For those of us celebrating Lunar New Year, we’ll soon be welcoming in the year of the Ox.
The Year of the Rat, Jan 25th 2020 to February 10th, 2021, was one that tried and tested us on individual and collective levels. My heart aches for those of us who did not make it. There are many who are grieving loved ones, who missed important family events and traditions due to the pandemic, who lost work and faced financial insecurity, who felt isolated, whose mental health has been affected.
This year has also brought clarity to many, in defining who and what is important in our lives. Some of us had moments for pause and rest and even deeper connections with others.
The year of the rat was a time of resilience, creativity, scrappiness, and running. Sometimes running away from the things that frightened us, sometimes running towards one another with care - like the mutual aid networks that sprang up.
As we move forward into the year of the metal Ox, we can build on what we learned in the year of the Rat and call on the special qualities of the Ox. In Chinese mythology, Oxen came to earth to help humans survive. They worked in partnership with humans to create agriculture and food systems that allowed for thriving cities. They are strong animals, deeply connected to the earth. We can ask ourselves how we can embody these qualities. What infrastructure or systems can we build this year, now that we aren’t running in quite the same way as in the year of the rat? How do we honor and build our inner strength? What is our relationship to the earth like? Is it exploitative, or are we engaged in sacred commitment?
There are many plants who can help us explore these questions and connect with the positive qualities we want to embody in the year of the Ox. Here are just a few plants that I feel called to work with to support us in the Year of the Ox - you might choose to work with plants you have a special connection with. I have also put together a special flower essence formula for the Year of the Ox that you can work with regularly throughout the year.
Burdock Arctium lappa - Burdock root is a common food and medicine in East Asia. It’s one of my favorite medicines to work with, and I often include it in formulas for energetic grounding and liver support. Taking Burdock regularly can help support the immune system over time and strengthen qi and vitality. In the year of the Ox, Burdock can help us feel grounded and connected to the earth, and also nourish us physically to be strong. Burdock can be eaten, incorporated into stews/broths, made as a decoction, or taken as a tincture.
Milky Oats Avena sativa - Milky Oats is another beloved herb. Ox and cows like to eat oats, and it is great medicine for humans as well. The green milky tops are very nourishing and relaxing for the nervous system, and the straw contains minerals and silica needed for strong bones, hair, teeth and nails. In order for us to feel strong and build, we must continue to support our nervous system and recuperate from a year with many shocks. Milky Oats can be taken as a tea or tincture.
Tulsi/Holy Basil Ocimum tenuiflorum - Tulsi is a beloved and sacred plant with deep roots in South Asia. Like Milky Oats, Tulsi can help us support our nervous system and manage stress. Tulsi has long been used in South Asia to treat upper respiratory infections and can support lung health. Tulsi can be taken as tea or as a tincture.
A note on safety and working with herbs: While the herbs above are safe for most people, it’s best to work with an experienced herbalist if you are taking medications, have any medical conditions, or just want help putting together a custom formula that takes your unique needs in to consideration.
May we all be connected to our inner strength and grow our sacred relationship to the earth in this Year of the Ox!