Year of the Horse

 And you already know not to call it Chinese New Year, right? Because the Chinese are not the only ones who celebrate the Lunar New Year. Other Asian cultures -- Korea, Vietnam, Japan -- for example. And the Chinese are likely to call it the Spring Festival. If that strikes you as odd, you might want to know that Europeans used to begin the New Year on March 25, which is around the beginning of spring in the northern hemisphere. This was true until 1582 in Catholic Europe and until 1752 in England and until 1600 in Scotland.

Those Born in the Year of the Horse

1930, 1942, 1954, 1966, 1978, 1990, 2002, 2014  Chinese astrological signs repeat every 12 years.

Horses are popular, quick-witted, charming, cheerful, and talented.  People born in the Year of the Horse are popular. They are cheerful, skilful with money, and perceptive, although they sometimes talk too much. They are wise, talented, good with their hands, and sometimes have a weakness for members of the opposite sex.They are impatient and hot-blooded about everything except their daily work. They like entertainment and large crowds. They are very independent and rarely listen to advice. They are most compatible with Tigers, Dogs, and Sheep.

Astrologically, the horse is placed directly opposite the rat. The rat is the creator and the horse is the "consumer." Therefore a horse year may be marked by an increase in business and commercial activity, particularly those involved with non-essentials like luxury cars, high fashion, alcoholic beverages, athletics, and anything "male" oriented. Unfortunately, it is often a year of waste. A household should be careful to make sure they don't overspend their budgets during a horse year.