Thank you Karen,
that's very kind of you!!!   I just discovered that I'm a wood rat actually...what's the difference between
being a wood rat or a metal,water etc? Just wondering...

This type of person tends to carry his frugality to extremes and insists all the time on saving time, money, effort, manpower, material, etc...  

He is likely to be highly strung and outspoken. When he is edgy or unhappy,it will be hard for him to hide his emotions.  He will wants those close to him to questions him about what is bothering him.
He just need a sounding board to work out his frusrations. This personality dose not belive in sulking. One can be sure that he will let you know if he is irritating or has offended him. Refusing to be coy about anything, he would rather make a long list of all your faults and shortcoming and discuss each of them with you to the last petty detail. But don't try this technique on him because it would not work out. Not that he would deny his faults, but he would take this opportunity to talk about himself that in the end you would regret bring up the subject.

An experienced negotiator, he can huggle and chisel the competition to the bone. Bargaining in the form of entertainment to him and he could get caught up in it. He may end up with trolley full of obsolete merchandise just because he finds it cheap (on sales).

His most important lessons in life is not knowing when to stop and in not underestimating others. Fortunately, he knows the value of compromise and working with others when he have no choice. He is also never too stubborn or inflexible to listen sensible advice, he can compete with the best minds in the world. And when the odds are stacked against him,  he will try to find an ingenious way out of his predicament. Gifted with a shrewd, razor-sharp mind, he never forgets what he is after and will know when to ask for the maximum that an opportunity can allow. He rarely takes NO for an answer and will try again and again from different angles until he succeeds. This type is a formidable business person and will make his presence felt in whatever field he is playing.

CIRCLE OF CONFLICT
The rat will encounter the strongest opposition and personality clashes from people born in the year of the horse.  Anyone with his ascendant in the hours of the horse will also come into conflicts with the rat. They tend to have opposing points of view. The flamboyant horse type can be mercurial and inconsistent. He tend to lost interest quickily and can be immensely irresponsible and stubborn to boot. The rat type is not able to work well with someone who will change or abandon him if find things not to his liking. The horse type is too independent and hot-tempered to please the security-conscious personality of the rat type.

THE RELATIONSHIP TABLE FOR THE RAT
Within the Family
The rat type as a child or parent is affectionate, thoughtful and very family orientated. This personality thrives in the nucleus of the family and will care greatly for his parents and forgive them all their shortcoming. He is most likely to have his parents, siblings and even grandparents living with him in their age and will not willingly turn anyone from his family away. In spite of grumbling and petty arguments regarding expenses and inconveniences, the rat personality clings to the warmth of his family ties. Some may pick up nursing skills just to provide the best care to the old, sick parents or convert their house into a mini hospital to provide the best care for their parents.
Involved in and concerned about the welfare of his family memebers he can also be found doing things for his loved ones such as organising reunions, birthday parties, anniversaries and all sorts of festivals. The sentimental and sociable rat person enjoys human contact, remembers all special events and is usually pround of his family.
As a parent, this person will dote on his children and be protective and manipulative at the same time. He willl bond early with his children and plan all details for their progress and success in life. A rat mother will also remember everyone favourite dish and use food as a bribe or reward for good behaviour and as her expression of love. A rat parent places great emphasis on good education and will advise offsprings on the importance of meeting the right people, having influential contacts and even marrying well. You can be sure this type will check the credentials of all his children's friends. They are always ready to make great sacrifices for his children be is equally demanding in expecting children to spend time with him and give him respect, or care for him when old. He can be mean and critical when he feels neglected or unappreciated, but within his own family, he does not keep tabs and on the whole will be generous and forgiving. Often blinded by his unconditional love for his family, he does not want to see or hear about their faults.  

As a Teacher
They enjoys teaching and helping others. This gives him a chance to show how very clever and well informed he is. Inquisitive students are never rebuked by the talkative rat who likes to debate, discuss or disgress on different subjects. But the rat will demand complete attention and initiative. Not only will he encourage his favourite students but he will alsoknow how to motivate all his students in innovative and challenging ways. If someone does not apply himself after all the rat teacher's effort, he can and will be mercilessly dropped, but not before a severe scolding from the rat about his lazy and ungrateful ways. The rat teacher will also skillfully use peers to embarass other students into working harder. With his innate sarcasm and sharp tongue, an angry rat teacher can be harsh and salty. There is also a possibility that he maybe sparing in giving high grades or prasie and will never be qauite satisfied with the progress or performance of the class. He sets very high standards and expects alot from his students. His favoured ones will usually get him to believe that he, as a teacher, is wise and in control. They will negotiate by asking more than they want and then surrendering ground to show that their teacher is winning. The rat teacher just need to know that he has the upper hand, once he is assured he is in control, he will be relax and more amicable.

to be contiued...  

sorry, i just notice that i have not complete the analysis of the rat so i am finshing it now...
as for your question, pls read on cos i would explain in detail of all that i konw....
so sorry cos i did not read the last msg i post the day before and would start posting new messeng every time i enter here... i will make a point to correct this mistake...
i will discuss how the rat relate to others in terms of relationship like friends, boss and etc then go into how the different elements afffects with them followed by how the rat get along with the different zodical signs then into the rat with different ascendants followed by combining the horoscope (months of birth) and finally ending with the rats of different seasons.
Pls a alittle patience...  

