By Melinda Ribner

Tevet, the darkest month of the year, brings challenges that force us to tap into our inner resources and become stronger. In many places in the world, during the month of Tevet, the weather is cold, the sky is gray, and we find ourselves spending more time inside than outside in nature. These physical conditions reflect the spiritual themes of the months. This is the month not so much to go forward or start new projects, but to be with oneself, to process deep feelings, purify and complete the projects at hand..  I recall that my astrologer friend Nina informed me the Mercury and Mars are retrograde in Tevet, so that seems to be in alignment with the kabalistic forecast.

  Kabalistically, the month is devoted to the healing and transformation of anger.  When it is cold outside, people get heated up inside.  People become angry more easily in Tevet.  You might notice that occurring with friends or even with yourself.  Remind yourself that it is the month of Tevet.  

The challenge this month is to cultivate patience, and remember that nothing happens by accident and there is goodness within each challenge.  During this month, make a conscious effort to let go of the need to be right and attempt to see everything and everyone in the best light.  You will know how you are progressing spiritually by observing your anger level. Becoming angered easily is a sign you need to purify yourself.

 We must make a decision to work on anger because being stuck in anger has so many negative consequences.  It renders us victims who are powerless and unable to go forward in our lives.  When we are angry we are not free.  We are slaves to our emotions.  We are out of control.  We lose our center when we blame other people or events for our own unhappiness.  That is why during this month the Torah portions we read all about slavery.  Long before the holistic movement made the connection between the mind and the body, Kabbalah said that anger was the root cause of illness, because it actually disconnects us from God’s energy and from who we really are. If we want to heal ourselves from illness, we have to heal and transform the anger we feel inside.  Joy and love are such powerful healing forces in life.

  When you find yourself becoming angry, make an effort to calm yourself and not speak or act impulsively.  Train yourself to take long deep breaths, visualize the release of tension through the breath. Make a habit of speaking in a soft and gentle voice so when you are angry you will not raise your voice too much.  Give yourself time to look at the situation differently.  Try to be detached, objective, as if it were happening to someone else. Imagine yourself on a mountain top looking down from that vantage point.  Assume responsibility for your feelings, making I statements such as ”I feel this ______ – when you do________.   Do not blame the other person for your feelings.  It is ultimately your choice whether to be hurt or angry. Raise your vibration by doing something nurturing or enjoyable. See the good in the other person.

When you are angry you may want to seek the support of others to ventilate your feelings or write a letter expressing those feelings freely, but do not mail it. Read it over many times as Rabbi Kalanymus Kalman Shapiro of Piaseczno recommended. Feeling our anger is different than expressing it. After speaking your anger in a safe place, consider  how you might express yourself differently to the actual person who has hurt you.

 Speak to God about your hurt and anger.  Reb Nachman recommends that we spend an hour each day in conversation with God.  Pour your heart out to God each day, even if it is just for a few minutes.  Visualize yourself standing before God.  You can express your feelings to God as a child would to his or her parent. Always, ask to better understand what you can learn from the challenges in your life and how to respond to them in a positive and loving way.

According to Kabbalah, this month is under the domain of Esau. When we are angry we give energy to the side of negativity. We weaken our connection to the Holy One and to all that is good. It is not that we need to become doormats or passive, but that we control our anger so we can make choices that are life affirming. This month is actually a time of great light, for the greatest light is hidden in darkness.

 There is so much more written in my books, Kabbalah Month by Month, Everyday Kabbalah and New Age Judaism.    Love and blessings, Melinda (Mindy) Ribner

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This entry was posted on Wednesday, December 23rd, 2009 at 3:21 pm and is filed under Months, Spirituality, Your Spiritual Path. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.