Astrology 2008 for all signs -­Chinese Astrology and How the Years of the Monkey, Rooster, Dog and Boar Affect the Year of the Earth Rat

by Robert Wilkinson

Usually what I post falls within the realm of “Western Astrology,” i.e., astrology generally derived from the Greco-Roman-Babylonian model established thousands of years ago. Over the years, Western Astrology has greatly evolved beyond its roots in that era, so that most of what we now know to be "Western Astrology" bears zero resemblance to what our ancestors studied and practiced. Every culture has had its form of astrology, and there are also many other types of astrology practiced in our world. Today we examine elements of Chinese Astrology that we may know more of what we've been through and what is to come.

The two most prominent forms of "Eastern Astrology" are Vedic Astrology, derived from the Vedas, ancient Holy books of India, and Chinese Astrology, supposedly the elaboration of the twelve creatures who first made obeisance to the Buddha, indicative of the twelve types of natural human characteristics. Eastern systems are more based in Lunar cycles, whereas Western Astrology has a much different focus and is primarily a Solar based system.

However, most systems have 12 “signs” of some sort, and Chinese astrology is no exception. In this three part series of articles we will elaborate on the Chinese Astrological indicators regarding the quality of recent past years as well as the year to come, said to be the year of the Earth Rat which begins February 6-7, 2008.

In Chinese Astrology, as in other systems, there are twelve "signs." However, there are five elements, rather than the four elements of Western Astrology. In Chinese Astrology, people born in years ending in 0 or 1 are said to be Metal; those born in years ending in 2 or 3 are Water; those born in years ending in 4 or 5 are Wood; those born in years ending in 6 or 7 are Fire; and those born in years ending in 8 or 9 are Earth.

This gives a natural cycle of 60 years, which is a very significant number in both Chinese and Vedic Astrology, and symbolizes the halfway point in an archetypal human life. Each element plus animal gives a specific quality to that human characteristic, and so the possibilities are quite extensive. That being said, let's explore some qualities of the past in the context of Chinese Astrology, so that we might understand how the year ahead will be different than the energies of the present.

2007, the Year of the Fire Boar, and 2006, the Year of the Fire Dog, were radically different than the two preceding years, since the element shifted away from two years of Wood into two years of Fire. The year coming is the Year of the Earth Rat, bringing a grounding energy and sharpness to the the twin Fire pulse initiated by the Fire Dog and Fire Boar. 2005 was the year of the Wood Rooster, and put everyone I know through the proverbial ringer. Roosters crow and crow, talk and talk, symbols of that which heralds a new day.

Here's the article on 2005, the Year of the Wood Rooster, while this link will take you to What the Wood Rooster meant for your specific sign. You may also be interested in 2004, the year of the Wood Monkey, which also contains commentary on 2003, the Year of the Water Goat, as well as Western Astrology influences for 2004.

In brief, the year of the Wood Rooster (2005) was about vitality, meticulous work, and getting jobs done asap without excess crowing. It was a serious year of many short term tasks, where long term aggravations were dealt with and stagnant habits were dropped even though there was a lot of annoying talk. We had opportunities to find new youthfulness in spirit and approach, new friends and allies, and putting on the show! Conforming to the mainstream paid better dividends than being iconoclastic. In last year's article, I wrote there would be abuses of police and military authority, and we saw plenty of that, from secret CIA torture facilities to our government being busted for kidnapping foreign citizens in foreign countries.

That changed in 2006, the year of the Fire Dog. Dogs are humanitarians and want equality, fairness, and justice because they believe in the goodness of humanity. That year was about service and a sense of purpose to do our best. Dogs are brave, loyal, and will sacrifice whatever they need to. They are fierce in defending their loved ones when attacked.

That year we searched for equilibrium, altruism, and what we could care about. It was been a time of social reform and giving strength to others. We examined our faith, courage, honesty, and generosity while defending against those who may not be honorable. Not a particularly relaxing year, we were able to accomplish much through hard work, team work, and intelligence.

As I wrote about 2006:

In the year of the Dog, there is usually a general improvement in the human condition, and an end to wars and conflicts. Expect an atmosphere of confidence and optimism, and temporary improved economic conditions.... expect an increase in humanitarianism, justice, and devotion to higher ideals of service and loyalty. Many relationships will move toward their ideal state... Science and technology should also show some amazing breakthroughs, and collectively we should find solutions to long-standing problems, including environmental ones. Careers should develop fairly nicely this year as a result of prior loyalties and hard work. Find the plan of action, stick with it, and perseverance should bring great happiness and rewards.

