Year of the Rabbit: A time for self-sacrifice

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.