Happy New Year – 2023 Year of the Black Water Rabbit

Happy New Year! We are fast approaching the New Lunar Year of the Black Water Rabbit, which begins January 22, 2023 and ends February 9th, 2024.

The frst day of the Chinese astrological/Feng Shui year, however, is different from the popular Chinese New Year Day, which is calculated from the Chinese lunar calendar. It is calculated from the solar calendar, and begins February 4th this year, which is known as the frst day of spring. The two dates cause alot of confusion because they are from two different calendars, the lunar calendar, the solar calendar and then there is also the solar -lunar calendar!

We have crossed over the threshold of the Winter Solstice on our annual journey from darkness into Light. From now until the Chinese Solar New Year that begins on February 4th, 2023, we are in a period of fux as one cycle winds down and another is birthed. During this transition, major shifts in our Planet’s Light and energy occur as matter rearranges itself.

This is why the week of February 4th is so important as it marks the midpoint between the winter solstice and the spring equinox. In the west, we celebrate February 2nd as Ground Hog’s Day (will he look back to the Solstice and we have six more weeks of cold weather or will he look forward to the Spring Equinox.) Throughout history, February 2nd was known as “the Festival of Lights” in many countries or Candlemass by the Christians.

Looking more deeply into the Feng Shui and Astrology, we fnd we are also transiting out of a twenty year cycle ruled by yang earth into a new 20 year cycle which is ruled by fre in 2024, the year of the Green Wood Dragon. So, 2023 is looked at as a transitional year between the aggressive Black Triple Tiger (2022) and the aggressive Green Wood Dragon (2024.)

It is slated to be more moderate and less outwardly warlike, with fghting, espionage, assassinations etc. going more underground – less visible. It’s like a yin interlude between two very yang years!

The year of the Black Water Rabbit is symbolized by yin water sitting on top of the Yin Wood Rabbit. The rabbit is seen as pure spring wood. The water and wood elements are in a harmonious relationship as water feeds wood and makes it stronger. Yin water is symbolized by the “morning dew,” rain, cold water, lakes, ponds, and brooks, while yin wood is symbolized by fowers, grass, vines, or small plants. It’s image is that of a small drop of water sitting on a fower petal in early morning. On the surface, this peaceful image promises a period of rest and refection after the dynamic Year of the Tiger. It is predicted to be a year when we focus more on culture, fexibility, empathy, compromise, innovative growth and creative solutions to our problems.

However, there is a total lack of the fre element this year and it doesn’t reappear until 2025, The Year of the Wood Snake. Fire brings optimism, happiness and will power and when missing may bring a lack of confdence. Although there may be the desire to try to avoid conficts and difficulties, the will may be lacking. Because the fre is missing, it may also result in sicknesses relating to the heart, brain and eyes.

Art and entertainment will be very prominent this year. The last time we experienced a Black Water Rabbit year was 1963 and it was a great year for both. It was the year Beatlemania began after their release of “I Want To Hold Your Hand/I Saw Her Standing There,” the Beach Boys released ’Surfng USA” and Bob Dylan released “Blowing in the Wind.” Other songs that year were – Go Away Little Girl, He’s So Fine, It’s MyParty, Blue Velvet, My Boyfriend’s Back, and Call Me Irresponsible. Movies were Dr.

Strangelove, Cleopatra, The Birds, Dr. No, and The Pink Panther. TV Shows were My Favorite Martian, 77 Sunset Strip, McHale’s Navy, The Fugitive, Petticoat Junction, The Virginian” and “Lassie, and it was the launch of the longest running Soap Opera, “General Hospital.” It was also “A Pop art” year featuring such artists as Andy Warhol. Jasper Johns, and Roy Lichtenstein.

Looking back to 1963 politically, we remember that it was the year of JFK’s assassination. There will defnitely be alot of talk and investigation about this in 2023 as RFK Jr. recently came out and said, “The CIA killed both my my Father and Uncle.” Interestingly, I did some research to see if any other coups happened that year and so far have found a dozen! There are usually only 3-6 globally in a year. This says alot about the Black Water Rabbit’s qi. It is more surface peace. All fghting, coups etc. will continue but not overtly. It is so funny to me that every time I write Black Water Rabbit – I think of the shady mercenary organization Eric Prince headed
and then realized the company was very refective of the energy of 2023. It is also important to remember Temescah’s curse is still on for President Biden. Here is the link where I explained it and the many parallels between Biden’s and JFK’s presidency: https://www.invisiblearchitecture.com/october-2020-bing-xu-fire-dog/

1963 was also full of racial tensions. It is the year Martin Luther King Jr. delivered his famous “I have a dream” speech to to an audience of at least 250,000 civil rights marchers who had participated in the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom. Other events were Betty Friedan’s “The Feminine Mystique” that launched the reawakening of the Women’s Movement in the United States, President John F. Kennedy’ “A Strategy of Peace” speech at the American University in Washington, D.C., outlining a road map for the complete disarmament of nuclear weapons and world peace,, President John F. Kennedy famously declaring “Ich bin ein Berliner,” in a speech in West Berlin, and the United States, United Kingdom, and Soviet Union signing a nuclear test ban treaty. In spite of all of this, both the Cold War and Space Race continued. On a lighter note, some of the favored foods were frozen dinners, spam, gelatin modes, scalloped potatoes, and tuna casserole!

A year or so ago, I became aware of a famous Chinese prophecy book written in 660 CE., Tu bei tu. It was written by an historian and
astrologer and is considered one of the most renowned works of Chinese mysticism, frequently being compared to “The Prophecies,” of Nostradamus. The book, believed to be based on the I ching (The Book of Changes), contains 60 drawings with poems that make predictions about China’s future.

Because of the politically sensitive nature of the book that seemingly could forecast the birth and demise of dynasties, Chinese rulers tried hard to ban it, But like forbidden fruit, the book kept circulating underground for hundreds of years and is now freely avaiable on numerous websites!!

What is interesting is the poem #43 – that is considered to be about the relationship between Taiwan and China. The intriguing part of the prophecy is “The black rabbit escapes into the green dragon’s cave.” 2023 is the Black Rabbit and 2024 is the Green Dragon. The accompanying picture is of a big man walking next to a small man (presumably China and Taiwan walking together.) Like the prophesies of Nostradamus, there are endless speculations online, but many see the Black Rabbit as the United States and are predicting there will be big changes in China when this happens. Even the library of Congress has a copy of the book!

According to the astrological predictions for the Year of the Rabbit 2023, the Goat, Pig, and Dog are expected to be the luckiest signs of the year. These signs can expect a particularly positive and prosperous year, with blessings
on the fnancial front and potential for successful business ventures and
rewarding careers.

The Rooster and the Rabbit are thought to be incompatible, so it is believed that those born under the Rooster sign may face some challenges during the Year of the Water Rabbit. It is advised that Roosters be cautious and work hard to increase their chances of having a successful year.

This mutable, shifting phase of the yearly cycle is the perfect time to get your home, your business and yourself prepared for the Year of the Black Water Rabbit with an Annual Feng Shui update, so your home or business will be aligned with the fresh new energies of 2023! We can do them in person, through Zoom or through email and the phone – Whatever is best for you.

Also, an Invisible Architecture membership provides the monthly astrology, the Auspicious and Inauspicious Dates each month, an in depth look at the monthly Feng Shui, and videos on various topics for a very low fee. We would love to have you join us!

I also finally received the Rosaries/malas that many of you were inquiring about. I found out these rosaries with 108 beads are Orthodox and are different from the Roman Catholic ones.

Wishing you a Prosperous and Happy New Year!

Carol