When it comes to the economy, not even Chinese astrologists seem to know what to make of the year ahead.

Chinese New Year kicked off this past weekend, ushering in the Year of the Tiger. According to Myqualities.com, the tiger will tease the economy, sending it up, down and all around: “he always wants too much, too soon. So although unemployment will then be at horrifying levels throughout the world, the Metal Tiger will drive up stock markets in spasmodic bursts, and down again when the Tiger grabs his profit. The hope will be an end to recession in 2011, but hope springs eternal.”

Istockanalyst.com, meanwhile, is even more nebulous is its predictions.