"YOUR INNER ANIMAL"  
By Maxine Lucille Fiel
 
THE RAT:
Feb.5,1924-Jan.23,1925
Jan.24,1936-Feb.10,1937
Feb.10,1948-Jan.28,1949
Jan.28,1960-Feb.14,1961
Feb.15,1972-Feb.2,1973
Feb.2,1984-Feb.19,1985
Feb.19,1996-Feb.6,1997
*Personality Profile:  Charming, intelligent and resourceful.  Since the 
presence of a plump rat in a Chinese farmer's home has historically been 
seen as an indicator of big harvests, your sign is known as a "wealth 
animal."  *Points of Pride:  With your sharp wit, social savvy and 
enterprising nature (you're a self-starter), you achieve whatever you 
pursue.  *Weak Side:  You can be a social climber, and your thriftiness 
sometimes borders on stinginess.  *Love Match:  Dragon, Monkey or Ox.  
*Your 1996 Forecast:  Because it starts off a fresh lunar cycle, the Rat 
Year is the best time for you to initiate new plans.  Whether it's a 
change in career, location, appearance, friendship or romance, make your 
move now.  Unexpected luck, gains and promotions could come out of the 
blue.  And romance never looked better!
  
THE OX:
Jan.24,1925-Feb.12,1926
Feb.11,1937-Jan.30,1938
Jan.29,1949-Feb.16,1950
Feb.15,1961-Feb.4,1962
Feb.3,1973-Jan.22,1974
Feb.20,1985-Feb.8,1986
*Personality Profile:  Calm, methodical and inflexible.  You don't like to 
be told what to do.  And because you're so security-minded, you're 
unlikely to let gains slip away.  *Points of Pride:  You seldom rush into 
things impulsively.  When you do resolve to get out of a situation, you 
take decisive action.  *Weak Side:  Because routines are important to you, 
getting stuck in a rut is a real danger.  Stoic and quiet, you tend 
neither to complain nor to explain-which may lead to misunderstandings.  
*Love Match:  Snake, Rooster or Rat.  *Your 1996 Forecast:  Last year's 
achievements will pay off in this prosperous time.  Set aside your "my 
way is the only way" mentality and accept help.  The charmer who's making 
you feel so sexy may not be what he seems, so don't end another 
relationship just to be with him.
 
THE TIGER:
Feb.13,1926-Feb.1,1927
Jan.31,1938-Feb.18,1939
Feb.17,1950-Feb.5,1951
Feb.5,1962-Jan.24,1963
Jan.23,1974-Feb.10,1975
Feb.9,1986-Jan.28,1987
*Personality Profile:  Leader and risk taker, you act first and think 
later.  But since yours is one of the luckiest signs, you usually escape 
unscathed.  *Points of Pride:  You have the courage to follow your 
convictions, and people admire this about you. * Weak Side:  Since you're 
governed by your heart, you can be hot-tempered and implusive.  
*Love Match:  Horse, Dragon or Dog.  *Your 1996 Forecast:  Have you 
underestimated someone lately?  If so, now's a good time to revise your 
opinions and make peace.  Though Tigers usually dominate, this is the 
Rat's year in the sun.  Keep your gorgeous stripes in the shade.
 
THE RABBIT:
Feb.2,1927-Jan.22,1928
Feb.19,1939-Feb.7,1940
Feb.6,1951-Jan.26,1952
Jan.25,1963-Feb.12.1964
Feb.11,1975-Jan.30,1976
Jan.29,1987-Feb.16,1988
*Personality Profile:  Gentle, discrete and social.  Though you wouldn't 
dream of airing dirty laundry in public, you aren't above the occasional 
gossip session.  Financially lucky, you often inherit money.  *Points of 
Pride:  You have beautiful manners and elegant taste.  But you can fight 
like a lion to protect your family and home.  *Weak Side:  Confrontations 
make you crazy.  You'd rather waffle than take a stand, so you're 
unlikely even to sign a petition.  *Love Match:  Sheep, Pig or Dog.  *Your 
1996 Forecast:  Yikes!  There could be much contention and change in the 
months ahead.  Since Rats are collectors of debts--both money and 
favors--this year, people will be pressing to get paid back.  It's 
important to speak up for friends who need you.  Good news: Romance is in 
the offing.
 
