| THE YEARS OF THE RAT | | | | that man out of your hair. |
| | | | |
| January 31, 1900 to February 19, 1901 | | | | Rat men make excellent lovers. Sexually, they |
| | | | are imaginative and go about their business |
| February 18, 1912 to February 6, 1913 | | | | with hearty appetite. These clever men are |
| | | | usually not guilty of self-indulgence in bed. |
| February 5, 1924 to January 25, 1925 | | | | There may be a tinge of self-interest in |
| | | | their desire to please their partners, but |
| January 24, 1936 to February 11, 1937 | | | | then nobody's perfect. |
| | | | |
| February 10, 1948 to January 29, 1949 | | | | Mr. Rat is a very presentable figure at |
| | | | social gatherings. He may not always be |
| January 28, 1960 to February 15, 1961 | | | | cheerful to waiters or servants, but he does |
| | | | treat guests and companions in a charming |
| February 15, 1972 to February 2, 1973 | | | | fashion. And, for the most part, Rat manners |
| | | | are impeccable. |
| February 2, 1984 to February 19, 1985 | | | | |
| | | | Rat men like to feel they are being |
| February 19, 1996 to February 6, 1997 | | | | helpful.When a Rat man takes up with a woman, |
| | | | often she is in some state of need or under |
| February 7, 2008 to January 25, 2009 | | | | weighty psychological pressure. The danger |
| | | | here, of course, is that once the subject of |
| January 25, 2020 to February 11, 2021 | | | | his seduction shows signs of standing on her |
| | | | own two feet and is no longer needful of his |
| MADAME RAT | | | | attentions and aid, the Rat swain may either |
| | | | try to bully her into resubmission or else he |
| Ms. Rat is part femme fatale and part career | | | | will leave her in the lurch. Rat men pride |
| woman. Between the two, she has a humdinger | | | | themselves on how many times they have made |
| of a time keeping up with her desire to fill | | | | you cry or laugh or in some way aroused your |
| both roles. On any given day, you may catch | | | | emotions and titillated your nervous system. |
| her on the run between committee meetings and | | | | Soggy, routinized relationships do not |
| her spring cleaning, mop and bucket in hand | | | | interest Rat males. They love romance, revere |
| and silk scarf camouflaging hair curlers. | | | | passion, and seek tenderness with exaggerated |
| Upon first glimpse, you might think she is | | | | zeal. |
| her own cleaning lady. Look a bit more | | | | |
| closely. Lady Rat's make-up has been | | | | In a way, when you ponder this for a moment, |
| fastidiously applied, her fingernails freshly | | | | just about everybody owes a natural human |
| manicured, and underneath her smock she is | | | | debt to someone who is clever enough to cause |
| wearing a tidy navy-blue skirt and blouse. | | | | him to weepa single tear of emotion or choke |
| Notice her feet. They are neatly stockinged | | | | on a hearty guffaw. There is something about |
| and shod in go-to-business footwear. Each day | | | | the Rat's poignancy that makes him a man to |
| of her life is a furious battle, a tussle | | | | be reckoned with by friends and foes alike. |
| with time and a race against the clock of | | | | |
| Fate for the maintenance of her dual | | | | PRESCRIPTION FOR THE FUTURE |
| self-image. | | | | |
| | | | Rapacious Rat, you are among the strongest |
| Rat women like to be married. Idle | | | | influences in the Chinese zodiac. When Buddha |
| flirtations and philanderings rarely manage | | | | called all the animals together, you got |
| to hold their interest for long. No matter | | | | there first. Why? Not because you are so |
| how time-consuming a job she may hold, | | | | fleet of foot, but because you are terminally |
| regardless of how much "coupledom" seems to | | | | relentless. From way back in Buddha's time, |
| take away from Ms. Rat's energy supply, for | | | | the honor of lucidity and clairvoyance has |
| some reason she persists in wishing to live | | | | been bestowed upon you. Why, since you are |
| side by side with a mate. Not that the | | | | endowed with special powers of vision, must |
| quality of marriage rapport matters to Rat | | | | you so taunt yourself with reiteration? Why |
| women all that much. They don't seem to | | | | do you cling so fervently to the past? |
| shrink in horror from tensions, arguments, | | | | Moreover, we wonder for what reason you |
| excessive drinking, or other types of caddish | | | | insist on aggressiveness as the path to |
| behavior in their husbands. As far as Rat | | | | sorting out your differences with the |
