MMVIII

Ah… a new year has dawned (I know I’m a bit late, but what the heck eh?), with a bang I might say. The good and the bad have already happened, and the year can only get better. (Hopefully :) )

Personally for me, the last few days of 2007 really sucked, but the New Year will hopefully change things. The best thing so far is that I started a new job in a new place. A total change over for the New Year, you might say. The only downside is the increase in travelling :( , knowing how our public transportation system works, it’s a headache.

Dear old 2008, or as the Romans might have said MMVIII. A long awaited leap year for all those unlucky folks born on the 29th of February. Well, you guys better a get ready to party, and I mean party hard, after all you only get to celebrate once every four years.

According to good old Wikipedia, 2008 has been designated as the following:

International Year of Planet Earth
European Year of Intercultural dialog
Australian Year of the Scout
International Year of the Potato
International Year of Sanitation

Chinese Astrology proclaims that 2008 is the year of the Rat. Well actually it’s the period starting from February 07th 2008 to January 25th 2009. According to this system, each year is assigned a zodiac animal out of twelve. The Rat is the first in a cycle, so it makes 2008 the beginning of a new cycle.

The characteristics of the Rat are as follows:
Rat (Yang, 1st Trine, Fixed Element Water): Forthright, disciplined, systematic, meticulous, charismatic, hardworking, industrious, charming, eloquent, sociable, shrewd. Can be manipulative, cruel, dictatorial, rigid, selfish, obstinate, critical, over-ambitious, ruthless, intolerant, scheming.



In addition to the associated animal there is also an associated element, and for 2008 it is ‘Yang Earth’ The Yin or Yang is broken down into Five Elements (Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal, and Water) on top of the cycle of animals. These are modifiers and affect the characteristics of each of the 12 animal signs. Thus, each of the 12 animals are governed by an element plus a Yin Yang Direction.

Characteristics of Earth are:
• Center
• Three Enclosures, Change of seasons
• The Yellow Dragon
• The Planet Saturn
• The Color Yellow
• Digestive system, Spleen and stomach
• Patient, Militaristic, Prudent, Stable, Reliable, Hard-working, Ambitious, Stubborn, and very energetic
• Disciplined, Tenacious, Logical, Governed by Service and Duty to Others

Earth Governs Dragon, Rat, and Ox. It is the central balance of the elements and can lend qualities to all 12 animals as well.

Check the links for more details if your interested...

Well here’s wishing y’all a great 2008!!!

Love & Peace

Cheers!!!