A Seat at the Table

It’s going to be a good year for the Sheep. You have a seat at the table in 2023 and can use your power and artfulness to follow your dreams. There may be some ups and downs, but know that your mistakes will be forgiven this year. Partner that gift with prudent behavior and rise. Given the Sheep’s association with the Rabbit who is this year’s boss, you are in a position to make contact with people you’ve admired from afar; people you look up to or would like to emulate. Approach people that have authority over you or have the knowledge or experience that you are looking for. They are open to it this year.

The Water Rabbit brings a range of experiences that have to do with promotion, increasing status and being invited to some kind of inner circle. Finally! Isn’t it funny that in a year where you could be included in everything, you find you may not want to be?

Much like their Secret Friend the Horse, Sheep have found it hard to execute since the end of 2019. Sheep and Horse are neighbors and Secret Friends; their experiences are often linked or similar. I often wonder who this relationship benefits more and I have to say, I don’t think it’s the Sheep. But the Sheep is used to that and knows how to stick with their connections and friends even when they are “high strung”. This is a funny thing to say about the yin earth of the Sheep, but the Sheep is flexible enough to adapt to most timing. Perhaps this is what makes them good at hospitality and hosting. They’re kind of ready no matter what or who shows up.

No year is perfect, but overall, in 2023 the Sheep’s good luck outweighs any bad luck they might encounter. Get clear on your purpose or mission for the year now and stick with it. It’s going to be a dynamic year for you. If things are on a down, just wait a moment for them to go back up. Taking precautions will make for a much smoother year if you want that. I’ll say more about that later.

As for money, the Rabbit tends to reinforce your ability to take it in, so as long as you continue to manage it well, money likely won’t be a problem. In fact, Sheep will be among some of the best money managers. This is a good thing when budgets are tight.

The same energy that brings you power in 2023 may also make you accident prone, therefore, this probably isn’t the year to use power tools. Maybe being distracted by things you can’t change is the root cause of your clumsiness, so sort out your concerns. What are you afraid of? Slow down. Remember what matters to you. To offset potential accidents or injuries, give blood, catch up on dental procedures, and trim nails and hair regularly.

In a Rabbit year, as part of the Wood Triple Combination which consists of Pig, Rabbit and Sheep, the Sheep has special permissions in the context of power and new shapes to try out. To describe the nature of 2023 as defined by this combination, I’d say the Rabbit is concerned with housing and health, the Sheep wants to provide food and hospitality, and the Pig will take care of arts, entertainment, errands and supplies. These will be the most needed services of the year.

If Sheep is your day, the year’s changes may involve the place where you live. Is it time to move? Maybe you will have new neighbors, new house mates, or family will come to stay with you. If Sheep is in your month, you may have a chance to relocate for study or work at a more prestigious venue or position than you expected this year. Apply now if you haven’t already.

If you’re a Sheep who has been craving more authority and looking to break out of old expectations, you’re going to like 2023. This is your time to show off those elegant ideas you’ve been working on.* You may have come up with them in 2019. There are forces at work to help you get noticed in the context of your talents.

If Sheep is your year, your invitation to meet with power may be issued in a very public way, where everyone can see it. If Sheep is your hour, the Rabbit pulls you into your future. Your inner life, hopes and dreams merge with the energy of the year to increase your autonomy. You’ll need to go deep for that. It could apply to your children or other people you are charged to nurture or support, including employees.

In 2023, people are going to be talking about what they perceive as your sudden ascent. Maybe it wasn’t sudden for you, but this is how it may be perceived. The Water Rabbit year is going to bring a lot of talk about who deserves what and why – for everyone, not just you. But if people don’t realize how much you’ve worked for what you have, that’s probably because it’s not something you show off. I hope you don’t feel like you have to explain why you should be so lucky now, not to anyone.

The reason I’m telling you these unpleasant things is not to make you worry more, but to encourage you to worry less. This isn’t a new problem. You know how people are when they feel jealous. Sometimes it means they want to take what you have, so make sure your property is secure and sleep better. Put your name on your work so people know it’s yours.

A Sheep is more prone than others to acknowledge that they can’t control the nature of the year, but maybe you handle that better because you are used to having your gravitas questioned. Maybe it’s your advantage that people often think the Sheep has a child-like nature. A Sheep can have a certain air of innocence that makes people feel invited to take advantage. Let that be their problem.

Ask a Sheep and they will tell you they have their reasons to be suspicious of most everyone, but in 2023, you may find that trait is magnified. It could be a response to the haters, however, it has the added value of protecting you. Don’t let excessive worry hold you back. All you need do is stay aware.

This is a year to make sure your work is ready for presentation. Make it as impeccable as possible. Make sure your taxes or other legal paperwork are in order. If you’re signing contracts, understand the terms well in advance so you know what to expect. If there are surprises you didn’t expect when it comes time to sign, don’t do it. In the context of travel documents, check that you have everything up to date and backed up before it’s time to go. You can avoid the kind of events that might take up your time unnecessarily.

Do your best work, but also know that you can be pardoned for your errors. Whatever glitches may occur, while they may cause stress, they likely won’t really matter in the long run. As I said before, no need to be paranoid, just take precautions.

You may have noticed that in the context of all the power and successes, moving, new jobs and such, I haven’t mentioned romantic relationship. While the Sheep always has room for another friend, this year, they may not “have room” for a new lover. I think this is a matter of your choice, not your fate, but certainly you can reunite with old friends, and make new alliances where you share a common background or interest. You have your friends and your work to enjoy, and maybe in 2023 that feels like enough.

Job Title: Invited
Allies: Pig, Rabbit, Sheep, Horse
Best Months: March, June, July, November
Romance: Make room if you want it. Who/what is taking up the space?

Timing for all signs: Whatever you want to accomplish this year will need to be started no later than March. Plan on finishing by July ideally, but no later than the end of August.

*Looks like we’ll see new music from 1979 Earth Sheep Brandy in 2023!