Sunday, December 29. It was cold, dark and rainy this morning – unseasonably warm for the end of the year, 46 degrees! – but the snow is headed our way again later in the week. Welcome to winter on the Great Lakes! We were blessed to meet under the gazebo, a great place to share a little shelter from the weather, before and after heading out for walking meditation in our rain gear.
Tevet marks one of the two darkest months of the year, its beginning roughly coinciding with the winter solstice. We talked about the darkness and the negativity that comes with it – and the transformational quality of light – the kindling of the Hanukah lights, rising to a blaze with the eighth night this evening, and the slow return of the light of the sun. The days will lengthen now, about a minute a day, until spring and summer return to us.
The negativity we feel in the darkness of Tevet often comes in the form of anger, either our own or that of others. We are like the ornery goats of this month’s zodiac symbol Capricorn, fighting our situation and those around us. Our source Mindy Ribner notes that last month, in Kislev, we kindled our dreams, and “in Tevet, we uproot the remaining negative forces that keep us from realizing them.” She has some suggestions for managing the negativity of Tevet, and transforming it into light:
- Explore the nature of your anger, understand what drives it
- Assume responsibility for your own feelings and practice humility
- Be mindful of your speech, often the weapon we use when we are feeling negative
- Dilute your anger – through writing, talking with trusted others
- Protect yourself from the anger and negativity of others through learning to detach and be objective
- Be happy for what you have, practice gratitude and try to see the good in everything, and nurture yourself in the light of love
In the coming month, may we experience the transformation of negativity and darkness into love and light. Chodesh tov, and happy Hanukah! – Kirby
The next walking meditation will be Rosh Chodesh Shevat, Monday, January 27, 2020, 7:30 am. Contact us for location information.
Rosh Chodesh Cleveland 