The Rat is the first sign of the Chinese zodiac. Legend has it that the Jade Emperor invited all of the zodiac animals for a grand cotillion, and the first of the 12 to arrive was the Rat. Being first, the Rat earned its reputation as a respected intuitive creature, its character synonymous with courage and an enterprising nature. Rats are considered a symbol of good luck and wealth in Chinese, Japanese and Korean cultures.

The Rat year will demand hard work and will be a time of activity and renewal. As the first sign, the Rat signifies new beginnings, making this year an appropriate time to start new ventures and break new ground. Be experimental and don't procrastinate -- put plans into action as there will be plenty of opportunities to achieve success. Ventures begun now may not yield immediate returns, but remember that initiatives started this year are likely to have long term positive (potentially extraordinary) consequences.

This year will be most influenced by Earth elements, Earth being "yang" on the top. The Rat takes risks, while Earth is associated with practicality and stability, the mix creating balance and good fortune. This welcome combination may mean results will be achieved earlier than expected.

Yang Earth will be tempered by the dominant presence of "ying" Water underneath. 2008 will be a year of reassessment, a settling of political and economic emotions and a cooling of the heated stock markets of the last two years. The strong Water of the Rat year is a symbol of prosperity for "earth industries" such as property, mining, hotels and chemicals. As Metal gives birth to Water, so the strong Water element in the year bodes well for machinery, high tech and healthcare businesses. Key "wood industries" -- fashion, publications, forestry and furniture -- will also excel since Wood is the conqueror of Earth. However, be leery of Water industries such as shipping, communications, beverages; the powerful Water influence in the Rat year is likely to bring stronger competition. Finance, stock market, energy and entertainment, key Fire pursuits, are also unlikely to impress.

Notwithstanding a more subservient stock market, the fundamentals in the oriental countries will continue to improve. People's living standards will get better and solid economic, political and social growth will characterize the region, especially in China. Not only are we in the fifth year of Asia's eighth lucky period but we are also in the first year of a new twelve year celestial cycle -- and all twelve years will be graced by the fortune breeze of this 20-year lucky period. So if you "smell a rat" in 2008, find it and prepare to follow it into the next decade!