cosmology

Feb

2021

Happy 2021 – Year of the Metal Ox

In traditional East Asian cultures, Ox is the animal emblem of spring and of agriculture, as Lìchūn, beginning of spring influences, offers the ceremonial rite of plowing the ground and sowing the first seeds of the year. In China it was customary for a farmer to switch his Ox with a willow branch to enliven him from winter’s rest, stimulating and simulating Ox as the revival of spring itself.

Investing the substantial and sustained labors of Ox to draw the plow can promote an abundant season of growth and harvest, with potential for a bumper crop year. Ox symbolizes the attainment of prosperity through fortitude and hard work; being dependable, methodical, calm, patient, and a tireless worker. Furthermore, the Ox’s sturdy, muscular form makes it an unwieldy presence.

The elemental energy of Metal of this Ox cycle can lend to a formidable nature, exacting, and when necessary, one to force issues. Ox knows how to take orders and how to give them, and in his realm, his word is law. Ox energy is not the life of the party, but is certainly the backbone of society.

The able Ox. I took this picture in 1991 in Fùyáng, one of ten districts in Zhejiang Province, China. / Photo© ECOMA

May we be fortunate to harmonize with the down-to-earth, sterling qualities of the Metal Ox in 2021!

Mar

2016

Alchemy of Chinese Herbs

Photography Wendy Brown

Herbs and roots are life-nourishing.

They are sustenance as well as medicine,

and convey nature’s forces.

Through their connection to the natural world, herbs and roots of Chinese medicine imbue their resonance with these forces within us.

Regulated by the rhythms of Yin and Yang, influenced by the 5 elements (sun, soil, minerals, water, and other trees and plants), and through their ability to adapt to the climatic factors of heat and cold, wind, dryness and dampness, herbs renew our resilience.

Immortal Mágū collecting medicinal roots, fruits and plants

Chinese medicine has a long history of practices that propagate life; practices to nourish and prolong life through our mental-physical-spiritual oneness with nature. Such concepts and knowledge of creating rarified, spiritual states of being and longevity have passed through Taoist lineages, preserving the Three Treasures Jīng, Qì and Shen.

BURDOCK ROOT

The energetic nature of herbs and other organic substantive matter, in their particular parts, collected and prepared specifically to confer the essence of their elemental forces, guide and help to make whole.

Aug

2015

Late Summer, The Fifth Season

The 5th elemental season in oriental cosmology is known as “Late Summer” and known as the elemental season of Earth. This is a season of abundance and flourishing life. Balanced Earth energy always provides a solid foundation upon which further endeavors can be based.

The golden season of late summer as regarded in Chinese 5 element cosmology, is the point in the progression of the seasons when nature itself is abundantly imbued in thickness, weight, and is in the culminating stage of growth and fruition that makes way for harvest. Late summer is considered to be the fifth season and has its elemental correspondence within the Earth element, axis of the five elements. Earth secures the human microcosm with the virtues of integrity, trust, loyalty, empathy, reciprocity and is also the seat of intellect. When one is in thought, vital blood of the Heart ascends to the brain. The capacity for thought and contemplation supports our life’s momentum by integrating, enriching, and providing the ripeness to nourish our destiny.

May All Welcome the Prosperity that comes of Kindness and Sharing

Apr

2015

Horary Cycles and Bi-Hourly Clock

HORARY CYCLE • BI-HOURLY CLOCK

According to root and branch energetic rhythms in traditional Chinese medicine, Qi flow circulates through the 12 main meridians beginning with the lungs, as respiration is the first independent bodily function of the human vessel, then systematically flows through each organ. The organ systems have their points of highest energy and lowest energy throughout a 24 hour cycle. By the insight of these rhythms we can best understand times to participate in basic functions of daily living and also when to communicate with a particular organ or energetic system of the body. Chinese Medicine practitioners will sometimes use the horary clock to corroborate their diagnoses and patients typically find the clock to be of great interest. Here is more detailed information the Horary clock can reveal to patterning healthy habits of body-mental functioning-and emotional well-being.

3-5 am the time of the Lungs. This is the time where the body should be asleep. If woken at this time, soothing breathing exercises are recommended and the body should be kept warm to enable the lungs replenish the body. Emotionally, the lungs are associated with feelings of melancholia, sadness, and grieving and these emotions may be more commonly felt during these hours.

5 am to 7 am is the time of the Large Intestine. This is energetically the ideal time to have a bowel movement, removing toxins from the previous day before moving forward into the present one. It is also the ideal time to wash the body and comb hair. It is believed that combing hair helps to clear energy from the mind. At this time, emotions of defensiveness or feelings of being stuck could be evoked.

7-9 am is the time of the Stomach so it is important to eat the biggest meal of the day here to optimize digestion and absorption. Warm meals that are high in nutrition are best in the morning. Emotions that are likely to be stirred at this time may be include disgust or despair.

9-11 am is the time of the Spleen, where energy for the day ahead is released from food digestate. This is the ideal time to exercise and work. Do your most taxing tasks of the day at this time. Low self-esteem is an inherent Spleen vulnerability that could be noted at this time.

11 am- 1 pm is the time of the Heart which will work to pump blood throughout the body to provide energy and nutrition. Eating a light, cooked meal at this time is recommended. Having a one hour nap or a cup of tea is also beneficial during this time. Feelings of significant joy or sadness could be experienced at this time.

1-3 pm is the time of the Small Intestine, the time when digestion will take place and assimilation of food eaten earlier will be complete. This is a good time to carry out daily tasks or exercise. Vulnerable thoughts or feelings of abandonment may subconsciously arise at this time.

