For those born in the year of the Rat:
1936 - 1948 - 1960 - 1972 - 1984 - 1996.

Let me begin by stating once and for all, Jimmy Cagney never, ever said" You dirty rat." Rats are ingenious, charming, although a tad quick tempered. Rats tend to be financially sound, very ambitious and usually successful. Now that I've got you smugly chomping on the cheese, here's how the cards are going to fall for you this year. You could find yourself feeling out of tune with everyone and everything this year; play no musical instruments, and keep your trap shut! Stay cool, and if you take a laid-back attitude, life will improve and those difficult people will come around to your way of thinking.

Your element is water; make sure you keep your head above it this year.

Famous rats include Marlon Brando (It was you, Charlie), Hugh Grant ("Woopsidaisy", and this to Julia Roberts!), Ursula Andress (No, they are not implants, 007).

For those born in the year of the OX:
1937 - 1949 - 1961 - 1973 - 1985 - 1997.

You Oxen are patient, inspirational, and quite easy going; although I've know some of you to have fiery tempers, and let's face it, where do you think the saying came from? Yes, you can be stubborn as an Ox when the occasion arises. Ergo, my bovine buddies, it's a year that will test your patience. Avoid those born in the years of the Dog or the Goat (Ram), as their signs will clash with yours this year, and so you might get bitten by one and Glasgow-kissed (head-butted) by the other. You will find your work output and energy in a slump, so take a back seat, and await 2007.

Your element is Earth, my friend, so kick some dirt in the faces of those Dogs and Goats.

Famous Oxen include Clark Gable" (Frankly my dear, I don't give a damn."), Richard Gere (What gerbils?), and Richard Nixon ("I am not a crook.").

For those born in the year of the Tiger:
1938 - 1950 - 1962 - 1974 - 1986 - 1998.

Tiger people are sensitive, deep thinking, and capable of great sympathy. They are courageous and powerful, but suspicious of others; in particular the chefs at the Night Safari. 2006 is going to be the year you earn your stripes, oh great one. You will get on well with the Dog people and will reap great rewards from your efforts. This year you are going to have a ball, make loads of money and new friends. Don't forget to save some of that cash for future years; they won't all be as good as this one promises to be.

Your element is wood ; knock on it, kid, it's going to be your year!

Famous Tigers include Richard Branson (The most successful balloon in the airline business.), Mel Brooks ("I gave already, go away"), and Pamela Stephenson (Yes, they are implants, Larry King").

For those born in the year of the Rabbit:
1939 - 1951 - 1963 - 1975 - 1987 - 1999.

Rabbits are articulate, ambitious, make money for little effort; are fond of gossip, can be superficial, and make good liars. It follows that many rabbits are lawyers.
So, for you counselor, 2006 will bring great fortune, and you will benefit from new endeavours based on teamwork (looks like a top QC will be leading you through the year). You will be involved in things to do with life-style, hobbies and creative relaxation. In other words, your main clients will be millionaires, golfers and hookers; come to think about it, that could cover a single client!

Your element is Wood: log-on, branch out, and get back to your roots.

Famous Rabbits include Confucius (Hire lawyer after you go broke, grasshopper.), Orson Wells (Rosebud), and basketball Hall of Fame giant Michael Jordan ("Man, those lawyers have put me through more hoops than I shot for the Chicago Bulls.")

For those born in the year of the Dragon:
1940 - 1952 - 1964 - 1976 - 1988 - 2000.

Your opposition to the Dog could make it a year of endings and transformations, as opposed to beginnings. This could be in your employment or your personal life. The message is to get rid of old possessions - no, I was not alluding to your husband or wife, more like the stuff in the attic or garage. Clean up your act this year and be prepared to move on; the winds of change are blowing already. This time next year boys could be girls, and girls could be boys!

Your element is Earth: you don't have to move mountains, but for God's sake, move!

Famous Dragons include Pearl S Buck (In her element with "The Good Earth", Fats Domino ("I wrote and sang ,"I'm walkin' to New Orleans", but that was light years before Katrina made me run in the other direction."), and Al Pacino (Listen up, son, I'm givin you pearls here; oooah!".

For those born in the year of the Snake:
1941 - 1953 - 1965 - 1977 - 1989 - 2001.

You snakes are natural-born charmers, but you will have to watch it in 2006. You have a reputation of being a bit stingy, and snakes are said to make good teachers or professors; which would explain how niggardly they were in imparting education towards little moi! The year of the Doggie will favour you, but not in a way you'd expect. Maybe your students will throw you a party - a lynching party!

Your element is Fire: You will likewise have to prove that you are hot stuff, this year.

Famous Snakes include Bob Dylan ("The answer my end, is blowin in the wind.), Pierce Brosnan ("As an Irish James Bond, I had to wear two condoms when making love - to be sure, to be sure.") Condoleezza Rice (I'm sure the President knows where Iraq is, despite telling me to take an El Al flight to Baghdad."

For those born in the year of the Horse:
1942 - 1954 - 1966 - 1978 - 1990 - 2002.

