Chinese Astrology Predictions 2008: the Rat

A new 12-year cycle started at Feb 7, 2008 with the Year of the Rat according to the Chinese calendar. This important cycle (else era) ends at Feb 5, 2019. It is a 12-year period generally ruled by the universal element of Earth. There are also other elements which rule over each of the 12 years. For example Earth rules over the first and the second year of the cycle (2008, 2009) while Metal rules over the third and the fourth year of the cycle (2010, 2011). The year 2008 is also ruled by the sign of the Rat and has a Yang (male) nature. So 2008 is the Yang year of the Earth Rat. What are the predictions for the sign of the Rat for 2008? This is what this article is all about.

Rat people waited a long time for this year to come. Not only because 2008 is their favorite year but because a new era began and they are preparing to dominate it. So this year will be a preparation year for the Rats. They will carefully plan their moves and adjust their goals in order to lead and conquer the new 12-year era.

During 2008 Rat people will use their passionate characters and their charm in order to approach others and claim everything they have in mind. They will develop a smart tactic as usual and will try to dominate everything. They tend to develop perfectly exploiting strategies that never fail.

The Rat can be a cruel sign and the element of Earth will make it even more cruel and dangerous. Rat people should not be challenged during this year. If you challenge them they will probably do and say bad things they will later regret, but there will be no turning back. Other signs must be very careful when dealing with Rats.

The Rat people plans will start to be revealed at the end of the year, around December. That is, because Rats do not like to show what they have in mind (goals) unless they are sure it will be something successful and big. So, first they will prepare, make some tests, necessary modifications and later they will reveal their system. This system will affect the entire 12-year cycle. They will never show every part of it though.

2008 is also a great year for Rat people to develop their communication skills and deal with social issues. It also a good time to resolve family matters that have been left behind. Family is very important for Rat people and they will have to fight in order to protect it and keep it safe .

This year has a Yang (male) nature year which will make the Rat people aggressive and manipulative. It will also offer them opportunities to engage in occult activities.

Here are my predictions using the five star system. This has to do with the overall positive energy that the Rat will receive during 2008. One star (*) means less energy than expected, while five stars (*****) mean more energy than expected. Three stars (***) mean equal amount of positive and negative energy which is a balanced situation:

Rat energy prediction for 2008
Work issues:****
Love issues:****
Social issues:*****
Spiritual issues:**
Body issues:***