Starting on January 22nd, 2023 (Chinese New Year), and ending on February 9th, 2024
The sign of the Rabbit is a symbol of longevity, peace, and prosperity in Chinese culture.
Rabbits are predicted to be gentle, quiet, elegant, and alert, as well as quick, skilled, kind, patient, and very responsible, always faithful to those around them. When encountering tough difficulties, they are never discouraged but instead remain persistent in their endeavors to find solutions. This means they will eventually achieve success.
In Chinese mythology, the Rabbit is the only zodiac animal to live together with the goddess Cháng’é on the moon. Being closely related to the Goddess of the Moon, the Rabbit is one of the most favored zodiac signs in Chinese astrology.
2023 is also ruled by the Water element. Water energy is like a deep pool of unseen, teeming life, but it is contemplative and calm. The Water archetype is the philosopher who brings to light that which is hidden, uncovering new knowledge, dispelling mystery, and eroding ignorance. Water years call upon us to practice surrender and radical acceptance of ourselves and, in turn, of others. This is a nice opportunity to slow down and reflect on what is truly important to you.
2023 is predicted to be a year of hope.
The Year of the Rabbit makes me think of a story by Richard Wagamese in his book “One Drum.” Not just because of rabbits but also because it feels so fitting for the time we are living in. I won’t tell you the whole story; that is for you to discover. This is my interpretation.
In the long-ago time when there were only animal people, they decided that they needed to choose a leader. All members of the animal kingdom came together to have a meeting on how to decide; they chose to have a race. “A race would show who exemplifies the qualities of leadership. A race requires perseverance, fortitude, strength, and a powerful will.”
Many of the strong, fearless animals signed up. Horse for its fleetness and strength; buffalo for its stamina; cougar for its power; and wolverine for its stealth. A route was chosen with very challenging terrain to determine a leader who was “the hardiest and most qualified to lead.”
As the race was set to start, Waabooz the Rabbit stepped forward and said, “I would like to sign up!” The other animals were worried Waaboz would be hurt or worse, but Waabooz was not afraid, only filled with curiosity and excitement to participate.
“Oh, the land is so lovely; there is so much to see, and the feeling of being on it is so wonderful,” Waabooz said.
The story goes on, tracing the steps of all the animals in the race. Each participant met the edge of themselves within the challenging and ever-changing landscape, coming up against their limitations, challenges, and the roles they believed they were held to. I won’t spoil the whole story for you! I will only say that it was Waabooz who, although he didn’t keep up with the rest of the animals, stopped and supported each one of them along the way.
It is Waabooz who gathers each contestant along the route, encouraging them to join together as a team, a unified force held together on the foundations of community, self-love, and humility, each of their talents and strengths in motion as one.
“I understand that when all our energies are directed toward the same goal, there is no need for one to lead. We all help each other complete the journey,” said Waabooz.
Richard Wagamese (1955-2017), an award-winning author and journalist, is an Ojibway from the Wabaseemoong First Nation in Northwestern Ontario whose work was deeply influenced by Indigenous experiences in Canada’s residential school system. He was one of Canada’s foremost writers and one of the leading indigenous writers in North America.
Richard Wagamese – One Drum: Stories and Ceremonies for a Planet
Richard Wagamese – Indian Horse
