The Rabbit

Who is a Rabbit?

Years: 1939, 1951, 1963, 1975, 1987, 1999.
Month*: March
Hour: 05.00 am – 07.00

* Caution:the start of the Chinese month can be as early as the 4th & as late as the 9th, depending on the year. I can let you know this too.

What is a Rabbit?
The Rabbit is yin wood essentially gentle and domestic. Her time is early morning; the legend has it that she and the Rooster swapped places which is why the cock crows in the Chinese Zodiac not at dawn but at dusk. The Rabbit rules the Spring therefore – think of March Hares and Easter Bunnies – and the Rooster the autumn.
The Rabbit is subtle, in keeping with her yin nature. She provides service readily and is often suited to catering and caring. But her preparedness to roll up her sleeves makes her the unexpected queen of networking. If you want to be introduced to the person in charge, ask a Rabbit.
The Rabbit can wait her turn; vigilance and patience are typical.
Her natural allies are the Pig and the Sheep. This is a house-proud team and the Rabbit is a team player. Her unexpected friend is the Dog who values her ability to charm without threat.
The Rabbit also belongs to the gathering known as the Flowers of Love (or Plumflowers) along with the Horse, the Rooster and Rat. She may often find herself clearing up behind these three extroverts and quite often the cuddle-bunny will obtain a life partner from the leavings of her more obviously glamorous colleagues.
The Rabbit tends to be conservative with a small “c”. Early rising is typical but this tendency to the yang of early alertness may be demonstrated by the yin of sleeping in. Lazybones or insomniac, sleeping is an issue.
Because of the unflattering connotations of the local word for Rabbit, in Vietnam this branch is called the Cat. Intuitively this does not sit right. The ideogram (see above) so clearly has ears. Yin wood relates to the eyes and to the Spring, leaves and flowers and grass, none of which are feline attributes.
In some ways the Rabbit epitomises yin. Yang wood may be best characterised as an upwards movement like the growth of a tree. Yin wood is more of an outward expansion like the spreading off grass. What these two expressions of wood have in common is irresistibility. But they are very different types of irresistibility. To counter yang wood we need yang metal: an axe will cut down the biggest tree. But you could attack a lawn with that same axe and not remove all the grass in a lifetime. This is the power of yin wood.
Wood is both stubborn and flexible. Yin wood (as characterised by soen, the wind of the South East) is thorough as well as organised. Hexagram 53 of the Book of Changes, Gradual Progress describes this: the tree grows against all the odds either because it throws itself absolutely upon the mercy of the tao or because it has a detailed plan that it follows meticulously. Or both.
The Dragon is said to lose money when the Rabbit arrives. This may be because the Dragon is distracted by his neighbour who is so apparently different in nature. This is not a great pairing but the fact is that the Rabbit sitting between the Tiger and the Dragon shares qualities with both. Partnership with the Tiger is sometimes formalised as the House of Diplomacy. The Rabbit offers carrot while the Tiger wields a stick. This arrangement exemplifies the truism that more is achieved with a kind word and a gun than with a kind word alone.
Wood represents bone, spine and hair as well as eyes: the light is fire but the receiving organ is wood. The Rabbit is often not strong in these regards unlike the Tiger. This is yin and yang.

The Rabbit: Outlook for 2011
It is not a given that an animal flourishes in its own year, some Chinese animals (Horse, Dragon, Rooster, Pig) suffer the so-called self-clash and can’t settle down with others of their own kind. Not the Rabbit, the getter-on of the Zodiac. For every single Rabbit this is a year of special opportunity. The irresistible Rabbit is doubly irresistible in 2011.
The Rabbit accommodates and serves by nature. Don’t change, as this is likely to be the route to success. You have the contacts, now make the calls. In business as in love, fortune favours the brave.
Direction is important as the Rabbit can spread widely like the grass and leaves that are so typical of yin wood. In 2011 the prevailing direction is East-West. So face West and sit East. This is sound advice for everybody but the Rabbit has a huge advantage as it actually belongs at the Eastern cardinal point. Travel West too if you seek wealth.
Orientation is particularly crucial for the metal Rabbit of 1951 who is 60 now. This Rabbit has, as the Metal Tiger of 1951 had last year, lived a full cycle of 60 years. On our 60th birthday we complete our 1st full Chinese cycle. There are Chinese Masters who consider this completion inherently uncomfortable. If we treat discomfort as the evidence of lessons we have as yet not learned they may be right. The Metal Rabbit has lived through all 60 of the possible years. Can we use this achievement wisely?
Years, months days and hours all fall into the same sequence of 60 – 12 animals five elements – and a sharp metal Rabbit will pay special attention to the months, days and hours that come up to nudge the memory. Which were the difficult years? A Water Dragon month like April 2011, echoes the Water Dragon year of 1952 and so on. The lessons of 1952 might just come up again in April. Perhaps we can grasp them this time.
Metal Rabbit Bob Geldof may choose to recall the 13th July 1985 which he went on record as calling “the best day of my life.” 1985 was a Wood Ox. This animal also ruled the day of Barack Obama’s inauguration. Both of these were times of global joining for a higher cause. Perhaps they did not fulfil 100% of their promise. Perhaps Live Aid led to compassion fatigue. Perhaps too much was asked of Obama. These are the sorts of question to pose. The answers may lead Rabbits to realise their dreams in 2011.
To some, irresistibility may not sound like a formula for domestic bliss but it can be. It is a question of deciding upon the arenas in which the Rabbit will choose irresistibility. In business, seek out the top people and ask the difficult questions. Rabbits can be over-polite. Know that you are irresistible and dare to irritate. At home, the same is true; take up the slack, serve without resentment. You will be rewarded.
Some (most likely Rooster and Snakes) may judge the Rabbit for not knowing its place. You have no place other than the one you choose. That can be anywhere on the heap, top or bottom. In 2011 most challenges are surmountable including the underhand and those from an unexpected quarter. It looks like in July you may find yourself on your own. Remember who owes you a favour and call on it.
Opportunities, especially for business expansion, are abundant but time-sensitive and upward networking is advised. Seek out assistance from above you in the food chain. The Rabbit loves a party and those whose influence you seek, do too. Remain discreet but up the ante a little. Be very conscious of the quality of the advice you give because it is likely to be followed.