The Rabbit in 2016: Your Chinese Horoscope. Neil Somerville

      Dog 6 February 1970 to 26 January 1971

      Pig 27 January 1971 to 14 February 1972

      Rat 15 February 1972 to 2 February 1973

      Ox 3 February 1973 to 22 January 1974

      Tiger 23 January 1974 to 10 February 1975

      Rabbit 11 February 1975 to 30 January 1976

      Dragon 31 January 1976 to 17 February 1977

      Snake 18 February 1977 to 6 February 1978

      Horse 7 February 1978 to 27 January 1979

      Goat 28 January 1979 to 15 February 1980

      Monkey 16 February 1980 to 4 February 1981

      Rooster 5 February 1981 to 24 January 1982

      Dog 25 January 1982 to 12 February 1983

      Pig 13 February 1983 to 1 February 1984

      Rat 2 February 1984 to 19 February 1985

      Ox 20 February 1985 to 8 February 1986

      Tiger 9 February 1986 to 28 January 1987

      Rabbit 29 January 1987 to 16 February 1988

      Dragon 17 February 1988 to 5 February 1989

      Snake 6 February 1989 to 26 January 1990

      Horse 27 January 1990 to 14 February 1991

      Goat 15 February 1991 to 3 February 1992

      Monkey 4 February 1992 to 22 January 1993

      Rooster 23 January 1993 to 9 February 1994

      Dog 10 February 1994 to 30 January 1995

      Pig 31 January 1995 to 18 February 1996

      Rat 19 February 1996 to 6 February 1997

      Ox 7 February 1997 to 27 January 1998

      Tiger 28 January 1998 to 15 February 1999

      Rabbit 16 February 1999 to 4 February 2000

      Dragon 5 February 2000 to 23 January 2001

      Snake 24 January 2001 to 11 February 2002

      Horse 12 February 2002 to 31 January 2003

      Goat 1 February 2003 to 21 January 2004

      Monkey 22 January 2004 to 8 February 2005

      Rooster 9 February 2005 to 28 January 2006

      Dog 29 January 2006 to 17 February 2007

      Pig 18 February 2007 to 6 February 2008

      Rat 7 February 2008 to 25 January 2009

      Ox 26 January 2009 to 13 February 2010

      Tiger 14 February 2010 to 2 February 2011

      Rabbit 3 February 2011 to 22 January 2012

      Dragon 23 January 2012 to 9 February 2013

      Snake 10 February 2013 to 30 January 2014

      Horse 31 January 2014 to 18 February 2015

      Goat 19 February 2015 to 7 February 2016

      Monkey 8 February 2016 to 27 February 2017

      Note

      The names of the signs in the Chinese zodiac occasionally differ, although the characteristics of the signs remain the same. In some books the Ox is referred to as the Buffalo or Bull, the Rabbit as the Hare or Cat, the Goat as the Sheep and the Pig as the Boar.

      For the sake of convenience, the male gender is used throughout this book. Unless otherwise stated, the characteristics of the signs apply to both sexes.

Welcome to the Year of the Monkey

      Whether swinging from branch to branch, playing chase with other Monkeys or observing his surroundings, the Monkey has great character and verve. And his energy can be seen in his own year.

      Almost as soon as the Monkey year starts, its exciting and innovative nature will be apparent. On the world stage, events will erupt which will take some authorities by surprise. Factions and minorities will strive to be heard and their actions will lead to change. Particularly in more authoritarian areas, developments this year can be significant, even changing the geographical borders of some regions.

      In view of the volatility that is being seen, throughout the year world leaders will frequently confer and in some cases put past animosities behind them and forge new alliances. Monkey years can be dramatic both politically and culturally. Past Monkey years have seen the birth of the Polish Solidarity movement, which ultimately led to so much change in Europe, students taking to the streets in Paris, rioting in Los Angeles and revolution in Hungary. This Monkey year will continue to shape history and leave a far-reaching legacy.

      The United States celebrated the start of its nationhood in 1776, a previous Year of the Fire Monkey, and in this one, much attention will be focused on the presidential election. There will be great debate over the direction of domestic and foreign policy as well as increasing focus on American identity, and the campaign will be passionately fought, with some issues proving divisive and sometimes even causing rifts between party supporters. The campaign – its significance, its drama, but also its hope – will be an ongoing feature of 2016 and ultimately the newly elected president will promise ambitious reform.

      The year’s political gyrations will also have an effect on stock markets around the world. There will be some major swings and some dramatic currency fluctuations. It was in a Monkey year that Black Wednesday occurred, an event forever marked in the annals of British fiscal history. Investors this year will require strong nerves, but despite the fluctuations, there will be major success stories and significant fortunes to be made.

      Helping drive growth will be the launch of innovative products and inventions. Monkey years favour progress and this one will see some industries abuzz with new ideas. It has been said that Monkey years are times when anything can happen, and certainly in business, events will proceed at a swift pace.

      The areas of science, technology and communication will be particularly prominent. Interestingly, it was in a Monkey year that Marconi launched the first public broadcasting service, which helped pave the way to much of the communication we enjoy today. Monkey years are pioneering and, perhaps surprisingly, it was only 12 years ago that Facebook was launched, an event which helped give rise to the social networking phenomenon.

      In space, too, pioneering developments will take place. More will be discovered about the universe as probes reach new areas and reveal more about distant planets and galaxies. Again, humanity’s quest for knowledge will be greatly advanced this year.

      Monkey years are also trendsetting. In fashion, bright new styles could catch the imagination of many, while in entertainment, music and cinematography there will be exciting developments. It was in a Monkey year that Elvis Presley came to prominence with ‘Heartbreak Hotel’ and in the process opened up a new musical genre. This year will again witness pivotal cultural moments.

      Sadly, however, no year can escape tragedy, and this one will