The year of 2019, the year of the Earth Pig, was a difficult one for many. It was a year of inner work and reflection and also a pulling together of things, which for many was  preceded by a falling apart of things.

This new year of 2020 not only boasts a new decade, but it’s also fresh positive energy from the Chinese zodiac perspective. Opportunities abound this year and it will be a great year for businesses and promoting yourself! It’s time to reap the benefits of the work you have done over the past several years and also to plant new seeds for the next decade and new 12 year cycle. It’s a year for planning and for taking action on those plans. The possibility of experiencing abundance is available to everyone this year!

The 12 animals of the Chinese zodiac cycle through each of the 5 elements so there is a 60 year full cycle.  With the year of the RAT in 2020 we begin a brand new sign cycle. This is an opportunity for a fresh start. The actions and decisions you make this year set the tone for the next 12 years! From the Chinese zodiac perspective the 2020 “vision” year fits in perfectly with the fresh energy of the Metal Rat (metal being about focus and clarity and the rat bringing a fresh beginning.)

Each animal is naturally connected to an element and the RAT’s element is Water. This particular year we have a METAL RAT. Since metal produces water (think of the condensation on a metal water bottle that is not insulated), we have the metal energy feeding the rat’s natural element, which could mean a more peaceful year. However, 2020 is not a year to be lazy energy since the element of metal is about focus, discipline, refinement, structure, logic and honesty.

Looking at the personality of the Rat helps give us a glimpse of what’s in store for the coming year. Rats have a split personality. They are both Yin and Yang, having front paws with four fingers (yin) and back paws with five toes (yang). Further, each Chinese animal is associated with two hours of the day and the Rat’s energy is split since their hours span two days, going from 11pm – 1am.

Rats are introverts but also need to be around people. They can be bossy (they are the #1 animal in the Chinese zodiac after all…like Aries in the traditional zodiac). Rats aren’t given handouts – they have to scrounge for their food, which means you will need to put yourself out there and go after what you want this year. Rats tend to live in the moment and are devoted to their family. They are very detail-oriented, but they don’t like to work too hard so their success results from using their minds. They are quite adaptable and their best friend is the Ox with other friends being Dragons and Monkeys (this gives you a hint about who has a good year in store!)

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