The rabbit is patient, yet quick.
The Lunar New Year will begin on January 23, 2023. It is the Year of the Rabbit! The shift in energy will be significant as we move out of 2022, the Year of the Tiger and into the more patient and gentle Rabbit Year 2023.
I am passionate about indigenous magic and folklore across the world and have recently spent some time looking at the magic in China - the animals they work with, the elements and mostly their associations with dragons.
The Chinese Zodiac, like the Western Zodiac, is made up of twelve signs, each represented by an animal. In Western astrology, the signs cycle through the twelve months every year, but in Chinese astrology, each sign gets a whole year to itself, and a cycle lasts twelve years.
Chinese Astrology also incorporates the five elements: Water, Metal, Wood, Earth, and Fire. The zodiac moves through a different element each year. 2023 will be the Year of the Water Rabbit. Because the Yin Water element is associated with the color black, some people call this the “Year of the Black Rabbit.”
The Yin Water element represents sensitivity, intuition, and, in its most positive form, the way of inner peace. The water rabbit year promises a period of rest and reflection after the dynamic Year of the Tiger.
In Chinese culture the Rabbit is associated with the moon. According to ancient Chinese legend, the Jade Emperor disguised himself as an old beggar in order to find a trustworthy helper. The Rabbit offered itself as a meal to the starving man by jumping into the fire. The Emperor revealed his true self and took the generous Rabbit to the moon, where together they created the Elixir of Life. The outline of the Jack Rabbit can be seen on the moon, using a mortar and pestle to mix herbs into a powerful potion of healing and longevity.
The rabbit is a symbol of good luck. In Chinese philosophy, rabbits are also considered to be emblematic of patience. So, as long as you can bide your time until the moment is right to act in 2023, you should experience some lucky breaks. It's also a symbol of carefree fun so enjoy life this year.
