The following article is reprinted courtesy of CT Holman, Director of the Lotus Institute

The Year of the Water Tiger signified the end of hibernation, and we woke up – often activated by a catalytic event or events. Emotions and senses stirred which stimulated our consciousness and revealed a path. Now, for the Year of the Water Rabbit, we are fully awake. Like animals foraging in nature, we are all out in the world engaged with our purpose and following the path that was realised last year. The rabbit represents thunder shaking the ground, which unlocks our true nature and propels us forward.

2023 denotes the year of the Yin Water Rabbit. The Rabbit (Mao) is the fourth earthly branch of the 12 Chinese zodiac animals. It represents prospering, growing, and expanding energy. Humanity realises its true nature and flows, cognisant of its authenticity, down the path of life. The new year begins on January 22nd and the rabbit emerges on February 4th.

Each year, Chinese cosmology consists of three aspects: one of the 12 Chinese zodiac animals, one of the five-elements, and either yin or yang. These three aspects provide information about the energetics of the year and contribute to guiding a person in making choices. This year, like last year, is represented by water setting on top of wood. To better understand the year’s Qi (pronounced Chi), I will first break down the symbolism and qualities of the three aspects and then discuss how they influence various facets of life.

Rabbit: Rabbit represents the month of March and the time 5am to 7am, when animals emerge from their caves and wag their tails in the warm spring air. Powerful Qi builds, expanding with new life energy. Rabbit is associated with the wood element, the colour green, and the cardinal direction east. Personality traits include wisdom, ambition, skill, secrecy, and vitality. Rabbits run fast but also take time to rest and display gentleness. Rabbits live in dens, hidden securely underground, allowing them to restore their lively energy. They possess great strategic qualities and know when to act or retreat, thus 2023 holds awesome potential for putting a plan into action.

The nimble nature of rabbit empowers us to manoeuvre around any obstacles that arise in 2023. There can be old patterns or belief systems that hold you back and the rabbit’s agility enables you to let go of these and just do it! Fortunately, rabbits are not risk-takers or fighters, and their cautious nature allows you to move forward with care and cultivate progress while considering of all various outcomes. The doors are open, and growth is quick.

Water: Water is the element of the year and is traditionally associated with the colour black, thus 2023 is called a Black Rabbit year. 2022 also featured the water element which fed the wood nature of the tiger (water is the mother of wood). Rabbit is also in the wood family, making the wood aspect especially strong this year. The nature of water is to flow and accept changes. It provides us with great endurance and supports the active, expanding energy of 2023. Water is associated with mystical energy, which continues the emphasis on the magical aspects of life such as astrology, fengshui, and other mystical arts that we saw in 2022. Last year many of us experienced heightened emotions due to water’s ability to hold a lot of emotion, since it absorbs and resonates. This year also brings more emotionality and there often can be surges of fear which can overwhelm the wood energy, creating inaction. This would be like the flooding of a forest. Take care to manage emotion by connecting to the earth and bring grounding Qi to daily life which controls the emotion of water.

Yin: Yin is symbolised by resting, nighttime, moon, female, retreat, et al. This helps to balance the active wood element and harmonise the energy of the year. Yin represents Mother Earth and feelings of safety, being held, and nurtured, which allows us to navigate the expanding growth of 2023 with an inner stillness. Yin water is the most yin, signifying gentleness, softness, and the ability to surmount hardness. It provides a strong spiritual connection and allows us to tune into the wisdom of the universe. Yin water grants us the means to quiet the mind, make a tidal shift, and ultimately distance ourselves from past decisions to create a new trajectory which hopefully includes fulfilling our obligation to make an offering to the human family. This resonates with the compassionate personality of the rabbit, which is yin wood.   
 
Weather: As predicted last year, the effects of global warming intensified. In the United States, hurricane Ian (a combination of wind and water which were the elements of 2022) devastated the east coast and record heat waves scorched Europe. Several countries experienced droughts and flooding. These extremes are likely to continue in 2023.

The rabbit represents the second month of spring when the weather grows warmer and nature flourishes. Windstorms prevail, such as sandstorms, hurricanes, and dust cyclones. Spring thunder commonly shakes the earth which could mean more earthquakes, as we saw last year in Peru, Japan, Iran, Fiji, and Indonesia. The quakes will especially occur under the ocean. The weather pattern associated with the rabbit is yang ming (dryness). This, combined with the yin water nature of the year, could balance temperatures, and yield a warm, comfortable spring and summer with mild autumn and winter temperatures in general. However, throughout the year the lively nature of rabbit will bring times of extremes. Northern zones will have higher rainfall while southern regions will endure intense heat. The effects of global warming challenge the ability to predict weather since humans have interfered with Mother Nature and surprises are likely. Many scientists predict we are coming close to a tipping point, especially in the Amazon, where deforestation continues and the topsoil that was been held by the lush tree population is washing away. Based on the high chance of extreme rainfall in 2023, there will be more flooding. This is humanity’s wake-up call to create harmony with Mother Nature. The rabbit is associated with yin wood – trees. Trees are living beings residing in forest communities that provide clean air and many healing remedies. Hopefully, we humans will see the forest through the trees, begin establishing rights for nature, and live in harmony with nature, which ultimately benefits the health of all beings.  