THE DRAGON:
Jan.23,1928-Feb.9,1929
Feb.8,1940-Jan.26,1941
Jan.27,1952-Feb.13,1953
Feb.13,1964-Feb.1,1965
Jan.31,1976-Feb.17,1977
Feb.17,1988-Feb.5,1989
*Personality Profile:  Sexy, theatrical and energetic.  You attract lovers 
and admirers with little effort.  The Dragon is the major symbol of 
luck.  *Points of Pride:  Dragons are blessed with amazingly vitality.  
You think big and aim high.  *Weak Side:  You're excating and often 
bossy.  A lover of luxury, you can be a spendthrift.  *Love Match:  Rat, 
Snake, Monkey or Rooster.  *Your 1996 Forecast:  Full of professional, 
financial and romantic opportunities, Rat years are good for you.  But be 
cautious: Save some of your earnings and beware of flattery.  This will 
protect you in the leaner times that lie ahead.

(yeah, dragons are the coolest. and as far as western astrology/sun signs 
go, scorpios rule! :) -j)

THE SNAKE:
Feb.10,1929-Jan.29,1930
Jan.27,1941-Feb.14,1942
Feb.14,1953-Feb.2,1954
Feb.2,1954-Jan.20,1966
Feb.18,1977-Feb.6,1978
Feb.6,1989-Jan.26,1990
*Personality Profile:  Mystical and soft-spoken.  Snakes are the most 
beautiful of all the signs, and are fascinating to the opposite sex.  
*Points of Pride:  Nothing escapes your wisdom--some would say you're 
psychic.  You adore books, learning and music.  *Weak Side:  You can be 
narcissistic, and you're close-fisted with money--you rarely lend it.  
*Love Match:  Ox or Rooster.  *Your 1996 Forecast:  Snakes have three 
lives, according to Chinese superstition, and this may be the time to 
shed your skin--and your old ways.  The Rat is wary of you, so expect 
some dust-ups in your business or love life.  Bide your time and get 
projects firmed up; in '97, you should get the accolades you deserve.
 
THE HORSE:
Jan.30,1930-Feb.16,1931
Feb.15,1942-Feb.4,1943
Feb.3,1954-Jan.23,1955
Jan.21,1966-Feb.8,1967
Feb.7,1978-Jan.27,1979
Jan.27,1990-Feb.14,1991
*Personality Profile:  Stylish, outspoken, willful and athletic.  Chinese 
parents would despair if a daughter was born in a Horse year--they knew 
she'd be hard to marry off.  *Points of Pride:  Your passion is inspiring, 
and you attract many friends.  Your adaptable skills ensure you'll 
dominate any field you enter.  *Weak Side:  Restless Horses bore easily 
and fall in love passionately--and often.  You'll give up everything for 
love.  *Love Match:  Tiger, Dog or Sheep.  *Your 1996 Forecast:  This won't 
be an easy year for you--but it can be a valuable one if you listen to 
close friends, and not to sweet-talking suitors.  Stay away from fights, 
rein in your spending--and next year you'll be galloping out of the paddocks!

THE SHEEP:
Feb.17,1931-Feb.5,1932
Feb.5,1943-Jan.24,1944
Jan.24,1955-Feb.11,1956
Feb.9,1967-Jan.29,1968
Jan.28,1979-Feb.15,1980
Feb.15,1991-Feb.3,1992
*Personality Profile:  Artistic, romantic and lovable.  You Sheep are big 
dreamers who like things to go smoothly.  *Points of Pride:  Sheep are the 
Good Samaritans of the Chinese zodiac.  Talented and responsible, you 
expect perfection from yourself and others.  *Weak Side:  When upsets 
happen, you are apt to whine.  You have a terrible sense of time.  *Love 
Match:  Rabbit, Pig or Horse.  *Your 1996 Forecast:  You'll like this 
year!  It ushers in a quieter period after all the hustle and bustle and 
progress of 1995: Use this tranquil time to look for opportunities that 
may have escaped your notice because of last year's hectic schedule.  
There may be a few unexpected changes, but nothing you can't handle.  
Work with a partner (Sheep often need a push).  You have a good shot at 
finding romance this year.
 
