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