The Rabbit Sign
Hours ruled by the
Rabbit : 5 a.m.
to 7 a.m. |
THE YEAR OF THE RABBIT
A placid
year, very much welcomed and needed after the ferocious year of the Tiger. We
should go off to some quiet spot to lick our wounds and get some rest after all
the battles of the previous year.
Good taste and refinement will shine on everything and people will
acknowledge that persuasion is better than force. A congenial time in which
diplomacy, international relations and politics will be given a front seat
again. We will act with discretion and make reasonable concessions without too
much difficulty.
A time to watch out that we do not become too indulgent. The influence
of the Rabbit tends to spoil those who like too much comfort and thus repair
their effectiveness and sense of duty.
Law and order will be lax; rules and regulations will not be rigidly
enforced. No one seems very inclined to bother with these unpleasant realities.
They are busy enjoying themselves, entertaining others or simply taking it easy.
The scene is quiet and calm, even deteriorating to the point of somnolence. We
will all have a tendency to put off disagreeable tasks as long as possible.
Money can be made without too much labor. Our life style will be languid
and leisurely as we allow ourselves the luxuries we have always craved for. A
temperate year with unhurried pace. For once, it may seem possible for us to be
carefree and happy without too many annoyances.
THE RABBIT PERSONALITY
A person
born in the year of the Rabbit possesses one of the most fortunate of the twelve
animal signs. The Rabbit, or Hare as he is referred to in chinese mythology, is
the emblem of longevity and is said to derive his essence from the Moon.
When a Westerner gazes at the Moon, he may joke that it is a ball of
cheese or tell a child the story of the Man on the Moon. When a Chinese looks at
the same Moon, he sees the Moon Hare standing near a rock under a Cassia tree
and holding the Elixir of Immortality in his hands.
During the Chinese mid-Autumn festival when the Moon is supposed to be
at its loveliest, children in China still carry lighted paper lanterns made in
the image of a Rabbit and climb the hills to observe the Moon and admire the
Moon Hare.
The Rabbit symbolizes graciousness, good manners, sound counsel,
kindness and sensitivity to beauty. His soft speech and graceful and nimble ways
embody all the desirable traits of a successful diplomat or seasoned politician.
Likewise, a person born under this sign will lead a tranquil life,
enjoying peace, quiet and a congenial environment. He is reserved and artistic
and possesses good judgement. His thoroughness will also make him a good
scholar. He will shine in the fields of law, politics and government.
But he is also inclined to be moody; at such times he appears detached
from his environment or indifferent to people.
The Rabbit is extremely lucky in business and monetary transactions.
Astute at striking bargains, he can always pop up with a suitable proposal or
alternative to benefit himself. His sharp business acumen, coupled with his
knack for negotiation, will ensure him a fast rise in any career.
Although the Rabbit may assume an outer air of indifference to the
opinions of others, he actually withers under criticism. His "rather switch than
fight" technique can be deceiving and he can be diabolically cunning when he
puts his mind to it. So while the Rabbit person is tender and obliging to his
loved ones, he can be superficial and even ruthless in his dealings with
outsiders. Suave and self-indulgent, he enjoys his creature comforts and likes
to put his own wishes first. It irks him terribly to be inconvenienced for he is
a considerate, modest and thoughtful person and he would like others to be the
same. He sincerely believes it costs people nothing to be nice to each other and
he will always make an effort to be civil, even to his worst enemy. He abhors
brawling and any sort of overt animosity.
For all his quiet and misleading docile nature, a Rabbit person
possesses a strong will and an almost narcissistic self-assurance. He pursues
his objectives with methodical precision but always in an unobtrusive manner. If
there is anything he isn't going to be accused of, it is that he is an obvious
or thick-skinned person. He won't make waves. The special trait that makes the
Rabbit person a formidable negotiator is his inscrutability. It is difficult
ever to assess his thoughts correctly.
The Rabbit usually has impeccable manners. He seldom uses harsh words
and will never resort to foul language or vulgarism to bring home a point. There
is little need to anyway, as he has his own techniques. The Rabbit could hide
under this thick cloak of decency to undermine his opponents. His credentials
are usually flawless or at least in good order. He will wine and dine you in the
best places and cater to your every whim when he is after something. Then, when
you have eaten your fill and are puffing away contentedly at that expensive
cigar, he will pull out a contract for you to sign. Before you know it, he has
cut you off at the knees. He is so deft, you didn't even feel any pain. It was
all over with the stroke of a pen. My sympathies are with you, friend. You are
just another victim of the incomparable Hare. Now do you understand why Bugs
Bunny always gets his carrots in all those cartoon strips?
