February 7th, 2008 to January 25th, 2009, Earth Rat Year

Always upon an Aquarian New Moon here in the West, our friends in the East ring in their New Year. In the legend of how the Chinese Zodiac Wheel came to be, Buddha asked the animals to come to him and the Rat was the first in line. And so we find this Universal New Year of 2008 to be at the very start of a brand new cycle in multitudes of ways from the planetary heavens above. The Year of the Rat, Earth Year coupled with 2008's singular One vibration only means all kinds of initiations and new beginnings are at an all time high to flourish.

In this spirited and engaging year ahead, the collective can expect this to be a time of pragmatism, forethought and self-will. Material prosperity is highly protected when it is acquired through the means of integrity and hard work over the course of how 2008 is to unfold. Think of the years to follow in 9 and 12-year cycles, where the seeds planted in this one will reap harvest further on down the road.

All is set to rise in a Rat Earth Year as we kick off another new cycle, encouraging us to face new beginnings. Even after 2007's not so happy financial affairs that occurred on all sorts of levels, a feel good factor returns as market economies take an up-turn as the year progresses. When one turns to an open mind while taking a fresh look at the world, all kinds of new ventures can prosper when accompanied with the energies of optimism and belief. Discoveries and inventions are especially prevalent and easily have the ability to be unleashed with the end result of success.

Those who will turn the ages of 12, 24, 36, 48, 60, 82, 94, 106- (and so on!) this year, are in from their Chinese Zodiac perspective, a "Rat Return." Every 12 years our Chinese animals are represented by a different element, pointing to where auspicious occasions will arise. This same animal return year also links up with Jupiter's cycles here in the West, where the planet of luck simultaneously blesses one with luck and optimism over the year. Your animal year typically will link up with your Jupiter Return in the West's birth chart.

In further alignment of how the East and West perspectives connect, it takes 60 years for the Chinese Wheel to complete an entire cycle as we see the return to the exact elemental year one was born in as that animal. This same 60-year marks in the West the 2nd Saturn Return, where significant changes occur in the life like never before. The Chinese believe one's greatest wisdom begins to unfold as one full cycle of their wheel concludes. Saturn wholeheartedly agrees the 2nd Return also releases the soul into the greatest period of self-expression and inner power after a many life lesson have now been learned.

Be on the look-out for the Rat in 2008 whenever you see an enterprising spirit. These natives are generous, enjoy creating opportunities, take gambles, have a variety of acquaintances, love being the explorer and the pioneer, find clever solutions, and prefer mental pursuits over physical labors. Their external character is seen in the Yang, the male energy representing the life force and taking the initiative. Yet the perfect balance is granted to this Water animal in which the inner process is the feminine perspective that nurtures through quiet restraint and diplomacy. Depending upon the element that guides their year of birth, more insight is available to add to the depth of character that makes up their innate nature.

Let's tune into more reasons new beginnings are upon us, with this Universal 2008 reducing to the singular One. The numerical guidance of the 2 + 8 =10, which the Chaldeans understood to be, 'The Wheel of Fortune,' lends the following ancient advice: "A number of rise and fall, according to personal desire. Every event is self-determined. 10 is the symbol of LOve and LIght, which create all that can be imagined, and also contains the code: Image 10 Ordain. Image it and it shall be. Ordain it and it will materialize. The power for manifesting creative concepts into reality is inherent, but must be used with wisdom, since the power for absolute creation contains the polarity power for absolute destruction. Self-discipline and infinite compassion must accompany the gift of the former to avoid the tragedy of the latter. Discipline must proceed Dominion."

Thus we are in the perfect numerical match for Earth Year of the Rat. When we hone in on responsibility and wisdom with a twist of imagination, one is bound to redeem prosperous rewards from the seeds planted. This Earth Year coupled with a 10/1 Universal Year requests that solid values, reliability, grounded energy, foresight to the 9 to the 12 yr cycles, be adhered to. By applying focus and organization the harvest will be rich, but if the intention of greed is part of the plan, as the 10 so highly warns, the potential for absolute destruction can occur.

Looking to more signs of adhering to practicality and wisdom from our Western Influences, Pluto the planet of change and regeneration, begins a 16 yr period in Capricorn stimulating organization and matter relating to the progress of government. Jupiter accompanies Pluto in Capricorn to start this long-term passage off that brings in new wave of conservative thinking. The collective will begin to return to traditional values concerning education, morality and the law over the years to unfold.

This planetary combo brings swirls of change to political thinking on a global level. Serious movements begin toward the orientation and foundation of an innovative system of government that joins the world together into one system. If you already know about the National Id Card here in the United States, we are already beginning to see this kind of change. It is obvious the world wide web keeps increasing in its' utilization for almost everything one does, along with all those handy devices that keep us in the know of what's occurring half-way around the world in a moments notice. As much as we are seemingly separate, the unity of our purchasing power and knowledge of our whereabouts is closer than ever before.

Looking to your own Western Astrological current transits and Numerological cycles one can find the necessary formula to take in the abundance within this Earth Rat One year. Following your own light in life allows you to manifest your own personal rewards. No matter where you are in your current 9 Year cycle and astrological transits, look to this year to optimally bring the energy guiding your soul to the greatest heights, so that the one to follow will prosper all the more. In as much as we do belong to a society that is speeding up faster than the average person can keep up with, bear in mind that the planets move no faster today that they did 10,000 years ago. Check history and you'll certainly find validation that the planets have always offered our ancestors the knowledge to unlock the magical wisdom they possess. It is still here for all of us to benefit from. May we never forget to take the planets into account so we can not only better understand ourselves, but to grasp what's cooking in that great big world out there around us as well.

May your Rat Earth Year and 2008 bless you with a plenty of prosperous initiations, self-will, and foresight resulting in riches that can truly be measured in your heart.