Happy New Year!

From The Associated Press:

HONG KONG -- Caution will be the watchword for the Year of the Rat, the new lunar year that begins Thursday, as Chinese fortune tellers predict financial and political rumblings, tsunamis and epidemics in the year ahead.

The reason, they say, is that water and earth -- two of the five elements Chinese mystics believe are at the root of all things -- are in conflict in 2008.

If you want to know what Chinese astrology would say about your upcoming year, go here.

If you're looking for a way to celebrate, you could head to downtown L.A. this weekend to see the Golden Dragon Parade. Here are photos of past events.

Or check LA.Com for more options.