qi node

Autumn Equinox Qi Node

Autumn Equinox Qi Node

When the Qi node Autumn Equinox arrives, Qiū Fēn, there is Yin and Yang equality, day and night are equal, but Yin is about to take charge. Autumn Equinox is one of four pivots that rectify the annual Qi. During this period the environment grows ever-more Yin and is characterized by cool, dry wind. Metal element flourishes, and there is satisfaction.

Storehouses are filling up and the work of harvest is nearly complete. There is a pleasant stillness. During this Qi node, Qi is best at 6pm-Neigong to be done indoors morning and evening in short sessions. It is best to eat food that has a higher Jing concentration. Breakfast can be eaten a little later than in spring and summer, and should be hearty. Do not eat at all after 7pm. All meals should be experienced in a quiet, undistracted setting. One needn’t be a hermit, but avoid being social at every meal.

It is auspicious to prune fruit trees. The only flaw would be to become aggressive. Things seem easy so it will be easy to take things for granted. Conversely, self-cultivation makes the days go beautifully, and boundaries create good fortune. Repair property, do not fast, do not start a long journey, do not gossip-even in jest. Consulting the oracle is auspicious, as are feng shui adjustments to the bedroom. Medical treatments that support lower jiao circulation, and also that tonify Yin are enhancing. Gem of this period is diamond; flower is chrysanthemum.

In the ninth lunar month wild geese migrate. Sparrows(yang) morph into crabs(yin cold). The yellow chrysanthemum, symbol of integrity among scholar-magistrates, blooms. Wolves, a kind of wild dog, easily catch small animals(lazy rabbits). This Qi image is the dog, or next moon–coming of winter, easily catching the rabbit that hasn’t closed up his burrow(the unprepared). The frost has come to stay, and craftsmen(ingenuity) retire. Leaves change color and fall with no rain to absorb and fading sun. Branches die back and are trimmed, and charcoal, slow-burning and long lasting heat [yang]) is made. Readiness for hibernation is complete. The Emperor holds court in the Northwestern chamber-a hidden place where altars of the spiritual protectors are placed. He rides a chariot drawn by white horses with black manes, with white banners, and he wears white jade pendants.

Tribute is housed, gifts are stored. Spirit grain is stored in temple storehouses(the guarantee of continued ritual and renewal). Imperial storehouses must be neatly filled-great care is taken and everything is meticulously itemized. The almanac, the ceremonial and agricultural calendar for the coming year, is printed and distributed to governors. Everyone reads and edits–suggestions are made. There is an parading of chariots and guards. A show of strength as winter closes in discourages invaders and bandits who may have an eye on the small and great storehouses of the kingdom. The Emperor performs a hunting ritual with great pomp and ceremony. The bagged game is used in the rites of seasonal transition. This hunting ritual is ancient and considered a form of divination (see Zhou Yi hexagram #17).

If the ordinances of the ninth moon are carried out, abundance is gathered in. If unseasonable ordinances are performed, floods will ruin the grain in store and respiratory disease of lung dryness will be epidemic. The kingdom will be at war and divide into several territories-fight over resources, steal. Weakness of character(lack of self-reflection) will lead to rebellion and breakdown.

At one time, this moon was year’s end. From a Northern Chinese, strictly agricultural standpoint, the year is over. The ninth day of the ninth moon (double nine) is still celebrated, not as year-end, but as a festival of renewal. In Northern China, it is associated with potted chrysanthemums. It is a time of self-reflection, resolution–the consideration of integrity, commitment, and authenticity of feeling. New and renewed alliances are celebrated with vow-taking (see Zhou Yi hexagrams #8+#32). On an individual level, the conduct model is self-reflection, gratitude, recommitment. The work is done; but in another sense, the work is never done. Upon self-reflection, that is acceptable, even glorious. As the winter comes to wrap its restraint around us, we do not complain, we comply though do not submit, with great and honorable dignity. Compliance with winter’s economy of Yang is welcome as it is a time for the refinement of spirit and rest.

If we are ready, good fortune will fill our lives. The Qi of autumn is in full swing. Rich harvests are joyously available. Generosity and gratitude are the best way to cope with abundance.

With All Best Wishes
☯︎

Posted by Wendy in analytical

Winter Solstice Qi Node · Dōng Zhì 冬至

✍️Wᴇɴᴅʏ Bʀᴏᴡɴ 文婷中医

Winter Solstice · Dong Zhi · 冬至 · Qi Node begins on December 21st – 22nd

This is the point in the year where the extreme of Yin energy is upon us, and hence, in the Universal balancing of Yin-Yang, Yang begins its return. In so, we enjoy the increasing presence of light. Warmth, rest, and reflection puts us in harmony with the contractive Yin nature of Winter. Keep Yang Qi strong by avoiding prolonged exposure to cold. Eat warming, nourishing foods. Sleep, but not too long as too much sleep produces too much Yin. Move, but in a gentle manner, as with T’ai Chi Chuan and Gentle, Yin, Restorative yogas. Mindfully preserve Kidney Essence and keep a conservative perspective with regard to bedroom activity. Introspection is called for. Contemplate your forthcoming life, reveling in the austere beauty of this moment and season.

