The "Year of the Earth Ox" begins January 26, 2009 (or the year 4707 in the Chinese calendar)

STURDY, EARTHY, NO-NONSENSE - THAT's THE OX.
Affectionate and easy-going, the Ox can show a fierce temper when agitated. He is neat, tidy, quiet and studious, with a great love of his home. He is a revered animal who also symbolizes diligence, reliability, sincerity, strength and sound judgment. Music can be a great love. Family life and a loving partner are high on the Ox's priorities, a wonderful loyal friend.
But, don't expect these lumbering souls to have a sparkling sense of humor or be style conscious...it's not part of their precious package!
ALL YOU EVER WANTED TO KNOW ABOUT THE OX
-Position in the Zodiac: 2ndRuling
-Hours: 1:00 - 3:00 am
-Season/Month: Winter, January
-Similar to Western Astrological Signs: "Capricorn" with some features of "Taurus"
-Gemstone: Onyx
-Colors: Yellow and blue
-Polarity: Yin
-Element: Water
-Positive Traits: Calm, dependable, honest, caring, honorable, intelligent, industrious, modest, patient, practical, responsible
-Negative Traits: Petty, inflexible, possessive, dogmatic, gullible, stubborn, critical, intolerant, and materialistic
-Associated With Following Countries: Countries Switzerland, India, Cuba, Yemen, Finland, Ukraine
-Very Compatible with Following Animals: Rat, Snake, and Rooster
-Incompatible with Following Animals: Tiger, Horse, Goat, Rabbit, Monkey

FORECAST FOR 2009
The Ox will see an overall improvement in his situation during his birth year, particularly enjoying interaction with others, either with friends and family.
A key phrase to bear in mind this year is 'hold fast'. There may be some setbacks or delays, but if the Ox remains calm and persists, all will be well. There will be an opportunity to study and learn (in common with other signs this year) which should appeal to the Ox not to mention the pride that comes with what is achieved. Between May and July there are significant developments on the work front, in particular important talks with a boss or superior, while September to November will see interesting and delightful romantic encounters!

OX-CELEBRITIES:

J.S.Bach, Pr.Diana, R. Gere, Napoleon, M. Streep, Whoopi G.

Robert Altman, Hans Christian Andersen, Warren Beatty, Jim Carrey, Charlie Chaplin, George Clooney, Bill Cosby, Tony Curtis, Diana ó Princess of Wales, Marlene Dietrich, Walt Disney, Patrick Duffy, Jane Fonda, Gerald Ford, Michael J. Fox, Peter Gabriel, Dustin Hoffman, Anthony Hopkins, Billy Joel, Don Johnson, Mark Knopfler.
Burt Lancaster, Jack Lemmon, Eddie Murphy, Paul Newman, Jack Nickolson, Billy Ocean, Gwyneth Paltrow, Oscar Peterson, Colin Powell, Robert Redford, Lionel Richie, Rubens, Meg Ryan, Bruce Springsteen, Lady Thatcher, Vincent van Gogh.

Preparations for the “OX YEAR” are on their way

The Chinese method of identifying every year with animals has greatly influenced most people, even those living in western influenced countries. So much is its influence that people’s personality and character are often regarded in relation to their Chinese horoscope more than that of its western counterparts.
The 12 animals representing the Chinese calendar years (repeated every 12 years) are: Pig (1911), Rat (1912), Ox (1913), Tiger (1914), Rabbit (1915), Dragon (1916), Snake 1917, Horse (1918), Goat (1919), Monkey (1920), Rooster (1921), and Dog (1922 ).
In the Chinese year, 2008 was represented by the Rat, while 2009 will be the year of the Ox, which will start on the 26th of January, the first new moon of the year. This will mark the beginning of the 15-day festivities, which will continue until February 9, 2009.

Preparations are already undergoing to make the celebration of the entry of the year of the Ox a magnificent one.

Traditional pineapple tarts and other CNY cookies are baked. People are buying New Year cloths and new shoes.

In old China people started well in advance of the New Year's Day. The 20th of the Twelfth Moon was set aside for the annual housecleaning, or the "sweeping of the grounds". Every corner of the house must be swept and cleaned in preparation for the New Year.

Spring Couplets, written in black ink on large vertical scrolls of red paper,

were put on the walls or on the sides of the gate-ways. These couplets, short poems written in Classical Chinese, were expressions of good wishes for the family in the coming year. In addition, symbolic flowers and fruits were used to decorate the house, and colorful New Year pictures (NIAN HUA) were placed on the walls.
GodAfter the house was cleaned it was time to bid farewell to the Kitchen God, or Zaowang. In traditional China, the Kitchen God was regarded as the guardian of the family hearth. He was identified as the inventor of fire, which was necessary for cooking and was also the censor of household morals.

According to legend, the Kitchen God leaves the house on the 23rd of the last month to report to heaven on the behavior of the family during the last year. A negative report by the Kitchen God means a family will suffer from bad luck during the year to come.

In order to ensure a favorable report from the Kitchen God, the custom evolved of feeding him Sticky Cake (Nian Gao). Some said this was either a bribe, or simply a means of ensuring the Kitchen God's mouth was too full of cake to pass on an unfavorable report. Sticky Cake is steamed (as are most Chinese cakes) and made with glutinous rice flour and dried fruit. Traditionally, Sticky Cake is made with peen tong a traditional Chinese brown candy that is available at Asian markets (the glutinous rice flour can also be found at Asian markets).At this time, the family did everything possible to obtain a favorable report from the Kitchen God. On the evening of the 23rd, the family would give the Kitchen God a ritualistic farewell dinner with sweet foods and honey. Some said this was a bribe, others said it sealed his mouth from saying bad things.

Year 4706 is about to start: The Year of Rat

According to the Chinese Zodiac, 2008 is a Year of the Rat (Earth). The Chinese year 4706 begins on Feb. 7, 2008 and ends on January 25, 2009. First in the cycle of 12 Animal signs, Rat Year begins the sequence and recurs every twelfth year.
It is a time of renewal in so many ways. From New Year to Valentine's Day, to the arrival of spring, may all the blessings and delights of the New Year be yours.
People born in the Year of the Rat are noted for their charm and attraction for the opposite sex. They work hard to achieve their goals, acquire possessions, and are likely to be perfectionists. In Chinese, the Rat is respected and considered a courageous, enterprising person. Their ambitions are big, and they are usually very successful. They have broad interests and strong ability in adapting to the environment and able to react adequately to any changes. Basically rats are thrifty with money. Rat people are easily angered and love to gossip. They are most compatible with people born in the years of the Dragon, Monkey, and Ox.
Gwyneth Paltrow, Ben Affleck, Samuel L. Jackson, William Shakespeare, and Mozart were all born in the year of the rat.
Of course, the entire horoscope must be considered when making any personality assessment.

A Rat Year is a time of hard work, activity, and renewal. This is a good year to begin a new job, get married, launch a product or make a fresh start. Ventures begun now may not yield fast returns, but opportunities will come for people who are well prepared and resourceful. The best way for you to succeed is to be patient, let things develop slowly, and make the most of every opening you can find.