2023 Is the Year of the Water Rabbit: 3 Ways to Embrace the Energy of This Chinese Zodiac

For centuries, Chinese astrology has been utilized to provide insights into one’s personality, strengths and weaknesses. It is understood to be a powerful way to help people make better decisions by taking into account the astrological influences of a given year.

Unlike the zodiac horoscope, which is based on the sun’s movements, Chinese zodiac is based on the lunar year. While you need to know the day and month of birth to determine your (or someone else’s) sign in Western zodiac, the Chinese horoscope revolves around the year of birth.
 

Unlike the zodiac horoscope, which is based on the sun’s movements, Chinese zodiac is based on the lunar year.

 
2023 is the Year of the Water Rabbit in the Chinese zodiac and will be a year of peace, harmony and tranquility. Read on to learn more about this ancient system, what the Year of the Water Rabbit means for you, and three beneficial practices to cultivate ease, flow and diplomacy.
 

A Brief History of Chinese Zodiac

Chinese zodiac history can be traced back to the Han Dynasty (202 BC–220 AD). The Chinese zodiac signs were used to represent the 12 Earthly Branches, which were used to record the time and also to indicate the hour, month and year.

The signs also became associated with certain characteristics and are believed to influence a person’s personality and fate.
 

The Chinese horoscope revolves around the year of birth.

 
Chinese zodiac is a traditional classification system that consists of twelve animal signs, each of which correspond to the 12-year cycle of the Chinese lunar calendar. The signs are the rat, ox, tiger, rabbit, dragon, snake, horse, sheep, monkey, rooster, dog and pig.

Each year is associated with a specific animal sign, and people born in that year are said to have the characteristics of that sign.
 
 

How Chinese Zodiac Can Affect Your Life

One way to harness your own Chinese zodiac sign is to understand the characteristics and traits associated with your sign and try to embody those qualities. For example, if you are a Tiger, you are said to be courageous, confident and independent, so you may try to be more assertive and take on leadership roles.

Another way to harness your Chinese zodiac sign is to use it as a guide for making decisions. Each sign has its own strengths and weaknesses, and understanding these can help you make decisions that align with your natural abilities and tendencies.
 

The Chinese zodiac is believed to influence a person’s personality and fate.

 
For example, if you are a Snake, you are known for being wise and discreet, so you may excel in careers that require strategic thinking and good judgment.

Your Chinese zodiac sign can also serve as a guide for personal growth and self-improvement. By understanding your sign’s weaknesses, you can work on developing qualities that will help you to overcome them.

For example, if you are a Horse, you are known for being impulsive, so you may work on developing patience and self-control.

It is important to remember that the Chinese zodiac is only one aspect of your identity and should not be used to define or limit you. It can be used as a tool to understand yourself better and to make decisions that align with your natural strengths and tendencies.
 

2023: The Year of the Rabbit

According to the lunar calendar, January 21st marked the end of the Year of the Tiger and the beginning of the Year of the Rabbit in the Chinese zodiac.

2022 was the Year of the Tiger, which was characterized as a fast-paced year of strength, vitality and growth. However, much like the animals themselves, rabbits are much tamer in comparison. Therefore, we can expect 2023 to be a much calmer and more restful period.

The rabbit is the luckiest of the twelve animals in the Chinese zodiac. So, this year is said to bring prosperity, hope and calm. While 2022 was a yang year (meaning it was more about action), 2023 will be a yin year, which is much more passive.
 

2023 will be a time for reflection, rest and renewal.

 
Remember though that although rabbits are gentle, they are also agile and cunning. So, in 2023, we will be able to navigate life more quickly and with more reflection all while avoiding stressors and dangers. This will also give us the opportunity to confidently and quietly overcome obstacles to our goals.
 
 

Year of the Water Rabbit

The Chinese calendar has a 60-year cycle with 12 Earthly Branches, each representing an animal, and the five elements of wood, fire, earth, metal and water.

This year’s element is water, which means that things will feel more fluid and will require more fluidity. Water is associated with flexibility, adaptability and emotional depth.
 

A “go with the flow” approach to life will serve best in 2023.

 
The Water Rabbit is believed to be a year of peace, harmony and tranquility. It is a time for nurturing relationships and building strong connections with loved ones. Those born in the year of the rabbit may experience emotional growth and personal development during this time.

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Regarding global events, the Water Rabbit year may be characterized by diplomacy, cooperation and compromise. It may be a time of increased focus on environmental issues and efforts to promote sustainability. Additionally, the arts and culture may flourish, and there may be opportunities for creative expression and exploration.
 

Tap Into Your Water Element With Fluidity Flow

Want to cultivate more “go with the flow” in your life? Check out this fun, rhythmic yoga class with YouAligned’s founder Ashton August on YA Classes. Fluidity Flow will help you embody the water element and you’ll come away feeling strong, present and peaceful!
 
 

3 Ways to Embrace the Year of the Water Rabbit In Your Life:

1. Keep Calm and Carry On

Given the fact that this year is characterized by flexibility, adaptability and emotional depth, implementing consistent practices to calm the mind and body, including meditation and breath work are as important as ever in order to cultivate a life of mindfulness.

Through these practices you can help to create good habits in your life where you are not reactionary, and in turn you gain the ability to see the situations and people in front of you clearly. I call this Living Mediation.

It is also very beneficial to incorporate traditional practices that not only strengthen your external condition (i.e. strength of muscle and joints), but also your internal condition (i.e. balance qi [vital energy], strengthen organ systems and regulate circulation).

These practices include yoga and traditional martial arts such as tai chi, qi gong and other forms of gentle moving meditations that tap into the water element.
 

Cultivate Flexibility and Find Inner Balance with a Yin Yoga Class

This slow and steady Yin Yoga class on YA Classes is beginner-friendly and will help you relax and unwind, open and stretch your body, and tap into the yin energy of the Year of the Water Rabbit.
 

2. Embrace Nourishing Eating Habits

During the year of the water rabbit, there is an overall weakening of Earth’s energy, which affects the stomach and digestive system as a whole. For most people, this does not have much impact health-wise.

However, it is wise to be aware of the digestive system seeing that the energies of this year may trigger stomach-related problems. Therefore, it’s imperative that a proper diet is observed for the entirety of the Water Rabbit year.

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Eat your meals on time and make sure they are nutritious and balanced (vegetables, proteins and complex carbohydrates with a variety of flavors, which works to stimulate your organ systems). This will help you to avoid imbalances and issues with digestion.
 

3. Earth Element Feng Shui

The Year of the Water Rabbit, is characterized as elegant, calm, mild-mannered and adaptable. It is also expected to be the year of healing.

When it comes to having good Feng Shui, you need to bring the earth element into your home, according to this zodiac animal. Earthy materials, colors and images in your home can help bring positive qi (vital energy). Also having the gemstone jade in your home can help protect and bring positivity into your home.
 
 

The Year of the Water Rabbit Is a Hopeful, Calming and Healing Year

In the year of the Water Rabbit, with every problem comes an opportunity for solutions and unchecked growth will eventually be trimmed down the road with regulations. Whether it will be a troublesome or an excellent year will depend on which part of it that you focus on.

It is however believed that this year will ultimately bring increased opportunities for personal growth and development. By focusing on your goals, cultivating positive relationships, and taking care of your physical and emotional health, you can work to make the most of whatever the year brings.