Your Chinese Horoscope 2017: What the Year of the Rooster holds in store for you

The Fire Rat

The Rooster year offers great possibilities for the Fire Rat, and with determination and a willingness to make the most of it, he can not only help his present situation but also gain skills and experience he can build on in the future. The benefits can be considerable and far-reaching.

On a personal level, the year is rich in possibility, with affairs of the heart likely to be special. For unattached Fire Rats there will be excellent chances to meet others and, if experiencing a change in circumstances, to build up a new social circle. Someone met now could soon become very special. However, while the aspects are promising, the Fire Rat should be careful not to rush. If he allows time for each person to get to know the other better, the relationship can often be built on a stronger foundation. Quite a few Fire Rats will find true love this year, and those whose romances flounder can soon see someone else entering their life. The Rooster year is capable of surprising developments and the Fire Rat will be learning a lot about himself, others and the mysteries and glorious wonders of love. Late February, March, June, August and December could be significant months both personally and socially.

With his enquiring nature, the Fire Rat has diverse interests and over the year will derive considerable pleasure from sharing these with his friends. In addition, whether attending parties, concerts or sporting events or visiting attractions, he will enjoy the variety and the fun times the year offers. On a social level, this promises to be a busy time, and any Fire Rats who start the year despondent will find that by going out more and giving themselves the chance to meet others, they can greatly improve their situation. Shy and retiring Fire Rats, take careful note and involve yourself more. Your efforts will make a noticeable difference.

For Fire Rats with a partner, the Rooster year can again be special. There will be plans to work towards, and even though finances may sometimes be stretched, with the Fire Rat’s resourcefulness, a great deal can still be accomplished. Family and friends can be supportive, and luck too can play a part, especially in advancing key plans.

For the many Fire Rats in education this will be a busy year. There will sometimes be difficult concepts to master and the Fire Rat will need to remain focused. What he learns now will be an important platform to build on in the future and some Fire Rats will now make career choices or be alerted to subject areas that suit their strengths. This year can open up options which have long-term significance.

In view of the importance of the present time, the Fire Rat should avail himself of the support available to him. If he is worried over aspects of his studying or has another problem, he should talk to those with the knowledge to assist. This is not a time to keep anxieties to himself.

Fire Rats in work can make important headway. Many will be offered training and additional responsibilities, while some will decide on change and/or seek better remuneration elsewhere. This is no year to stand still. Good progress can be made and prospects enhanced. April, May, September and October could see encouraging developments.

Fire Rats seeking work will find that researching vacancies, finding out about the duties involved and stressing their (relevant) interests and experience may well lead to the offer of a position. Determined effort and the Fire Rat’s enthusiasm can be an effective combination.

All Fire Rats will, however, need to be careful in money matters. Rush, risk or carelessness could lead to possible losses. Good financial management is required and if in doubt about any matter, the Fire Rat would do well to seek clarification.

However, while resources may be limited, if possible the Fire Rat should take advantage of any travel opportunities that come his way. Visits to new areas and attractions can be highly enjoyable.

Although the Fire Rat keeps himself active, he should also pay some attention to his well-being. Pushing himself without adequate rest or ignoring the quality of his diet could leave him lacking his usual energy or susceptible to minor ailments. Fire Rats, take note and look after yourselves.

Overall, this promises to be a full year for the Fire Rat. At times the pressures will be considerable, particularly when he has decisions to take. However, by rising to the challenges (and seeking assistance if need be), he can prove himself in many ways. His gains this year will require effort but be considerable. His personal life can also be a source of much happiness. Some Fire Rats may, though, have moments of heartache but, as the Fire Rat will discover, the Rooster year is rich in experience and he will take a great deal from it.

Tip for the Year

This is a year of opportunity – seize those opportunities and look to learn. Within you are the riches of your tomorrow.

The Earth Rat

This Rooster year can be a rewarding one for the Earth Rat, with many activities proceeding well, although, as with all years, there could also be problems to address. However, by proceeding in his usual careful way and seeking advice when necessary, the Earth Rat will generally be content with how his plans develop.

As always, family life will be central to many Earth Rats and they will follow the progress of close relations with fond interest. With some relatives embarking on career change or entering new stages of their education, the support the Earth Rat will give will be particularly appreciated. Those who are grandparents or great-grandparents will also value spending time with younger family members and enjoying the special bonds they often share.

The Earth Rat will do much to help family members, but it is also important that he himself asks for assistance if he has any anxieties or requires help with certain undertakings (including technical matters). Keeping nagging worries to himself could compound problems and help is available if required.

