Neil Somerville - Your Chinese Horoscope 2011

The Rat is very family orientated and will do anything to please his nearest and dearest. He is exceptionally loyal to his parents and can himself be a very caring and loving parent. He will take an interest in all his children’s activities and see that they want for nothing. He usually has a large family.

The female Rat has a kindly, outgoing nature and involves herself in a multitude of different activities. She has a wide circle of friends, enjoys entertaining and is an attentive hostess. She is also conscientious about the upkeep of her home and has good taste in home furnishings. She is most supportive to the other members of her family and, due to her resourceful, friendly and persevering nature, can do well in practically any career she chooses.

Although the Rat is essentially outgoing, he is also a very private individual. He tends to keep his feelings to himself and while he is not averse to learning what other people are doing, he resents anyone prying too closely into his own affairs. He also does not like solitude and if he is alone for any length of time he can easily get depressed.

The Rat is undoubtedly very talented, but he does sometimes fail to capitalize on his many abilities. He has a tendency to become involved in too many schemes and chase after too many opportunities at once. If he can slow down and concentrate on one thing at a time, he can become very successful. If not, success and wealth can elude him. But, with his tremendous ability to charm, he will rarely, if ever, be without friends.

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 Rat are described below, together with the years in which they were exercising their influence. Therefore those Rats born in 1960 are Metal Rats, those born in 1912 and 1972 are Water Rats, and so on.

This Rat has excellent taste and certainly knows how to appreciate the finer things in life. His home is comfortable and nicely decorated and he likes to entertain and mix in fashionable circles. He has considerable financial acumen and invests his money well. On the surface he appears cheerful and confident, but deep down he can be troubled by worries that are quite often of his own making. He is exceptionally loyal to his family and friends.

The Water Rat is intelligent and very astute. He is a deep thinker and can express his thoughts clearly and persuasively. He is always eager to learn and is talented in many different areas. He is usually very popular, but his fear of loneliness can sometimes lead him into mixing with the wrong sort of company. He is a particularly skilful writer, but he can get sidetracked very easily and should try to concentrate on just one thing at a time.

The Wood Rat has a friendly, outgoing personality and is popular with his colleagues and friends. He has a quick, agile brain and likes to turn his hand to anything he thinks may be useful. His one fear is insecurity, but given his intelligence and capabilities, this fear is usually unfounded. He has a good sense of humour, enjoys travel and, due to his highly imaginative nature, can be a gifted writer or artist.

The Fire Rat is rarely still and seems to have a never-ending supply of energy and enthusiasm. He loves being involved in some form of action, be it travel, following up new ideas or campaigning for a cause in which he fervently believes. He is an original thinker and hates being bound by petty restrictions or the dictates of others. He can be forthright in his views but can sometimes get carried away in the excitement of the moment and commit himself to various undertakings without thinking through all the implications. Yet he has a resilient nature and with the right support can go far in life.

This Rat is astute and very level-headed. He rarely takes unnecessary chances and while he is constantly trying to improve his financial status, he is prepared to proceed slowly and leave nothing to chance. He is probably not as adventurous as the other types of Rat and prefers to remain in familiar territory rather than rush headlong into something he knows little about. He is talented, conscientious and caring towards his loved ones, but at the same time can be self-conscious and worry a little too much about the image he is trying to project.

The Year of the Tiger (14 February 2010–2 February 2011) will have been a busy one for the Rat and he may have felt uneasy with its pace and level of change. The Rat likes action but it has to be on his terms, and events during the year could have caused him some anxiety and soul-searching. And in the remaining Tiger months he will need to be wary.

One of the Rat’s greatest strengths is his ability to get on well with others and in the closing months of the Tiger year he should make the most of his opportunities to meet others and consult them over his ideas and plans. This is no time for him to be too independent in outlook or go it alone. In particular, if he is in a dilemma over a decision or work situation, by discussing it with his family and those able to advise, he will be able to benefit from their suggestions. August and December could see an increase in social activity.

The Rat will also need to keep careful control of his spending and, where possible, plan for more substantial purchases. As there will be chances for many Rats to travel in the closing months of the year, early provision for this could help.

Work-wise, the Rat will need to remain alert and be prepared to adapt to any changes introduced. Tiger years can be demanding, but Rats are resourceful and it will still be possible for many to make headway. Overall, the Tiger year does require the Rat to be on his mettle, but it will not be without its opportunities or rewards.

The Year of the Rabbit starts on 3 February and will be an interesting one for the Rat. During it he can make useful progress but the emphasis of the Rabbit year is on patience and persistence and the Rat must not act in haste or expect speedy results. It is very much a case of adapting to the times and proceeding slowly, carefully and methodically.

This is particularly the case in the Rat’s work. During the year many Rats will find their experience serving them well, with their advice often being sought and greater and more specialist responsibilities being offered. Although some situations may be demanding, by rising to the challenge and showing himself willing, the Rat can do himself considerable good.

A helpful development will be the opportunities the Rat will have to work closely with colleagues as well as meet others connected with his industry. Some contacts made during the year could offer particularly useful support and advice.

This also applies to those Rats who are keen to move on from their present position or are seeking work. By talking to others and obtaining advice, they may well find their manner and background impressing others and leading to possibilities worth considering. April, June, September and November could see some encouraging developments.

Over the year all Rats should also take advantage of any training they are offered or, if seeking work, any initiatives and refresher courses that are available. By being willing and using any chances to further their skills and knowledge, they will not only be demonstrating their commitment but also widening their options for the future. Progress may not be swift, but the Rabbit year does reward initiative.