Happy Year of the Black Water Rabbit!

In Chinese astrology 2023 is known as a Black Water Rabbit year. The element of water, or Yin energy, is associated with the color black, thus the rabbit’s color. This bunny with its softer, gentler energy could lead us in a new direction. Yin-Water encourages us to look within for answers, a welcome shift from the energy of 2022.

Our last Black Water Rabbit year was in 1963. Because this energy is especially gifted and creative, 2023 promises to enhance communication of all sorts.

The Water Tiger energy of 2022 had a “go-go” quality I found invigorating at first, and then profoundly tiring. The Tiger likes to pounce. The past year was one of intensity, political surprises, and sudden leaps into the unknown.

Chinese astrology says this year will be a more restful time ideal for contemplating our values and reimagining our goals. Rabbit energy is highly creative and loves building its nest. No matter its color or element, Rabbit represents good fortune materially and in relationships.

This is welcome news for those of us who are list-makers and overachievers. It’s predicted that our collective focus will shift to healing and intellectual pursuits in 2023 instead of racking up career and financial achievements. People may be more willing to simply listen and resolve conflicts with humor and compassion.

Get Cozy in Your Den

I’m not an expert in Chinese astrology by any means. To learn more I turn to Theodora Lau, the author of the Chinese Horoscopes Guide to Relationships (Doubleday, 1997). In this excellent guide Lau shows how each of the twelve earth branches symbolized by animals harmonizes with or conflicts with those of other branches. Her insights about the Rat personality – my natal year – have proven incredibly helpful as I negotiate relationships with people of other signs.

The Chinese Zodiac is based on a complex lunar and solar calendar in use for centuries. This year Chinese New Year falls on Sunday, January 22. But that is not the same as the start of the astrological new year. That occurs when the sun reaches a 315-degree angle over the tropical zodiac. This year, that will be February 4. Until then, we are still under the influence of the Water Tiger.

Even though Rabbit won’t be fully in force until early in February, I’m already feeling the pull to go inward, look to my intuition, and bask in more soothing, gentle energy. Tiger was more outward. Rabbit is causing me to get cozy in my den and look for new ways to manifest my heart’s desires.

How will Rabbit Energy Affect You?

If you want to learn more about how Black Water Rabbit energy affects your natal sign, there are many choices. One helpful online site called Go to Horoscope has a complete breakdown of each natal sign and element so you can learn more specifically how the energy symbolized by Rabbit may affect you.

Last year’s Tiger energy caused us to want to work harder. But Rabbit energy is different. It encourages working smarter, not harder. Rabbit’s natural charm and even temper makes for skillful diplomacy. The Water Rabbit will be important on the political front as good negotiation skills rise in importance and more creative leaders step forward.

For astrology sceptics, I recommend keeping an open mind. You can ignore the whole thing if you choose. But I think it’s a good idea to treat it with the respect accorded to many ancient wisdom traditions. I never use astrology to predict anything. It’s simply a tool for better understanding the energies that influence us. Like the Myers Briggs or the Enneagram, it can help raise our self-awareness and allow us to take things less personally.

My Power Word is Joy

More than ever, I’m avoiding resolutions and instead setting a simple intention for 2023. My “power word” for this year is “Joy.” In whatever I undertake this year, my aim is to create more joy. That seems to fit well with the quieter energy of Yin. Certainly, all the water falling from the sky in Northern California is encouraging me to snuggle down and stay quiet.

I hope your New Year is happy, healthy, and full of good fortune. Remember the rabbit’s foot has long been a talisman of good luck. May it be so for all of us!

A slightly different version of this post originally appeared in the Rossmoor News.