Year of the Metal Rat
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Happy Chinese New Year, 2020!
Year of the Metal Rat
by Karen Hayes, Licensed Acupuncturist & Chinese Herbalist, Diplomate in Chinese Medicine
On January 25th, we celebrate Chinese (Lunar) New Year, and welcome in the Year of the Metal Rat!
In Chinese Astrology, The Rat is known for characteristics such as cleverness, wit, alertness, adaptability, wealth, fertility, and vitality.
And as the Rat takes first position in the Chinese astrological 12-animal sequence, the Rat year places emphasis on new beginnings.
How would you like to begin this year? Or begin anew?
What would you like to start doing, creating, being, considering, becoming?
Are there areas in your life where you could use support in sustaining or in reawakening vitality?
Do you remember a time when your wit and spirit were in their prime ~ and do you sense a longing to reconnect with this aspect of joy?
Are there areas of creativity, fertility - physical or metaphorical - that you desire in order to feel more complete?
The year of the Rat heralds fertile ground for any or all of these ventures – so take heart!
And, to make things more interesting, or you might say clever, when we further consider the Year of the Rat, we must also consider the element assigned to Lunar 2020 ~ Metal. Of the Five Elements in Traditional Chinese Medicine, Metal is one of the most curious and perhaps elusive to describe.
Metal, like all elements, with their vices and virtues, is sometimes referred to as “The Wise Judge”.
When you consider the exacting nature of metal in the form of a blade for example, it yields the power to slice through objects; it is decisive and irreversible in its action. And because of this, benefits from careful (wise) discernment (judgment) before action is taken.
From a psycho-spiritual perspective, this may mean taking greater measures to consider with as much clarity as possible, how our intentions line up with our actions. How our words match up with our behavior. And how it feels to connect with our integrity.
From a physical perspective, it may mean optimizing the function of our lungs and large intestine (the paired organs associated with the metal element). Both organs systems, in quite differing ways, are responsible for taking in and letting go. And when they are functioning optimally, will keep us feeling oxygenated and nourished as we welcome in the pure, as well as detoxified, as we surrender the excess.
Acupuncture uses Metal in the form of miniscule needles, inserted at various locations according to our pattern diagnosis ~ suggestions to the body, mind and spirit for optimal harmony. Chinese herbal formulas have their own way of doing the same.
I invite you harness the energy of the Metal Rat now upon us – as you invite new beginnings, engage your wit and intellect, invest in your creativity and vitality.
See where it leads you! What a ride! Perhaps even a maze, well worth embarking on.
I’m here for you through all the turns, temporary dead ends, and brand new openings.
Happy New Year!
Peace, Karen