Heaven engenders water to make Earth fertile.

Water dwells in the North, is the season of Winter, and among viscera pertains to Kidney.

Water represents the elemental trigram of Kǎn☵ in the iChing Book of Changes.

Water flows onward, uninterrupted, reaching its destination.

“Being sincere, one has purity and thus meets with success.”

Well-Wishes, Health and Light to All.

Posted by Wendy in analytical

LONGEVITY PRACTICES FROM A 102 YEAR OLD ☯

 

Mr. Tsui

飯勿吃太飽,覺要睡得好,運動每天做,營養不可少,
盡量找快樂,切莫尋煩惱,赤子心常在,百年也不老,
不作虧心事,人格比天高,為人不貪墨,子孫也逍遙。

 

Sleep well, Exercise daily, Do not over-eat, but never be in want of adequate nutrition.

 

Always try to be happy; keep yourself free from worries and troubles, and always retain a good conscience.

 

Then, you may live in good health and youthfulness even when you have reached the age of 102.

 

102 year old Mr. Tsui says: “The normal human life span is about 125-150 years. Longevity lies in adequate sustenance, adequate sleep, adequate exercise, having a cheerful spirit and a good conscience.”

 

Before his retirement at age 66, Tsui, like people his age, was showing usual symptoms of aging. After retirement he began practicing a daily routine that he had learned as a young man in the army, taught to him by a Buddhist monk in a temple in Manchuria. Since retirement, Mr. Tsui has practiced this regimen without missing a day; rising at 4:30am, opening windows to let fresh air circulate through his house, then doing his exercises (analogous to Qigong) in bed. The results are evident and Mr. Tsui has not used his medical insurance nor been to a doctor since commencing his longevity practices.

 

Mr. Tsui’s Life-Nurturing, Longevity Regimen

 

The primary key to longevity is always be happy and optimistic without quandary or drama. Living life naturally and exercising often, even when tired.

 

Mr. Tsui exercises everyday in his bed, practicing 20 modalities such as fetal breathing, eye massage, ear massage, hair-combing, hip-swinging, and others.

 

Turtle breathing is natural respiration, but with deep, long, smoothing breaths; completely relaxed, which stimulates the self-healing power inherent in the body.

 

Always eat breakfast of hot porridge (congee).

 

Walk in a nearby park or place of nature after breakfast.

 

Walk everywhere that is in walking distance.

 

Diet should be comprised mainly of vegetables. Picky eating is unuseful.

 

No eating meat, or fried, frozen, overly-spicy or salty foods.

 

Refrain from sweets.

 

Soak vegetables in water for 20 minutes before rinsing and cooking them.

 

Do not eat exotic foods such as abalone, shark’s fin, etc. Simply enjoy tea and simple foods.

 

Never ingest anything other than drinking water after 7:00pm.

 

Never smoke, drink or chew gum or betel nut.

 

Health of the brain: “Comb” all ten fingers through your hair from front to back of the head 108 times.

 

Health of the brain-also: Place one hand on the forehead and the other on the back of the head to massage the head horizontally 108 times.

 

Health of the brain: Never play mahjong more than eight rounds, and never sacrifice sleep staying up late playing games.

 

Teeth health: Concentrate energy in your teeth. Clench them together during bowel movement. This action helps to prevent tooth decay.

 

Mouth hygiene: Do not use toothpaste. Only brush with salt to clean your teeth.

 

Preserve eyesight: Press the tips of your thumbs on the inner aspects (canthi) of both eyes 180 times.

 

Preserve eyesight-also: Use both the middle and ring fingers to massage the rims of eyes outward 108 times.

 

Preserve eyesight: Use saliva secreted from your mouth to wipe your eyes.

 

Preserve good hearing: Hold both earlobes between middle and ring fingers and massage up and down 108 times.

 

Preserve good hearing-also: Use middle fingers to massage the areas in front of the upper earlobes 108 times.

 

Preserve good hearing: Use both hands to massage the entire area of both earlobes 36 times.

 

Digestive health: Place your index, middle and ring fingers on the navel area, massaging clockwise 81 times.

 

Health of bladder: Place your hands one on the top of the other below your navel and rub 108 times.

 

Alleviate waist pain and stiffness: Lie down with both legs drawn to the abdomen and kick out 108 times.

 

Alleviate hemorrhoid pain: Lie down, bending the tips of both feet inwards while contracting your anus 10 times.

 

Preserve leg strength: Lie down, bending the tips of both feet inward while stretching both legs straight out, lifting upward 30 times.

 

Keep shoulders straight: Hold hands together in front and lifting them above head 36 times.

 

Strengthen arms and waist: Do 36 pushups.

 

Self-healing exercise: In lotus posture, breathe deeply 36 times with tongue lightly touching the upper palate of the mouth, while inhaling through the nose – exhaling through the mouth.

 

Photos of Mr Tsui’s Practices: http://www.nwdsy.com.cn/wenzhang/file.asp?id=399

Posted by Wendy in analytical