Whenever I inform people that their astrological sign is Rat, they squiggle up their little snouts in disgust. �"Ugh!" �They don't want to be Rats. �They'd rather be something less revolting. �A hummingbird? �A hamster? �Let's face it. �Rats don't have a very elegant reputation in our occidental urbanized society.

But think for a moment of the clever farm rat. �It is this rat, the collector, the deft and admirable country rat, whom Buddha honored. �This rural rat is, to this day, an amazing scrounger for food, finder of places to nest and procreator par excellence. �For the purposes of this book, let's put aside our base image of the city rat and concentrate on her country cousin.

The key words I always use for Rat people are "charm" and "aggressiveness." �You'll never meet an unattractive Rat. �Nor will you find a Rat person who does not seek to achieve and succeed, stand out from the crowd and even assume power over others. �Rats are movers and drivers. �They are born with leadership qualities and a hefty measure of guile. �The Rat's ends frequently justify her means.

Rat people usually appear calm and at ease in company. �They're talkative (to a fault sometimes) and make pleasant conversationalists. �But take a closer look. �That Rat has a rubber band in her hand which she incessantly snaps back and forth between two fingers. �Or she keeps jiggling the fastener on her handbag. �Rats only SEEM tranquil. �Inside they are nuclear reactors of nerves that bubble and twist, but never -- or rarely -- explode.

Rats are stashers of food and have a well-developed sense of economy. �They know where their money goes and for which frivolities they are willing to spend lavishly. �Parties and gatherings of all sorts please the Rat. �In fact, any chance to communicate with others is seen as a joyful occasion. �Rats love -- no, NEED -- to talk. �If Rats have problems, they talk them through. �If they are depressed, they blab it out. �If they lose a lover, they can only cure themselves of heartbreak by exposing the whole gory story until the listener's ears are red from hearing and the Rat has emptied her soul of despondency. �If you have a gabby Rat pal, keep your Walkman handy and turn up the volume.

If you are loved by a Rat, consider yourself lucky. �Rats will defend and spoil the people they love without hesitation. �Outsiders don't count. �The Rat wants to be surrounded with those who like and admire her. �She will lavish presents on them and feed them all till they burst from admiration. �Companionship is the Rat's idea of contentment.

Rats are not necessarily high-minded. �Nor are they artistic dreamers. �Rats are simply smart. �They make excellent lawyers and executives. �Rats dabble more than a little in politics. �Richard Nixon and Jimmy Carter are both Rats.

Rats are not infrequently found dabbling in other peoples' lives. �They enjoy a facility for getting involved with friends and neighbors. �Rats are not quite busybodies, but almost. �They love to be engaged in the running of some committee or the administration of a board of directors. �Rats will not volunteer to be on the cleanup committee. �No. �It's power they are after -- power and influence and lots of big old-fashioned kudos.