“Being deeply learned and skilled, being well

trained and using well spoken words; this is good luck.”

~Prince Gautama (563-483 B.C.) aka Buddha

Think Rabbit's Foot! On February 3, 2011, the Fortunate, Metal Rabbit is honored as Chinese New Year's mega-star. The Lunar or Chinese calendar began in 2600 BC and is the longest chronological system in history. Just like our western Gregorian calendar which is considered a solar version and is arithmetical, the Chinese calendar also changes annually. The long-standing Chinese New Year celebrations last for fifteen days culminating in the jubilant Lantern Festival. To draw distinction between three Chinese disciplines, it is essential to understand their similarities and their differences. The first is Feng Shui (earth), this art and science is the study of space; as in an environment or actual location. Secondly, Nine Starr Chi (heaven) are the celestial influences present during the time you were born; how you are hard-wired. Thirdly, the Chinese Celestial Mythological (heaven and earth) customs can be likened to the Native American's respect for the animal kingdom and their symbolic wisdom. For 2011, Metal Rabbit is embodied within this ancient tradition and is kindred to the Mayan, Mexican and Native American's history of associating certain traits to specific animals. There are twelve Chinese Celestial Animals that cycle through twelve years. Assigned to each are five different elements of either wood, fire, earth, water or metal that move throughout a 60 year time line. Last year the Golden Tiger stirred things up but now it is the healing Metal Rabbit's time to shine.

One must be asking, “What is the meaning of the Metal Rabbit?” To better explain the Metal Energy, the following is from one of one of my previous articles titled Metal’s Infinite Influence~ “Metal is the energy of the accomplished…it encompasses the mind and clarity. It has two polar opposite influences, the right-brain and the left-brain. The right side of the brain is associated with being vital as it’s activity spins and pulls and pushes creating a pattern of various energies coming together in a unified position. The left-brained phase is dense which behaves like a magnet drawing scattered energies. It is where the intellect and the ego (or the lower frequencies) are found. When attuned to higher awareness, this discernment gathers to clarity. When properly hydrated, this area enhances focus and all mental tasks. Together with intuition and intellect in balance, this clarity pulls energies and awareness into unity. In Feng Shui, too much metal in a space creates rigidity and too little metal creates a lack of clarity. The balance is mental knowledge, notable precision of mental processes and the exact words expressing one’s true thoughts. This elegant process highlights a refined communicative skill bringing forth greater understandings. Maintaining a delicate balance between the two enables one to enjoy focus, harmony, a gentle calm; plus effortless and continuous moments of awakening.” Metal is also associated with bling so beautiful jewelry is big this year!

This brings us full circle and back to this year's Fortunate Metal Rabbit which has long been associated with good luck by the Celts and even the Egyptians. For centuries, Americans have thought of the rabbit and especially the rabbit's foot, to denote abundance. In folklore, the Rabbit's ability to procreate gave them the name of “Bringers of the Dawn” symbolizing new life. This energy always bodes well for endeavors beginning in a Rabbit year. It is said they have better than greater chance of prospering. Plus, the Metal Rabbit's elegant energy of re*newal stands ready for re*grouping one's dreams, visions, intentions and wishes. How great is this? With better planning, attention to detail, ability to leap forward and the skill to make a quick shift are readily available. The Metal Rabbit is also known for its longevity as it can live a healthy life of up to 10 years. As one knows, good health is true wealth

The last year the Metal Rabbit showed up was1951. One of the many of the Metal Rabbit characteristics is an inherent love of the arts and international affairs. As one can imagine, it is no surprise when that year's successful Broadway production of GiGi starred a debutante named Audrey Hepburn, plus the movie African Queen premiered also starring Audrey and the much beloved veteran actor Humphrey Bogart. The 1951 film to garner 6 Academy Awards was An American in Paris and to add even more global sophistication to the New York stage, Rodgers and Hammerstein's The King and I enjoyed a three year engagement that began the last Metal Rabbit year.

It is a time of great re*purposing which can prove to be rich and wonderfully playful. The promise of leaping humanity forward into places of greater awareness by way of improved communication is inherent. Reclaiming the Metal Rabbit's peace-loving energy as the Chinese would say, 'that hides in your heart' can assure one of a highly rewarding discovery process. Being re*newed within one's mind opens the door to fortune and great wealth of wisdom. For it all lies within and is but waiting to be transformed. In addition, forgiveness is now easily accessible to folks who have held a grudge for far too long, only to realize they are the ones hurt most by their actions. The sensitive Metal Rabbit loves to mend fences as his is a course of diplomacy. This is a lovely year when people are better able to see the best in one another. Metal Rabbit honors other lifestyles where tolerance flourishes. In this year of harmony, unscrupulous virtues, gentleness, aesthetic finesse is found a more re*fined concept of simply BEING. In addition, all Rabbit years encourages being philanthropic. Plus opportunities for improvements and advancement are forthcoming. To better learn about the Metal Rabbit's Process of Re*finement, Fifteen Days of the Chinese New Year's Traditional Celebration and Team Humanity, check out www.posivityday.com, .

Before the fun list history's famous rabbits, be happy to know that the family-oriented and deeply romantic Metal Rabbit inspires singles to find their long-lost soul-mate plus in strengthening an existing relationship. The natural physical and spiritual beauty of the Rabbit person is profound. Think Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt...both were born in the year of Rabbit and each love their family-they are also quite philanthropic. I know these characteristics first hand as we have three Rabbit beauties in our family...two of our daughter-in-laws; Tracy Nicole and Kirsten Elisabeth were born in 1975 and they are gloriously elegant examples. Our creatively artistic grand daughter Gabrielle Suzanne was born in 1999. The Rabbit birth years are as follows: 1915, 1927, 1939, 1963, 1975, 1987, 1999 and now 2011.

Okay, here are some famous rabbits...ENJOY~

The Velveteen Rabbit who just wanted to be real,Bugs Bunny-What's Up Doc?, Grace Slick w/Jefferson Airplane's White Rabbit,Roger Rabbit, Peter Cottontail & Flopsie by Beatrice Potter, The White Rabbit whom Alice followed into the rabbit hole,The Mad Hatter,Were Rabbit from Wallace & Gromit, Harvey-a 6'3” tall rabbit in the 1950's film starring Jimmy Stewart, Oswald The Lucky Rabbit-the forgotten Walt Disney rabbit; The Hippity, Hoppity, Happy Easter Bunny, The Tortoise and the Hare; From the book Winnie the Pooh, Rabbit; Thumper from Bambi, Br'er Rabbit from Uncle Remus Tales, the Playboy Bunny—too funny!

Be Inspired,

Sharyn Jordan Hathcock  ~Cheerleader for Team Humanity

Author, Symbolist  & Environmental Healer