Health: The rabbit represents strong life energy and an expansion of self. It symbolises the time 5am to 7am, which is a wonderful time to cultivate energy, thus this year signifies transformation and a thriving Qi. The thunder associated with 2023 generates strong liver Qi which combines with the yang metal to make metal energy. Breathing techniques to build vital energy are recommended such as ‘box breathing’ (breathing slowly, evenly, deeply, smoothly through the nose only in four second segments: in, hold, out, hold). 2023 brings visions and connects us with the mystery of life. These visions allow us to develop great strategies to make wise decisions while letting go of those belief systems that no longer serve our highest good.

Frustrations can arise that overwhelm digestion, so take care to not overeat or drink in excess. Manage your liver energy through exercise like swimming and let your hun (ethereal soul) fly freely by allowing your spirit to soar by following your dreams. This ensures a strong defensive system to ward off pathogens. Observing these suggestions prevents digestive issues like constipation, food cravings, and stomach problems. Since this year is yin water, your kidneys need extra rest. Rejuvenate your energy through napping and getting eight hours of sleep to avoid oedema, difficulty with mobility – especially walking – blood problems, low back pain, poor memory, decreased libido, and infertility. Essentially, 2023 is about seeking balance between action and repose. The Yin Water Rabbit gifts us with the ability to learn how to harmonise our Qi and solidify our drive for navigating the forward momentum of the upcoming several years.

Foods: Increase consumption of steamed greens like kale and spinach. Introduce more sour and fermented foods. Adding two tablespoons of apple cider vinegar a day to veggies or warm water facilitates healthy liver and digestive functions. For meat eaters, consider eating more pork and lamb. And for those adventurous folks, try making a broth from liver, kidneys, and tendons.

Business: New business ventures prosper, and many opportunities present themselves. 2023 is a great year to make money especially for those enterprises focused on compassion and benefiting nature, such as health care, sustainable forestry practices, animal rescue, and human rights groups. The search engine Ecosia (ecosia.org), which supports reforestation, gains momentum and gives Google a run for its money. Travel flourishes this year so any industry associated with travel will benefit. Businesses run by women and those businesses benefiting women succeed. Construction continues unabated and businesses relating to wood, thrive. For those folks who have been living off government support, it is time to discover your purpose and get to work in a field that nourishes your soul’s desire.

Politics: Rabbits avoid fighting. Instead, they thump the ground with their hind legs to ward off a predator and thus leaders this year will choose posturing and puffing up their chests versus going into battle. Russian efforts to conquer Ukraine are not supported and leaders from other countries will avoid engaging in the war. The wood elemental nature of the year is associated with guns and other weapons so there will be continued efforts to manage these and there could be several rallies regarding gun rights.

Human rights are strongly supported this year, especially women’s rights, since this is a yin year. There will be continued protests regarding women’s reproductive rights and we will see more women-led protests like what is happening in Iran. In addition to human rights, there will also be an increased emphasis on animal rights and the rights of nature. Efforts to establish rights of trees and forests move to the forefront and lawmakers will be asked to consider passing legislation to protect these living beings. Water will also be highlighted, and lawmakers will enact strict regulations on corporations purchasing water resources. 2023 supports nature and there will be more attention on climate change. There will also be a strong drive for freedom and many countries will seek autonomy.

Social: Talents come forward and a feeling of freedom blossoms. 2023 emphasises compassionate communication and tenderness with each other. It also features wood and water, both elements that can stress the earth so a sense of community might be challenged, and food shortages continue. Work to connect with friends and family to nurture this network, just as trees connect with one another through their intricate root systems. Although you might feel alone at times, remember that your humanitarian efforts and ethical pursuits of justice support the greater good and improve your spiritual connection to the universe.

Fashion: Advancements in women’s fashion materialise. Red is the favoured colour of the rabbit for social gatherings and presentations. Athletic gear continues to dominate the industry and there will be more efforts to produce ‘green’ clothing such as t-shirts made from recycled materials.  
 
Stock market: The economy prospers. The market booms and a lot of money can be made, especially by those companies that honour nature and are considered socially conscious. Consider investing in enterprises based on sustainability like solar or wind power. Electric cars continue to grow in popularity and expect these companies to see high profits.

Communication/interpersonal relationships: Like last year, 2023 swells with passion and encourages new relationships and deepens existing partnerships. Maintain direct, compassionate communication and cultivate humility. There is a famous Chinese proverb I learned from Master Wu: A great tree gets knocked by the wind. Meaning when your fame and recognition increase, people often criticise and try to belittle you. Stand tall with grace and kindness and ensure to honour all beings; nurture your benevolence. Emotions run high this year so work on tenderness. The wood aspect of the year can be interpreted as a joker who likes to push buttons and unveil a person’s true nature. Be prepared to take off the various energetic masks you wear in your interactions and reveal your authentic self. Do your best to forgive those who have wronged you. Release old hurts, as this allows you to walk your path unencumbered.

Future: The universal energy continues to expand. This momentum can go in two directions, one in favour of seeking dominance and control over others, the other in honouring all beings and supporting the greater good. The choice is yours. The powerful energy from last year and this year culminate in 2026, the year of the Yang Fire Horse, which can be either explosive or a boon of creativity.