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Updated Monday, February 4, 2008 0:00 am TWN, By Scott B. Freiberger, Special to the China Post

Shocking Predictions for the Year of the Rat

According to Chinese legend, Buddha invited all animals of the world for a visit, yet only twelve dignified his request; the rat was the first to appear. Therefore, each animal year occurs every twelve years, with the rat representing the first lunar year. The rat symbolizes new opportunities in personal finance and romance, so the Year of the Rat should be a good time to marry, change jobs or embark on a new career. Naturally adept and hard-working, rats should experience resolve in many financial or personal difficulties that had transpired during the Year of the Pig. Those who had planned carefully and showed cunning and resourcefulness, characteristics particular to rats, should also reap the benefits of their sow this coming year.

Looking closer at the Chinese Hsia calen (夏曆), which includes the Four Pillars of Destiny, known in Chinese as "ba zi" (八字), and delving deeper into Chinese astrology can better help to predict the future. Rat years are influenced by the five Chinese elements, metal (金) (1900 and 1960), water (水) (1912 and 1972), wood (木) (1924 and 1984), fire (火) (1936 and 1996) and earth (土) (1948 and 2008). This year the Hsia calendar shows two elements, earth on top of water. Earth means calm and stability, but considering its location above water, its foundation may be fragile. What does this mean in terms of what lies ahead in the Republic of China? We should expect to see more stability coupled with underlying tension this Earth Rat year, along with a heightened concern for how economics and politics bear on personal status and the family.

POLITICS: 2008 should be a dramatic time of continued change, with most people seeking a return to stability. In politics we've seen recent leadership changes in the U.S., Europe, and Asia, including here on Taiwan, and this trend should continue. Expect to see an emphasis on economic security and political stability, with Taiwanese focusing on acquiring wealth rather than defining national identity to attain regional stability.

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