Tevet: The Dark Season of the Body
This period in the Hebrew calendar is called "Tekufas Tevet" (Avodah Zara 8a), honoring the winter solstice of ancient Israel—a season of short days and long, cold nights. The primordial woman- Lillith- is known to be more present in the energies of this month. In the mythical tradition, Lilith demanded equality in her partnership with Adam and when it was refused, she fled and transformed into a demon. While there are negative imagery and stories about her, The Zohar teaches us that Lilith is the dark shadow of the Shechinah (divine feminine). This hints that the dark and mysterious forces of Lilith are also encompassed within the Holy One. This month, we are invited to gaze into our shadow-side. The Hebrew letter that corresponds with Tevet- Ayin ע- literally means “eye”. We look closely in the dark, and see our full selves, especially our mysterious parts. We also are called to meet the darkness without fear, but with open curiosity. While many traditions focus purely on enlightenment, Judaism also honors the endarkenment. Perhaps that is why there are so many stories of mystics going into dark caves for Devikut/ unity with the Divine, and stories about the wisdom of the Womb (see for an examine Midrash Tanhuma, Pekudei 3). Tevet ushers us into hibernation, beneath the surface of the revealed layers.
I have often visualized the energies of Tevet as seedlings in the earth, or bears hibernating close together. In my yoga class this morning, I saw another version of myself hibernating in Tevet — not within the earth, but within myself. There was an older version of myself, wrapped around and covering my childish delight, inner spark of light, and juicy creativity. Sometimes, Tevet invites parts of us to hibernate while other parts are revealed. I found myself inside this cocoon of self, my vital energy protected and safe.
Tevet is also known as a harsh month, one of grappling with visceral sensations, coming close to our primal energies, and ultimately lifting deep wisdom from the subtle body. Kabbalah describes Tevet as a time when “the body enjoys the body”. Our bodies, like the earth, have depths of mystery, gifts, and shadows.
The chush (spiritual sense) that we rectify this month is anger and the body-part associated with this Hebrew month is the liver. The Gemara teaches that the “liver is the seat of anger”(Berachos 61b). Yet, anger is not inherently negative: it is a neutral energy that has the possibility of being channeled positively. Anger is often a hot, deeply embodied experience. It is a rush of neuro-chemical reactions pulsating through the body. Anger can cause a lift in heart rate, an elevated temperature, shallow breaths, and muscular tension. Tevet is a time to explore energetic pathways of anger, reactive patterns, and how anger takes shape in the body’s landscape. Anger is merely a RAW, physical sensation, not something to be avoided or ashamed of. How we befriend and channel anger is the work of this month.
David Whyte poetically explains that, “Anger points toward the purest form of compassion, the internal living flame of anger always illuminates what we belong to, what we wish to protect and those things for which we are willing to hazard and even imperil ourselves”. In other words, anger protects what is sacred!
Each time I revisit Tevet in the sacred wheel of time, my body remembers. It recalls the dark places I have inhabited. I have cycled through this season many times in my being to trust that this state of uncertainty will only draw up my inner-strength.
As Shevat approaches next month, I anticipate the sweet sap that will rise through the world's roots once again. I trust in sacred time knowing that by Tu B'Shevat, my own earthly vessel will be replenished with warm creativity flowing up from my roots.For now, I rest in knowing I am fully "below," buried within the earth. It is unknown, yet I trust this darkness. While some parts of this month may feel like a mini-death, I remind myself that I am a small seedling, planted in rich, nourishing soil.
Tevet meditation : Meeting the Darkness
Our deepest insight arises from the slow resting darkness. Where we touch the unseen and unknown.
Close your eyes and receive comfort in the black wash of darkness beneath your eyelids.
Take in some consciousness, deep breaths, allowing every exhale to bring you down the pathway deeper into your body, meeting your dark places.
Notice all the places of your body that is touching the Adamah/ Divine earth. The dense, darkness of your body meets the dark, density of the earth. Mystery meets Mystery. What exchange of energy do you notice between these two places?
Imagine a dark place welcoming you in. It could be crawling into the womb, sinking into the dense soil, crawling down roots into the earth, gazing into the black night sky, or traversing through a lush dense rainforest.
Be present with this darkness and open to its insights, as if you are raising up the holy sparks of the night.
The Hebrew letter that corresponds to Tevet is the Ayin, meaning “Eye”. Behind closed eyelids we can cultivate our inner vision. What do you see when there are no external distractions? You can visualize the Hebrew letter Ayin or even trace it over the forehead, inviting your Ayin Tov/ Good Eye to come through.
To close this meditation, I’ll end with a poem:
“To go into the dark with a light is to know the light.
To know the dark, go dark.
Go without sight,
And find that the dark, too, blooms and sings,
And is traveled by dark feet and dark wings.”
-Wendell Berry
Remain present in this darkened stillness, noticing how your other sensations awaken. Begin to observe the outer landscape with your heightened senses- tuning into the space around you.
As you mindfully open your eyes, commit to remaining connected to your internal gaze.
For a curated playlist on the slow, embodied energies of Tevet, play here:
