Since ancient times, millions have revered Chinese New Year. On February 7, 2008, be sure to wear red, feast on delicious food, tuck money into your wallet and be loving and kind all day. Why?

Well, when you do, you'll be invoking the positive power of the Chinese New Year, filling your life with love and luck.

Other traditions that can work magic on this special day include cleansing your space. So clear away clutter and junk, which can block good fortune. It's also the perfect time to wash your hair, as this ensures all last year's unhappy moments will be washed away forever.

Simply, whatever you wish for, do it on February 7, and it'll be drawn to you all year long.

The Year of the Rat is destined to be busy and productive, a year in which we begin to learn to save energy and resources on both a personal and planetary level.

It's a cosmic wake-up call for the whole planet! Change will happen at a rapid pace in 2008, which has a real sense of purpose and urgency.

This will unsettle some and excite others. Rat years are very often characterised by brilliant, life-changing innovations, changes in governments and values, and even changes in national borders.

Rats know in order to have a future, they must care for what they have in the present (they are excellent hoarders!).

We'll become much more focused on the future in 2008, and less interested in short-term benefits. In fact, without this Rat year, we could all become dangerously complacent.

With this clever, savvy energy, we could make our life on this planet better - for now and for generations to come.

Rat:

Rats are in for a wonderful, productive and extremely busy year. Leadership qualities you possess are recognised, and people who previously didn't value your skills suddenly begin to see their relevance and purpose, bringing opportunities to reveal your secret talents.

You can grow your income this year, but will only benefit by investing your newly generated wealth. No matter how much you earn, clever investments provide foundation for the future.

It's now you'll begin to see your business prosper and your legacy established. This time of growth continues for two years as 2009's Year of the Ox will establish your future credentials.

You're a star in 2008, drawing influential others who push you to the front. Be prepared for your moment in the sun. You have the stamina and the intelligence to take action. Keep change in perspective by quieting your mind and nourishing your soul with meditation.

Famous Rats: Princess Mary, Gwyneth Paltrow, Hugh Grant, Prince Charles, Cameron Diaz.

Ox:

Finally, for noble Oxen comes a year to flourish. You'll make interesting and fortunate connections with new friends, who delight, entertain and aid you in your ambitions.

Public recognition is likely to be yours - after feeling trapped in the background you'll welcome change. You'll feel more attractive and others will find you deliciously so. You may find or commit to a lasting love, while past relationship issues will feel like the ancient history they are.

With new faces come collaborations with talent and skill to complement your own. In areas you've felt weak, others will step in to create strength. Be open to opportunity.

The Ox can be proud and your sense of independence makes people wrongly assume you don't need help. Let them know you're ready to accept support and they'll rush to your aid. If people become spiteful, remember they're envious, so make even greater success your response.

Famous Oxen: George Clooney, Jim Carrey, Kate Moss, Princess Diana, Jane Fonda, Heidi Klum

Tiger:

Usually in the limelight and loving it, a Tiger needs far less attention this year and instead wields more power from behind the scenes.

You're less concerned about your appearance and more interested in your power and status.

You'll see the rapid changes taking place as knee-jerk reactions, but in time you'll embrace and adapt them to suit your lifestyle. You may be stubborn and holding firm to old habits in 2008.

Use your experience to bring balance and wisdom to situations, rather than being negative.

You'll move into the heart of your social or family group. At home you can be certain of who you are and what you stand for. Remember, you too will change.

Contemplate what's happening externally, then make changes on the inside that work for you.

Famous Tigers: Lindsay Lohan, Demi Moore, Leonardo DiCaprio, Jodie Foster, Penelope Cruz.

Rabbit:

Oh, little Rabbit, you can become nervous and tense without need because the energy's so intense in 2008. You're most in danger of frightening yourself.

This year sees several things come to a head including your tendency to fall in love with inappropriate others. Romance is wonderful, but separate long-term loving relationships from flings, because this year you can confuse the two.

Weigh up the consequences of your actions and ask yourself firmly about your happiness.

Embrace change and consider travel to exotic places where you can be confronted and challenged, you'll grow so much.

Be brave! Face your fears - don't run away from them, as they'll come for you. You'll find courage teaches you that what you feared was a blessing.

Famous Rabbits: Kate Winslet, Johnny Depp, Brad Pitt, Angelina Jolie, Elle Macpherson, Sting.

Dragon:

Sublime and masterful, Dragons create waves this year.

A strong, vibrant energy moves through 2008, creating a power that endures for years to come. When a Dragon comes to power, everyone knows you tend to shine brighter and radiate superiority.

Keep a level head and cultivate kindness and compassion as power brings out your vanity. Bragging won't win friends and there's no point in great fortune without true friends to share with.

There's a strong chance you'll depart 2008 with more money than you entered, but don't spend it on lavish treats like Dragons love to do.

Build your future, but will it be shoes or shares? The decision is yours. Make wise investments in this year of plenty.

Famous Dragons: Reese Witherspoon, John Lennon, Courteney Cox, Sandra Bullock, Colin Farrell.

