The Year of the Water Rabbit
This weekend, I went with a few close friends to a local Chinese restaurant and celebrated Chinese New Year. According to Chinese Astrology, there are 12 animals in the Zodiac. This year marks the year of the Water Rabbit. Water is one of the five elements assigned to each of the animal signs that move in 12-year cycles. The other 4 elements are wood, fire, earth and metal and each gives the animal sign a slightly different characteristic.
Rabbits are characteristically peaceful. creative and abundant. Add to this the fluid nature of water, and this year will be more gentle than the last. Water connects us to our intuition and inner wisdom. Practices such as meditation, spending time in nature and focussing on self-care will help you become in tune with your inner guidance and integrate some of the big changes that occurred the year before.
Rabbits are also associated with good fortune and prosperity. They are creative and have the ability to adapt to change in a cautious and thoughtful way. Therefore, they are good at handling finances. This year may be an ideal time to find creative ways to earn extra income and to hold off on impulse buying. On the subtle level, it is known that energy follows attention so and repeating affirmations on wealth creation will help direct your focus on abundance rather than lack. Be grateful for what you have, even the smallest things.
Rabbits are also renown for their sensitive, kind and social nature. They shy away from conflict and look for ease and diplomacy in their interactions. Therefore, the year of the Rabbit is an excellent opportunity to build bridges, mend wounds of the past and focus on networking, creating community and maintaining harmonious relationships.
Even though Chinese New Year fell on 22nd of January, the Water Rabbit zodiac sign does not begin until the 4th February. Hence, we are still in the preceding sign of the Water Tiger. There was much disruption in 2022 as the Tiger year is about bringing down the old system and starting a new paradigm. This is aligned with Western astrology, as we are also transitioning from the Piscean Age to the Aquarian. There will be many technological advances and a focus on humanitarian causes.
Patience and understanding are qualities that will be worth cultivating to help you navigate the way through the coming year. Anchor yourself in peace and practice forgiveness towards self and others; this is not a time to hold grudges. Rather, 2023 will be a year to welcome the opportunity of healing and rejuvenation of all kinds both individually and globally.
