Combined Western and Chinese Zodiacs
Aquarius Rat

Aquarians are the septuagenarians of the Western zodiac, the second-oldest souls behind Pisces. By this time, everyday pressures of human society have become less important, and there is an increasing receptiveness to the eternal, the afterlife. Hence Aquarians possess great generosity of spirit. They find it easy to accept both individuals and humanity as a whole, virtues and flaws in balance. All three Air signs are naturally drawn to intellectual concerns, and for the Fixed modality of Aquarius, this involves a deep commitment to wisdom, a persevering desire to seek out universal truths. Science, technology, reason—such cerebral subjects provide Aquarians with endless fascination. Perhaps because of their old souls, Aquarians are famously non-conformist and unpredictable, traits regarded as synonymous with their ruling planet, Uranus. Any role that demands routine drudgery is likely to throw them off-balance. Being so accepting themselves, Aquarians may also struggle with rejection. Their fury, while usually short-lived, can be stunningly fierce, or lead to ghostly absences. Ultimately, however, this is one of the most consistently cheerful, irrepressible signs, their wisdom and endless sympathy among the most precious gifts in the zodiac.

The first creature in the Eastern zodiac, who according to legend triumphed in the Jade Emperor’s race by hiding in the ear of his dear friend the Ox, is the Rat. As charming as they are beguiling, Rats are famously rapier-witted, shrewd, and financially astute. They are the wordsmiths of the Chinese zodiac—Shakespeare was a Rat, after all—but equally appreciate the value of secrecy. They are likely to excel at any role involving judicious disclosure or confidentiality. Above all, they are ingenious in their ability to anticipate and strategize, skills that often last them long into peaceful old age.