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Snake 2 February 1965 to 20 January 1966
Horse 21 January 1966 to 8 February 1967
Goat 9 February 1967 to 29 January 1968
Monkey 30 January 1968 to 16 February 1969
Rooster 17 February 1969 to 5 February 1970
Dog 6 February 1970 to 26 January 1971
Pig 27 January 1971 to 14 February 1972
Rat 15 February 1972 to 2 February 1973
Ox 3 February 1973 to 22 January 1974
Tiger 23 January 1974 to 10 February 1975
Rabbit 11 February 1975 to 30 January 1976
Dragon 31 January 1976 to 17 February 1977
Snake 18 February 1977 to 6 February 1978
Horse 7 February 1978 to 27 January 1979
Goat 28 January 1979 to 15 February 1980
Monkey 16 February 1980 to 4 February 1981
Rooster 5 February 1981 to 24 January 1982
Dog 25 January 1982 to 12 February 1983
Pig 13 February 1983 to 1 February 1984
Rat 2 February 1984 to 19 February 1985
Ox 20 February 1985 to 8 February 1986
Tiger 9 February 1986 to 28 January 1987
Rabbit 29 January 1987 to 16 February 1988
Dragon 17 February 1988 to 5 February 1989
Snake 6 February 1989 to 26 January 1990
Horse 27 January 1990 to 14 February 1991
Goat 15 February 1991 to 3 February 1992
Monkey 4 February 1992 to 22 January 1993
Rooster 23 January 1993 to 9 February 1994
Dog 10 February 1994 to 30 January 1995
Pig 31 January 1995 to 18 February 1996
Rat 19 February 1996 to 6 February 1997
Ox 7 February 1997 to 27 January 1998
Tiger 28 January 1998 to 15 February 1999
Rabbit 16 February 1999 to 4 February 2000
Dragon 5 February 2000 to 23 January 2001
Snake 24 January 2001 to 11 February 2002
Horse 12 February 2002 to 31 January 2003
Goat 1 February 2003 to 21 January 2004
Monkey 22 January 2004 to 8 February 2005
Rooster 9 February 2005 to 28 January 2006
Dog 29 January 2006 to 17 February 2007
Pig 18 February 2007 to 6 February 2008
Rat 7 February 2008 to 25 January 2009
Ox 26 January 2009 to 13 February 2010
Tiger 14 February 2010 to 2 February 2011
Rabbit 3 February 2011 to 22 January 2012
Dragon 23 January 2012 to 9 February 2013
NOTE
The names of the signs in the Chinese zodiac occasionally differ, although the characteristics of the signs remain the same. In some books the Ox is referred to as the Buffalo or Bull, the Rabbit as the Hare or Cat, the Goat as the Sheep and the Pig as the Boar.
For the sake of convenience, the male gender is used throughout this book. Unless otherwise stated, the characteristics of the signs apply to both sexes.
WELCOME TO THE YEAR OF THE DRAGON
Vibrant, exciting and colourful, the Dragon heads many a carnival. Amid cheers and much rejoicing, it weaves back and forth, enchanting the crowds. It is bold and flamboyant, and in 2012 few will remain untouched by its influence. This is no ordinary year and no ordinary time.
Dragon years are action driven and times for major initiatives. As the Chinese proverb states, ‘Better to do it than to miss it.’
This year, in view of some of the economic difficulties that have been experienced in recent years, many governments and organizations will be concentrating their efforts on encouraging growth and stimulating industry and investment. Major incentives will be offered to help the situation and in many countries projects will be announced to create new jobs and additional funding will be given to education and training. Dragon years favour progress, but opportunities do need to be taken when they arise. In this fast-moving year, there is no time to waste.
Elections will be held in several countries this year, with the economy featuring strongly in many a campaign. In the American election in particular, much of the year will be spent in considering the way forward. There will be controversy, surprise and drama. This election, as with others held in 2012, will be a driving force for change and ambitious new initiatives.
