Happy New Year of the Rabbit!

In Chinese astrology, zodiacs are done by the year, rather than by the month. January 22, 2023 marks the beginning of the year of the Water Rabbit. People born in 2023, 2011, 1999, 1987, 1975, 1963, 1951, etc, are Rabbits, but the last time there was a Water Rabbit year was in 1963. So if you are turning 60 this year, you have come full circle!

What other kinds of Rabbits are there? Metal, Wood, Fire and Earth. Along with Water, these are the five elements that are used, in part, as a basis in Chinese Medicine when assessing and diagnosing patients. Each person has one dominant element, their Constitutional Factor, that influences their existence and how they maneuver in the world.

Rabbits are considered symbols of fortune, luck, fertility and life. If you are a Rabbit, you are considered vigilant, witty, quick-minded, and ingenious. The Rabbit’s quiet personality hides their confidence and strength. They steadily move towards their goals, no matter what negativity they get from others. The Rabbit is also considered the luckiest of the zodiacs.

If you've ever had a pet rabbit, or even read Watership Down, you already know that rabbits are very sweet, gentle animals; quite the opposite of Tigers which were the zodiac for 2022. That is our first clue about the difference in energy of the upcoming year. Being prey animals, rabbits prefer to hide, and stay very quiet and calm. This also keeps them vigilant. They sense danger, get jittery and quickly run for cover in their burrows.

Does this mean you need to hide in 2023? Maybe a little! While we can say rabbits are peaceful and gentle, since they’re known for producing large litters, we can also say that they are productive (you know the saying “breeding like rabbits”)? This means 2023 also has the potential to be a very productive year.

After the craziness of recent years, the next 12 months will be a much needed opportunity to get some calm and quiet back in our lives. 2023 could be a year where finally people may become kinder and more tender. Focus on being good-natured with others and it may very well be rewarded.

To stay in harmony with the Qi (energy) of the year, try to keep the balance of activity and rest. Make sure to take time to be hushed and placid during your productivity. When you get nervous or anxious, pause for a moment and remember the stillness deep within. Know that resting doesn't always mean reclining (although siestas are always recommended!). It could happen in all kinds of ways: deep breathing while you drive, rocking in a chair listening to a favorite song or three, slow to moderate meandering walks, a warm bath and receiving acupuncture!

Each acupuncture treatment you receive reminds your nervous system and your chi (energy) how to recalibrate. At the early stages of receiving treatments, we are reminding your system how to get back to balance. Once it balances and needs less nudging, your treatments can spread out and you can enjoy a better sense of well-being, receiving 'tune-ups' as needed depending on life circumstances. What a wonderful gift to be able to come in for a treatment and get re-aligned so that life's challenges can be faced with more wisdom and composure.