3-5 pm is the time of the Bladder when metabolic wastes move into the kidney’s filtration system. This is the ideal time for study and completion of brain-challenging work for the day. Another cup of tea is beneficial, as would be drinking some water. Feeling irritated or timid may come into expression at this time.

5-7 pm is the time of the Kidneys when the blood is filtered and the kidneys work to maintain proper chemical balance. This is the perfect time to have dinner and to activate your circulation either by walking, having a massage, or stretching. Subconscious thoughts of fear can be active at this time.

7-9 pm is the time of Pericardium, when nutrients are carried to the capillaries and to each cell. This is the perfect time to read, but avoid any more mental activity than this at this time. A difficulty in expressing emotions may also be felt however, this is the perfect time in the day to have sex.

9-11 pm is the time of Triple Warmer or Sanjiao, pertaining to waterways and the endocrine system where the body’s homeostasis is adjusted replenished. It is recommended to be asleep at this time so the body can conserve energy for the following day. Feelings of paranoia or confusion may also be felt.

11 pm-1 am is the time of the Gall Bladder and in order to wake feeling energized the body should be at rest. In Chinese medicine, this period of time is when Yin energy fades and Yang energy begins to grow. Yang energy helps you to keep active during the day and is stored when you are asleep. Subconscious feelings of resentment may appear during this time and should be dissipated in favor of resting.

1-3 am is the time of the Liver and a time when the body should be in deep sleep. During this time fresh blood is made. If you find yourself waking during this time, excessive yang energy, heat toxin, or problems with liver energy in general may be indicated. Anger, frustration and repression of emotions pertain to the liver and may be part of the tendency for wakefulness.

The energetic cycle is completed with circulation through the liver at night when the eyes are closed and where the spirit roots into the body during sleep.

If one tends to experience an aggravation of symptoms or fluctuations in energy, note the time of day of the occurrence. The time may provide a cue to the organ system that may be a contributing factor in current health themes.

Oct

2014

Acupuncture & Moxibustion

THE INTEGRAL WHOLE IN THE RELATIONSHIP OF MAN WITH HEAVEN & EARTH, AND ACUPUNCTURE AS A TREATMENT FOR ALL DISEASE.

The human individual is an integrated aspect of the universe, with life’s happenings reflecting the interplay of Yin and Yang. These dynamics, displaying the shifting, greater movement of energy, are the root of prevention and treatment of disease by Chinese medicine.

Please Enjoy & Share

Apr

2014

Wind 風

✍️Wendy Brown, Lic. Ac.

According to the Lingshu, a classical text in Chinese medicine known as the Celestial Pivot, the adverse influence of wind was considered so great that the sages ‘avoided the winds like avoiding arrows and stones.’ Like the sages mentioned in the Lingshu, we are all cautioned to avoid even subtle exposure to wind. The wind is considered a ‘pernicious influence’ in Chinese medicine. In ancient times, distinctions in wind were made relative to the bagua directions of the I Ching; each of which yields a certain pathological influence.

Adaptation from prose of Song Yü, 4th Century BCE

A gust of wind blows in. How pleasant a thing is this wind which is shared by all people. Wind is a Spirit of Heaven and Earth. It does not choose between noble and base, nor between high and low. Wind-Spirit comes to different things but wind is not all the same.

It follows the rolling flanks of mountains and dances beneath the pine trees and cypresses. In gusty bouts it whirls. It rushes in fiery anger. It rumbles low with a noise like thunder, tearing down rocks and trees, smiting forests and grasses. Once at last abating, it spreads abroad, seeking empty places and crossing the thresholds of rooms. Growing gentler and clearer, it changes and is dispersed and dies. Freeing itself, wind falls and rises. It bends the flowers and leaves with its breath. It wanders among the osmanthus and pepper-trees. It lingers over the fretted face of the pond to steal the soul of the hibiscus. It touches the willow leaves and scatters the fragrant herbs. Then it pauses in the courtyard and turning to the North goes up to the Jade Hall, shaking the hanging curtains and lightly passing into interior rooms. Wind is fresh and sweet to breathe, and its gentle murmuring cures the diseases of men, blows away the stupor of wine, sharpens sight and hearing, and refreshes the body.

There is also wind that is ill-wind; wind which rises from narrow lanes and streets, carrying clouds of dust. Rushing to empty spaces it attacks the gateway, scatters the dust-heap, sends the cinders flying, pokes among foul and rotting things, till at last it enters the tiled windows and reaches the rooms of a cottage. Now this wind is heavy and turgid, oppressing a wo/man’s heart. It brings fever to the body, ulcers to lips and dimness to eyes. It shakes one with coughing and weakens a person before their time.

Apr

2012

The Pivotal Role of Emotions

How All Disease Is a Matter of Heart-Spirit, According to Classical Chinese Medicine

The defining classics of Chinese medicine establish that it is the invisible forces of Shen [Heart-Spirit] and Qi [vital energy] that rule matter. While western medicine is rooted in the modern science of matter analysis, modern and ancient physicians of classical oriental medicine view nature, energy, and consciousness in the relationship of matter..

“Heaven comes first,” states the Ling Shu, “Earth is second.” Or in the more elaborate words of Liu Zhou, a 6th century philosopher: “If the Spirit is at peace, the Heart is in harmony; when the Heart is in harmony, the body is whole. If the Spirit becomes aggravated the Heart wavers, and when the Heart wavers the body becomes injured. If one seeks to heal the physical body, one must therefore first regulate the Spirit.”

Chinese medicine asserts that discovering well-being comes from appreciating the real goodness inherent in very simple experiences, pivotal to emotional wellbeing.