

The Snake can be highly successful in financial matters provided he does not take unnecessary risks with his money.

The Snake should continue to set about his work in his usual conscientious manner and follow up any opportunities that he sees. He should avoid taking risks or trying to accomplish too much too soon. He would also do well to widen his experience over the year.

The Snake's relations with others will go reasonably well over the year although he should remain mindful of the views and interests of those around him and involve others in his various activities. His social life will be pleasurable with plenty of opportunities for romance.

The Horse

A reasonable year, while the Horse will make progress, he could experience problems and delays with some of his activities. He will do best by concentrating on specific matters and not taking on too much all at the same time. As the year will be quite demanding, he should also make sure he does not neglect his own well-being and devotes time to any of his interests that would help him to rest and unwind.

Many Horses will see a noticeable upturn in financial matters over the year. Transactions concerning property, do, however, need careful handling.

On career prospects, it will be a year of positive progress and interesting new challenges.

The Horse's domestic and social life will bring him much pleasure in 1995 and he would do well to bear in mind any advice that relatives and friends give him over the year. They will always speak with his best interests at heart. Romantic matters are well aspected.

The Goat

A favorable year ahead. The Goat should set about his activities with renewed determination and if he has any objective he wishes to achieve or wants to improve upon his present position, then he should act. The bold and determined Goat will accomplish much over the year.

A generally good year for financial matters, although, with his sometimes rather indulgent nature, the Goat would do well to keep a watch on his general level of spending. However, he could be fortunate in making several worthwhile acquisitions over the year, particularly items for his home.

The Goat can do very well in his career over the year. He should actively follow up any opportunities that he sees and promote himself and his skills. Many Goats will be successful in gaining new responsibilities and a better position in 1995.

The Monkey

A reasonably good year but the Monkey should plan his activities carefully and avoid taking unnecessary risks. He would do well to set himself some objectives to aim for and concentrate on these rather than spread his energies too widely. With a careful and positive approach he can accomplish much in 1995, but legal matters and important paperwork do need careful handling.

A generally good year for financial matters, although the Monkey should not take unnecessary risks or become complacent in money matters. If he is careful and prudent, he will see a steady improvement in his finances.

Good progress is possible. However, the Monkey does need to work closely with others and pay careful attention to all that is going around him. Although he likes to be his own master, 1995 is not a year when he can rely just on his own efforts. He should pursue the opportunities that he sees and would also do well to give some thought to his longer-term future.

Domestically and socially, this will be an active and generally happy year for the Monkey. However, to preserve friendships and domestic harmony, he needs to pay careful attention to the interests and views of those around him.

The Rooster

A year of considerable opportunities. However, the Rooster should have some idea of what he wants to achieve over the year and go after his objectives in his usual determined and methodical manner. The year will contain many happy times for him although accommodation and property matters need careful handling.

A good year for financial matters, although the Rooster should be very wary about spending large amounts on the spur of the moment.

A year of pleasing progress. There will be opportunities for new positions or promotion and most Roosters will be able to usefully widen their skills and experience over the year. The Rooster should actively follow up any opportunities that he sees and with a positive and determined attitude he can do extremely well.

This will be a happy and enjoyable year both domestically and socially. However, throughout the year the Rooster should be prepared to work closely with others and pay careful attention to all that is going on around him. To become too occupied with his own concerns could cause problems. A favorable year for romance.

The Dog

A busy but fulfilling year. The Dog should continue to set about his activities in his usual conscientious way and pursue any opportunities that he sees. He can make good and constructive progress. Travel plans do need careful attention but generally, despite the demanding nature of the year, 1995 will still contain many happy times for him.

A good year for financial matters. If the Dog is able to make any savings for his long-term future he could find these will develop into a useful asset in years to come.

A year of considerable potential for career prospects. The Dog should pursue any openings that he sees and use any opportunity that he gets to extend his skills and experience. This will be a year of change and progress.

An active time domestically and socially. The Dog's family and friends will give him much pleasure and he can look forward to many happy times with them. If he has any problems or feels under any pressure he should not hesitate to seek assistance and will be greatly helped by those around him.

The Pig

A super year ahead. However, the Pig needs to give some thought to what he wishes to achieve over the year and work purposefully towards his objectives. This will be a year of great progress and by giving of his best, the Pig can achieve a great deal. Positive and determined action will bring results.

A favorable year for financial matters, although it would still be in the Pig's interests to remain prudent in his financial dealings. Sometimes he can be a little too carefree in his spending and any surplus he has built up could quickly evaporate. With care, caution and restraint, his financial situation will greatly improve over the year.

Great progress is possible in term of career. But the Pig needs to push himself forward, promote his talents and ideas and go after the opportunities that he sees. By acting boldly and determinedly, he can do very well in work matters.

The Pig is a very sociable sign and in 1995 he will be in his element. He will enjoy many happy times with his family and friends and, for the unattached Pig, this will be a year of great romance. This, his own year, will be a time the Pig will enjoy and remember.