...during the year of the Fire Dog, there will be pessimism and anxiety, so be calm and find hope and optimism. Avoid being defensive while taking precautionary steps in your affairs. Vigilance is a virtue, and it will be easier to practice generosity and goodwill. Generosity is an attitude, a spirit of abundant view that allows for much, so take the widest view.... Because it's such a liberal year, favoring progressive and just policy, expect revolutionary political developments. Idealism and big schemes are in the air, as are prosperity, good will, and generosity. Expect plenty of political action, with a sharp move toward liberalism and reform. The idealism of these years often produces revolutions.

Since 2007 continued the Fiery quality there was a continuity in the inspirational, movable, warming and illuminating quality that Fire brings to all things, while we moved away from the qualities of the Dog into the qualities of the Boar. There was less defensiveness, more partying, less guarding, more enjoyment of friends, things, and life. There were other important developments as well which prepared us for the Year of the Earth Rat in 2008 and the Earth Ox in 2009. We warmed up enjoyed more, and were brightened, though many things flamed out of control the past year.

A brief look at the coming Year of the Earth Rat shows the next 12 months will be characterized by practicality and a no nonsense approach to things, with new initiatives on the horizon requiring intelligence, quick perception, and speedy calculated action. We also have the power to find calm in the storms, and disciplined and methodical ways to accomplish our goals. It is time to plan for the future and make long range practical investments.

This year continues to favor congeniality and pleasant interactions with others, though this combo of energies can also be very opinionated, judgmental, and self-righteous. Thus the political realm may feature many accusations, attacks, and sudden reversals, appearances, or surprises of major import. I'll discuss more about the coming year for the individual signs in the near future.

We're still in the Year of the Fire Boar, and will be until February 6-7, 2008. As I wrote last year:

"...It's going to be a wild ride with some radical transformations, so get ready to enjoy yourself as friends appear and things accelerate to warp drive speed.... situations will accelerate, gathering speed very quickly in the coming year. We will all feel a distinct quickening. Because the Boar is about justice and enjoyable things, there will be much social and political activism this coming year. We will see "crusades," as well as the reaction by those who oppose whatever cause is being espoused.

This is a fervent, idealistic energy wanting progress and well being as soon as possible. There will be noble, as well as misguided, efforts this year to create positive change. Some things need to be evaluated as to how realistic they are, or are the rewards worth the effort? The best way to use the energies of this year is to find means of securing quick yet moderate gains, one step at a time, so that things don't spin out of control. There will be a tendency for some to feel victimized by others not recognizing their efforts.

In the year of the Fire Boar, because things can spin out of control so quickly, it's not good for inflamed parts of the world. Thus it's a year for radical transformations in lives and events, and things will erupt pretty quickly this year.

This is a stubbornly opinionated energy, and we will see battle lines being drawn between the progressives and regressives everywhere. Convictions run high and strong during this year, so flexibility will be the virtue to bring to all encounters, as well as a moderating calm. This will be most needed when people get grumpy or start complaining about things. The best thing is to stay open to new ideas, read more, learn more, blending the wisdom of the old with the acceleration of new energy in the present. This can be good for building bridges with others who have different points of view.

... Intrigues are en vogue this year, so look for lots of clandestine activity that ultimately is exposed when things erupt... These are years of dramatic changes in terms of the luck of wealth, career and relationships. For good or ill, the changes tend to be fairly extreme among all the signs.

Active, outgoing and extroverted, this year should breathe new life into our efforts. This year we should reap the rewards of perseverance in the year of the Fire Dog, so be bold, take calculated risks, and show some Spirit as you work hard to bring things into being.

It's a year when creativity and comfort should be cultivated, as well as enthusiasm for taking on new responsibilities and helping others in need. Just be careful to moderate income and outflow, since it's easy to overdo things in this year. Knowing boundaries will be important, as will knowing when to stop, whether giving or pushing or striving.

I'll be posting more articles about the coming year in the near future. Since what I wrote here contained excerpts from the articles on the Year of the Fire Dog, as well as the Year of the Fire Boar, or Pig, if you want to read more about the past two years, go to the links.

