Your Chinese Horoscope 2009: What the Year of the Ox Holds in Store for You

Many of the Earth Rats in work will have been involved in recent change and in the Ox year they will often have more chance to focus on their particular duties and use their strengths to advantage. However, while this will be an often more fulfilling year, there will still be pressures and sometimes problems to be overcome. Nevertheless, the Ox year does bring out the best in people and it will give the Earth Rat the chance to draw on his often considerable experience. Over the year many colleagues will look to him for advice and some Earth Rats will be given the role of mentoring and training others. Work-wise, this may be a busy year, but it can be a satisfying one.

Many Earth Rats will remain with their present employer during the year, but for those keen to move on to greater responsibilities or alter their commitments, the Ox year can again bring good opportunities. However, these do need to be sought out and those Earth Rats intent on change will need to make enquiries as well as be active in seeking advice and information. Sometimes the changes they may be considering could have other implications, perhaps financial or involving alterations to their working pattern, and these do need to be carefully thought through. These Earth Rats’ plans will take time and effort to achieve, but by remaining alert, they will find possibilities opening up for them. The period from March to mid-April and June, October and November could see some interesting developments.

This also applies to those Earth Rats seeking work. By widening the scope of what they are prepared to consider and persisting in their quest, many will secure a position that will prove an interesting way both to use and extend their experience.

Another benefit of the year will be the chance the Earth Rat has to add to his skills. In his work this could be through taking on new responsibilities, but as far as his personal interests are concerned, if there is a technique or skill that could help him get more from what he does, he should set time aside to acquire this. Whether through practice, study or enrolling on a course, by furthering his knowledge in some way the Earth Rat will derive much satisfaction from his interests. For some Earth Rats, new interests and skills could also open up some exciting possibilities. This is very much a time favouring personal development.

As far as financial matters are concerned, however, this is a year for careful management. With possible family and accommodation expenses and other plans, including travel, the Earth Rat does need to keep watch over his outgoings as well as set funds aside for forthcoming expenses. The more control he has, the more he will ultimately be able to do. He should also be careful when dealing with financial paperwork. To delay or not give matters sufficient attention could be to his detriment. Earth Rats, take note and do be thorough and careful in money matters.

Being born under the sign of charm, the Earth Rat always attaches a great deal of importance to his relations with others and this year he can look forward to some rewarding times. In his domestic life he will enjoy setting about various household activities and for quite a few Earth Rats the year will have a strong practical element, including possible home improvements. By carefully considering their options, these Earth Rats will often delight in what they are able to achieve. The Earth Rat will also find others supportive and will benefit from their ideas. In addition some ideas of his own, possibly concerning trips out, a holiday or a treat he thinks his loved ones may enjoy, can lead to some particularly appreciated occasions and his thoughtfulness and care will add a lot to the quality of his home life. Domestically, this will be an active but rewarding year.

This will also be a gratifying year on a social level, with the Earth Rat again enjoying spending time with his friends. Often both existing and new interests can bring him into contact with others, and enrolling on courses, undertaking training or joining in with local activities can lead to him getting to know quite a few new people. Those Earth Rats who would welcome new friendships will find their activities over the year can bring a real improvement in their situation. The months from mid-March to May and August to early October could see the most social activity.

In most respects this will be a positive year for the Earth Rat and it will bring some good opportunities for him to develop his skills and interests. His domestic and social life can also bring him much pleasure. However, the Ox year will not be without its pressures and many Earth Rats will find themselves with a heavy workload, challenges to meet or situations not changing as quickly as they would like. Parts of the Ox year will ask a lot of the Earth Rat, but it can bring out his strengths as well as add to his experience. With care, discipline and the goodwill and support of others, the Earth Rat will be generally pleased with what he is able to accomplish.

TIP FOR THE YEAR

The support of others will be an important and encouraging factor over the year. Although you may already do a great deal for your loved ones, make sure this is a two-way process and at times of pressure, do ask for help. It will make a considerable difference to your year and what you ultimately get to do.

FAMOUS RATS

Ben Affleck, Ursula Andress, Louis Armstrong, Lauren Bacall, Shirley Bassey, Kathy Bates, Irving Berlin, Silvio Berlusconi, Kenneth Branagh, Marlon Brando, Charlotte Brontë, Jackson Browne, George H. W. Bush, Glen Campbell, David Carradine, Jimmy Carter, Aaron Copland, Cameron Diaz, David Duchovny, Noël Edmonds, T. S. Eliot, Eminem, Colin Firth, Clark Gable, Liam Gallagher, Al Gore, Hugh Grant, Geri Halliwell, Lewis Hamilton, Thomas Hardy, Prince Harry, Haydn, Charlton Heston, Buddy Holly, Mick Hucknall, Henrik Ibsen, Jeremy Irons, Samuel L. Jackson, Jean-Michel Jarre, Scarlett Johansson, Gene Kelly, Avril Lavigne, Jude Law, Gary Lineker, Lord Andrew Lloyd Webber, John McCain, Ian McEwan, Katie Melua, Claude Monet, Richard Nixon, Ozzy Osbourne, Sean Penn, Terry Pratchett, Ian Rankin, Lou Rawls, Burt Reynolds, Jonathan Ross, Rossini, William Shakespeare, Donna Summer, James Taylor, Leo Tolstoy, Henri Toulouse-Lautrec, Spencer Tracy, Carol Vorderman, the Prince of Wales, George Washington, the Duke of York, Emile Zola.

