Sukki
02-07-2008, 02:57 AM
Well today is the first day of the rat in the Chinese zodiac. Looks like we'll have more trouble on the way with some minor relief in certain areas. Here's a brief description from: http://chinese.astrology.com/rat.aspx
Though the Western rat is reviled as little more than a bottom-dwelling disease carrier, this animal is viewed much differently in the East. The Eastern rat is revered for its quick wits and its ability to accrue and hold on to items of value; rats are considered a symbol of good luck and wealth in both China and Japan. Clever and quick-witted, the Rat of the Chinese Zodiac is utterly disarming to boot. Possessed of excellent taste, this Sign flaunts its style at every turn. Its natural charm and sharp, funny demeanor make it an appealing friend for almost anyone. The Rat likes to know who is on its side and will treat its most loyal friends with an extra measure of protection and generosity.
Behind that sweet smile, though, Rats are keen and unapologetic promoters of their own agendas. This Sign is motivated by its own interests, which often include money; greed can become a problem if the Rat isn't careful to keep its priorities straight. This Sign's natural powers of charm and persuasion can definitely come in handy! Although they are often hoarders, Rats can be very generous to those in their pack, namely friends and family members who have proven their loyalty. Others might perceive them as quick-tempered and sharp-tongued, but never boorish. Verbal jousting is a great pleasure for the Rat, a Sign that everyone around will quickly learn either to love or to hate.
Rats enjoy being on the outside looking in, as the outside affords a view into the inner workings of a system or situation. The Rat's keen mind always seeks out new knowledge, to be stored away for future use. This ever-curious Sign also welcomes challenges as a way to stay sharp. If boredom sets in the Rat is no fun at all, but that isn't likely; this Sign knows how to keep itself entertained.
A valuable lesson for Rats is to learn to consider others above themselves, at least sometimes. If they can develop their sense of self and realize it leaves room for others in their life as well, Rats could find true happiness.
And the prediction for 2008 from: http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20080206/ts_afp/lunarchinafestivalpredictions_080206054943&printer=1;_ylt=AucNnShx3rO.LOQqzlmP4P.GOrgF
The Year of the Rat threatens to see a build-up of international tensions, natural and air disasters, and a more turbulent stock market, soothsayers and analysts say.
As the Year of the Pig ends tonight, followers of Chinese superstition will be scurrying to consult fortune-tellers, astrologers and feng shui geomancers to guide their year ahead.
Chinese fortunes are based on a belief that events are dictated by the different balances in the elements that make up the earth -- gold, wood, water, fire and earth.
Feng shui master Raymond Lo says this year will see the earth element sitting atop water, suggesting an outward solidity built on sliding foundations.
"The earth on top is Yang earth which symbolizes a mountain, and mountain gives a sense of stability and firmness. But such floating earth in the ocean is weak in foundation and the stability appears to be fragile," Lo said.
"This elemental relationship will bring a year which apparently is more stable but there are a lot of underlying tensions and confrontations."
Lo added that the Chinese calendar follows a 60-year cycle, so 2008 will be similar historically to 1948, when Israel was established and the blockade of Berlin started, both events part of the build-up to long-standing conflict.
The lunar calendar is based on the cycles of the moon and associates each of the 12 years forming a partial cycle with an animal. Fortune-tellers base their predictions on the relationship between the zodiac animals and the characteristics of each.
The Rat is the first of the 12 animal signs, so marks new beginnings, which Lo said will be reflected in changes of leadership in the United States, Russia and Taiwan.
It is followed by ox, tiger, rabbit, dragon, snake, horse, goat, monkey, rooster, dog and pig.
The rodent is also seen as a "flower of romance" which means the year will stimulate romance, but also sex scandals.
More worryingly, it provokes a clash between water and fire which could mean heavy flooding or a tsunami, Lo added.
"The most famous water disasters in history, such as the south Asian tsunami in 2004 and the sinking of the Titanic in 1912, both incidents happened on a date with prominent appearance of the Rat," Lo said.
He also said that the previous Year of the Rat, 1996, witnessed more than 20 plane crashes including the Trans World Airlines Boeing aircraft which exploded over the Atlantic, killing 230 people.
Lee Sing-tong, a third-generation feng shui master, said China may suffer a water shortage in the next 12 months.
But after the property bubbles in the US and China's tightening monetary measures, Lee believes the US and China property markets will enter another chapter and will see stable development for the property market and economy.
Although the sub prime crisis has caused concerns in the global economy, unexpectedly the property market will stabilize in 2008.
He predicts a better economy for China after the 2008 Olympics.
"2009 will be its most prosperous year in history," he added.
Lee said there would be a big change in Hillary Clinton's health and career but that doesn't necessarily mean she will hold political power.
In contrast, Clinton's Democratic rival, Barack Obama, "has an in-born talent for leadership and is expected to be in an extraordinary political position in the next 10 years."
"There's a big chance that he will win November's presidential election in the United States," Lee predicted.
Kenny Lau, head of the small-cap sector at Credit Suisse, said the last three Rat years had all seen very strong stock market growth in Hong Kong. It grew 232 percent in 1972, 30 percent in 1984 and 18 percent in 1996.
But he said high inflation -- he predicted 5.1 percent in Hong Kong and 6.5 percent in the Chinese mainland -- would provide a threat to economic growth and turbulent times were ahead.
He said investors should target their lai see -- the cash Chinese people give to relatives and colleagues during the festival -- at small stocks that have not yet gained the full benefit of the booming Hong Kong and mainland markets.
His colleague Vincent Chan, head of China research, said the markets will not repeat the record returns of the past few years.