Another factor which will be important will be the question of national identity, with many people feeling concerned about their nation’s role in the world. Some countries could see nationwide campaigns giving voice to certain issues, with minorities and smaller parties active and frequently influential. This proved the case with the Polish Solidarity movement in the Dragon year of 1988, and its strikes led to monumental change in Eastern Europe. The voices of some factions in this Year of the Dragon will be equally telling.
In addition to the incentive and investment schemes launched during the year, there will be important developments in many other areas. In building and infrastructure, some large-scale projects will be started which will bring considerable improvement to some regions, while in science and medicine, exciting advances will be made. Penicillin was just one of the major discoveries made in a previous Dragon year.
In 2012 the solar system is also likely to open up more of its secrets. The last Dragon year saw the identification of two new planets, and this year again some exciting new finds will be made. For astronomers, this can be a highly significant year.
There will also be major developments in the area of transport, especially in the creation of high-speed links and the manufacture of environmentally friendly vehicles. Green technology will feature strongly during the year, with Expo 2012, held in South Korea, being a showcase for some truly innovative thinking.
A feature of Dragon years is that they favour expression, and in the world of fashion, new styles are likely to catch the imagination, while in music, artists will be keen to experiment and promote new sounds, with some new bands attracting a worldwide following. Interestingly, it was in a Dragon year that Beatlemania became such a global phenomenon, with the Beatles being the first band to sell a million copies of a record before its release.
The film industry, too, will enjoy some major successes, not only with some spectacular blockbusters but also in furthering cinematography.
The internet will continue to have a great impact, with popular new sites and exciting advances in home entertainment. As is the way with Dragon years, certain ideas will take root and develop into something major. This was the case with Wikipedia, launched in the last Dragon year, which has now grown into a vast resource.
There will be an undeniable buzz to the year and many will find it inspiring and exciting. This will be especially true of the summer Olympics, held in London. People around the world will follow the fortunes of top sportsmen and women and see some spectacular achievements. The excitement will help generate a feel-good factor that, for a time, will be a welcome distraction from more worldly concerns.
The British royal family is never far from the news and 2012 promises to be an eventful year. It was in 1952, 60 years ago, that the young Princess Elizabeth came to the throne, and this Dragon year will again see considerable pageantry and celebration, as well as some surprises.
Dragon years have considerable positive energy, but sadly can also bring disaster. This year will again be marked by natural catastrophe, perhaps very early on. Not only could there be earthquakes in various parts of the world and volcanoes erupting, but the vagaries of the weather system may well play havoc in certain regions. However, when tragedy strikes, many nations will rally and provide support. Some wonderful gestures will be made, as with the Race Against Time, a charity event raising money to fight children’s diseases which took place in a previous Dragon year, which had 50 million people participating worldwide.
As leader of the carnival, the Dragon energizes proceedings, and many will find that this is a year for action. The Chinese consider the Dragon year a time of good fortune and one favouring marriage and starting a family or business. Whatever your plans, this is a time to move forward.
Although some signs will fare better than others, the Dragon year will offer opportunities for us all. Do make the most of these 12 months, for your actions will in some way make a difference.
I wish you every success and good fortune.
18 FEBRUARY 1912
5 FEBRUARY 1913 Water Rat
5 FEBRUARY 1924
23 JANUARY 1925 Wood Rat
24 JANUARY 1936
10 FEBRUARY 1937 Fire Rat
10 FEBRUARY 1948
28 JANUARY 1949 Earth Rat
28 JANUARY 1960
14 FEBRUARY 1961 Metal Rat
15 FEBRUARY 1972
2 FEBRUARY 1973 Water Rat
2 FEBRUARY 1984
19 FEBRUARY 1985 Wood Rat
19 FEBRUARY 1996
6 FEBRUARY 1997 Fire Rat
7 FEBRUARY 2008
25 JANUARY 2009 Earth Rat
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