Year of the Rabbit: A time for self-sacrifice

By Mauro Rahardjo

BANDUNG (JP): A current of foreboding links numerous recent articles in the mass media forecasting events in the year ahead. Our instincts sense that 1999 may not be an improvement on the previous explosive year and may not be able to deliver any promised solutions.

Anticipation of the year's political agenda is difficult due to a variety of prevailing uncertainties. Some of these factors include: legal pursuit of former president Soeharto's treasures; the preparations required for the general election campaigns of ever-increasing numbers of political parties; the general election itself, scheduled for June; meetings of the General Assembly (MPR) and the election of new state leaders.

Based on Chinese zodiac symbols, 1999 is the Year of the Rabbit. Perhaps one way to anticipate and survive the year ahead is to understand the meaning of the Rabbit in the Chinese horoscope and then act accordingly.

The element of Rabbit itself is Wood. While the year of 1999 is calculated to fall into Earth Rabbit. Since Wood is in disharmony with Earth, it is probable that conflict will be a common phenomenon. This situation is itself a continuation of conflicts that occurred in 1998, the Year of the Tiger.

The most important thing to remember is that the Republic of Indonesia was born in the Year of the Rooster, a year noted for being in discord with characteristics pertaining to the Rabbit. This factor is only an indication that something bad resulting from conflicts may occur if the Indonesian people remain unaware and off guard.

In general, Rabbits tend to avoid conflict altogether. However, conflict comes to them inevitably from the bullies of the world, who view them as easy prey.

It is therefore advisable for us to avoid conflict, especially those forms which may absorb too much energy.

A unique characteristic of Rabbits is their skill as leaders. One of their objectives is to establish a common purpose and to draw others into maintaining harmony. Many believers argue that the Year of the Rabbit is a time when great leaders are born.

When nourished by Water, the element of Rabbit (Wood) becomes the essence of action. In the Year of the Rabbit, it is advisable to take safe strategies and to avoid heavy, risk-taking approaches. The strength comes from whatever grows gently and gradually; individuals must shore it up in order to cope with their weaknesses, which arise in moments of crisis.

Therefore, movements to better and wiser solutions are a result of people's aspirations and wishes. They are a peaceful step by step process rather than a revolutionary action.

The association of rabbit and moon is common to folklore all over the world. In India, ancient Sanskrit inscription suggest that the hare was associated with primitive cults whose adherents saw a resemblance between the animal and the visible markings on the moon.

The 12 zodiacal gods of the Brahmans include a moon deva named Soma, or Chandra, who holds a white hare and reposes on the crescent moon. The picture of the rabbit in the moon is often mentioned in line with the legend of his sacrifice.

In Chinese mythology, the Rabbit is the emblem of longevity and is said to derive his essence from the moon. Theodora Lau, the writer of The Handbook of Chinese Horoscope, differentiates the view of Westerners from that of the Chinese.

She says that when a Westerner gazes at the moon, he may joke that it is a ball of cheese or tell a child the story of a Man in the Moon. When a Chinese looks at the moon, he sees the Moon Rabbit standing near a rock under a cassia tree and holding the Elixir of Immortality in his hand.

One of the most beloved Buddhist legends come from among the Buddha birth tales that originated in India. This story relates that Sakyamuni, the Buddha was once incarnated as a hare. In this guise, he nobly sacrificed himself to ease the hunger pangs of the disguised god Indra.

In a Chinese legend, Indra was a hungry priest and the other animals who served the priest were the dog and the monkey. The dog had some food stocks to offer, while the monkey easily found fruit from the trees to give to the priest.

The rabbit did not have anything to offer, so instead of providing food, the rabbit cooked water and spices in a wok; when everything was ready the rabbit plunged himself into the wok for the food. In gratitude, the priest brought the rabbit back to life and then placed the figure of the animal on the moon to commemorate this act of great virtue. This is the most significant example of the rabbit for us to follow.

The Year of the Rabbit is needed after the ferocious Year of the Tiger. We need a quiet setting to heal our wounds and rest after all the battles which occurred in the previous year. We will find that the force and violence which dominated in 1998 was futile, and that gentle persuasion is therefore a better means to achieve our aims.

The writer is a Feng Shui consultant, living in Bandung.