Another twelve year cycle comes to an end and on the 25^th January 2020, the gracious Boar hands us over to the charming Rat.

Innovative, progressive and active, the next twelve months are likely to push us to proceed with our goals.  It is somehow easier to undertake detailed work without getting a headache, easier to remain focused and surprisingly easy to achieve your goals once firmly set. This is the Rat influence at work. Rat years are known for their abundance of opportunity, so if ever there was a time to get out there, it would be now, despite any potential drawbacks or interruption.

The element attached to this particular Rat year is Metal.  This is the Rat that knows how to function within a crisis.  As such, we are lent even greater powers of problem solving and tenacity.  The media and communications are important this year as we all become increasingly self-reliant and entrepreneurial.  People will be more ready to put in the sweat and tears to create their dreams.  The Dog year (2018) gave us self-confidence, the Pig (2019) taught us how to be uninhibited and the Rat (2020) plies us with an infinite amount of ambition.  This year will have us planning and laying the foundations for 2021, the year of the Ox where we are lent the capacity to barge through any opposition or barriers with ease.

60 lunar years complete one full Chinese astrological cycle; these are then broken down into five smaller cycles of twelve years each. We are now beginning the third spin, the third rebirth.  With the resolutions and endings of last year, it is the perfect time to concentrate on yourself and rebuild your identity.

Economically, think long term and barter for purchases until you get a bargain.  Let’s not forget it’s the year of opportunity, which the Chinese say often comes through crisis.  Business wise, the brave will win; the prudent will win; those who give up do not deserve to win.  With every difficulty there is associated guidance directing you to success. This is especially the case in 2020. Remain hopeful, the universe is on your side.  Just have faith that the solution is on its way.

Many people born in the year of the Rat choose to go into the social sciences, counselling, teaching or spiritual fields, anywhere they can aid the development of another’s self-esteem.  Likewise, the coming Rat year will focus primarily on self development and the completion of objectives that will further each individual’s personal growth.

Last year encouraged us to cut emotional ties from negative situations and if we were unable to make the decision for ourselves, fate stepped in returning us to a state of innocence. From here we now proceed. Accessing the Rat’s higher intelligence, we see the world with new eyes, we process the two previous cycles of our experience through an advanced perspective and we see the light in every grey cloud.  2020 is going to be a year where we alter the boundaries of our established world view; it could test our tenacious spirit, where achievement comes through proactive pursuit and personal development, through thinking outside of the box.  If ever was there a time for that Rat entrepreneur to step out, it's now.  Let that energy imbue you with it's superpowers and you'll find a way to make lemonade out of every lemon... and more.

2020 is the Year of the Rat.