| women are concerned, it comes with the | | | | present. |
| territory. | | | | |
| | | | Mainly, I suppose, the gift of perspicacity |
| To a Rat woman, what counts more than | | | | weighs heavily on your soul. Truly, you feel |
| anything else is security. She saves her | | | | (and may actually be) superior to those with |
| money, hoards sugar and other endangered | | | | whom you are forced to deal. Yet, without |
| staples, and buys the best clothes available | | | | communication, you feel we will never |
| for herself and family. (Good workmanship, | | | | recognize you for what you know yourself to |
| you know; makes them last longer.) Yet, Rat | | | | be. How, you wonder, can those of us who do |
| women are also capable of enormous | | | | not ply our various life styles with charm |
| extravagance and from time to time are given | | | | and push ever grasp what you are all about? |
| to what appears to be wasteful spending | | | | Do you ever hear yourself speaking? If so, I |
| sprees. Back and forth goes the Ratlette from | | | | would be willing to barter my left pinkie |
| extravagance to penny pinching as she buys up | | | | finger against the odds you are not always |
| enormous quantities of expensive useless | | | | comfortable as your own audience. |
| items only to squander them on those around | | | | |
| her as gifts of love and emotional blackmail. | | | | You want your ideas to bounce off an |
| | | | intelligent ear, and you don't always trust |
| In truth, the Rat lady does not come | | | | your own opinions enough to allow them |
| naturally by her generosity. Albeit she wants | | | | uncontested forum inside your head. Yet, you |
| to be noted for philanthropy, largesse (in | | | | know full well that you are a capable and |
| any currency) is something she has to strive | | | | sensitive soul. Why do you nag at yourself |
| for. Oh, she may tell you that she finds | | | | so? We all find you charming and witty. But |
| waste a dreadful human failing because when | | | | you doubt yourself and need us for repeated |
| she was a little girl she had to wear | | | | confirmation of your plans and projects. |
| hand-me-downs and could never have birthday | | | | |
| parties because her family was destitute. And | | | | "But," you may exclaim, "I do not wish to be |
| she may really lend credence to that | | | | left alone. I want you to listen to me. |
| psychology as a sound reason for her | | | | Exchange ideas with me. I can't hole up in |
| reluctance to give of herself, her time, her | | | | some baseboard and gnaw my way through life's |
| love and affection, or her smile. Don't | | | | ordeals without an audience!" |
| believe it for a minute. I (and you, too, I | | | | |
| am sure) know scads of generous poor people | | | | Your point is well taken. I think you are |
| who would rather give you their skimpy | | | | probably correct in thinking that you are not |
| vittles than eat themselves. | | | | a loner. You need a presence (or six) in your |
| | | | life that can soak up all the extra flak you |
| What is further strange about the Rat woman's | | | | ceaselessly conjure for yourself. But people, |
| ambivalence toward benevolence is that most | | | | even those of us who adore the very ground |
| of the female Rats I know are outwardly | | | | you rampage, do get weary. We may even (God |
| magnanimous. They do really give fabulous | | | | forbid!) have our own lives to live. |
| dinner parties and offer to take my kids for | | | | |
| the afternoon. But one senses that they are | | | | You are more ambitious than most. You |
| not very comfortable about doing so. Rat | | | | accomplish many worthy tasks. You are clever |
| ladies worry a lot. "If I do this for | | | | and wily and do much to earn the respect of |
| so-and-so, will he do that for me?" is but | | | | your public. But you worry too much. Your |
| one possible verbalization of their innermost | | | | sweet-natured self is repeatedly disappointed |
| thoughts. | | | | in those of us whose energy level is not up |
| | | | to yours. |
| In male/female alliances, Rat women have a | | | | |
| tendency to lean rather heavily on their | | | | Try to accept us for who we are. And then set |
| mates. The point I made before about Ms. Rat | | | | about telling yourself how terrific YOU |
| needing a husband rather than simply a | | | | really are for us onlookers. Assume the role |
| companion or occasional escort or lover is | | | | of greatness and soon you may see that |
| based largely on this aspect of the Rat | | | | superiority comes naturally to you. |
