Welcome to the Month of the Ox!
Written by Paul Arellano
The Ox symbolizes the effort needed to pull ourselves out of winter’s darkness and into the promise of spring
Coming out of the darkest month of the year, the time of the Rat, we transition into the second lunar month: the Ox. During the Rat month, we encountered the depth of darkness at the Winter solstice, and the days have since begun to grow longer. This seasonal shift symbolically connects to facing our shadow selves—the dark, scary, uncomfortable parts of who we are that fuel our most destructive impulses. By coming face-to-face with these aspects and making the choice to turn toward “the light” – represented by the returning sunlight – we begin the work of cultivating goodness and inner harmony. The Ox month invites us to pursue this work earnestly.
The relationship between the Rat and Ox originates from a tale tied to the lunar calendar’s creation. According to legend, the Jade Emperor held a race to determine the Zodiac cycle’s order. At the final river crossing, the strong, determined Ox waded through the current, unaware the clever Rat was riding on its horn. As the Ox neared the finish line, the Rat leaped off and claimed victory, becoming the first Zodiac animal, with the Ox taking second place.
This story reflects the Rat’s glory and the Ox’s unseen hard work. While the Rat is associated with the Winter Solstice and its celebrations, the Ox shoulders the uncelebrated labor of trudging through January’s cold, dark days, paving the way toward spring. This is a fitting role for the Ox, renowned for endurance and strength. For thousands of years, oxen have been steadfast work animals, capable of plowing fields, fording rivers, carrying goods, and thriving in harsh climates. They are slow but focused and determined, always completing the task at hand.
In the context of the year, the Ox symbolizes the effort needed to pull ourselves out of winter’s darkness and into the promise of spring. After facing the year’s darkest aspects and our own shadows, the Ox embodies the commitment to self-improvement and gradual growth. This process transforms destructive patterns into healthier, more affirming ways of living. It is unglamorous, steady, and challenging, but the Ox archetype within us is particularly active now, urging us to embrace this slow, enduring work.
This connection to gradual progress aligns with the tradition of New Year’s resolutions. However, the Ox suggests a subtler, more sustainable approach than drastic life overhauls. It thrives in daily, deliberate actions—turning small, repeated efforts into lasting change. This month, rather than aiming for dramatic transformations, embrace the Ox’s patient spirit. As an exercise, you might try identifying one aspect of yourself to nurture each day, and allow that simple, consistent focus to create a shift that - like the ox - will endure.
For example, maybe you find yourself getting irritable in traffic, or looking at your phone while eating and not enjoying the food you’re having. Rather than a goal to totally drop this behavior, explore how a shift in perspective can take place by noticing when this is happening, and taking a minute to try something new. We often slip back into old habits without thinking, so taking the time to notice when this happens and make an effort - just for that one moment - to make a change and notice how it feels to do something different, can start to inspire us towards a new habit. Tilling up our well-worn grooves to allow a new path to be carved deliberately, day-by-day.