The fun superficiality of the Chinese calendar actually runs deeply from observations made thousands of years ago that still apply to life today.  Like Chinese medicine, the calendar is pervasive throughout all aspects of being human, affecting day to day living, seasonal changes, farming, health care, etc.  As we strive to live in harmony with our environment, we also notice how we change and respond with each season.  Each season corresponds to the Five Elements; fire/summer, metal/autumn, water/winter, wood/spring, and earth/center/transitions; as well as internal organs, flavors, climate, sound, direction, etc.  The calendar also incorporates the Five Elements, and this year the Metal element is prominent again.  While the animal changes every year, the element stays for two years.  2020 was the year of the metal rat, and 2021, the metal ox.  However, there is a slight difference in the quality of the metal.  2020 was a yang metal year, associating more with the nature of yang which is more masculine, active and sharp.  2021 is a yin metal year, associating more with the nature of yin which is feminine, nurturing and the type of metal used for adornment.  At the dinner table, yang metal is the knife and yin metal is the spoon.

 

Metal corresponds to the Lungs and Large Intestine, the respiratory and immune systems, elimination, skin, the pungent flavor, (such as garlic) the season of autumn, dryness, and the direction is west.  The Year of the (yin) Metal Ox begins February 12, 2021 and ends January 31, 2022.

 

Like the Lung and Large Intestine, the Metal element relates to the ability to receive what we need (oxygen and nutrients) and eliminate what is no longer necessary (carbon dioxide and waste).  There is a certain amount of wisdom necessary in order to be able to understand the value in receiving what we need.  This same wisdom is necessary to be able to let go of anything that no longer serves a purpose.  I’ve always liked the simple analogy of cleaning out a closet to explain Metal.  During the process we find things that others may need and we give them away, and sometimes we come across something special that we have forgotten about, so we find it’s usefulness again.  Metal also corresponds to giving ourselves time to properly grieve, find acceptance, and let go.  The season of autumn is the time of the Metal element.  Autumn represents maturity, the mature season of a human life.  Read more about metal here http://daisylear.com/autumn-letting-go-and-receiving/.

 

As the story of the animals in the calendar goes, Ox arrived second to the Emperor’s party – the Rat hitched a ride on the back of hard working Ox and hopped off to be first (clever Rat).  That story alone says much about Ox, an animal that works very hard and literally gives all of itself.  In order to survive, humans have depended upon the Ox to carry heavy loads and work the fields.  Humans have utilized every part of the Ox, from using the hide for shelter and clothing, to food.  A sense of stability is created by Ox.  One thing Ox and Rat have in common is being very family oriented.  This may be another year to focus upon family, and especially caring for children.

 

People born in the year of the Ox (1925, 1937, 1949, 1961, 1973, 1985, 1997, 2009, 2021) are known for being hard working, loyal, consistent, dependable and disciplined.  This year, the key is to act in a very straightforward manner with these same qualities of intention in all our endeavors.  Keeping in mind the aspect of metal that receives what is necessary, also keep in mind that hard work deserves compensation that is fair and equal to the task, don’t get used by clever Rat and come in second! 

 

Here are a couple of questions from Ted Andrews’ book, Animal Speak that relate to Ox / Bison / Buffalo : “Are you giving honor to yourself and to the efforts of others within your life?  Do you show gratitude for what you already have?  The quickest way to stop the flow of abundance is by failing to honor that which has already come to you.”

 

For more information about Ox, check out Ted Andrews’ book, Animal Speak and read about Bison (Buffalo) pp254.

 

To read the article about the metal rat written last January, go to http://daisylear.com/2020-year-of-the-metal-rat/.