The Earth Rat also needs to take good care of himself this year. If he has something potentially hazardous or strenuous to do, he should follow the guidelines and/or seek assistance. This is no year for taking risks or compromising his safety. Similarly, if he has any medical concerns he should get these checked out.

Many Earth Rats will also give some thought to their lifestyle over the year, perhaps improving their diet or incorporating some additional exercise into their routine. By seeking advice and, where exercise is involved, maybe joining a class or group, they will soon be able to appreciate the benefits. Actions taken in the Rooster year can often have unexpected but beneficial consequences.

This also applies to the Earth Rat’s personal interests. With his extensive knowledge in certain areas, he will often enjoy contact with other enthusiasts and the chance to share thoughts. Creative interests could be particularly inspiring and some could bring monetary reward.

In addition to the family get-togethers that take place over the year, the Earth Rat will enjoy the year’s social opportunities. If he is involved in local groups he will often enjoy participating over the year and if there are other local activities and events that appeal to him, he should consider going. By taking advantage of what is available to him, he will often greatly enjoy himself. March, June, August and December could be active months socially.

Travel, too, can bring considerable pleasure this year, and by planning ahead, the Earth Rat can look forward to seeing some inspiring sights. Once he acts on his ideas and makes enquiries, some lucky chances or the helpfulness of others can lead to potentially exciting outcomes. Some of his trips can have an element of surprise, too. It may be that he sees attractions he did not expect to see or takes up a last-minute offer. May, July and September could have particularly tempting opportunities.

However, the Earth Rat cannot afford to be lax in financial matters this year. He prides himself on his thoroughness, but where major outlay is involved, he needs to check the details and implications. If he has doubts, he should seek expert opinion. As the saying goes, ‘It is better to be safe than sorry.’ He should also attend to important correspondence carefully. Delays or an inadequate response could be to his disadvantage. Earth Rats, take note.

Overall, the Rooster year will be a full and satisfying one for the Earth Rat. As he will find, once he takes action, he will often be encouraged by others and benefit from timely developments. Travel, local events and contact with friends will also add much to his year, although to benefit fully he does need to be active and take up opportunities. He will take considerable pride in family developments and do much to assist his loved ones. Money matters require careful attention, and when problems or concerns arise, it is important the Earth Rat draws on the support available to him. If he acts upon his ideas, however, he can make this a personally satisfying year.

Tip for the Year

Spend time on your personal interests. Also, take advantage of events and recreational facilities in your area, including those that can help well-being and fitness levels. These can bring a beneficial element to your lifestyle and year.

Famous Rats

Ben Affleck, Ursula Andress, Louis Armstrong, Lauren Bacall, Dame Shirley Bassey, Kathy Bates, Irving Berlin, Kenneth Branagh, Marlon Brando, Charlotte Brontë, Jackson Browne, George H. W. Bush, Glen Campbell, Jimmy Carter, Jeremy Clarkson, Aaron Copland, Cameron Diaz, David Duchovny, Duffy, T. S. Eliot, Eminem, Colin Firth, Pope Francis I, Clark Gable, Neil Gaiman, Hugh Grant, Lewis Hamilton, Thomas Hardy, Prince Harry, Charlton Heston, Buddy Holly, Mick Hucknall, Henrik Ibsen, Jeremy Irons, Samuel L. Jackson, LeBron James, Jean-Michel Jarre, Scarlett Johansson, Gene Kelly, Jude Law, Gary Lineker, Lord Andrew Lloyd Webber, Ian McEwan, Katie Melua, Claude Monet, Julianne Moore, Olly Murs, Richard Nixon, Ozzy Osbourne, Brad Paisley, Sean Penn, Katy Perry, Philippe I, King of the Belgians, Sir Terry Pratchett, Ian Rankin, Burt Reynolds, Rossini, William Shakespeare, James Taylor, Leo Tolstoy, Spencer Tracy, the Prince of Wales, George Washington, the Duke of York, Emile Zola.

The Ox (#u1a1476af-0309-5e65-8fbe-3299d9d7676f)

24 January 1925 to 12 February 1926 — Wood Ox

11 February 1937 to 30 January 1938 — Fire Ox

29 January 1949 to 16 February 1950 — Earth Ox

15 February 1961 to 4 February 1962 — Metal Ox

3 February 1973 to 22 January 1974 — Water Ox

20 February 1985 to 8 February 1986 — Wood Ox

7 February 1997 to 27 January 1998 — Fire Ox

26 January 2009 to 13 February 2010 — Earth Ox

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 careers which 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. He 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.