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by Astrofriend Abbey Fromkin

February 7, 2008 ushers in the Year of the Rat, traditionally seen as a year of renewal, hard work and activity. According to Chinese astrology, if you were born in 1936, 1948, 1960, 1972, 1984, or 1996, you are born with "rat" characteristics and gifted in many ways. Clever, well-respected and sociable, your relaxed, easy nature allows you to take advantage of all the opportunities presented to you. One of your strengths is your ability to adapt to the changing environment. With grand ambitions, you are a perfectionist who works hard to acquire possessions (even though you're pretty frugal with money) and usually prove to be very successful with whatever projects you take on.

Even if you're not a born Rat, this can be a very productive time for you. If you're thinking of tackling a new job, getting married, or launching a new product, this would be a most advantageous time to do so. Although there won't be immediate returns on projects started this year, if you are prepared, resourceful, and most importantly, patient, you will see the fruits of your labors flourish. One caveat: the Year of the Rat exacerbates "workaholic tendencies," so if you're prone to overdoing it, try to make the effort to cut back. The urge to work obsessively may prevail this year. But, overdoing it, even if it's a job you love, can often leave you sick and living an unbalanced life. Whether that suffering translates to stressful migraine headaches, tendonitis, vertigo or other physical maladies for you, remember how important and therapeutic it is to just pause, slip out of office mode and take a moment to focus on yourself.

Abbey Fromkin owns Life in Balance Acupuncture, where she practices acupuncture and Chinese medicine.