The Year of the Rabbit: What's in Store for 2023?

Illustration courtesy: Yeseong Park

2023 - the year of the rabbit has begun! The holiday introduces a new beginning with renewed good fortune, health and peace. As with every new zodiac year, there are many predictions and foretellings of what is to come!

If 2022 felt too stressful, good news; 2023 is the year for you! The year of the rabbit is set to bring in more time for relaxation, quietness and contemplation.

Chinese and Western astrologist Jupiter Lai believes that the rabbit is gentle, quiet, tame, and tender. However, she also believes that it moves quickly and Is very clever; a salute to the Chinese idiom 'a crafty rabbit has three burrows.' In other words rabbits must learn to adapt quickly to new situations to achieve an overall balance. Therefore, Lai predicts that "the overall energy of 2023 is likely to be gentle and calm, with people looking for a more balanced life.

In the social aspect, the coming year is meant to offer opportunities for both social and romantic growth. Rabbits are associated with symbols of attractiveness and popularity. Therefore, many astrologists predict that investing more time and effort to build up your social network and make friends will be beneficial and rewarding in 2023. So take time this year to further both social and romantic relationships and connections with close ones. A weekend study date, going to the movies with friends, having a picnic by the Han River - 2023 is a time to build bonds!

Late into the last year, we saw the first great change as outdoor mask restrictions were lifted. Following this, the indoor mask requirements are planning to be withdrawn, demonstrating a slow but steady return to life pre-COVID. Above all, the year of the rabbit is one that is meant to symbolize hope. With COVID cases decreasing and aspects of our life returning to "normal", it is a fitting title for the wishes of the year. Let us hope, in the spirit of the rabbit, that the year continues on this path of betterment.

For those looking to have the best luck with taking action on their New Year's resolutions, any plans for improvement should be initiated early on in the rabbit year to ensure their best suc- cess. Astrologists say that the rabbit links to ideas of thriving early on in spring and early summer, and any plans for success would do the same. Whether it's exercise, bullet journaling, getting good grades or to make new friends; make sure to get started on your goals early! As the New Year begins, we wait in anticipation for the waves of calm of this year to wash over the chaos of 2022. Let's look forward to 2023, the year of the rabbit.