| woman's character. Rat women, despite an | | | | |
| enormous ability to function in social and | | | | COMPATIBILITIES |
| business situations, always flee back to the | | | | |
| nest when trouble arises. They are loath to | | | | AFFFAIRS OF THE HEART |
| appear to be doing any real decision-making | | | | |
| on their own. Rat girls are forever saying, | | | | You, restive Rat, will be happiest with a |
| "I can't really say whether or not I will be | | | | partner born under the sign of the |
| able to come to your coffee klatsch on | | | | distinguished Dragon. Rats sometimes worry |
| Sunday. I'll have to ask Ralph if he needs me | | | | unduly and gnaw away at themselves from |
| at home." Could be, Ralph doesn't even care | | | | within. Dragons let their anxieties show, |
| if Madame Rat attends her shindig or not. | | | | trot them out, and let off steam at each new |
| Yet, she prefers to think he does. | | | | upset. Let a daring Dragon do some of that |
| | | | fidgeting for you. Dragons are not only |
| Because Rat women fear losing their husbands, | | | | exciting, they are wise. You will have your |
| they often emanate vibrations of desperation | | | | work cut out for you all the days of your |
| vis-Ã -vis men. Unfortunately for Madame | | | | life. Applauding, admiring, and encouraging |
| Rat, men feel this brand of premeditated | | | | the Dragon is an easy task for a generous, |
| hopelessness very strongly. It makes their | | | | garrulous Rat. |
| skin crawl. More and more these days, strong | | | | |
| men are attracted to their forceful female | | | | Possible, too, are Ox people. Oxen are |
| counterparts. The Rat lady's intrinsic desire | | | | plodders. When you flag, they are always |
| to depend on a big tough male partner is | | | | there to bail you out of quagmires of |
| likely to discourage a forceful man | | | | emotional depths. The Ox lover will want to |
| straightaway. As a result, Rat women often | | | | wear the pants, but will endeavor to smooth |
| end up attracting weaker men who willingly do | | | | out life's wrinkles for a beloved Rat. |
| their bidding. Of course, once she catches | | | | |
| such a lily-livered creepy-crawly,the wily | | | | Rats simply adore Monkeys. Providing the |
| Ms. Rat makes short work of despising him for | | | | Monkey knows how to limit his trickery, this |
| his feeble attempts to please her. | | | | duo will be blissfully happy. Rats give up |
| | | | much for love. The busy Monkey must respect |
| If you find yourself in love with a Rat lady, | | | | that fidelity clause. |
| my advice to you is simple: Learn first how | | | | |
| to corner her gently in her own petards. Try | | | | Other choices are Dog and Pig. The Dog shares |
| to show her in the sweetest way you can that | | | | a love of sentiment and romance with the Rat. |
| you are willing to repay her kind attentions | | | | As long as the Rat remembers to bring home |
| (and of these she has a surplus to offer) | | | | presents from those long trips, the Dog can |
| with security and tenderness so long as she | | | | stay put and mind their community stores. If |
| can accept you for what you are. Otherwise, | | | | the Rat can adapt himself to the Pig's |
| if you fail to warn the future Madame Rat of | | | | delicate nature and be slightly more gentle, |
| your intention to remain at least partially | | | | a Rat/Pig match could work well. Both are |
| independent of her, she will destroy your | | | | bons vivants, enjoy a good joke or new best |
| love by smothering your spirit. She will feel | | | | seller, and are sensual in the extreme. |
| duty-bound to try and change you. Every Rat | | | | |
| woman has an idea of what her Prince Charming | | | | A hypersensitive Rat should avoid protracted |
| ought to be like. If you do not cooperate and | | | | love affairs or marriages with Horses. The |
| refuse to measure up to her draconian | | | | double dose of egocentricity that the Horse |
| standards of masculinity and flair, in the | | | | inflicts on his Rat love could serve to |
| long run she will let you down. | | | | confuse and hurt those born in Rat years. In |
| | | | another way, the Cat/Rabbit, being housebound |
| Elizabeth, my best female Rat friend, is | | | | and reclusive, may find the Rat's socializing |
| English. She lives in London. Liz is married | | | | disruptive to his preference for quiet. |
| to a very handsome actor who drinks, beats | | | | Besides, the clever Cat/Rabbit has all he can |
| her up regularly, and routinely consorts with | | | | do to resist trying to annihilate some of |
