2021: Year of Nurturing Ox
Healing and Building Abound
Transition from Rat to Ox
As we entered into Yin Earth Ox Month, just three weeks ago, I started researching this amazing animal and noticed my body going into a tug of war between ramped-up worry and deep fatigue. Anxiety attacks ensued, which is not my standard fare. The yo-yo of transition between these very different energies of Rat and Ox were working through me. Damn uncomfortable. I felt myself in breakdown, which, I realize, is exactly where I needed to be.
“Let Go and Let God,” nearly on auto-replay, became my relied-upon mantra recalled from committed 12-Step days. I was being consistently reminded that there is a bigger picture playing out and support is on its way. Letting go of the stress and tumultuousness of 2020 is no small task.
This last weekend, relaxation started settling in. My body and mind finally letting go, allowing me to sink into the needed relief of Ox’s earthly nature—sturdy and grounded. It Feels So Good! I’ve taken advantage of Earth’s calm, sleeping and meditating more than usual. I’ve been needing the down time to repair my nervous system, fried out on the “new normal” too many of us had become used to.
Honestly, after so much biting through of Metal Rat, I feel like we’re all going to need varying levels of PTSD support to heal the unearthed trauma. I’m thankful that the energies of Yin Metal Ox will be conducive to this healing and rebuilding that wants to happen.
I’m ready. Let the healing and rebuilding begin!
More on the energies of 2021 below.
xo Piper
“Starting Friday, February 12, 2021, we shift to the yearly energy of Yin Metal Ox.”
The Image
OX is conscientious, patient and plodding, forward-focused—easily placing one foot in front of the other, working in grace. Although there is a bigger plan to rebuild and execute great things this year, it will best be accomplished one clear action at a time, one day at a time, diligent and methodical.
“Naturally strong they [Oxen] are at their best when they are constantly challenged. Their sense of justice (and the law) makes them good leaders. Though often materially successful, they lack attachment to material things.” Liu Ming
The work to be done this year is of vital support to repair the foundational structure of the whole. Our “home” (our body, our mind, our relationships, our society) is not safe and secure without a solid foundation within and underneath us all. The wellbeing of the entire herd (all of humanity and her mother earth) is important and necessary to repair and secure this foundation.
Our effectiveness will depend upon our willingness to learn (be teachable, trainable) and get into synch—find harmony and balance—with others. We will be pushed to be Honest, Flexible, and Humble, knowing that each of our individual and cooperative efforts will add strength to the backbone of our collective growth. Our betterment will depend upon it.
This year, your inner-state of patient, persistent, humble, grounded power will make the difference. (How can you engage with this inner state? See WHAT YOU CAN DO, below.)
Ox, living alongside the element of YIN METAL in 2021, will provide the needed support for healing and repair work to be done. This element will call us toward our original innocence through loving-kindness, encourage our desire and ability to nurture and nourish, and lead us to a longed-for higher-connection through deeply inspired creativity.
The energies of Yin Metal will make it easier to step into beginner’s mind, opening to youthful hopes and visions for the future. Easier to honor your Higher Self with time and respect for inner-healing and forgiveness. Easier to access inspiration to explore and express yourself in new ways that honor your heart and free your mind.
The rigid in us is ready to melt, giving way to the grace of flexibility and adaptability through conscious choice of Joy and Trust over fear and control.
“Ox are linked with the profits of consistent hard work and the Confucian virtue of perseverance in what is right.”
More About Ox
Like me, you may have a picture of Oxen in your head, but not know a lot about them.
The Chinese zodiac embraces the energy of the full Bovidae family when referring to Ox energy. Picture: cows, bulls, bison, water buffalo, yak, and ox. This said, throughout human history, domesticated, male oxen have been of tremendous benefit to organized, human society due to their strength, even temperament, and trainability.
The domesticated Ox is a large, docile, easily trained, 4 years and older, neutered bull typically weighing 1500 to 3000 pounds, living an average of 18-22 years. Oxen are able to pull as much or more than their own weight. Their partnership with human beings has directly and dramatically impacted the evolution of human civilization over the last 4000 years.
The first “draft” animal, humans have been partnering with Oxen to plow, plant and harvest crops; fell and carry logs/lumber to build houses and other structures; transport rocks for walls, wells, and roads, or hay for feed; pull heavy equipment to flatten ground and dig ditches; and carry carriages of people from one place to another. Female cows have birthed much needed calves and supplied milk to drink and cook with. Their typically calm temperament also makes oxen a household pet of sorts... although they will not be sitting on your lap, they are generally very friendly, social animals and love a good comb and scratch.
Even though modern society has generally replaced Ox with machines, their value is still undeniable in developing countries and on heritage farms.
They say that Dog is human’s best friend, and I’ve been thinking lately that maybe it should be the Ox!
I am wondering if in our modern-day, high-tech, machine-oriented, western culture we have gotten out of touch with the long-term value of nature’s cooperative resources and our working-animal partnerships—what they model so beautifully for us. I believe 2021 is going to give us the opportunity to get back in touch with and heal our human roots—coming into greater alignment with each other and all Nature provides.
