(CNN) — Say goodbye to the Tiger; it’s time to jump into the year of the rabbit.
Most people know the basics: the 12-year Chinese zodiac calendar cycle is represented by 12 different animals – the Chinese zodiac signs. Your zodiac animal is determined by your year of birth.
But this is only the beginning. For those faithful to the system, a year is not just about its animal. There is also a complex sexagenarian cycle consisting of 10 heavenly stems and 12 earthly branches.
Celestial stems and terrestrial branches
Each year, a celestial stem (one of the five elements, which fall into the yin or yang category) is associated with an earthly branch (one of the 12 Chinese zodiac animals).
Gui Mao is the 40th element of the Chinese sexagenary cycle – the celestial stem “Gui” represents water, while the earth branch “Mao” represents the rabbit. This makes 2023 the Year of the Water Rabbit.
“It is also rare to have the combination of water and rabbit. Rabbit represents wood. Water nourishes wood (according to Chinese geomancy).”
She says industries where wood is the main component – such as culture, publishing, agriculture and furniture – would benefit. Fire industries, on the other hand, including digital and technology companies, can suffer because fire is afraid of water.
“The Year of the Water Rabbit is going to be a milder year. We’ll have time to breathe. We’ve been in the tunnel for a few years, and the light is getting bigger now,” Chow says.
How the “Grand Duke of Jupiter” rules your luck
Followers believe that for each sign of the Chinese zodiac, luck will largely depend on the positions of the Tai Sui – the star deities believed to rotate parallel to and in the opposite direction to Jupiter.
To calculate how each person will be affected in a given year, a Chinese geomancy consultant will look at their birth chart, made up of a wide range of elements – such as the day and time of their birth – to see how they can interact with the elements of the year.
These combinations play an important role for those who follow them, helping them make important life decisions for the coming year, such as getting married or starting a business.
Different geomancy masters may interpret the data differently. Yet there is a general consensus on what the year means for each zodiac animal based on star positions, especially Tai Sui.
A popular dish in China, longevity noodles can be thick, thin, flat, or crispy, but they are always long. In Hong Kong, where fried e-fu noodles are king, a factory has increased production by 30% to meet Lunar New Year demand.
If your zodiac sign clashes with Tai Sui – aka Jupiter’s Grand Duke – in any given year, experts say you could find yourself facing some disruption.
For those who might conflict with Tai Sui this year, Chow says they need to remember that the calendar is a rotating cycle.
“It’s like playing musical chairs – whoever sits there gets Tai Sui. You’ll switch positions next round,” says Chow, whose zodiac sign will also be at a disadvantage with Tai Sui this year.
To resolve the clashes, one could go to a Chinese temple and make offerings to Tai Sui performances.
“Even if you don’t believe it 100 percent, I feel like it gives you a good psychological boost to start the year,” Chow says. “When things happen along the way, you’ll remember you made it, and that will give you a little cushion.”
Now it’s time to get specific.
To determine what the Year of the Rabbit could mean for you, find your year of birth and corresponding animal in the gallery above before reading Chow’s predictions below.
Rabbit
People born in the Year of the Rabbit will face their “Ben Ming Nian” – their own zodiac year – in 2023. Followers believe there will be more disruption and instability in the coming year.
“People born in the Year of the Rabbit should expect big changes in health, career and relationships. It could be a little scary, especially for those whose birth charts do not favor water. “, says Chow.
“But remember, not everything is bad. It can mean an opportunity to grow.”
Rabbits should try to attract positive energy and participate in happy events when possible.
They should also travel to destinations in their south — regardless of whether those southern destinations are in their city or outside their country — Chow says.
Dragon
The year promises to be rather good for the Dragons. No unlucky stars affect their year.
“There are no outstanding worries except maybe health for those born in summer and fall. They could easily feel stressed,” Chow says.
But the geomancy expert urges Dragons not to make rash decisions at work.
“It doesn’t mean overthinking. Just letting things sit longer before making a decision,” Chow says.
Single dragons could meet potential romantic partners this year. Their lucky colors are metallic, like gold or silver.
When it comes to travel, head west for better fortune, Chow says.
Snake
People born in the Snake years will enjoy good news and abundance as travel star Yi Ma Xing and fortune star Cai Xing rule over them this year.
