What awaits you in the Year of the Water Rabbit?

There’s a strong gust of creative energy in the air for this year, encouraging us to fully utilise our imaginations and brainstorm together. However, amidst the novel ideas that this year might bring upon us, Fernandez reminds us that due to the creative energy’s vast strength—one must not lose focus and make sure we keep our priorities in check.

Read also: 8 gadgets we'd love to receive for Chinese New Year 2023

Another star responsible for the optimistic vibe is the overall energy from the Benefactor star. Also known as the Nobleman, it is a representation of power and influence. 2023 will nudge us to help, and welcome the idea of being helped. Fernandez states that asking for help is a sign of strength than weakness because it takes guts to acknowledge when you need help and don’t hesitate to ask for it. “Try to be a benefactor to other people, help other people as much as you can,” he says.

Since there is a lack of fire element for this year, this entails recessions and inflations which we will experience in the first half of the year. Fortunately, we will be bouncing back in the second half of the year. Apart from that relief, the good news is—2023 is stronger economy-wise than the previous years. The industries that are expected to experience much growth are technology, energy, communications, media, entertainment, events, food, banking, finance, mining, jewellery, medical, healthcare, hardware and software, and equipment.

Now, hopping into the specifics! Here is the overview for each of the 12 Chinese zodiac signs, as forecasted by Fernandez.

You'll make new friends this year and intensify your relationships, but you should watch your back for rumours. "Don't give people ammunition, don't pay attention to it," says Fernandez. As for luck, you'll be having good money luck. Thus, it is recommended to maximise your current earnings, find a different source of income, and invest wisely. For the romance side, if you're committed, there will be temptations. "Just always do the right thing," he adds.

Go ahead and do a lot of planning and preparation, you will meet your milestones and goals for this year. Though, you should still take precautions and don't make decisions if the stake is too high or too low. Because you'll be having fluctuating emotions, it is best to try and stay calm at all times. Unfortunately for this year, "pay attention to the elder members of the family from the health perspective".

Since 2022 is your spotlight year, your luck will be a bit different for this year. You will experience anxiety which needs to be addressed and you will find yourself to be a bit more forgetful and lose things for 2023. Just be mindful of your belongings. Despite all these, you'll be having an enhanced social star—which is great if you're in the media industry.

Congratulations! 2023 is yours. As it is your spotlight year, it is encouraged that you showcase your talents and do all the things you want to achieve; "people will pay attention and listen to you". It is also a great time to buy assets, acquire wealth, and invest in stocks. Moreover, the intelligent star will be shining through for you. So "if you want to study or learn something new, you'll be able to absorb information much quicker," urges Fernandez. The last tip for rabbits is to be wary of conflicts and don't let issues escalate.

It will be a good year because there is yang energy which follows with luck coming from the men in your lives. It is also a great time for professional advancements, whether in your career or business. Though, you'll be dealing with disinterest, or losing passion over things that you used to be passionate about.

Get your passports updated because it is the year for snakes to travel! Especially if you travel across water. Apart from travelling as an indicator of expanding your horizons, this extends to welcoming new relationships from the work and business perspective. Your opportunities will come from a chunk of you finding those new connections. "But you'll be getting in a lot of bad moods for this year, try to warn the people around you that you'd get into a series of bad moods."

In contrast to the dragon, you will get luck from the females in your life. Take, for example, a business that caters to the female market. A gentle nudge, nevertheless, is to not be overly ambitious. As the saying goes, reiterated by Fernandez, "don't try to bite off more than you can chew". And in a monetary perspective, "don't overextend yourself".

The goat is one of the rabbit's friends in its triangle of infinity. "It is a good year for expansion in all aspects—career, friends, and further plans." Goats also have the strongest creativity star this year, so go and get other people's advice, and get inspiration from other people. One thing to watch out for is your capacity to get irritated. Things in the past that haven't irritated you might irritate you now.

Last year was probably challenging for you, but now things will turn around. Fernandez motivates monkeys to put themselves out there and volunteer, as it is a year for leadership. "Widen your network, you'll learn a lot." Take caution against your expenses, try to steer clear of shopping—especially, online shopping.

Since this is what the Chinese call a clash year for the rooster, it is recommended that you attend or host happy celebrations. "Give to charities so you'll get positive chi that will help diminish the clashing energy. Avoid going to wakes, funerals, and hospitals as this will deplete your chi. If you need to go, bathe in pomelo water," urges Fernandez. "Guard against big financial losses, focus on what you want to invest in.

For the rabbit's best friend in the zodiac, you have the problem-solving star for this year. "A lot of problems may come your way, but you'll be able to solve them. Ask people what their problems are, and you'll be able to help solve them." Just don't get your hopes too high for this year! Fernandez reminds us not to set unrealistic expectations, and avoid expecting from other people which leads to disappointment.

And for the pig, which completes the triangle of infinity: "If you can surround yourself with food and happy celebrations, that's where a lot of your good chi will be coming from." While the pigs have a lot of goals for this year, they should be wary of losing focus and resolve. "See things through so your goals wouldn't be half-met, half-baked." And if you're in the journalism field, guard against false information and spreading fake news. "Always verify your source."

What a forecast, indeed. Are you still excited about what's in store for you this 2023? Or were you discouraged by what you've read? Despite the good and the bad, here are two takeaways from Fernandez that you should keep in mind: "Just like in weather forecasts. . .If it's raining and you need to get from one place to another, the question is, how are you going to adapt? The choice is still yours. Another thing is the concept of balance. A lot of times, people focus on one thing, and that's the nature of life. But nowadays, it's all about balance. Try to balance everything and don't lose sight of it all."

Kindly note that every individual indicates a unique chart to each of its own. If you want a more tailored and detailed reading, feel free to get your personal reading from an expert such as Patrick Lim Fernandez, a principal of the esteemed Yin & Yang Shop of Harmony located within New World Makati’s lagoon area in the lobby.

NOW READ

Chinese New Year 2023: Tatler’s guide to good feng shui for Year of the Rabbit

Chinese New Year 2023: Avoid these 5 plants to protect your cats and dogs

Chinese New Year 2023: 5 red packet etiquette tips to know