Rat

Hard work will bring its just rewards in the year of the Ox. It might feel you have to make more effort to see results but progress will be made if you take an organized approach to your work. Career could bring some stress as responsibilities will increase as the years wear on. Even so, you will approach new challenges with enthusiasm. You might take part in an ambitious experiment in May and there will be a delightful sense of comradeship among friends and workmates during the middle months of the year. Circumstances around September will encourage you to consider new possibilities for the future. It is unlikely to take you long to reach your decisions and to decide on what to do.

Ox

Your thoughts run on entirely different lines about major plans as the year begins. It could well be you're thinking in terms of moving to a new home more suited to your needs or you're about to embark on a major home-improvement project. You will make some good decisions in your own year and people will respect your opinions. Any delays that seem to plague plans at the start will soon disappear. Single? A new love interest is a possibility. It will take time to feel at ease with this new person in your life. Although it won't be love at first sight, it will be a steady union which will mature and blossom as grows. Most things will go your way this year and you can look to the future with confidence.

Tiger

It might take a little time, as the year begins, for you to readjust to new work schedules. In fact there may not be much of a chance to get settled before you hear of more changes coming along. These may be disturbing at first but they will eventually work out to your advantage. Expect this to be a year of ups and downs. If you learn from your experiences, by the end of the year you will have more control over the impetuous side of your nature. You will know when to keep your thoughts to yourself and when to take discreet action. Risks should be avoided now and you would do well to stay on the right side of those in positions of authority.

Rabbit

It might seem as if people who've been helpful and friendly in the past aren't as sociable now. Relationships aren't as reliable as they have been and you might wonder if you have put your trust in the wrong people. From a health angle, this is likely to be a stressful year. Energy will be high at times but sometimes there's a tendency to feel tired and a little down. You may not feel like associating with people or joining in a community exercise in July. Partners and loved-ones will feel differently and there may be some friction as a result. September might also see you at odds with a loved one. The end of the year will be a good time to try new hobbies and pastimes.

Dragon

You aren't likely to be disappointed with your progress in 2009. A mix of hard work and luck will bring some worthwhile rewards. In your career, where there are disputes and disagreements, these aren't likely to involve you. March is a good month to set new plans in motion. Family life will be harmonious and eventful in July and August. In personal affairs, you will continue to be optimistic. An achievement in September will bring you the favourable notice of higher authority. The very end of the year will bring the chance to put some creative ideas into action and this will bring a time when it will be Ôout with the old' and Ôin with the new'.

Snake

You will have plenty energy as the year begins and an abundance of schemes and dreams you would like to get started on. You know where you want to channel your drive and assertiveness but there will be a need to be patient. It won't be as easy as you may have expected to get the support you need. Throughout the year other people will challenge your decisions. Be sensible with money. If you get a chance to increase your income, think carefully about investing any extra cash rather than carelessly squandering it. Travel doesn't appeal a lot as the year ends but you will be happy entertain anyone who decides to visit you.

Horse

Your future lies in a dramatic expansion of your business and community efforts. Your attitude will be both enterprising and different and your more positive outlook will be welcomed by those around you. In April, expect to spend a lot of time talking things over with others and in communication in general. September will be romantic. If you're single, a get-together will put you in touch with your dream lover. If you're half of a duo, you might whisk your partner away for a romantic weekend and this will add spice to your love life. Short trips at the end of the year will be advantageous to you in some small way.

Sheep

Life will be challenging in 2009; be prepared for additional responsibilities. Restrictions, either in the shape of people, finances or circumstances might hold you back from going after what you truly want. A loved-one's behaviour will start irritating you. Warnings of accidents and minor injuries surround you in July; you should be more than usually careful especially when dealing with machinery of any sort. If you have money worries in October or November, ask for help or professional advice and you could be agreeably surprised by the positive reactions. The end of the year is good for establishing new friendships or for working on strengthening bonds in existing unions.

Monkey

Your sense of humour keeps everyone smiling as the year begins. People will enjoy your company because you instinctively know how to keep the atmosphere cheerful. March will see you in the company of like-minded friends and this will give you insight into a number of matters. You will be flexible as the months wear on and you won't mind making changes to your usual routines to cope with the unexpected. A job offer in September will come as a delightful surprise to you. Young people feature in your life towards the end of the year. It could be you are talked into master-minding a youth club or something similar.

Rooster

The year begins with you behaving in a totally conventional manner and making a point of inviting older relatives to play a more important part in your life. This might be your attempt to heal a minor breach. Between February and April expect to be tied up with serious concerns. At least life won't be monotonous. Sometimes you might wish you didn't have so much responsibility. Happy events in July will mark an important turning point in your personal life and your close relationships. As the year ends it might be a hard uphill slog to accomplish the smallest job.

Dog

Armed with a heightened sense of intuition as the year begins you will be able to spot any chance to enhance your career. A sense of rapport established with senior colleagues will help you find the best way of exploiting new possibilities. The pattern in your life is changing and some hard work and serious planning is necessary if you want to see the best results. Luck will bring a degree of opportunity your way in July. Most of the time in 2009 it will be hard work that brings its just rewards. The more effort you put into your aims, the more you will get out of them.

Pig

Once the New Year celebrations are over, you might do some cautious mixing with neighbours and new friends. The chances are your tentative probing in this area will receive a warm welcome and you can look forward to a more sociable year ahead. April and July are good months to make the effort to meet new faces. Your sociable spirit will take you to areas and places you've not been to before. You will be outgoing and flexible as 2009 progresses. In personal endeavours, you will stick at it until you're satisfied with results. Money news that arrives as the year ends will bring a ray of sunshine into your life.