The Rabbit may appear a bit slow or overly deliberate at times, but this
is due to his inborn sense of caution and discretion. One can be sure he is
going to read the fine print before signing any document. Because of his ability
to assess people and situations, the Rabbit can afford to be conceited - which,
by the way, he is.
The demure Ms. Rabbit is very considerate and understanding with her
friends: a great gal to work with, shop with or just tell stories with. She is
delightfully warm and witty and her company is always relaxing. She has a lot of
energy for the things she likes to do and can tirelessly track down antique
shops and plan a friend's wedding to the last detail. but when she feels she has
had enough of all that rigmarole, well, you can expect her to drop whatever she
is doing, prop up her dainty feet and go all limp. That is the philosophical
part of the Rabbit. Do you know why she can keep so serene with all that frantic
action going on? The secret is to know when your batteries need recharging, and
no one has a better knowledge of timing on this than the Rabbit.
While everyone is killing himself in a mad rush to get somewhere, the
Rabbit knows that the world will still be here tomorrow. So, what's the big
hurry? Why don't you sit down, too? She will probably make you a nice cup of tea
and help you forget all about that crazy rat race outside.
In any situation, you can always rely on the Rabbit to be in control of
herself. She will notice the license number of the getaway car or remember that
the driver was wearing blue-colored jeans or training shoes. And while you are
at the police station filing that report, she will calmly recall all the details
and help you answer all those irritating questions.
All in all, the Rabbit is one who really knows how to live. What's more,
he or she is more than willing to let live. Not a spoilsport or disciplinarian
with an ever-watchful eye, the Rabbit knows when to refrain from criticism. He
never likes to embarrass anyone in public. He is adept at the art of saving
face, both yours and his, and if there is any way he can spare your feelings, he
will.
Have no doubt - he makes mental notes of your mistakes or progress. But
if things are not serious beyond redemption, he will good-heartedly let you
pass. For this trait, he is well-liked and popular. An advantage of this
philosophy is that the Rabbit makes few enemies and thus rarely gets into
trouble. People respond by being generous to him and letting him pass, too.
No one has a more sympathetic ear to lend you than the Rabbit (except
the Sheep) should you need one. But while he is an excellent soother and
compassionate listener, he will only take the role of a passive advisor. He is,
above all, an intellectual, a realist and pacifist. Do not expect him to go out
with all colors flying and do battle for you. That would be asking too much of
him. Let's face it, the Rabbit will never elect to trudge up Mount Calvary with
you, no matter what great buddies you two claim to be. He'll lend you the money
for the lawyer or bail you out of jail if he can afford it, but that's about
all. And if you are getting to be too much of a nuisance, you can count on his
making a quick and graceful exit from your life.
The comely and refined Miss Rabbit will not be adverse to marrying a
good old-fashioned millionaire instead of a handsome but penniless swain. The
former will provide her with the advantages and luxuries she demands as
necessities. Her man must be powerful enough to protect and support her in
style, and sensitive enough to politely disappear when she is in a sullen mood
and wishes to remain undisturbed.
When given the choice, the Rabbit will vote for the easy and good life
every time. He or she will wear top-designer clothing. Cashmere sweaters, pure
silk blouses and durable linens and tweeds. A mink or chinchilla carelessly
thrown over the shoulder in a calculated air of nonchalance could also identify
the elegant Rabbit native. Flashy, geometric or shocking designs offend the
Rabbit's sense of conformity and balance.
While gracious to friends and co-workers, the Rabbit person may be
somewhat distant from his own family or simply bored by domestic routine and
duties. He or she hates too close associations; he will shake off an
encroachment on his privacy or clinging parasitic friends with no regret. He can
be bureaucratic and hedgy over difficult issues. As he is one who hates binding
commitments or overinvolvement, he can also be an expert at passing the buck.
Mr. Rabbit is singularly debonair. He moves with grace, charm and
gentlemanliness, in spite of the fact that while he was singing your praises, he
was also drinking your best wine. Yes, the Rabbit gravitates toward the cream of
society and gentlemanly leisure. On second though, the cream of high society
could well be made up of poised and genial Hares.