"It is likely that the volatility of the market in 2008 will be comparable to that of 2007, but the chance of significant absolute returns is rather remote," he said.
Though the Western rat is reviled as little more than a bottom-dwelling disease carrier, this animal is viewed much differently in the East. The Eastern rat is revered for its quick wits and its ability to accrue and hold on to items of value; rats are considered a symbol of good luck and wealth in both China and Japan. Clever and quick-witted, the Rat of the Chinese Zodiac is utterly disarming to boot. Possessed of excellent taste, this Sign flaunts its style at every turn. Its natural charm and sharp, funny demeanor make it an appealing friend for almost anyone. The Rat likes to know who is on its side and will treat its most loyal friends with an extra measure of protection and generosity.
Behind that sweet smile, though, Rats are keen and unapologetic promoters of their own agendas. This Sign is motivated by its own interests, which often include money; greed can become a problem if the Rat isn't careful to keep its priorities straight. This Sign's natural powers of charm and persuasion can definitely come in handy! Although they are often hoarders, Rats can be very generous to those in their pack, namely friends and family members who have proven their loyalty. Others might perceive them as quick-tempered and sharp-tongued, but never boorish. Verbal jousting is a great pleasure for the Rat, a Sign that everyone around will quickly learn either to love or to hate.
Rats enjoy being on the outside looking in, as the outside affords a view into the inner workings of a system or situation. The Rat's keen mind always seeks out new knowledge, to be stored away for future use. This ever-curious Sign also welcomes challenges as a way to stay sharp. If boredom sets in the Rat is no fun at all, but that isn't likely; this Sign knows how to keep itself entertained.
A valuable lesson for Rats is to learn to consider others above themselves, at least sometimes. If they can develop their sense of self and realize it leaves room for others in their life as well, Rats could find true happiness.
And the prediction for 2008 from: http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20080206/ts_afp/lunarchinafestivalpredictions_080206054943&printer=1;_ylt=AucNnShx3rO.LOQqzlmP4P.GOrgF
The Year of the Rat threatens to see a build-up of international tensions, natural and air disasters, and a more turbulent stock market, soothsayers and analysts say.
As the Year of the Pig ends tonight, followers of Chinese superstition will be scurrying to consult fortune-tellers, astrologers and feng shui geomancers to guide their year ahead.
Chinese fortunes are based on a belief that events are dictated by the different balances in the elements that make up the earth -- gold, wood, water, fire and earth.
Feng shui master Raymond Lo says this year will see the earth element sitting atop water, suggesting an outward solidity built on sliding foundations.
"The earth on top is Yang earth which symbolizes a mountain, and mountain gives a sense of stability and firmness. But such floating earth in the ocean is weak in foundation and the stability appears to be fragile," Lo said.
"This elemental relationship will bring a year which apparently is more stable but there are a lot of underlying tensions and confrontations."
Lo added that the Chinese calendar follows a 60-year cycle, so 2008 will be similar historically to 1948, when Israel was established and the blockade of Berlin started, both events part of the build-up to long-standing conflict.
The lunar calendar is based on the cycles of the moon and associates each of the 12 years forming a partial cycle with an animal. Fortune-tellers base their predictions on the relationship between the zodiac animals and the characteristics of each.
The Rat is the first of the 12 animal signs, so marks new beginnings, which Lo said will be reflected in changes of leadership in the United States, Russia and Taiwan.
It is followed by ox, tiger, rabbit, dragon, snake, horse, goat, monkey, rooster, dog and pig.
The rodent is also seen as a "flower of romance" which means the year will stimulate romance, but also sex scandals.
More worryingly, it provokes a clash between water and fire which could mean heavy flooding or a tsunami, Lo added.
"The most famous water disasters in history, such as the south Asian tsunami in 2004 and the sinking of the Titanic in 1912, both incidents happened on a date with prominent appearance of the Rat," Lo said.
He also said that the previous Year of the Rat, 1996, witnessed more than 20 plane crashes including the Trans World Airlines Boeing aircraft which exploded over the Atlantic, killing 230 people.
Lee Sing-tong, a third-generation feng shui master, said China may suffer a water shortage in the next 12 months.
But after the property bubbles in the US and China's tightening monetary measures, Lee believes the US and China property markets will enter another chapter and will see stable development for the property market and economy.
Although the sub prime crisis has caused concerns in the global economy, unexpectedly the property market will stabilize in 2008.
He predicts a better economy for China after the 2008 Olympics.
"2009 will be its most prosperous year in history," he added.
Lee said there would be a big change in Hillary Clinton's health and career but that doesn't necessarily mean she will hold political power.
In contrast, Clinton's Democratic rival, Barack Obama, "has an in-born talent for leadership and is expected to be in an extraordinary political position in the next 10 years."
"There's a big chance that he will win November's presidential election in the United States," Lee predicted.
Kenny Lau, head of the small-cap sector at Credit Suisse, said the last three Rat years had all seen very strong stock market growth in Hong Kong. It grew 232 percent in 1972, 30 percent in 1984 and 18 percent in 1996.
But he said high inflation -- he predicted 5.1 percent in Hong Kong and 6.5 percent in the Chinese mainland -- would provide a threat to economic growth and turbulent times were ahead.
He said investors should target their lai see -- the cash Chinese people give to relatives and colleagues during the festival -- at small stocks that have not yet gained the full benefit of the booming Hong Kong and mainland markets.
His colleague Vincent Chan, head of China research, said the markets will not repeat the record returns of the past few years.
"It is likely that the volatility of the market in 2008 will be comparable to that of 2007, but the chance of significant absolute returns is rather remote," he said.