Snake:

Snakes are humorous and delightful with a great deal of charisma. Show off your best qualities, as people begin to appreciate your individualistic stance. The whole world is finally catching up.

You find yourself with divine timing and are assailed by brilliant coincidences with unexpected outcomes. When you end 2008, you're far from where you began, with pertinent issues put to bed.

Surge forward into a new life with purpose and direction that brings energy and good health.

Make decisions to ensure you're on solid ground for next year. Make commitments and be honest about your feelings. When you step up and commit, nothing can stand in your way.

Famous Snakes: Oprah Winfrey, Liz Hurley, Audrey Hepburn, Hayden Panettiere, Ada Nicodemou.

Horse:

Horsefolk may feel the world's not working the way it should - 2008 could be irritating and troublesome.

Look at old issues and construct a new way of living. Watch out for conflict, but eventually your troubles will cease so you can work through them.

Develop patience and go through old stuff, literally. Mend, or give away things that no longer offer anything to you.

Put processes in place to organise your household and work and even your loved ones - 2008 is the great tidy-up!

You'll have the chance to develop artistic and musical talents too. Some of this will make you nervous - all change does -but face up to what needs changing and act on it. Take small, easy-to-manage steps, and you'll move forward.

Famous Horses: Harrison Ford, Condoleezza Rice, Cindy Crawford, Katie Holmes, Sir Sean Connery.

Goat:

This is a year when growth you've been planning for years becomes real. As a result, everything changes. It's not so much change as a person, but you get much closer to who you really are, instead of who people think you ought to be.

Rather than letting your job or other people's opinions control you, your true personality is allowed to shine. No longer will people tell you who you should be or how to do things. Without a great deal of drama, you take the reins of your life and redirect it.

There are opportunities to think over the important stages in your life and enter a new era. Self-awareness makes you richer than a billionaire because you begin to know what makes you truly happy and seek it out.

The things that made you unhappy before are easily changed, dismissed and dissolved. You'll begin to see a very grounded happiness take root.

Peaceful times are on their way and they are very blissful indeed.

Famous goats: Nicole Kidman, Will Ferrell, Julia Roberts, Pamela Anderson, Whoopi Goldberg.

Monkey:

Monkeys are controversial and ambitious, putting their talents and intelligence behind personal causes.

Consider compromising to benefit others or leave behind old friends to make way for obsessive new passions.

Play the political game at work or in the family to improve conditions. You have altruistic motives, but be prepared to be misjudged. Stay strong, don't waver, regardless of approval.

Commit to your long-term goal, ignoring the disadvantages. Never betray your conscience, even if a powerful person attempts to persuade you. Some things are never worth compromising. If you know you've done your best, you'll sleep easy.

Be competitive and fight hard, but be fair. If you do, all will be well.

Famous Monkeys: Kylie Minogue, Will Smith, Patricia Arquette, Elizabeth Taylor, Michael Douglas.

Dog:

You'll feel like the calm in the eye of the storm, with flurries of people madly going about their business almost a blur.

You'll feel pushed for time and may be judged for not being as fast and flexible. Don't fear! Your kind, loyal nature wins hearts, and by year's end, you'll receive heartfelt gratitude and compliments.

You're the kind of performer who shows what they're made of over time, but keep your eye on the most important things.

Others may seem too busy to pay attention or give you the thanks you're due. By year's end, more recognition will come your way, as faster, snappier people tire easily while you hang in there and prove yourself a hero.

Famous Dogs: Kirsten Dunst, Madonna, Michael Jackson, Prince William, Uma Thurman.

Pig:

You're cheerful and happy even under pressure and for that reason alone win great and loyal friends.

People want to be near you because your energy's quite intense and purposeful, providing a joyful contrast of light-heartedness. It doesn't mean you don't take life and its issues seriously but approach them with humour and delight.

Step up the pace, as last year didn't push you as far as you can go. Things came easy, but this year gaining ground will be hard work.

Take your ability to make people happy and put energy into benefitting others for wide-reaching effects. The more you do, the better it'll be.

False friends may drift away, sensing you're no longer at the top of your game. You'll get to see who truly loves you and who's staying close simply in order to benefit. That's a very good place to be, from which wise choices can be made.

Famous Pigs: Stella McCartney, Hillary Clinton, Dannii Minogue, Sofia Coppola, Elton John.

Rooster:

The Rooster feels frustrated. You're used to being a leader in your field, but you are asked to follow. Stay behind a little, to listen and learn. It's not bad, but challenging, because you're used to being in command. The fulfilment you're seeking may feel out of reach and waiting takes its toll - you're not the most patient or philosophical! Learn to be more thoughtful about life and its inevitable changes.

You'll learn a great deal in 2008 and understand being second in command. Don't retreat into defensiveness if you're questioned or feel someone's trying to take your authority. It's written in the natural energy of the year - you must give up something to receive a great deal more later. Do this with graciousness and you'll be amazed at your own transformation.

Famous Roosters: Paris Hilton, Jessica Alba, Britney Spears, Jennifer Aniston, Natalie Portman.