THE OX (#ulink_e957e2d3-70ec-5a52-a341-621dc8dce83a)

THE PERSONALITY OF THE OX

The more considered the way,

the more considerable the journey.

The Ox is born under the signs of equilibrium and tenacity. He is a hard and conscientious worker and sets about everything he does in a resolute, methodical and determined manner. He has considerable leadership qualities and is often admired for his tough and uncompromising nature. He knows what he wants to achieve in life and, as far as possible, will not be deflected from his ultimate objective.

The Ox takes his responsibilities and duties very seriously. He is decisive and quick to take advantage of any opportunity that comes his way. He is also sincere and places a great deal of trust in his friends and colleagues. He is, nevertheless, something of a loner. He is a quiet and private individual and often keeps his thoughts to himself. He also cherishes his independence and prefers to set about things in his own way rather than be bound by the dictates of others or influenced by outside pressures.

The Ox tends to have a calm and tranquil nature, but if something angers him or he feels that someone has let him down, he can have a fearsome temper. He can also be stubborn and obstinate and this can lead him into conflict with others. Usually he will succeed in getting his own way, but should things go against him he is a poor loser and will take any defeat or setback extremely badly.

The Ox is often a deep thinker and rather studious. He is not particularly renowned for his sense of humour and does not take kindly to new gimmicks or anything too innovative. He is too solid and traditional for that and prefers to stick to the more conventional norm.

His home is very important to him and in some respects he treats it as a private sanctuary. His family tends to be closely knit and the Ox will make sure that each member does their fair share around the house. He tends to be a hoarder, but he is always well organized and neat. He also places great importance on punctuality and there is nothing that infuriates him more than to be kept waiting, particularly if it is due to someone’s inefficiency. The Ox can be a hard taskmaster!

Once settled in a job or house the Ox will quite happily remain there for many years. He does not like change and he is also not particularly keen on travel. He does, however, enjoy gardening and other outdoor pursuits and he will often spend much of his spare time out of doors. He is usually an excellent gardener and whenever possible will make sure he has a large area of ground to maintain. He usually prefers to live in the country rather than the town.

Due to his dedicated and dependable nature the Ox will usually do well in his chosen career, providing he is given enough freedom to act on his own initiative. He invariably does well in politics, agriculture and in careers that need specialized training. He is also very gifted artistically and many Oxen have enjoyed considerable success as musicians or composers.

The Ox is not as outgoing as some and it often takes him a long time to establish friendships and feel relaxed in another person’s company. His courtships are likely to be long, but once he is settled he will remain devoted and loyal to his partner. The Ox is particularly well suited to those born under the signs of the Rat, Rabbit, Snake and Rooster. He can also establish a good relationship with the Monkey, Dog, Pig and another Ox, but he will find that he has little in common with the whimsical and sensitive Goat. He will also find it difficult to get on with the Horse, Dragon and Tiger – the Ox prefers a quiet and peaceful existence and those born under these three signs tend to be a little too lively and impulsive for his liking.

The female Ox has a kind and caring nature, and her home and family are very much her pride and joy. She always tries to do her best for her partner and can be a most conscientious and loving parent. She is an excellent organizer and a very determined person who will often succeed in getting what she wants in life. She usually has a deep interest in the arts and is often a talented artist or musician.

The Ox is a very down to earth character. He is sincere, loyal and unpretentious. He can, however, be rather reserved and to some he may appear distant and aloof. He has a quiet nature, but underneath he is very strong willed and ambitious. He has the courage of his convictions and is often prepared to stand up for what he believes to be right, regardless of the consequences. He inspires confidence and trust and throughout his life he will rarely be short of people who are ready to support him.

THE FIVE DIFFERENT TYPES OF OX

In addition to the 12 signs of the Chinese zodiac there are five elements and these have a strengthening or moderating influence on the signs. The effects of the five elements on the Ox are described below, together with the years in which the elements were exercising their influence. Therefore those Oxen born in 1961 are Metal Oxen, those born in 1913 and 1973 are Water Oxen, and so on.

Metal Ox: 1961

This Ox is confident and very strong willed. He can be blunt and forthright in his views and is not afraid of speaking his mind. He sets about his objectives with a dogged determination, but he can become so involved in his various activities that he can be oblivious to the thoughts and feelings of those around him, and this can sometimes be to his detriment. He is honest and dependable and will never promise more than he can deliver. He has a good appreciation of the arts and usually has a small circle of very good and loyal friends.

