Glenn Stewart Coles, 9251 Yonge Street, Suite 8-924, Richmond Hill, Ontario, Canada, L4C 9T3
Text Box: Welcome to the year of the Rat, a milestone that we reached last week. The rat was the first animal to visit Buddha at his deathbed and thus earned first position in the Chinese zodiac. According to legend, when Buddha was dying he called for the animals to visit him. There was a wide river to cross, and both the cat and the rat could not swim across. The ox offered passage on his back, and the two animals climbed aboard. Halfway across the rat bit the cat, which leaped in the air and fell into the water. As the ox touched the shoreline, the rat jumped off his back, arriving first to visit Buddha. Whether the rat cheated or not, he begins each twelve year cycle in the Chinese lunar calendar. The year 2008 is also the first of a nine-year numerological cycle. By continually adding numbers until a single digit results, 2+0+0+8 = 10; 1+0 = 1. The last time that the rat cycle began on a Year One was 1972, when terrorists at the Munich Olympics overshadowed heroes such as Mark Spitz and Olga Korbut. The previous time that the rat cycle matched a numeric Year One was 1936, when Hitler watched Jesse Owens win a race at the Olympics in Berlin. This year the Olympics are in Beijing, and there are already rumblings about human rights and public demonstrations. The motto of the 2008 Summer Olympics is ‘One World One Dream’. The world will be watching in August in what could be the year we witness a shift of power in China. It is a time of new beginnings. The shift is already occurring in the United States, where the choice of political leaders is current news. For the Republicans, John McCain is the party leader at this point, though many disagree with his views. Mitt Romney has politely dropped out of the picture. Mike Huckabee is strong in many regions, and would greatly enhance the Republican offering. I predict a McCain-Huckabee ticket at the November polls. For the Democrats, a coast to victory is almost assured. This election has gained the attention of many who have not voted before, and change is imminent. It is time to stop the war. It is time to take care of the planet and the people. It is time to shift values and change the nation. America can expect to see either the first black president in Barrack Obama or the first female president in Hillary Clinton. From my perspective, neither of the lead democratic candidates could easily volunteer for second place. Each targets the oval office, and to voluntarily take second place will not occur. Obama and Clinton will take it down to a vote within the party, winner take all. So who would each ask to back them as vice-president? Clinton would have to pick a male, just to balance things out. A double-female ticket might be just a little too much for the public to absorb. If not Obama, perhaps another strong democratic senator could step forward. The ticket that I see winning the election is Obama-Rice. Imagine the shift if this occurs. Barrack Obama and Condeleesa Rice. The acceptance of two non-white leaders in a nation that has always had white leaders. The acceptance of a female as second in command in a nation that has never had a female higher than Condeleesa’s current position, except perhaps first lady. A man speaking about peace and progress, combined with a woman with exceptional world diplomatic presence. By electing Obama and Rice, the United States would be making a statement to the world that it is time for change that involves peace and prosperity for ALL PEOPLE AROUND THE WORLD. The year of the Rat is historically a good year for a new career and for a new romance. The rat is associated with aggression, wealth and charm, and was welcomed in ancient times as a protector and bringer of material prosperity. Like any year, the year of the Rat provides opportunities for each person to move forward and create. May your year be wonderful and fulfilling! © Copyright Glenn Stewart Coles, 2008 First Published February 13, 2008

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Year of the Earth Rat

 

The world will be watching in August in what could be the year we witness a shift of power in China.

Rat in Maze
Rat in Maze Photographic Print
Dennis, David M.
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Rat, The Female Principle of the Sun-God Re
Rat, The Female Principle of the Sun-God Re Giclee Print
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Fairy Rides a Rat Carrying a Lantern to Warn Other Traffic of Their Approach
Fairy Rides a Rat Carrying a Lantern to Warn Other Traffic of Their Approach Giclee Print
Thomson, Emily...
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Chinese New Year's Annual Parade, Singapore
Chinese New Year's Annual Parade, Singapore Photographic Print
Evrard, Alain
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 Buy at AllPosters.com
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