Happy Year of the Water Rabbit!

In 2023, even Rabbits stick out their tongues! (click HERE to read the tongue diagnosis article). We are leaving the bold masculine energy of the Tiger and entering a softer Yin year with the Water Rabbit.

The diagnosis of the year 2023 is going to be one of rebirth, playfulness and wit. We will have courage, kindness, as well as good fortune!

The Lunar New Year is an important traditional Chinese holiday that is celebrated at the turn of the Chinese calendar. Chinese New Year celebrations traditionally run from Chinese New Year’s Eve, to the Lantern Festival on the 15th day of the first month. This makes the festival the longest in the Chinese calendar. This year the new year falls on January 22nd. As a public holiday, many people get 7 days off of work to honor the new year. This year is no different when it comes to cleaning your home to sweep away ill-fortune and open space for good incoming luck.

According to tales and legends, the beginning of Chinese New Year started with a mythical beast called Nian. Nian would come on the first day of New Year to eat livestock, crops, and even children! To protect themselves, the villagers would put food in front of their doors at the beginning of every year. It was believed that this prevented Nian from attacking more kids. A God looked down on the villagers, and told them to hang red lanterns and red spring scrolls on windows and doors. The God also told the people to use firecrackers to frighten away the Nian. From then on, Nian never came to the village again. The Nian was eventually captured by an ancient Taoist monk. If you wish to learn more about Chinese New Year traditions click HERE.

In 2023, the Year of the Water Rabbit could bring peace and patience. The Rabbit is a gentle animal that is known for thinking things through before acting. Having this energy upon us in 2023 can help us with challenges and opportunities by having a calm and rational mind.

We also have to include the Water element in our predictions. Water can change form more than the other 4 elements within the 5 element system. Water can shift from a solid, to mist, to liquid. What this means is that you will be able to navigate through and around challenges that may come at you this year.

Since this is also a Yin year, we can tune in with our emotions and be more empathetic to our loved ones. The Year of the Water Rabbit allows us to focus on personal and professional relationships, which I think is beautiful after having to be separated over the past few years due to Covid restrictions.

It is also said to bring good luck and unexpected opportunities. This year I would encourage you to have courage, be open to new beginnings, and have fun with those around you!

TIPS FOR YOUR TUMMY: You can chop up 3 bulbs of garlic, fill level with apple cider vinegar, refrigerate and use in your cooking on Chinese new year and the days following. The Sour flavor helps prepare our bodies for the Spring and helps with Liver detoxification!

If you wish to know more about traditional Chinese foods that surround the new year celebrations, have a bit of fun reading “Top Lucky Foods to Eat for the Chinese New Year” article!

One of my favorite videos to watch every lunar new year is from WayFengshui, you can also find individual Chinese Horoscope prediction cartoons as well!