Happy Lunar New Year! We have just welcomed the Year of the Rabbit.

The lunar new year also means new Nine Star Ki forecasts! Nine Star Ki is a form of numerology that is connected to the feng shui bagua, the elements, and the I Ching, and it’s one of the foundational tools that I teach my feng shui students. Understanding your Nine Star Ki can help you get a sense of what kind of energy is coming your way, so you can set yourself up to stay balanced and supported in a new year. 

How to Calculate Your Own Nine Star Number

To calculate your principal number, you’ll want to add up the digits of your birth year until you reach a single digit number, and then subtract that from 11. If you were born between January 1 and February 4, you will subtract that number from 12 instead. Here are a couple of examples:

If you were born in 1986:

Add: 1+9+8+6 = 24

Reduce to a single digit: 2+4 = 6

Subtract from 11: 11-6 = 5

*if you were born between January 1 and February 4, subtract from 12: 12-6 = 6

If you were born in 1940:

Add: 1+9+4+0 = 14

Reduce to a single digit: 1+4 = 5

Subtract from 11: 11-5 = 6

*if you were born between January 1 and February 4, subtract from 12: 12-5 = 7

Your Energy Forecast for 2023

Your principal number that you calculated above will help give you an idea of what kind of energy you can expect in the Year of the Rabbit: 

If your principal number is 1, in 2022 you will be in the year of Germination. This year will be the time to plant seeds. When you plant a garden, you germinate many more seeds than you need. Do the same this year. Put all your ideas out there into the universe and share them with others. Plant the seeds and see what comes up! As a 1 Water, you will be slower to get going but determined. Water’s wisdom and resourceful nature will help to soften the soil for eventual seeds to grow. 

If your principal number is 2, in 2023 you will be in the year of Sprouting. This year will be energetic and full of new beginnings as you catch sight of seeds that you planted last year begin to sprout and grow. Be open to new ideas and cultivate the projects that you start at this time. As a 2 Earth, sprouting can be a little scary. Embrace these baby ideas or new ways of being that are sprouting for you, and use your earthy nature to support them and keep them grounded.

If your principal number is 3, in 2023 you will be in the year of Rapid Growth. This year will be a continuation of last year where you see your sprouts grow into strong, grounded trees. This year will be busy and active, so please take care of yourself and be careful not to get burnt out. As a 3 Wood person you will be excited to get things going and ramp up. Try to take your foot off the gas a bit and make sure that your goals are still aligned and you are moving in the right direction.

If your principal number is 4, in 2023 you will be in the year of Fluctuation. This year will feel a little chaotic, as this is a time of renewal and rebirth. You may need to reinvent yourself this year. It’s a great time to let things go that are no longer serving you. As a 4 Wood, you may feel confused and maybe a little frustrated, but your gentle and diplomatic nature will help you to navigate challenges with grace. See this year as an opportunity to discover something new. 

If your principal number is 5, in 2023 you will be in the year of Prosperity. This year will feel strong and prosperous. You will begin to feel confident and be recognized for your knowledge and skills. There will still be a lot of effort, but you shall finally be harvesting the fruits of your labor. As a 5 Earth person you will like the feel of this year. The strong qi of this house allows you to feel in control (and that's what you like best). You are the boss and you can make things happen. 

If your principal number is 6, in 2023 you will be in the year of Celebration. This year will feel celebratory and playful. It is a great time to relax and pat yourself on the back for all the hard work that you put in the last few years. Enjoy yourself, rejoice and have some fun. As a 6 Metal, you will feel happy and content this year. It is a good time for you to discover your yin side. There’s no need to feel like you need to keep trying so hard — let this energy support you.

If your principal number is  metal 7, in 2023 you will be in the year of Stillness. This year will be much quieter than the last. It will be a time of stillness, like climbing up a mountain to meditate in isolation. This is a great time to focus inward and do some self-cultivation. As a 7 Metal person, you will appreciate the quieter energy but the stillness may feel odd at first. Embrace the idea of being in your own company and take the time to discover your gifts. 

If your principal number is 8, in 2023 you will be in the year of Recognition. This year you will be in the house of fire, where you have the best opportunities to be seen and recognized by others. It is a great time to receive any promotions or any other projects that you want publicity for. Be careful, as all things, good or bad, may be unveiled to the public. As an 8 Earth person, being in the spotlight can be uncomfortable, but you have the strength of character to show up fully. Be open and say yes to being seen.

If your principal number is 9, in 2023 you will be in the year of Planning. This year will feel quiet and is a time for planning. In the winter, it may appear that everything is dead on the surface, but underneath there is much life and activity. Similarly, it may feel slow, but take this time to reflect, review and plan for the future. As a 9 Fire, this year may feel quite different. The quiet and still energy is not natural for your fiery nature, but remember everything needs its counterpoint to find balance. These quieter times are necessary for you to regroup and dive inwards to discover what your next move is. 

Keep in mind that these numbers move in a cycle, so whatever energy you experience this year won’t be forever. Also, remember that every year holds a lot of promise for all of us, and great learning and growth can come from challenges. 

If you’re interested in learning more about the year ahead, check out our Nine Star Ki podcast, our forecast for each of the Chinese zodiac animals, and Mindful Design’s 2023 Energy Reset Package! For more support in the Year of the Rabbit, you may want to get a 2023 Feng Shui Charm.

by Anjie Cho

If you’d like to learn more about feng shui, check out Mindful Design Feng Shui School at: www.mindfuldesignschool.com