| other women.On the rare occasions when they | | | | that Rat aggressiveness. Unless the passion |
| are on speaking terms, Liz treats Tony like a | | | | is overwhelming, Rats should avoid Horses and |
| child. "Here, darling, let me straighten your | | | | Cat/Rabbits, and never should a Rat take up |
| tie. Don't be late to the theater, precious. | | | | with a Fire Horse. Disaster is certain to |
| We wouldn't want you to miss your cue," she | | | | follow. |
| flutters. | | | | |
| | | | SOCIAL AFFAIRS |
| After Antony had left that evening, Liz | | | | |
| confided to me, "I'd be willing to bet he | | | | Rats like people. Sociable and generous, they |
| goes out drinking after the show. He's | | | | give themselves easily to comradeship. But |
| nothing but a gin-sop. He never even makes | | | | not everybody is capable of being a good |
| love to me any more. It's a good job he | | | | friend to the agitated Rat. Two Rats, |
| doesn't try, either. He repulses me." | | | | comfortable because they are at home with |
| | | | their mutual foibles, can make a fine pair. |
| One day in a weak moment, I asked Liz point | | | | But twin Rats will tend to pick on each |
| blank. "Why do you two stay together? Is it | | | | other. A Pig will make an excellent chum for |
| for the sake of the children?" | | | | a jolly Rat. They can expect much frolicking |
| | | | and laughter from their union. The Rat will |
| "Mercy, no!" Liz replied as though shocked at | | | | think up lovely schemes. The pleasant Pig pal |
| the very mention of her offspring. "The | | | | will not mind carrying out the Rat's amusing |
| children are away at school. What possible | | | | plans. Snakes also have a lot in common with |
| difference could it make to them?" She | | | | Rats. Snakes give sound advice. Rats can take |
| crossed her silken legs and loaded an ivory | | | | all the reassurance they can find. Dragons, |
| cigarette holder. | | | | as well, make good company for the Rat. The |
| | | | Rat is impressed with the Dragon's dash and |
| I gaped at her. "Well, then???" said I. | | | | pizzazz. The Dragon delights in Rat applause. |
| | | | Monkeys, of course, make fascinating company |
| With a shrug and a glare, Liz wheeled about | | | | for the Rat, who admires Monkey agility of |
| to snap, "You Americans do ask the most | | | | spirit. Rats wish they had that easy Monkey |
| indiscreet questions. I suppose I stay | | | | grace of contact with fellows. Malicious |
| married to Antony Granville because he is my | | | | Monkeys can dupe any earnest Rat, so that |
| husband. Isn't that reason enough?" | | | | unavoidable emotional strain will eventually |
| | | | be put on the sentimental Rat. Rats and |
| Yes, Liz. Your marriage is reason enough in | | | | Roosters get along in a flashy, superficial |
| itself. What a Rat woman needs most is an | | | | manner. The amity will be short-lived. The |
| attractive framework from which she may go | | | | Rooster's braggadocio gets on Rat nerves. |
| out into the world and exercise her charm and | | | | |
| winning ways. She is a superb house-holder, a | | | | Rats should steer clear of the idealistic |
| superior hostess, and never less than | | | | Tiger or Dog. They misunderstand each other |
| fascinating company. | | | | from the word "Go." And Cat/Rabbits should be |
| | | | avoided. They really don't respect Rats. The |
| MONSIEUR RAT | | | | relationship will be little more than civil. |
| | | | |
| In his own head, the Rat male is never wrong, | | | | BUSINESS AFFAIRS |
| unattractive, or selfish. The world is a | | | | |
| terrible place, people are no damned good, | | | | Rats are often active independents who |
| and he has too many responsibilities and not | | | | flourish running their own small |
| enough support from loved ones. Indeed, Rat | | | | businesses.They enjoy being called upon to |
| males feel they were born with the short end | | | | meet the public and exercise their |
| of the stick tightly locked between their | | | | redoubtable charm on customers. The Rat might |
| sharp teeth. So sue, Brother Rat. Write a | | | | open his own bar or restaurant. Too, Rats |
| letter to God. Phone the Pope. Put Scotland | | | | enjoy the prestige of executive positions. |
| Yard on the case. | | | | They must not, however, be given desk jobs as |
| | | | they are not at their best when sedentary. |
| The other day, while prowling about my | | | | Sales-managing positions involving travel, |
| mother's attic, I came upon a wooden box | | | | meeting clients, lunching with prospective |
| containing the personal effects and | | | | buyers, and holding meetings for crews of |
