Hello, 4706!

The oldest and most important festival in China is called the Spring Festival. Many people call it the Chinese New Year. No matter what you call it, it is a time of celebration and renewal all over the world.

The Spring Festival celebrates the Earth coming back to life and the beginning of plowing and planting. Because the Chinese use a lunar calendar, the date of the Spring Festival changes each year -- this year it corresponds to February 7, 2008 on the Western calendar. The traditional Chinese calendar did not use continuously numbered years, but many people consider the new year starting in 2008 to be 4706. In celebration we say, "Gung Hay Fat Choy," which means "Best wishes and Congratulations. Have a prosperous and good year."

Life may seem calmer during this Earth year. That could be deceptive, however, as the Rat never stops moving -- especially when it comes to mental activity.

Unfortunately, Earth has a destructive relationship with the Rat's fixed element, Water. This is not disastrous, but it does mean you should not rely too much on luck this year.