Welcome to the Month of the Rat!

Welcome to the month of the Rat, the season of the winter solstice and the darkest time of the year. The month of the Rat symbolizes an important pivot point in the year, where we approach the depth of darkness - the longest night - then push through that threshold to the first time since mid-summer when days are getting longer again. What could be more paradoxical than a month that is both the peak of darkness and also the return of the light?

This transformation from darkness-into-light is symbolized in many different ways across cultures - from Christmas being celebrated just after the winter solstice, when the “birth of the Son” Jesus, “the light of the world,” coincides with the rebirth of the sun, to the Hannukah menorah with a new candle lit every day adding brightness to the dark, to traditional pagan Yule festivities including burning a Yule log or candles in the forest. Most importantly for all of the above: feasting, gift giving and other festivities characterize the time of the solstice.

In Chinese cosmology, this month represents the moment when Yin and Yang come together and transform into one another, with the contracting Yin energy of the autumn and winter suddenly reversing and expanding into the Yang energy of light returning and growing in the world. At the same time, our outer activity and work - Yang energy - is drawn into close, intimate gatherings of friends and family to celebrate the work of the year and feast. To take a pause from the daily grind even as the active yang energy makes its triumphant return.

So how does this relate to Rats? Having just come through the month of the Pig—where things slowed down to a standstill, offering time for insight, introspection and personal clarity—we now enter the time where these processes “come out of the dark,” so to speak. What we have discovered in ourselves is now shared with friends and family; we give and receive gifts and exchange the warmth of affection with one another. This is the essence of the Rat as a symbol: Rats are creatures who live in darkness – being both nocturnal and dwelling in unseen places - and they can cause quite a stir when they emerge and are finally seen! Moreover, rats are extremely cooperative and social animals who work in communities taking care of one another and foraging for food.

Both as an image for “coming out of the darkness” and the subsequent bonding through celebration of community, the Rat symbolizes this time of the year. The industrious, busy nature of Rats is directed towards homey activities – setting up a cozy space, socializing and playing – creating warmth and security even in the darkest of times and places.

In order to harness the energy of transforming darkness into light during the month of the Rat, we are invited to gently hold both sides of the paradox - to exist in dark, cold, un-nurturing times, yet also to feel the glowing warmth of connection developing within the darkness. Even the smallest glimmer of light, when nurtured and cultivated, is able to overcome the iciest frozen night. In recognizing the darkest aspects of life and even of ourselves, remember we have, in light of this, the choice to draw close to those illuminating, warm, life-giving relationships and experiences that balance out the darker facets of reality. This is the time of year to clearly see this dichotomy, recognizing in the depth of darkness those writhing, scary, subconscious stirrings that, like the Rat, deeply unsettle us when they come to light, and at the same time recognize the existence of light itself is a cause for hope—that in time things will once again come to life and be transformed. This is the moment where that transformation from-darkness-to-light begins, and just as it takes place outside of us, it takes place inside as well.

Make a point to create space for true joy and reverie this month. Often the holiday season can feel rushed and chaotic, but the month of the Rat reminds us to prioritize what is most important: it is a time of year to take time off from our usual responsibilities to spend time with our families, friends and community.

Written by Paul Arellano

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