Happy Lunar New year! The New Moon in the sign of Aquarius marks the beginning of the Lunar Year, more commonly known as "Chinese New Year". This year, 2023, is the year of the Rabbit.
While in western tradition the year starts on January 01 of the Georgian Calendar, in many eastern traditions, including in China, Vietnam, Laos etc., the year starts on the New Moon in the sign of Aquarius. Each year is named after one of the 12 animals of the Chinese zodiac (Rat, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Goat (or Sheep), Monkey, Rooster, Dog, Pig), and this year is the Rabbit. Each year is also assigned to one of the five elements in Chinese tradition (wood, fire, earth, metal, water), and this year is considered a Water year, making 2023 the year of the Water Rabbit.
Rabbit years are said to be ones of hope and peacefulness. Rabbits are considered patient and diplomatic, and with the meditative water energy added, this brings an element of calm and softness to this year. We are e
ncouraged to face any challenges this year with logic, diplomacy, and patience rather than with aggressiveness or force. We are asked to look within and trust our intuition and inner wisdom.
In Chinese folklore, rabbits are associated with the feminine and the moon, making this a good year to have a baby, and for women and children in general. Its also a good year for strengthening our connections with others, building friendships and expanding business networks. One downside of a rabbit year is that we can be too trusting, so rabbit encourages us to be cautious.
Rabbits are also associated with creativity, making 2023 a great year to finally write that novel, start painting, or learn that instrument. Self care is another theme for the Year of the Rabbit, so its a good reminder to make sure you are looking after yourself and indulging in some pampering.
For those born in the year of the rabbit (2023, 2011, 1999, 1987, 1975, 1963, 1951, 1939, 1927) this year is a lucky one with new beginnings and a sense of renewal. This year is also lucky for those born in the year of the Ox, Tiger, or Snake, neutral for those born in the year of the Dog, Horse, Goat or Pig, and challenging for those born in the year of the Rooster or Monkey.
Those born in the year of the Rabbit are said to be clever, quick witted, gentle, polite, diplomatic and intuitive. They often appear elegant and dress tastefully. They are patient, logical and calm in a crisis. Lucky colours for rabbits are pink, red, purple and blue, and lucky numbers are 3,4 and 6. Lucky directions are northwest, east, and south. Unlucky colours are brown, yellow and white, and unlucky numbers are 1,7 and 8. Their unlucky directions are north, west and southwest.
To find out your Chinese zodiac sign, you can go here . Remember that as the Lunar New Year does not start until the New Moon in Aquarius, if you are born in January, you may actually belong to the previous year's sign.
I am hopeful that the Year of the Rabbit will bring us some calm and gentle energy after the last few years. As a Tiger I am also happy to see that it is supposed to be a lucky year for me. What are you hoping the Year of the Rabbit will bring to you? And what is your Chinese zodiac sign?