Water Ox: 1913, 1973

This Ox has a sharp and penetrating mind. He is a good organizer and sets about his work in a methodical manner. He is not as narrow minded as some of the other types of Ox and is more willing to involve others in his plans and aspirations. He usually has very high moral standards and is often attracted to careers in public service. He is a good judge of character and has such a friendly and persuasive manner that he usually experiences little difficulty in securing his objectives. He is popular and has an excellent way with children.

Wood Ox: 1925, 1985

The Wood Ox conducts himself with an air of dignity and authority and will often take a leading role in any enterprise in which he becomes involved. He is very self confident and is direct in his dealings with others. He does, however, have a quick temper and has no hesitation in speaking his mind. He has tremendous drive and willpower and an extremely good memory. He is particularly loyal and devoted to the members of his family and has a most caring nature.

Fire Ox: 1937, 1997

The Fire Ox has a powerful and assertive personality and is a hard and conscientious worker. He holds strong views and has very little patience when things do not go his own way. He can also get carried away in the excitement of the moment and does not always take into account the views of those around him. He nevertheless has many leadership qualities and will often reach positions of power, eminence and wealth. He usually has a small group of loyal and close friends and is very devoted to his family.

Earth Ox: 1949, 2009

This Ox sets about everything he does in a sensible and level headed manner. He is ambitious but also realistic in his aims and is often prepared to work long hours in order to secure his objectives. He is shrewd in financial and business matters and is a very good judge of character. He has a quiet nature and is greatly admired for his sincerity and integrity. He is also very loyal to his family and friends and his views and opinions are often sought.

PROSPECTS FOR THE OX IN 2009

The Year of the Rat (7 February 2008 to 25 January 2009) will have been a constructive one for the Ox and he will be able to build on his achievements in his own year.

In the remaining months of the Rat year, the Ox should make the most of any chances to further his experience. Whether by taking on more responsibilities or changing his duties in some way, by showing initiative, he can do a lot to help his prospects. September and early December could see some interesting work developments.

As far as relations with others are concerned, however, the closing Rat months are a time for care. The determined Ox does like to hold sway and has a tendency to speak his mind. However, if he appears unaccommodating or speaks without consideration, tensions could arise. As the Chinese proverb reminds us, a word, once spoken, can’t beretrieved, and the Ox does need to think before he speaks. However, if he keeps this in mind and pays attention to the views of others, there will be many domestic and social occasions that will please him, with December and early January likely to be an active and meaningful time.

In view of the pressures the Ox will often be under, it is also important that he makes the most of his chances to relax and unwind. This could be by spending time on interests and recreational pursuits, but for many Oxen there will be chances to travel towards the end of the year. If the Ox receives an invitation to visit others or sees a travel opportunity that appeals to him, he should consider taking it up. A change of scene could do him considerable good.

Generally, the Ox can fare well in the closing Rat months and if he takes care with his relations with others and makes the most of his opportunities to develop his skills, what he accomplishes can pave the way for the more auspicious times that await in his own year.

The Year of the Ox begins on 26 January and the general nature of the year will suit the Ox. This is a year for steady growth and some pleasing personal developments.

One of the most promising areas of the Ox’s life concerns his relations with others, and whether spending time with family, enjoying romance or making new friends, many an Ox will find himself in demand and benefiting from the company of others. Those who have experienced problems or tensions in the Rat year will also find these can often be eased, with this being a more settled year.

The Ox’s home life is particularly well aspected and many Oxen will have some good news to celebrate – perhaps an addition to the family, an engagement, marriage, academic success or personal achievement. Also, while his various commitments will often keep the Ox busy, by making sure quality time is spent with others, he can add a lot to his home life, with his thoughtfulness and care being appreciated. With the emphasis this year on joining with others, some Oxen could also be tempted to take up a new hobby or interest with a loved one or tackle a specific home or garden project together. This could not only make the undertaking more satisfying but also help build rapport. The Ox will also give valuable support to those around him and many will be grateful for his time, care and judgement.

Travel is also well aspected this year and the Ox should try to go away for a holiday or break with his loved ones. The rest and change of routine can do everyone good. The second half of the year could see some particularly good travel opportunities.

For unattached Oxen their own year holds exciting possibilities. Love and romance are very much in the air and while the Ox usually takes his time forming relationships, this year many Oxen will realize very quickly that they have met their soul mate. With the aspects as they are, such a meeting could occur at almost any time, but March to May, August and September could see the most social activity. For those Oxen already enjoying a relationship, this can be a year for getting engaged or married or settling down together. As far as the Ox year’s relations with others are concerned, this can be a special time.

The Ox will also appreciate the social occasions the year can bring. Such is the nature of the year that new contacts could turn out to be very helpful to him.