Horses tend to be well schooled in languages and the arts; and I should know cos I are one. We Horses are amazingly hard working, independent, intelligent and friendly, (which maybe explains why we can't get work). Still, Horses can look forward to certain benefits in the year of the Dog. We are to experience new directions, and will be recognized for our abilities and talents. "You're too clever by far for Thailand - get out!' We are advised to share our winnings and praise with others - "That's right, dear, what is yours is your own, and what is mine is yours."

Our element is Fire, so 2006 is the year to look up old flames, but don't get your fingers burned.

Famous Horses include Clint Eastwood (Make my day.), Sir Sean Connery (Try shaying," Shir Shean Connery ish a shite for shore eyesh."), Denzel Washington ("I see being a black actor as having some distinct advantages. For one, I have to spend less time in makeup than the white guys.")

For those born in the year of the Sheep (or Ram): 1943 - 1955 - 1967 - 1979 - 1991 - 2003.

Sheep tend to be elegant and artistic; given to materialism, complaining and worrying. You'll find many sheep as actors, gardeners, or even beachcombers. Sadly, it's to be a bad year for the Sheep. Trust not a soul. Check the fine print on any contract and get the full story on any venture into which you may be invited. Deception lurks around every corner for the Sheep this year. One of you may be that wolf in sheep's clothing.

Yours element is Earth: sign anything without a witness present this year and they will put you six feet under the stuff.

Famous Sheep include Leonard Nimoy ("That sounds logical, captain."), Mick Jagger (I can't get no, no Viagra.") Whoopi Goldberg("Normal is just a cycle on the washing machine.")

For those born in the year of the Monkey:
1944 - 1956 - 1968 - 1980 - 1992 - 2004.

Monkeys are smart, intelligent, liked by most people, and tend to be successful in any career they choose. Sounds great, yes? Not this year my cheeky little tree-hopper. This will be a year when life is passing you by in slow-mo. You will need to calm down and curb that Monkey need for curiosity and stimulation. Take my word for it, it will do you no good and you could go blind! Be honest with yourself and others, and you will be fine.

Your element is Metal, but you don't have to press the pedal to the metal to progress.

Famous Monkeys include Leonardo da Vinci (For the last time, Nat King Cole did not paint the Mona Lisa!"), Julius Ceasar ("Say that to my face, guys.") Elizabeth Taylor (I'm old enough to know that no Dog is going to buy me giant diamond this year.)

For those born in the year of the Rooster:
1945 - 1957 - 1969 - 1981 - 1993 - 2005.

Roosters are confident, and sure of themselves without being arrogant. They have great senses of humour but can turn on a dime if insulted. They are tough, but tactful, and make great traveling companions. This does not promise to be a good year for the Rooster. Ideas you've been working on take unexpected turns. There will be many obstacles to overcome. If you stay relaxed and impartial, however, saying little and being more observant, you'll come through the year with flying colours.

Your element is Metal, so don your suit of armour pal; it's going to be a battle in the year of the Dog.

Famous Roosters include Rod Stewart (And he wears it well), Rudyard Kipling (Preferred his poetry to his cakes.), and Yoko Ono (Tough act to follow, is he not?).

For those born in the year of the Pig:
1935 - 1947 - 1959 - 1983 - 1995 - 2007.

Pigs are open and friendly, but expecting the same from others often brings disappointment. They thrive on the arts and make great entertainers. Pigs love to enjoy themselves, but there will be little of that this year. Bacon might be classed as being Kosher, so beware. You will need to work hard at keeping the lid on your natural tendency for exuberance; the rest of the world seems destined to moan, groan and drag their knuckles on the ground. Next year will be yours!

Your element is Water: Take to it like a duck, but don't make too many waves.

Famous Pigs include Sir Elton John (Coolest bride of the year.) Ernest Hemingway ("If you could write as much as you drink, I'd gladly be your literary agent.") and California Governor, Arnold Schwarzenegger (I may not be back, after the Tookie Williams decision.")

For those born in this, the Year Of The Dog:
1946 - 1958 - 1970 - 1982 - 1994 - 2006.

Well you Dog you; you've picked a great year for yourself. You dogs tend to love the ones you love too much, and find fault with others. Tend to be faithful and true to your partners, and show enough loyalty and blind obedience to be employed by the C.I.A.! It'll be a good year for Doggies, but watch what you say and to whom. You'll be recognized for your work this year but you won't always feel at ease with this. Some Washington fat cat's wife will tell CNN what a good secret agent you are, and dash it all kiddo, you may have to leave Iraq faster than a Scud missile.

Your element is Earth: you just may have to dig a foxhole this year.

Famous Dogs include Shirley MacLaine (still dancing as fast as she can.), Dolly Parton (Still the biggest lungs in country music.) and CNN's Christiane Amanpour (If, as you say, "Being a war correspondent is not just being a war correspondent." What else is being a war correspondent, Chris? - "being at least five miles behind your camera man!'.