Sydney-based feng shui practitioner Meixi Yan says the Lunar New Year should usher in a time of "change and hope".
"People should have an open mind to embrace the new environment, so should businesses," she said.
Melbourne feng shui practitioner James Zheng said those changes will happen slowly as "unbalance still exists".
"The impact of pandemic is gradually easing, and the world still needs time to recover," Mr Zheng said.
Feng shui is an ancient Chinese traditional practice which uses different systems and calendars, like astrology or solar cycles, to harmonise people with environments.
It's just one art form used to interpret what each new Lunar New Year might mean.
This Year of the Rabbit, welcomed in on January 22, is said to symbolise longevity, peace, and prosperity.
But if your Chinese zodiac sign is a rat, rooster, dragon, horse, or even a rabbit be warned — you'll need to take extra precautions to fend off misfortune, as Mr Zheng explains below.
The arrival of Lunar New Year may not mean you are a 'rabbit'
There are two different systems used to introduce the Year of the Rabbit — the lunar calendar which begins on January 22 and the solar calendar which begins on February 4.
The lunar calendar is based on the annual cycle and movements of the moon, while the solar calendar is based on sun, and is divided into 24 solar terms.
The Lunar New Year of the Rabbit begins 14 days ahead of the Solar New Year, which is also called the Start of Spring.
Ancient Chinese art forms also use other calendars and systems to record and divide the year. They are less common, but some are still used today.
Mr Zheng said you have to follow the solar calendar to find out which year you were born in, meaning you're only born during the Year of the Rabbit if you're born after February 4 this year.
"To correctly know your Chinese zodiac symbol could affect your fortune for life," he said.
This Lunar Year of the Rabbit is particularly special because it's a leap year with a rare two Februaries and 13 months, instead of 12 — it makes the year unusually long at 384 days.
Because the Year of the Rabbit is so long, it includes two Solar New Years — one on February 4, 2023 and the other on February 4, 2024.
This is a phenomenon is known as the "double springs", with the next not scheduled to occur for more than 1,000 years.
While the Chinese community welcomes the Year of the Rabbit at Lunar New Year festivals around Australia, a different animal will take centre stage for Vietnamese people in 2023 — a cat.
The 12 Vietnamese zodiac animals largely match the Chinese signs, but there is one big difference, with the fourth animal being a cat not a rabbit.
Spring Ox almanac drawing includes encrypted messages
At this time of year, people often traditionally buy old fashioned calendars called "Chinese almanacs".
These calendars give people day-to-day guidance and directions on what to do and what to be aware of.
Mr Zheng said the first page of each new year almanac begins with a Spring Ox drawing, which is meant to symbolise the year ahead.
"There are only two characters — a shepherd boy and an ox — but the size, age and position of the two characters always varies and conveys information and predictions."
The hidden message can only be decrypted by trained people, like Mr Zheng.
For example, the Spring Ox drawing for the 2023 Year of the Rabbit has the shepherd boy positioned behind the ox, indicating that the Lunar New Year is ahead of the Solar New Year.
How feng shui masters predict the future
The Lunar New Year is also an opportunity for feng shui practitioners to predict what lies ahead.
Mr Zheng said he uses astrological information associated with birth dates to help predict the future.
"The Year of the Rabbit is no different. The year has a birth date too [according to the solar calendar]."
He converts the information into five elements: metal, wood, water, fire and earth.
According to Mr Zheng, this Year of the Rabbit belongs to water, but it lacks metal — which means the global economy could struggle.
Meanwhile, Ms Yan said she preferred to look at the year ahead through The Book of Changes in which she sees profound developments coming.
"The change may be good, and also be bad," she said.
"People need to learn to adapt, rather to fight against it."
She said people need to be kind to each other by saying positive things, focusing on positive aspects of events and helping each other.
Some people will need to be 'extra careful' in the Year of the Rabbit
The Year of the Rabbit brings "negative energy" to five Chinese zodiac signs — the rabbit, rat, rooster, dragon and horse, according to Mr Zheng.
He said said people born in those years needed to be extra careful, but there were steps they could take to fend off misfortune.
"Wearing a red jacket, red underwear, or a red belt would help greatly."
He said people should try their best to be part of happy occasions and celebrations, such as weddings, birthday parties and festivals.
"It's a great excuse for you to party hard all year round," he said.
