Chinese New Year is known for its festivities and traditions practiced by Chinese communities across the world. From the dragon dance performances, decoration of red lanterns, lighting of fireworks and firecrackers, the serving of “lucky” foods, to visiting one’s family and honoring ancestors, these are among the observances we could look forward to in celebrating the beginning of this new year. But for the days ahead, what could we expect?

Shengxiao, or the Chinese zodiac, has served as a guide for several people in traversing a new year. Based on the lunar calendar, this ancient belief system has a 12-year cycle, and a particular animal sign represents each year along with one of the five elements. This coming Chinese New Year ushers in the Year of the Water Rabbit.

Gentleness and peacefulness are commonly associated with the Water Rabbit. Rabbits are also seen to be responsible and vigilant. Therefore, after the energetic Year of the Water Tiger in 2022, the coming Year of the Water Rabbit this 2023 is seen as “a harbinger of gentleness and serenity,” according to astrology and feng shui website KarmaWeather. The principal dynamics of this new year are thus “rest, truce, and intellectual challenges.”

Earlier this year on her official Facebook page, Marites Allen, popularly known as the country’s “feng shui queen,” has also unveiled her forecasts for each animal sign as they enter the Year of the Water Rabbit this 2023.

People born under the Rat zodiac sign could be among the “winners” in this year of the Water Rabbit, according to Ms. Allen. Thanks to the Future Prosperity star, Ms. Allen said that this could present the Rat signs with auspicious blessings and good fortune, multipliable up to nine times.

Meanwhile, money and career luck could go on for the Ox this year, but Ms. Allen said they could be disturbed by threats of robbery, losses, or injuries. Despite the difficult times, the Ox people could prosper, having innate confidence, strength, and stability. Still, Ms. Allen also reminded them to steer clear from being stubborn, resentful, and temperamental, which could lead them to downfall and destruction.

Tigers could likewise continue their garnering of good fortune, said Ms. Allen, but she also noted threats of robbery, losses, or injuries. Nonetheless, the universe could help people born under this sign to exhibit some profitable gains this year if they have gotten good karma because of their past actions.

For the Rabbit-born people, given they are held as a harbinger of calmness, peace, and tranquility, there is “a lot to gain.” Still, Ms. Allen reminded Rabbits to be extra careful not to dispel blessings coming in the form of money or promotion at work. For them, the only challenge to confront in their year is the threat to their health and longevity.

Meanwhile, people born under the Year of the Dragon are told to brace for possible negativities carried by hostile energies, which imply heartaches and misunderstandings. Thus, to prevent themselves from being carried away by unusual heartaches, Dragons should possess a lot of patience, tolerance, and restraint. “Avoid at all costs any disagreements and opt for peace and harmonious environment,” Ms. Allen advised.

Snakes could have their peaceful life shaken by the hostility star’s presence this 2023, according to Ms. Allen, who also noted indications of heartaches, misunderstandings, lawsuits, and many quarrelling.

People born under the Horse sign could look forward to wealth luck and good fortune to easily roll to them this year. “This is not the time to take it easy but rather push yourself to the limit and keep on working smart to achieve unlimited funds, profitable partnerships, or promotions,” Ms. Allen said. These would bring the Horse-born people extra income. Additionally, their investments could grow and multiply.

The Sheep, being allies and closest to the Rabbit, is also blessed this year. Add to that the auspicious Victory star that blesses them with “new beginnings and superior blessings.” People born under the Year of the Sheep could expect something new this year, such as achieving new heights and experience as well as abundant new things not familiar to them. It is also a good time for them to venture into unfamiliar territory to expand.

Also blessed by the auspicious Victory Star are the Monkeys, who could have relief this year after last year’s struggles. Still, Ms. Allen warned of the threat of three killings star, which they have to manage. Some issues involving one’s name being compromised, money loss, and health scare could be created by this star.

Meanwhile, Rooster-born people could expect highs and lows this year. “So take it easy, lie low, and best to take a shift, make some necessary changes, or if you can afford it, try to move to a different home, or location, or keep traveling,” Ms. Allen advised. Yet, Roosters could look forward to a busy year with a possibility of cash blessings.

The Dog is the secret friend of the Rabbit. However, with the misfortune star present in their chart this time, Ms. Allen advised people born under the Dog sign to be more attentive on caring for themselves. There is the risk of illness, which could impact one’s income opportunities and working schedules.

Also friends with the Rabbit are the Boars, which meant good news, according to Ms. Allen. As Boars deal with some obstacles, some help from this year’s energies could be there for them. Yet, she also told the Boars to look after their health.

But looking beyond ourselves, what could we expect for the country in the Year of the Water Rabbit?

“It’s a lucky year for the Philippines, born on June 12, 1898, the Year of the Dog, who’s the best friend of the Rabbit,” Ms. Allen was quoted in PhilSTAR Life.

“The stars are aligning and the pandemic is almost over or we’ve gone through the worst of it, though there will always be a pandemic. After the very ferocious Tiger, the attitude of the Rabbit is calm and peaceful, nice and sweet, and it doesn’t like stress. So, we’re hoping for that kind of feeling to pervade this year,” said the feng shui expert. — Chelsey Keith P. Ignacio

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