The Year of the Yin Water Rabbit
For this year, 2023, we are moving into a direction of beautiful growth and development. The energetics of this year are all about the true essence of yin and yang, the give and take, and balance of action(!!) and retraction. Imagine a bunny coming out of his/her hibernation into the snow, shaking dew its fluffy tail, ready to spring about! Doesn’t that bring you joy? A warm fuzzy feeling for the new year? I think so.
If you aren’t familiar with the Chinese New Year traditions, each year has 3 different qualities as you can see noted above: whether it’s primarily yin or yang, has an attachment to one of the five elements (earth, water, wood, fire, metal), and one of the 12 zodiac creatures (rat, ox, tiger, rabbit, dragon, snake, horse, goat, monkey, rooster, dog, and pig). This year is the “Yin Water Rabbit” and we’ll go through each attribute and discuss what that means.
The yin nature of the year refers to an overlying sense of calm, stillness, retreat, nourishing, energetic savoring, and rest, etc. etc. Instead of being outwardly energetic like a yang year, 2023 might be a great time to find more inner peace, rest more, and connect with the universe around us. Activities that are very yin in nature would be to start a meditation practice or go to a yoga retreat! In my world, I will feel no guilt about an extra nap here and there at least!
Water is the element associated with the kidney meridian and the color black (my favorite color, personally). Because we’re coming off of a few years of very heightened emotions, this year will be important to encompass more adaptability. Imagine how fluid water can be, ebbing and flowing and the ability to change direction as needed or absorb more than any of the other elements! Emotionally speaking, fear is one of the primary emotions of the water element, so it's important to keep a healthy relationship with it this year. Don’t let fear overtake you, let it drive you!
On the flipside of that coin, the kidney meridian is the most grounding on the anatomical body. It begins on the bottom of the foot, and travels up the body from there.. All the way to the heart! In order to activate the energy of the kidney, foot massage, moxa or getting acupuncture along the kidney meridian can activate the vital qi that strengthens our whole body system. In line with the ideas of yoga or meditation, trying an “earthing” practice would be incredibly beneficial this year as well. Obviously, when we’re into spring and summer, walking around on the earth barefoot, otherwise known as “earthing,” is a great way to activate the water element and ground us at the same time. Give it a try! (When it’s not winter).
Finally, the rabbit has some fun energy that brings some lightness to 2023. They are creatures with boundless energy, but know when to retreat and rest. They emerge from their dens with lots of vibrancy, ready to hop about! Because they’re very nimble and agile animals, they have the ability to maneuver different challenges in a quick fashion. In the same breath, growth is quick in the rabbit years and this is your reminder to just go for it!
Lillian Bridges from the Lotus Institute does such an eloquent job describing the more mystic energetics for the year, written here. I have given you a small portion, but to read more, please visit her article to get the full lowdown on what 2023 brings! We will be festive all week, so come visit us for a treat and treatment. Happy Chinese New Year to all!
