When you consider how challenging the last few years have been, it’s no wonder we find ourselves looking at 2023 with trepidation. Should we start hoarding the toilet paper and tinned tuna now? Or can we emerge from our bunkers blinking hopefully towards the light? Who knows what the future might bring?
is a Master of Feng Shui, the ancient Chinese practice that uses energy forces to harmonise people with their environment. The practice has an astrological aspect: its signs are the 12 Chinese celestial animals. The next lunar year, which starts on 22 January, is the Year of the Water Rabbit and, according to Yung, it looks promising.
The rabbit symbolises patience and luck, which means that the next year should bring us more peace, relaxation and success. Buoyed by that good news, I asked Yung, who works as a feng shui and Chinese astrology consultant, what we can expect.
Is it a good year for singles?
Feng shui master and consultant Edgar Lok Tin Yung. Source: Supplied
If you’re hoping to meet someone special, the message is: pucker up. The Year of the Rabbit is going to be a year for romance, with a number of sex scandals and love affairs thrown in. “It’ll be a good year to meet someone,” says Yung, “especially if you were born in the Year of the Goat, Dog, Pig or Rat.”
Feng shui can help improve your chances of getting what – or who! – you desire. Factors such as the direction your home faces play a part. We’re not just talking about north, south, east or west – feng shui takes things right down to degrees. But don’t despair if your home isn’t perfectly positioned: you can simply “activate” it. How? “A vase with six flowers placed in the north part of your house will attract more love,” says Yung. “Ideally, the flowers should be black.”
What about, um, my marriage?
The love-filled Year of the Rabbit means that those already coupled up might want to tread carefully – you could meet someone new, too. While Yung makes no claim to being a relationship counsellor, he suggests that “being open with your partner” and, of course, “behaving yourself” will help keep a relationship intact.
People born in the Year of the Rooster are likely to experience more “confrontations and clashes” with their partners. If you’re at loggerheads over whether to watch The Crown or Sons of Anarchy, Yung advises: “Be rational, patient and talk more with your partner.”
I’ve been house-bound for longer than I remember. What are my chances of a holiday this year?
Happily, roosters are likely to travel during the next lunar year, and Yung recommends those in a relationship plan a holiday to offset the potential marital disharmony mentioned above. Just don’t travel in an easterly direction from where you live: “If a rooster lives in Perth, it’s best not to travel to Sydney.” Snakes and oxen can also expect to be on the move.
How’s work looking? Will I finally get that promotion and/or become a “digital nomad”?
The Year of the Rabbit will be good for those who work in the hospitality, education and entertainment (including sex) industries. “These will be booming,” Yung says. “The dog and the rabbit are friends, so dogs will have a good year, and so will pigs and goats. There’ll be good work opportunities for these zodiac signs – this could be an internal move or promotion within a company, finding a better job elsewhere or becoming your own boss.”
If you’re going for a job, Yung has some suggested colours to maximise your chances. “An IT job has a fire element, and if you’re going for an interview, wear red. If you’re trying to get into education or marketing, those professions are a wood element, so wear green. If you want to work in finance, that’s a metal element, so don’t wear gold. Wear white or beige.”
Should I even ask about health?
The rabbit belongs to the wood element, which relates to the arms, legs, back, nervous system and hair. “These are some of the areas people will have health issues, particularly those born in the dragon or ox years,” says Yung. The rabbit also represents the liver, so he recommends going easy on the alcohol.
With the upcoming surge in love and romance, we expect to see a baby bunny boom in 2024
Any feng shui tips to help me sleep through the night?
We know how essential a good night’s sleep is for our health, and Yung believes the position of your bed may affect your ability to sleep. “It’s important to put your bedhead against a solid wall,” he says. “But not on the same wall as the door, and preferably not under a window. A high window is okay, but not a low window. You don’t want the cold draught coming in at night.”
And having your phone charging by the bed is a big no-no. A simple battery-operated alarm clock is the way to go.
It’s important to be aware that feng shui solutions are usually tailored to a person’s individual circumstances. So enjoy Yung’s tips with that in mind. That said, the overall outlook is positive. As we say goodbye to the hectic and high-energy Year of the Tiger, we wish everyone a happy and more restful Year of the Rabbit. With the upcoming surge in love and romance, we expect to see a baby bunny boom in 2024, too.
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