2012 - Year of the Yang Water Dragon

the Dragon

January 23, 2012 marks the end of the year of the Yin Metal Rabbit and the start of the year of the Yang Water Dragon.

Hopefully the year of the Yin Metal Rabbit has given us time to reflect on things and make some decisions as to how we are going to proceed. Now the Yang Water Dragon brings with it an elemental force that must be reckoned with.

The Dragon is a sacred creature of myth and legend. A symbol of good fortune and sign of intense power, the dragon was often regarded as divine. However the Dragon also symbolizes an uninhibited bundle of elemental energy that can quickly get out of control.

This could very well be a year that Mother Nature weighs in on how things should be run on this planet. It is worth noting that the largest earthquakes in recorded history have all taken place in Yang Water Dragon years.

This year is symbolized by the element of Water above Earth.

In the I-Ching this hexagram is called Pi (Holding Together)

PI - Holding Together

Water and Earth hold together because of their natural affinity. It is a time of strengthening our inner attitude and holding to what is correct within ourselves. This holding together begins with holding ourselves together morally and spiritually. It is a time of maintaining integrity in the face of fear or desire.

We can no longer afford to compromise our integrity simply to satisfy our selfish wants. It is no longer helpful to look sideways at all the distractions keeping us in a state of ignorance. 

As I said in my last post Correct Yourself, regardless of what you believe or how well you distract yourself, a fundamental shift is upon us. What are you doing to adapt? 

Take a look at your life. What part of it is wasteful, greedy or selfish?

An even more important question is; Are you spending enough quality time out in nature? 

This is a question that I will be addressing in my next post.

Vernal Equinox - 2010

Saturday March 20 is the Vernal Equinox.

In many traditions the Vernal Equinox is the beginning of the Awakening Time. It is a time of emergence from the long dark hibernation of winter when everything comes back to life and awakens. The Vernal Equinox marks the beginning of spring, a balance point of time when energy starts to rise just as the sap begins to flow upwards into the branches of the tree.

This is a very powerful time of year, a time of exhilaration.

In Chinese 5 Element philosophy, springtime is associated with the element of Wood. Wood represents growth. It is the element of expansion. Wood is the lifeforce that exists within all things. In the body, the sacred point of Wood is the lower dan tien, a point approximately three finger widths below the navel. By practicing deep breathing into this point we can access the energy of the Wood and connect with the inexhaustible source within our being.

The color of Wood energy is green. Wood energy provides confidence and the ability to persevere in times of difficulty. It enhances physical strength and stamina. Balanced Wood energy is rooted and decisive. Unbalanced Wood energy brings anger and confusion.

The Wood energy flow is facilitated through the Liver. In my next post I will discuss ways we can increase the vitality of the Liver.

Winter Season – Water Element

Winter Season – Water Element

It is right about now that people begin to get a little tired of winter. The holiday season is well and truly over and now we are waiting for those first signs of spring to start appearing.

In the cycle of the seasons winter is the time of retraction. It is a time to withdraw into oneself, keep warm and harbor your energy. In Chinese 5 Element theory winter is associated with the Water element. It is a time to adapt to the situations we are confronted with by cultivating the willpower. Unbalanced Water element can intensify feelings of fear and depression. Water corresponds to the kidneys within the body. The kidneys are responsible for gathering, storing and dispensing water throughout the body. The kidneys are where the pre-birth qi is stored. In order to keep this qi vital and strong we must take care of our kidneys during the winter. Daily gentle circular massage of the kidney area (lower back on either side of the spine) helps keeps them strong. Excessive indulgence in alcohol, sex, and unhealthy food can drain qi. In winter this behavior can be especially damaging.

Think of the kidneys as the ocean of the human body. Within the body all the essences and fluids of the body's various pathways pour into the kidney. While oceans may appear vast and inexhaustible, their seemingly unlimited supply can be drained. After the kidney has assembled the essential fluids of the body's vessels it disperses them throughout the body lubricating the five organ network and nourishing all of the body's pathways. Without a proper flow this process doesn't work effectively.

Winter is a time of hibernation, stockpiling energy and conserving vital qi. Embracing this concept allows us to prepare for the springtime as the cycle continues.

Until next time....wishing you much peace,
Zin the Wandering Sage