Neil Somerville - Your Chinese Horoscope 2011

Economically, many countries will see slow but steady growth. To help, many governments will offer financial incentives to encourage investment and stimulate growth as well as reduce unemployment. Also, after the lessons of the banking crisis, tighter controls will be in force and the policy of many a fiscal body and government will be cautious encouragement. There will be gains to be had in many of the stock markets around the world, with some notable rallies. However, these may be followed by some sharp corrections and investors cannot afford to lower their guard during the year.

Several industries are likely to fall under the spotlight this year, especially in the alternative energy sector. Much attention will be focused on finding new ways to harness the world’s resources, including new research projects and encouragement for wind farms, wave power and solar energy.

The Rabbit year is also likely to be marked by some medical breakthroughs, not only in the treatment, even conquering of certain diseases, but also in their early diagnosis and prevention. The Rabbit year’s emphasis on research can lead to some momentous findings as well as the introduction of life-changing procedures. It was a previous Rabbit year that saw the first successful kidney transplant and the invention of the iron lung.

Another feature of the Rabbit year is that it strongly favours culture, and some artists and performers will push the boundaries and create some extraordinary pieces. The year will also see some major touring exhibitions, which will allow more people to appreciate artwork and historic artefacts. In addition many countries will hold important festivities and celebrations during the year, both in commemorating achievements and promoting trade and industry. It was sixty years ago that the Festival of Britain was held in the UK, an event considered a landmark at the time.

There will also be considerable focus over the year on education. Governments will be keen to increase funding to schools as well as provide grants and incentives for those entering further education or vocational training. In many countries there will also be measures to increase the number of apprenticeship and work placement schemes. Education and training will certainly be high on the agenda of many a government.

With the year’s emphasis on personal development, many people will be giving some consideration to their lifestyle. Whether by attending to their well-being, taking up new interests or enrolling on a course or study programme, they will find the Rabbit year favours personal growth and the opportunities will be there – but they do need to be grasped.

The Rabbit year also favours family values and quite a few people will be making sure that more quality time is spent with their loved ones. Here again this can be a year for personal reappraisal and as a result many will bring their lifestyle into better balance. Relationships, too, are favourably aspected and this can be a year for finding or renewing love and starting a family as well as appreciating loved ones.

Overall, the Year of the Rabbit will be a full and interesting one. A lot will happen on the world stage and even though there will be dangers, tensions and tragic moments, there will also be reason for hope. It is a year for discussion, diplomacy and, importantly, personal growth. As George Eliot, born under the sign of the Rabbit, noted, ‘It’s them that take advantage that get advantage i’ this world.’

To benefit in the Year of the Rabbit it is a case of taking advantage of opportunities, particularly to make more of yourself and your personal strengths. While some signs will fare better than others, the Rabbit year is a promising and encouraging one. Use it well and I wish you every success and good fortune.

To see,

and to see what others do not see.

That is true vision.

The Rat is born under the sign of charm. He is intelligent, popular and loves attending parties and large social gatherings. He is able to establish friendships with remarkable ease and people generally feel relaxed in his company. He is a very social creature and is genuinely interested in the welfare and activities of others. He has a good understanding of human nature and his advice and opinions are often sought.

The Rat is a hard and diligent worker. He is also very imaginative and is never short of ideas. However, he does sometimes lack the confidence to promote his ideas and this can often prevent him from securing the recognition he deserves.

The Rat is very observant and many Rats have made excellent writers and journalists. The Rat also excels at personnel and PR work and any job that brings him into contact with people and the media. His skills are particularly appreciated in times of crisis, for the Rat has an incredibly strong sense of self-preservation. When it comes to finding a way out of an awkward situation, he is certain to be the one who comes up with a solution.

The Rat loves to be where there is a lot of action, but should he ever find himself in a very bureaucratic or restrictive environment he can become a stickler for discipline and routine. He is also something of an opportunist and is constantly on the lookout for ways in which he can improve his wealth and lifestyle. He rarely lets an opportunity go by and can become involved in so many plans and schemes that he sometimes squanders his energies and achieves very little as a result. He is also rather gullible and can be taken in by those less scrupulous than himself.

Another characteristic of the Rat is his attitude towards money. He is very thrifty and to some he may appear a little mean. The reason for this is purely that he likes to keep his money within his family. He can be most generous to his partner, his children and close friends and relatives. He can also be generous to himself, for he often finds it impossible to deprive himself of any luxury or object he fancies. He is very acquisitive and can be a notorious hoarder. He also hates waste and is rarely prepared to throw anything away. He can be rather greedy and will rarely refuse an invitation to a free meal or a complimentary ticket to a lavish function.

The Rat is a good conversationalist, although he can occasionally be a little indiscreet. He can be highly critical of others – for an honest and unbiased opinion, the Rat is a superb critic – and will sometimes use confidential information to his own advantage. However, as he has such a bright and irresistible nature, most people are prepared to forgive him his slight indiscretions.

Throughout his long and eventful life the Rat will make many friends and will find that he is especially well suited to those born under his own sign and those of the Ox, Dragon and Monkey. He can also get on well with those born under the signs of the Tiger, Snake, Rooster, Dog and Pig, but the rather sensitive Rabbit and Goat will find him a little too critical and blunt for their liking. The Horse and Rat will also find it difficult to get on with each other – the Rat craves security and will find the Horse’s changeable moods and rather independent nature a little unsettling.