World Forecast 2008

Forecast for 2008: the Chinese year of the Yang Earth Rat - 17th February 2008 to the 25th January 2009.

As the first of the 12 Chinese Animals, Rat years traditionally signal the start of new things. It may not be obvious, but in 2008 people throughout the world will begin to think in a different way, and that fresh thought process will endure over the next 12 years.  But 2008 is an Earth Rat year and above all the Earth Rat appreciates security.  He likes to hang on to his money, but he will be generous to his family and friends.

The Rat doesn't like to gamble so 2008 is not a year to embark on risky adventures.  Hedge funds will not enjoy this coming year as they did the year of the Fire Pig but stock markets will rise towards the year end.

[I published this prediction in April 2007, and now (July 2008) it is clear that the big change ushered in by the Yang Earth Rat is a deep distrust of the global banking system which has left Western economies at the mercy of Asian economies.  It signals the start of an economic power shift from the USA to China that will be unstoppable over the next 12 years.]

But it will be a good year for business start ups based on sound pragmatic ideas.  Yet the full fruits of success will only be revealed in future years.

The Rat is a sociable animal who enjoys a party - particularly large events.  The Olympics is an excellent excuse for just such a party and there will be others.  Pop concerts will enjoy an excellent year.

Ebay, auction houses and similar businesses will enjoy their best year ever as the frugal rat finds ways to recycle unwanted goods, and to buy products at bargain prices.

Politically 2008 will see the beginning of the end of the military adventures in Iraq and Afganistan, but governments will spend much more money on internal security measures as a better way to counter the potentially violent.

To see how you (and your Chinese animal) will fare in the year of the Yang Earth Rat select the 'Your Future' program.

And to see how birth numbers will affect individuals, use the 'Character analysis' program with both Chinese and Western revealing interpretations.