With highest respects, I also want to thank Suzanne White for her life work in the field of Chinese Astrology, and highly recommend that if you're interested in the subject, pick up any of the books she's written, since they're informative, entertaining, and well-written. It's extraordinary material from an extraordinary woman.

All articles © Copyright 2008 Robert Wilkinson

Comments

[Micheline]

hi, I know that i am a wood dragon and that i am born the hour of the pig, and the day of the ox and i think the month december is the rat month but not sure
i forget
although i am supposed to get on really good with rats
i did go out with a couple and it never worked out
in the relationship department not doing too great
but i am learning how to improve myself and my skills in that departement
(well as far as boyfriends go, otherwise everyone loves me for some funny reason I guess they think I am charming or something like that )

[Micheline]

oh well maybe its my leo ac cause people think of me as warm and loving and they always think i am taller then i actually am (only 5.3 and half tall)
hahahahaha

[Pamela]

Robert :
2008 should be a good year for all Rats not just earth rats. For example, I am a metal rat.

Regards,
Pamela

[Don]

Hey all-

I am the year of the sheep and am written to get along with the cow and the sheep.

Robert did you know that my "wealth" direction is the same as my "fame or reputation" direction? Have you known that since our first reading? Does that mean that if I don't make it in a big way I will always be poor?...in Feng Shui? Right now at my job I am standing West in my death direction, I hope I stay alive!

Love and Blessings (Mercury conjunct Venus conjunct Neptune). Robert I also just realized that all this time my love and blessings greeting has to do with my planets. Duh!

[Don]

Cow, sheep,rabbit.

Don.

[Mary Lee]

Dear Robert,
I have just recently found your site and it's become a favorite. You write in a way that even people like me, a complete novice, can even understand. I will admit that when the talk turns highly technical(sextile/nodes/conjunct etc..) it becomes Greek to me, but I am learning thanks to you!
Thanks for including the Chinese astrology too.(I am a metal dog.) I look forward to your sign by sign approach in the following posts.

[Damien]

How about for metal roosters?

[michele]

Robert GREAT talk today @ the new age center. So happy i was able to hear your words of wisdom, insight and foretelling.
as always you are a wealth of useful info & direction.

aum shanti

michele :-)

[Robert]

Hi Micheline - I do love the levels of complexity to Chinese Astrology. I know a bit about it, but there are others who do get into the days and hours that influence us, which also provides Oriental Medical Practitioners with valuable information in the treatment of diseases. And of course, some signs do get along better with certain signs than others. Nothing wrong with charm! I believe that it's better to cultivate oneself and attract a great friend to hang with than to settle for someone that's not really suitable for us down the line.

Hi Pamela - I agree it's supposed to be good for all those born in the Year of the Rat, as well as Tiger, Dragon, Horse, Monkey, and Dog, though these are generalizations. Of course, there are also other factors that will contribute to harmony or friction between any two signs, such as element. While rats are supposed to get along, it would be difficult for a metal Rat to get along with a water Rat since water overcomes metal. Metal overcomes Earth so theoretically this should be a good year for all Metal beings.

Hi Don - Feng Shui is a great craft to learn. I knew quite a bit about 12-14 years ago but didn't keep it up. Sheep get along with a lot of signs. No, you're not relegated to being poor - no one is unless they want poverty for whatever good or bad reason. I'm sure you'll find your way to effectiveness, and if that entails making money, I'm sure you'll find a way.

Hi Mary Lee - Thanks for your praise of the work. I'm glad I am able to express what I can, given the many ways language can fail us. I try to offer something for the professional astrologer, the amateur, and those who know little or nothing. If the jargon doesn't make sense, get a feel for what I'm saying with the other descriptors I'm using to elaborate on the concepts. Will get some other posts up soon, though I am on the road so connectivity is limited.

Hi Damien - Will do an article on the specific signs as soon as I can. Remember, you can still go back to the articles on the Fire Boar and read what's happening right now. The Earth Rat won't start until the eclipse on February 6-7, so there's still a lot of time to explore what's been and what's coming.

Hi Michele - Glad you could make it to the talk. I thought it went well, given the quantity of info I had to cover in a short period of time. I may see if there's a way to post a piece of it on this site somehow. Or I may have to post it on Facebook. Of course I'm looking forward to getting into interview mode with you when I'm back home.

[robyn]

i'm a snake.

my best friend of 12 years + just mentioned that i love the chase.
i do.

the year should be interesting.