The Year of the Metal Rat
Every year carries and expresses the influence of one of the 12 animals in the Chinese zodiac.
Here you’ll find the how the year of the Metal Rat, starting on Jan. 25, 2020, heralds a new decade, a new 60-year cycle, and likely all kinds of possibilities for all of us.
Six words: This is the year of yes.
Let’s take a quick look at our little rodent friend, who has a mostly positive profile in Chinese lore.
The rat will always find food. It’s a reliable provider. It favors its little ones. For us this means a year of youthfulness, vitality, “youth empowerment and reclaiming one’s youthful self,” says Feng Shui master Lilian Pearl Bridges, who is the source of this forecast.
It also means enough liveliness to be clever. “According to legend, the Rat tricked the Ox into giving him a ride [in a race], jumping off right before the finish line to come in first,” says Bridges. So be sharp about your opportunities as they emerge, but because of the additional influence of the Metal element this year, do so ethically, and preferably with civility. “Beware [too] of anything that sounds too good to be true!”
The character of Metal. This Year is Yang Metal over Yang Water. Let me explain. Yang is the male principle, directed outward. It is both active and activity. Metal embodies refinement, precision, strength, courtesy, perfection, justice. Among a variety of meanings, it also symbolizes the sword. “The Chinese believe that it requires many years of training to wield a sword properly and that a warrior must have the correct mental orientation to wield it judiciously,” says Bridges. “Expect to see a renewed emphasis from military and political leaders about important Metal values such as honor, courage, duty, service, loyalty and commitment. Having Yang Metal in the Rat year indicates a gathering of troops in new places or movement of troops. The seed of future conflict will likely be planted [this] year.”
“Forging a sword is a difficult process,” says Bridges. The sword undergoes grinding, hardening, heating, hammering, quenching and tempering repeatedly until a beautiful instrument emerges. This metaphor applies, then, to those who have built their strength and character through pain and difficulty. These individuals and groups will see rewards. They are those who are willing to “stand upright in the light of their own truth without fear.” They “are resilient and will emerge as heroes or social icons and gain large followings. . .Some will no doubt be athletes, as it is an Olympic year.”
The character of Water. The other influence comes from Yang Water, represented by the ocean. The ocean carries enormous power. The Yang aspect suggests lots of movement of water. So flooding, deluges, more blizzards, snow avalanches and the like may be more likely. This includes overflowing rivers. (Sandbags may be your best purchase this year!)
The power of water may also bring major social changes. Uprising of like-minded people over important causes, such as the Civil Rights movement in the U.S. in the 1960s, would be one manifestation. There could be a surprising shift in politics that “ushers in a new, surprising leader,” as in the case of John F. Kennedy in 1960. “You can expect to see large, primarily non-violent protests across countries….violence is only forecast if the military breaks up these demonstrations…
“You may see long-term politicians voted out of office and replaced with younger, less conservative candidates. New ideas will spread like a tide across countries and previously separated people will come back together. My Chinese family has a saying: “All rivers will become one ocean.” This is particularly the case for this year as “all kinds of people….come together to create waves of change.
“Water is an element that wants clarity and therefore truth. Past deceptions and secrets will continue to rise up to be seen. Deep personal work can be accomplished,” writes Bridges. Another metaphor for clarity is literal: improved vision. For those of you who may not know, acupuncture can safely improve vision and vision conditions such as macular degeneration and retinitis pigmentosa. We’ll say more about health in the Year of the Rat in the next post.
The water element bodes well for international trade and trading blocs. “There will be more agreement between states, provinces and united countries, such as the EU. “Organizations involving member nationals will also return to power due to the strength of this element.”
Waters merge easily so company merges will “be given extra luck for succeeding.” The emphasis on youthfulness suggests new beginnings, such as start-up and new ventures. And because of the Metal element, technology is favored, as well as accumulating personal wealth.
So there’s lots of good stuff to enjoy this year! Be on the look-out for our next post for more—such as the return of civility—about the Year of the Rat.
