Knowledge base
Rat
Character
Rats are simply money machines – the business animal – the archetypal entrepreneur. You like to be busy and enjoy the fast paced adrenaline rush of being an entrepreneur – even if you aren’t. They work hard and play hard and in fact, they are hard! If a Rat worries, for sure it will be about money; they are thus the best at storing money away, for that rainy day, although they also like to spend it a lot. So, the Rat always needs a steady flow of dosh coming their way – and they are not afraid to get it.
You also like the challenge of getting money and hence the “rat race” is exactly up your street. You can’t resist a special deal, an opportunity or bargain. Luckily, your family supports your money making mania because you like to look after your family – who will in turn consider you generous – as will anyone close to you. Everyone one else is simply… competition.
You are so industrious, it’s almost an obsession – and relaxation and rest are like dirty words to your ears. If anyone can make something of nothing – it’s you. You detest failure and if anything this can drive you further and even to excess, creating health problems due to stress. Your clever, quick mind and reactions means you have advantage over the rest and you always want to know everything about everybody; you love secrets and mysteries and are known as a prime gossip.
The story about the Ox and Rat gives you the perfect essence of the Rat; the Rat persuades the Ox to carry it in the race to meet the Emperor, by saying it will help guide the Ox who has poor eyesight but is strong and fast. However, when they arrive, the Rat jumps off the Ox’s head and scampers across the finish line first, getting to be in first place! Just to make it more clear, another story says the Ox carries both Rat and Cat across a river, but the Rat pushes the Cat into the water just before they reach the other side. Thus also, this is why Cats chase rodents!
Never expect a Rat to settle for second best, or second place… at any cost, first and nothing less, will do for them.
Business & Career
Rats’ brains work extremely well – they are fast, sharp and efficient. Don’t expect to tame the Rat as they can’t obey orders or be controlled – for very long, if at all. If you want an excellent sales person, get a Rat immediately – or give the entire business to them and it will prosper. As an entrepreneurial fellow, if it has to stay in one place a lot or follow orders, it will wither. So, put it into the world with lots of responsibility and they won’t let you down… by seizing or making out of thin air opportunities, negotiating (to win), buying, selling, and generally bargain hunting; scrutinise their moves a lot and they will cause concern for you, because they don’t like being monitored at all.
The Rat knows how to work; up and about before everyone else and already busy whilst others are still thinking about getting out of bed. You are ruthless in your determination, will to succeed, and grit. You don’t give up easily – if at all – and you like to win at all costs and don’t like to give up – or in. When everyone else is finished and at home, you are still out there buying and selling and wheeler dealing. So, the message is: put the Rat out and about as soon as possible. Don’t keep them in the office… give them a real challenge… say something unmanageable to sell – it could even be a concept – and then watch them just do it!
If the Rat can use its talents as an entrepreneur, it will excel – if not, look out because it will cause problems if it is stopped. When negative, they are easily bored mischief-makers. You can often seem to be the laziest of all – because you like to give off the image that you are laid back and relaxed, but that’s just a sham, because you are never far from thinking – and scheming – some new plan to make a fast buck…
Romance & Relationship
You seem to require a stable relationship to motivate you and a family to support. Unfortunately your bossy nature and subjectivity means that you don’t consider other people very much, unless you are forced into it, usually against your own will.
If you are with a Rat, then just be as fascinating, enigmatic, and electrifying as possible – unless you’ve had enough, then just act as tedious, predictable and dull as possible, and the Rat will be out of the door before you can say “Good b..”.
If you are considering being with a Rat, remember that James Cagney gangster movie of old – “you dirty, yellow-bellied rat!” … tread cautiously. Rats have in more recent times become pets, and a truly domesticated Rat can be very friendly, but remember, it is still a Rat. If you take one as your lover or partner, you might end up licking your emotional wounds and feeling your empty pockets have eternal holes, after they have gone.
As far as sex goes, prepare yourself for the Rat’s natural, open, and frequent sexual activity that must always be on the edge of excitement and never the same twice. Rats are sporty in bed, passionate, sexy, full of energy and verve. They can be dependable and faithful and although they love the thrill of a new liaison… new conquests, new challenges, if they do cheat on you, they’ll chastise themselves, so don’t worry! Just don’t let them become bored. On the other hand, if others are unfaithful to the rat, you don’t need revenge – you just go off and do the same thing yourself.
Rats in a marriage feel happy and safe and like the role of being the breadwinner. Sometimes they are so into making money, which does seem to be their main inclination in life, they marry early – and sometimes unwisely – just so they can settle down and get it over with. In fact, they consider marriage part of their duty; they like to do all the old-fashioned stuff and enjoy the relaxation that a marriage permits them, especially since they don’t tend to relax enough generally.
Family
Rat family get-togethers are always the most fun and are also the largest and the finest.
They love hearing about the latest gossip, and so when they get together, they talk nonstop. You can always tell a Rat family from their liveliness and each time they assemble, you will never fail to notice their big, raucous, energetic and entertaining commotion. Rats like families and procreation – the more the merrier – and you can often find them spreading quickly across cities, countries and continents.
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Relationships with other signs
Rat – Intensity, can be favourable or unfavourable depending on character.
Pig and Ox – Helps you grow, gives support but can be uncomfortable. Will support each other in an external sense, but will not share any true inner communication.
Tiger and Dog – Brings opportunities and growth. Compatible elements, eager to exchange and work together.
Rabbit and Rooster – Brings challenge and conflict. Tremendous growth is possible under this stressful aspect.
Monkey and Dragon – Comfortable, harmonious, brings creativity and expansion.
Sheep and Snake – Difficult to communicate with each other, requires adjustment and adaptation. Since they have little in common, it is difficult to harmonize their energies.
Horse – Confrontation, against each other. Through an opposition, a person has an opportunity to gain greater awareness of himself/ herself and others. Sometimes, these forces cannot be resolved and the only solution is to compromise.