THE MONKEY:
Feb.6,1932-Jan.25,1933
Jan.25,1944-Feb.12,1945
Feb.12,1956-Jan.30,1957
Jan.30,1968-Feb.16,1969
Feb.16,1980-Feb.4,1981
Feb.4,1992-Jan.22,1993
*Personality Profile:  Smart, persuasive and playful, you get what you 
want by using your head.  No one can fool a Monkey.  *Points of Pride:  
Inventive problem solvers, Monkeys are good at finding shortcuts.  You're 
also so charming, you could sell air conditioners in the North Pole.  
*Weak Side:  You can be manipulative.  And you sometimes trick people just 
for the fun of it.  *Love Match:  Dragon and Rat.  *Your 1996 Forecast:  
You should be richer and happier than you have been in a while.  The Rat 
likes you and understands how often you smart, resourceful Monkeys go 
unappreciated.  This year, you can have--and get away with--almost 
anything.  Your relationships and health improve enormously.  A romance 
with a Rat could be a match made in heaven.

THE ROOSTER:
Jan.26,1933-Feb.13,1934
Feb.13,1945-Feb.1,1946
Jan.31,1957-Feb.17,1958
Feb.17,1969-Feb.5,1970
Feb.5,1981-Jan.24,1982
Jan.23,1993-Feb.9,1994
*Personality Profile:  Vivacious, frank and competitive.  You're nature's 
alarm clock, the one whol gets the message out--and makes people wake up 
and smell the coffee.  *Points of Pride:  With your strong opinions and 
self-assurance, you rule the roost.  *Weak Side:  You can be a 
know-it-all, meddling in other people's affairs.  At times, you're overly 
blunt and unsympathetic.  *Love Match:  Ox, Snake or Dragon.  *Your 1996 
Forecast:  You've just come off a year of progress, discovering new 
talents.  This year, though, you could see some gains evaporate, so you 
may have to dip into savings.  You may also feel alone.  However, the 
Chinese have a saying: "What belongs to you will find its way back to 
you."  Next year will brim with opportunities and love.

THE DOG:
Feb.14,1934-Feb.3,1935
Feb.2,1946-Jan.21,1947
Feb.18,1958-Feb.7,1959
Feb.6,1970-Jan.26,1971
Jan.25,1982-Feb.12,1983
Feb.10,1994-Jan.30,1995
*Personality Profile:  Loyal, down-to-earth and intuitive.  Under the 
Dog's seemingly unemotional exterior beats a puppy's tender heart.  You 
work well with others, but you yearn to be loved for who you are--not for 
what you can do for people.  *Points of Pride:  Suspicious of theatrics 
and sure things, Dogs see below the surface and will not desert their 
friends even if they fall on hard times.  *Weak Side:  You're the worrier 
of the zodiac.  You can be intolerant and critical of those who don't 
share your integrity and intensity.  *Love Match:  Horse, Tiger or 
Rabbit.  *Your 1996 Forecast:  In 1995 (the Year of the Pig), you had a 
pretty satisfying time.  This year, the canny Rat will see to it that you 
get more money and handle it better.  In fact, he'll advise you not to 
lend money right now.  Trust your instincts.  Family relationships 
improve, and a solid romance could finally happen.

THE PIG:
Feb.16,1923-Feb.4,1924
Feb.4,1935-Jan.23,1936
Jan.22,1947-Feb.9,1948
Feb.8,1959-Jan.27,1960
Jan.27,1971-Feb.14,1972
Feb.13,1983-Feb.1,1984
Jan.31,1995-Feb.18,1996
*Personality Profile:  Intellectual, trusting and generous--not greedy!  
The Chinese have always cherished the Pig (another "wealth animal"), 
because having lots of pigs on a farm means good eating.  *Points of 
Pride:  The most forgiving of all animals, Pigs rarely carry a grudge.  
Because you're so approachable and kindhearted, people know they can run 
to you when they're in need or in trouble.  *Weak Side:  You can be naive 
and tactless.  Pigs believe almost anything you tell them--especially 
flattery.  *Love Match:  Rabbit or Sheep.  *Your 1996 Forecast:  Your 
personal year just ended, completing the 12-year animal cycle.  Begin 
this new, more tranquil phase by learning to say no.  Ask more questions 
before you open your checkbook.  If you've been disappointed or betrayed 
by longtime friends, just be glad they're gone from your life.  New 
friends, supporters and opportunities are coming.  Those who love you 
dearly are waiting for you to ask for help.
 
                      Mademoiselle/February 1996