“Opportunities, new directions and breakthroughs will come to you at work,” says Chow. “But Snakes need to find balance in life and take a break when needed.”
Romantically, Snakes can find love while traveling this year. Chow advises them to wear blue or gold and travel west or north.
Horse
“This year, the horses will have the peach blossom star (Taohua Xing) shining above them. That’s always good news,” Chow says.
Professionally, they will find new opportunities and meet many tutors who will assist them.
They will enjoy good relationships. She says this could be the right year for those who want to get engaged or married.
But Chow issues a reminder for horses: pay attention to the physical and mental health of their families.
“They can wear colorful clothes like pink, orange, and a bit of yellow. In terms of travel, they can head south,” Chow says.
Goat
This year, the goats will host Tai Sui.
This is usually a positive influence on their luck, but at the same time it could also mean that the year will be exhausting as well. This is why goats need to take care of themselves and rest when needed.
“Save time to get to know yourself better. Career-wise, you have to stay humble and keep a low profile. Observe more. Opportunities will come at the right time,” says Chow.
Relationship-wise, those born in the Goat years will enjoy a smooth year.
“They’re more likely to meet new people, new friends, and even new loves this year,” Chow says, adding that some gold and a visit out west could add to their luck.
Monkey
Good news for the Monkeys: they will be in harmonious union with the Tai Sui this year.
Chow says they will be showered with admiration by those around them at work.
But that doesn’t mean they have to live recklessly. Instead, the geomancer says, “they should play it safe this year, especially those into extreme sports.”
In terms of relationships, they are prone to arguments and dramas, which could be avoided by improving communication this year.
Yellow and beige are the monkeys’ color palette in 2023, and they could look west for travel inspiration, Chow says.
Rooster
The Roosters need to prepare – they will face Tai Sui this year, which means the coming months could be unstable and present many changes.
Chow’s advice: Embrace the chaos and travel more.
“Gather as much positive energy as possible and be more aware that you may find it easier to attract conflict this year,” she says. “But understand that these changes are for the best.”
To soften the blow, they could wear more yellow and brown and visit places to the west or north.
Dog
Being in union with Tai Sui, people born under the sign of the Dog are likely to enjoy a pleasant year with significant advances in career and finances.
But dogs need to remember to be humble and listen to others, especially friends and people they trust, Chow says. They will tell you important things that will greatly benefit you this year.
“Their lucky colors are silver and blue, and their lucky location is in the north,” Chow explains.
Pig
Pigs will welcome Tai Sui, which means that the year should generally be positive.
But, on the other hand, saluting the Tai Sui can also affect health due to the extra workload.
“You need to balance your work and playtime equally,” Chow says.
People born during the Pig years can experience professional success if they are willing to focus on teamwork.
“Relationally, it’s going to be a really good year for you. You’ll meet new friends and new potential love,” Chow says.
To improve the fortunes, the pigs could wear pink and purple more often and plan a trip south, she adds.
Rat
People born in the years of the Rat will clash with Tai Sui, also known as Xing (torture) Tai Sui, next year.
“Generally that means a tougher year,” Chow says. “But when there’s yin, there’s always yang too. So remember, not everything is ever really bad.”
Rats should be more careful in health and work. They could be prone to minor injuries and miscommunication this year.
Chow urges them to wear cheerful colors — like pink and orange — and visit warmer places.
Beef
Oxen will enjoy an exciting year with the Star of Travel and the Star of Fortune shining upon them.
“They will find new opportunities and their finances will hit a new level. They will likely travel more for business and personal reasons. But since they are traveling and working more, they need to be health conscious,” Chow says.
Those who are single and looking for love may be lucky this year.
Meanwhile, when choosing a travel destination, they might travel north, Chow says.
Tiger
For those born in the Tiger years, their “Ben Ming Nian” is over.
“That means whatever difficult times and instabilities they’re going through, it’s going to get better soon,” Chow says. “But patience is key because the changes won’t be immediate.”
Tigers, especially those born in spring and summer, should take time to recover in the first half and not make big decisions until the second half, she says.
They should take things slowly in their relationships and “save time for themselves.”
Wearing yellow, blue and brown might cheer them up. They could also travel to their north and west, Chow concludes.
