Return of the Rat

Happy Chinese year of the Rat! Yep, it's the turn of everyone's favourite disease-carrying rodent in the cycle of Chinese years. Centuries ago they came up with the idea of naming each new year after a creature. Unfortunately they only knew of 12 animals in China at the time, an issue that came to be known as "The Y-horse-K Problem". Luckily some smart alec came up with the solution of starting again at animal number 1. And so the the 12-year cycle of Chinese years was born.

This new year is made extra auspicious by the fact that I was born just under 36 years ago. 36 is a multiple of 12, so according to Chinese Astrology I'm a Rat. Making me courageous, hard-working, and able to control French chefs by hiding under their hats and pulling at their hair.

Well, at least I think I'm a Rat.

You see when it comes to Chinese astrology it gets a bit complicated around January and February. The Chinese year is based on the lunar calendar, and it moves around relative to the Western calendar. This year the Chinese new year falls before my birthday on the 12th, but back in 1972 it fell three days after my birth, which you'd think would mean I was born in the year of the Pig. But, according to some sources I've read, the Chinese animal year is based on the solar calendar, and always switches over on the 4th or 5th of February, which would still make me a Rat.

Given the choice I'd rather be a Rat than a Pig, but it's all rather confusing. I'd be really worried about it, if it wasn't also all totally meaningless. Like most Aquarians, I think astrology is utter bollocks.

The main thing is it's my birthday on Tuesday, and that means presents, and as it's a particularly special birthday - me being six times six years old, and six being my favourite number - they have to be BIG presents.

So, what have you got me, then? :-)