Year of the Rabbit

In our first class on February 3, 2011, we explored a poem by Mary Oliver, “The Rabbit,” and wrote about the characteristics of people born under the Chinese zodiac’s  Year of the Rabbit. Mary Bennett of  BC Arts Council supplied the descriptions and posted three of the pieces generated here.

Below are the prompts, which we spent 5-10 minutes on, and did not edit. As with all of our prompts, any form, narrative position or response goes. There is no “wrong.”

It is said that wishes will be fulfilled in the Year of the Rabbit. The Rabbit is the symbol of the Moon so on each of the Full Moon nights of this year, go out into your garden to gaze into the Full Moon and visualize plenty of Moon dust and Moon glow flowing into you, filling your whole body with bright white light and granting you fearlessness, love and courage.  This will not only strengthen your inner “Chi” energy, it will also bring wisdom into your life.

Write: Outside, someone makes a wish.

The Rabbit year is a time to catch your breath and calm your nerves. It is a time for negotiation. Don’t try to force issues, because if you do you will ultimately fail. To gain the greatest benefits from this time, focus on home, family, security, diplomacy, and your relationships with women and children. Make it a goal to create a safe, peaceful lifestyle, so you will be able to calmly deal with any problem that may arise.

Write: About a moment of peace

People born under the Rabbit sign are lucky, private and a bit introverted. They are good teachers, counselors and communicators, but needs their own space. Imagine a person like this and write a paragraph about her/him that “shows” her/his character without “telling” it.

The Rabbit is the symbol of the Moon, while the Peacock is the symbol of the Sun. Together, these two animal signs signify the start of day and night, represent the Yin and Yang of life.

Write: rabbit and peacock, or night and day