“Did you know Yoga means “to YOKE” or come into Union? ”
Lessons to Be Learned from Ox and Yoke
It is easier to learn something new when we are in beginner’s mind:
Starting at 4 months old, young oxen are easily trained to work together in the yoke with kind, patient leadership, just a little effort each day.
When pairing “opposites” natural balance can be found:
Often calves are paired in the yoke: one wily, one calm. The time they spend together supports their eventual, natural balance and cooperation.
Flexibility in partnership and placement eventually finds right rhythm and success:
When not coming into synch with one and other, not moving well together, often calves will be switched to opposite sides of the yoke and find ease come immediately. Rarely, yet sometimes, calf temperaments simply don’t vibe well and new partnerships need to be created.
Long-term, well-working bonds develop over time:
Calves train daily for 3-1/2 years together to become a strong, reliable duo in caring partnership with their humans.
It is difficult to move forward when we are divided (within ourselves or with others):
Watching the oxen move together in gentle rhythm is peaceful and inspiring… and when they don’t, when one refuses to move, or inserts their will to move opposite their work-mate, forward motion comes to a halt, they become stuck, until they come back into synch and agree to move forward together again.
Cooperation comes easiest with a light hand and calm voice:
Seldom is it necessary to raise ones voice or assert aggression with the ox; sensitive and docile, when appreciated and trained with care, they respond easily and diligently to a simple tap of the hind quarters, voicing “Gee” or “Ha” for turning right and left, “Woah” for slowing and stopping.
Going forward is much easier than going back:
With a clear line of sight, moving forward occurs with ease. But not being able to see behind them, moving backward is an awkward, anxious affair for a pair of yoke-sharing oxen, back ends splaying, each going in a separate direction to try to get a glimpse of where they are headed.
“Yin Metal + Ox = a year of nurturing work on behalf of Self and Others.”
What You Can Do
Slow your mind and body—root your energy into Earth.
To feel lasting freedom in the present, commit yourself to the personal work of inner-healing.
Find and feel compassion, loving-kindness, for yourself and others.
Practice patience and flexibility, letting go of ego-mind's attachment to a particular outcome.
Experiment with saying “yes” to others— playing with being in synch with their emotion, rhythm, and view.
Be open to learning something new every day… many times a day.
Nurture and nourish yourself and your loved ones.
Shake off rigid independence in favor of aligned partnership and cooperation.
Make big plans—take small steps.
Remember: transformation comes from trust, wisdom, and caring persistence.
Being Yoked with Spirit
A Consideration
I recognize that my relationship with Spirit/Source is my most vital and reliable partnership, affecting my ability to be caring and present in all other partnerships in my life. Acting in synch with my Heart and Intuition through this loving, felt source is key to the peace and grace I enjoy. Using Ox as inspiration, I am visualizing being paired with Spirit in the yoke—UNITED—committed and communicating with each other. Me: feeling and speaking to the Divine atoms and cells in my body and in Nature. Spirit: coming through my inner-guidance seen, felt, and heard. Accomplishing what is in front of us, together. It feels good to have a strong, reliable, unconditional partner as my foundation. THIS changes everything.
“This year we are given a particular opportunity to practice daily yoga of heart, body, and intention.”
Descriptive Qualities for Yin Metal Ox:
Yin Metal
Element: Molten Metal
Direction: West
Color: White
Number: 7
Chinese Name: Xin
I Ching Element: Lake
I Ching Constellation: (58, Pleasuring [++])
Charged: innocent, peaceful, pure, creative, child-like, joyful, fresh, tender, delicate, harmonious, inspired, flexible, adaptable, nurturing, nourishing, compassionate, unconditional, divine mother
Depleted: anxious, listless, limp, unclear, confused, bogged down, rigid, controlling, uninspired, bored, under-nourished, starving, lonely, compulsive
Ox *
Native Element: EARTH
Hours: 1am – 3am
Moon: 12th moon in January
Season: Winter
Flora: Snowdrops
Stone: White Onyx
Direction: N30E
I Ching Constellations:
Griffon (8. Ladle [--])
Ox (9. Ox-Boy [--])
Charged: calm, dignified, sincere, tenacious, uncompromising, dependable, quiet, independent, just, punctual, simple, outdoorsy, loyal, supportive
Deplete: insensitive, ruthless if crossed, humorless, sullen, slavishly conventional, fearful of change, aloof, dull
Compatibility: Ox are generally conventional in their relationships with others and slow to develop friendships and/or romance. They are, however, supportive friends and loyal partners. They are most suited to peaceful, inwardly directed signs like the Rat, Rabbit and Snake. Roosters and Monkeys, as partners, keep the Ox open-minded. Horses, Dragons and Tigers are, for the Ox, competitors and competition is not an Ox pastime. Ox usually misread Goats as superficial and overly sensitive ninnies
Auspices for Those Born in Ox Year: Happy childhood often ends with adult responsibilities
* Information gathered from Da Yuan Circle’s DYCTongShu app, authored by Liu Ming