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The Rat is the first of all zodiac animals. According to myth, the Jade Emperor said the order would be decided by the order in which they arrived to his party.
The Rat tricked the Ox into giving him a ride. Then, just as they arrived at the finish line, Rat jumped down and landed ahead of Ox, becoming first.
The Rat is yang in energy and represents the beginning of a new day. The first in the 12 year cycle.
In Chinese culture, rats were seen as a sign of wealth and surplus. Because of their reproduction rate, married couples also prayed to them for children.
Rats are clever, quick thinkers; successful, but content with living a quiet and peaceful life.
The journey is in stark contrast to that of the last animal to finish, the boar, who stopped for a snack and then fell asleep.
The Year of the Boar (2019) was thus fundamentally about completion, self-care and balance, while the Year of the Rat (2020) is much more about progression and starting a new project with great energy.
As a highly perceptive animal that can sense its environment and know when to act, the Rat is one of the Chinese zodiac’s most auspicious signs.
2020 will be a “great relief” for many after a challenging past 12 months.
The year will also be particularly good for businesses and entrepreneurs. Which of course coincides with Jupiter in Capricorn which I have explained in early Dec 2019.
People will develop new skills and polish up their existing skills.
Obstacles will not be such a hindrance and challenges will pull the best out of everyone.
As Rat leads the way, our actions in 2020 are especially significant as we can all use this Rat energy to our advantage whether we are of that nature or not.
The element is also changing this year from Earth to Metal, a huge change from the last two years.
Metal can cut through wood, so people will be sharper and more focused on detail in 2020. Although we may have to work hard, metal will help us make our decisions and get moving, gain more satisfaction in our lives, in the same way as an axe cuts can cut down a tree. And there can be a slightly ruthless quality in this for some if they have a goal to pursue so this is a caution for many.
So from the Chinese astrological perspective we are looking at a year of big changes in society as people will be looking differently to before at world issues, so this will open up new opportunities, even for having empathy and compassion for our fellow man.
Rat represents our shadow self so there will not be so much that we hide from others. There will be a more no nonsense approach to life and others, with not so many niceties to hide our true self.
We will know ourselves much better and also understand others much more.
Another thing is that our weaknesses can become our strengths in this Rat year.
As with Western astrology, Rat provides a transitional year from one element to another but we will all find new truths to help us on our way.