| correspondence of my Rat Uncle Ed. The stacks | | | | personnel will amuse and delight the Rat. He |
| of papers, letters, and documents inside | | | | will keep meticulous accountings of his |
| intrigued my snooping eye, among them a | | | | generous business expenses. |
| yellowed folder containing a series of | | | | |
| handwritten dated lists. Each was entitled | | | | If a Rat person does choose to enter a |
| "Sacrifices." They were notes to my uncle | | | | business partnership, he is advised to do so |
| from himself and constituted a kind of diary | | | | with a dominant Dragon, a lucky Pig, or even |
| of what he had felt about life from early | | | | a Monkey. With this last accord, however, |
| adulthood through old age. | | | | there may be sparks. Monkeys are tricky and |
| | | | intelligent in commerce. Rats idolize |
| So typically Ratlike is this data, I feel I | | | | Monkeys, almost too blindly at times. The |
| ought to share some of it with you. The April | | | | Monkey may turn on the adoring Rat partner |
| 18, 1935, sacrifices are my favorite. The | | | | and finish him before they share in any |
| faded penciled list read: "(1) Today, I lost | | | | profits. As in love and friendship, the ego |
| my good fountain pen. (2) The dog ran away on | | | | drives of the haughty Horse are usually too |
| Sunday. (3) Shirley tells me I have | | | | strong for the amenable and pleasant Rat to |
| halitosis. (That's bad breath.) (4) I dug up | | | | withstand. Rats might try a venture with |
| my grandfather's watch from the old | | | | Oxen. As long as the Rat rushes about selling |
| homestead. It's broken. (5) Tomorrow is my | | | | and sniffing out new contacts, the Ox will be |
| birthday and Shirley is not going to give me | | | | satisfied to hold down the fort back at the |
| a party. No money. (6) My auto is | | | | office. |
| irreparable. The throttle sticks. (7) I | | | | |
| haven't sold a property in four weeks." | | | | FAMILY AFFAIRS |
| | | | |
| Poor Rats. Nobody understands them...nobody, | | | | As a parent, the Rat is protective and |
| that is, except themselves. Because Rat men | | | | somewhat authoritarian. Rats like their |
| feel a lackof comprehension from others, at | | | | children to show signs of intelligence early. |
| times they can be dreary company. They are | | | | They will spend much time with little ones, |
| never satisfied with the moment in which they | | | | teaching, inventing games, and encouraging |
| live and hence spend enormous sums of time | | | | creativity. For these reasons, Rats get along |
| and money in attempts to improve same. Rather | | | | well with malleable, sweet-natured kids. |
| than blame themselves for any single error in | | | | Babies born under Ox, Goat, or Pig should |
| judgment or timing, they prefer to waste | | | | bring much happiness to his Rat parent. |
| their energies mulling it about or talking it | | | | Complicity will be found in the favorite |
| over with a willing audience. | | | | Monkey child, who astonishes his indulgent |
| | | | Rat parent with his wit and wile. Horse |
| Should Fortune nominate you to one of these | | | | children will exasperate the Rat parent. |
| voluntary Rat listening posts, permit me to | | | | "Why?" asks the Rat mother or father. "Must |
| give you a tip. Do not, under any | | | | he/she be be so selfish?" If the Horse child |
| circumstances, suppose for one second that | | | | does not quit the Rat's nest at a young age, |
| you can reason with a male Rat. Let him do | | | | the Rat may find a way to forcibly urge him |
| all the talking. He needs to work things out | | | | to go out and seek his own fortune. |
| in words before he can act on them. Nod, | | | | |
| smile, grunt, shake your head from side to | | | | Since the Rat is a sociable type and enjoys |
| side, and tsk a lot. In short, lend your ear | | | | company, whatever signs his kids are born |
| if you will, but keep your own thoughts for | | | | under, he will try to befriend, advise, and |
| yourself. | | | | provide amply for their needs. Tiger, Dragon, |
| | | | and Dog offspring may consider themselves to |
| Getting involved in his maze of Rat | | | | be one cut above their striving Rat parents. |
| peregrinations may indeed serve to cleanse | | | | With these, the Rat will be obliged to |
| and purge his troubled soul, but you in turn | | | | exercise his aggression, his or her only way |
| may have to spend three days on a shrink's | | | | to prove that he/she deserves respect. |
| couch or at least in the shower so as to wash | | | | |