As a Lover or Spouse
He is affectionate, considerate and sentimental in love, however he expects the feelings to be mutual and reciprocated – no lukewarm relationship for him. At times he is like a self-centred child who needs constant feedback about his worth. Never able to get enough confirmation, this type must be reassured by hundred little gestures that he is loved and respected. On his part, he is never grudging to people he holds in high regard and will be the most thoughtful and loving partner one can find. Birthdays, anniversaries and all memorable events will be carefully observed. He collect souvenirs of the heart as well as memorabilia that mark all special events in life. With his excellent memory, he will remeber your favourite ice-cream, flower, colour, film, song and have reservations at your favourite restaurant ready for your surprise party. He will go all out to show you how much he cares for you in his original ways.
Thisperson will love to share his secrets in his life with his loved ones. This way you could both put your heads together and united against the opposition, a sort of 'you and me against the world' theme. Talkative and outgoing, he will love to share all his ideas and dreams with the objects of his devotion. He simply love togetherness.
You are turely loved if this type brings you home to meet his parents or his family garthering. He will require his family's stamp of approval before he makes lasting commitments. Romantic and sociable by nature, he can have a deep and intense emotions and makes an excellent lover or spouse for the dragon and monkey sign. Together they will pursue the pleasures of lfe passionately and wholeheartedly. This personality is uninhibited and demonstrative lover or spouse. Not likely to be shy or reserved, he will always make the effort to keep the love fire burning and can relied upon to take the initiative in tender affairs of the heart.

As a Business Partner
He is alert for opportunites, hardworking and frugal. Although calculating and conniving at times, he will work diligently to promote or increase business. He is a go-getter so will not need to be pushed to do his part. When it coes to sharing the pie, he may be selfish and demand a larger share. So this should be addressed before venturing into business with the rat so he would know his limit and not seek to take advantage of the other partner when time for dividends. This personality can be possessive of his authority and will tend to interfere (with good intentios of course) in the affairs of other departments.  Often he feel he can improve efficiency or production with his suggestions or recommendations. His good will and natural entrepreneuerial abilities must be given a lot of consideration when weighed against his negative traits. When he is compatible with his partners, the company will prosper under his guidance, but when he is not, there will be alot of petty bickering and criticism that is counterproductive to the interest of all.

As a Boss
'Keep busy, look busy' may be the best advice to give someone who works for a boss of this earth branch. The rat boss will care alot for his employees welfare and be solictous of their health and working conditions, but he does tend to meddle in personal affairs and can be indiscreet at times. He also plays favourites and may unconsciously be more helpful to those who flatter him. Inquisitive and at times controlling, he does not like anyone to usurp his powers and wants to be involved in all decision-making. If you consult him and ask him for advice, he will be very attentive and sympathetic to your ideas, but if you assume you have his approval because you are doing something positive for the company as a whole, he could feel you are trying to undermine his authority. He may also have trouble delegating tasks and tends to have things piled up because, due to his insecurities, he does not assign works to others. Often he complains he has to do everything himself. If you can understands his fears and his way of handling problems, you will be able to work well with him instead of against him.

As a Friend or Colleague
He makes a warm and caring friend as he genuinely wants to know people well. He has no trouble communicating and may be too talkative as a result, but he does try to please and he will remember all the little things that you like and celebrate special events in a meaningful way. Charming with a lively sense of humour, he is popular, captivating and sociable. On the negative side, he may also be clannish and tend to discriminate against others who may not have the same views as he does. He expect you to band together with him in criticisng or ostracising dissenters. When he does not get his way, he can also be manipulative and scheming. However if you know how to appeal to the soft side of his nature and help him to be rational and fair in his dealings, he will be able to overcome his negative instincts and value the relationship even more.
Don't worry about his argumentive nature, he just loves controversy now and then and thinks it add spice to the relationship. He also won't mind you nag him as much as he nags you. The one thing he cannot tolerate is apathy and indifference.

As an Opponent
This type can be a formidable opponent. He is shrewd, devious and unrelenting in his criticism of his foes. Spreading rumours, bits of gossipp and other disquieting news may be his speciality. Skillful at arguing and nit-picking, he could exasperate even the most seasoned fighters. Armed with cartloads of information to back up his case, he  can be persistent and vindictive when he goes into battle. He will also make affiliations to further his cause – some big names or heavyweight supporters to tip the balance in his favour. The best way to deal with the rat opponent is to play your card close to your chest and not give him more ammunition than he already has. Never cut off communications as he will always have an ear open for possible settlement or way out. The native of this branch is too clever to close alll his routes go into self-destruct mode. Let him think he is winning before you show you aces because there would be a high chances that he may relax alittle onces he feel the battles is about to end with him being the winner. Remeber to offer him a way out and allow him to save some face when the odds are in your favour cos, trust me you would not want to have another face-off with him after he pick himself up.

As the Mediator
The rat is an excellent mediator who will work untiringly with both sides until he gets some resolution. He is progress-orientated and performance-minded and will do a good job in arbitrator if he does not let the details get his way. His biggest difficulty may be remaining completely impartial and not letting his feeling or personal opinions cloud his judgement.
He can be very convincing emissary and wil be more than able to go back and forth, bringing messages, offers and counteroffers until he finds a mutually acceptable solution. Note here, never send a rat as mediator for people of the horse, tiger or dog type as the message may not be presented or received in the proper spirit.

to be contiued...

Thanks Karen...
Don't worry!!! I've got lots of patience
Take your time...



(My first boyfriend was an earth horse...it was the worst relationship
I've ever had....)