At his best, the Rabbit is admired for his suaveness and intelligence
and sought after for his sensible advice. At his worst, he is too imaginative,
oversensitive or just acidly indifferent. He avoids coming into contact with
human suffering or misery, as though it were some highly contagious disease.
The Rabbit is not at all easy to trap. He can also become very
repressive in his predilection for secrecy and privacy. When the Rabbit person
feels threatened, his subtle brooding or concealed antagonism could be expressed
by the use of subversive tactics. Joseph Stalin and Fidel Castro are Rabbits.
For all his positive qualities, a native of this sign will still value
himself above all else. When pushed too far,he will discard anything or anyone
who dares upset the calm of his existence. His beliefs are known to be flexible
and he has the knack of playing both sides for insurance. Security could be an
obsession to the weaker types of this specimen; you rarely find a Rabbit in
areas of high risk.
This love of ease coupled with distaste for conflict may give the Rabbit
a reputation for being weak, opportunistic and self-indulgent. Unlike the
Dragon, Dog, Tiger, or Rooster, who all enjoy a hearty fight now and then, and
may even thrive on it, the Rabbit has no relish for combat. He was not born to
be a warrior. He is more effective working behind the scenes. Do not be
concerned about the Rabbit's well-being. He is agile and sagacious and armed
with the good sense to keep out of harm's way. Unlike other signs, who may
pursue lofty ideals, the Rabbit's main objective in life is simply
self-preservation.
The Rabbit year is said to bring peace or at least a respite from
conflict or war. Likewise, its native will do everything in his power to restore
harmony or he will leave the scene.
The Rabbit person makes a good entertainer and is a wonderful host.
Pleasant and warm company, he has a good word to say of everyone. But don't let
that fool you. He knows more than he will say and you can easily recognize him
by his finesse. He will be the best of friends so long as you take care not to
ask too much of him.
The well-groomed Rabbit is most compatible with those born in the Sheep
year. They will share the same good taste and love of material comforts. Equally
well suited will be a relationship with the Dog person or the honest, unimposing
Boar native. The Rat, Dragon, Monkey, Ox, Snake and Rabbit will make good
secondary matches for him. But he will not be able to tolerate the vanity or
criticism of the Rooster, is unimpressed by the dramatics of the Tiger and
unappreciative of the quick-tempered and mercurial ways of the Horse.
To sum it up, the Hare simply leaps over obstacles in his path and
recovers from calamities with remarkable resilience. No matter how he is tossed,
he lands on his feet. He may not be close to his family but will make every
effort to provide them with the best of everything. His soft, vulnerable-looking
exterior is protected by an armor of cautiousness and sagacity. In life, the
Rabbit will avoid being drawn into conflict at any cost, unless, of course, it
affects him directly, at which time he will take the appropriate measures to
protect his interest.
There is no great inner struggle in the Rabbit's heart between the
forces of good and evil. He believes in his own ability to survive, relies on
his own judgement and is at peace with himself. His is the sign most apt to find
happiness and contentment.
THE RABBIT CHILD
A child
born in the Rabbit's year will have a sweet disposition. Even-tempered and
obedient, he will be sensitive to the moods of his parents and act accordingly.
He may or may not be talkative, but he won't be rowdy or offensive. He can sit
quietly and concentrate on one toy or game at a time.
Usually he is a light sleeper and may fret a lot when he is sick. He
will be easy to discipline and should have little trouble fitting in at school.
He learns his lessons well and with ease. But although he has better than
average manners, this does not mean he will not be argumentative in his
own-spoken way. He can grasp both sides of a question quickly and debate at this
point with intelligence.
At times, it will be difficult to decipher his thoughts or deeds. Smooth
at masking his feelings, the Rabbit will only say what he knows will please you
and thus maneuver you to his way of thinking without you even noticing it.
He will be able to fend for himself and protect his possessions.
Remarkably observant, he can calculate his chances for getting his way. Instead
of directly resisting rules, the subtle Rabbit will carefully devise ways around
them. In short, this polite little angel is going to bargain for a better deal
every time.
He can take reproach with a defiant or philosophical sort of
indifference. Shrugging off his setbacks, the Rabbit will patiently start again
from square one. Helpful at home, conforming at school and well-tuned to his
environment, this child will know his way around people and problems. Rest
assured he will be well-liked and accepted in all circles.