Welcome to the Year of the Water Dragon!
Winter is the time of cold, of going inward and storing and is why nature seems to be at rest or dead. Outwardly yin dominates. Inwardly yang produces fire deep in the interior to maintain balance. At the winter solstice yang begins to grow and slightly increase into the exterior for a few minutes of more light each day. During the summer solstice, yin is born and darkness grows a few minutes a day and the cycle repeats. Spring and fall equinoxes denote the middle point of balance between winter and summer. During spring the energy moves upward and in fall the energy moves downward to create what is called the creative cycle.
Winter is the time when seeds are dormant and waiting to spring into action. On January 23, 2012 the lunar spring cycle was initiated. If you go outside and look at the branches on your trees you will see the buds beginning to develop even though it may be cold and snowing and seems like winter still. In spring the energy is moving upward and growing at a very smooth incremental rate. The weather at this time seems lighter and not as heavy. In the first month of spring it will also feel colder at times even though the actual temperature is warmer. The reason for this is that the energy is rising towards the sun and is now opening like a steady smooth flame. This rising or springing up of energy stimulates the growth of seeds, plant life, vegetation and animals that brings excitement and activity to all of nature. The pores of our skin open up and this allows the cold or cool air and wind to come into the body easier and for this reason it feels like it is colder than it really is.
Spring is associated with wood; growth, birth, initiating, planning and follow through. Wood is of the earth and wind is of the heavens. Wind carries pathogens and spring is the time to wear a scarf or put your collar up to protect the back of your neck where the wind pathogen primarily enters the body. The back of the neck and head are where the most openings in the body exist. It is easy to receive pathogens from pesticides due to spraying in your neighborhood as well as other toxic pathogens from other parts of the country because wind is far reaching and formless and blows across the country carrying these invisible particles. The Chinese refer to pathogenic wind as ”evil wind”! If you have a strong immune system then the wind and pathogens will not bother you! If your stomach, spleen/pancreas is weak you will experience seasonal disorders like allergies because the change of seasons are not stabilized by the earth element and immune system.
The first two weeks of spring is a good time to initiate your vision of what you desire to spring forward in your life that have been culminating this year from the seeds of your dreams and desires which have been lying dormant during winter. Initiating action mentally, emotionally and physically at this time will aid you in being in rhythm with nature and help you tap into the wealth of the unknown that awaits. Allow your dreams and desires to unfold through the nature of gentle wind and flowing water (this is similar to the incremental movements demonstrated each day as yin and yang grow and decrease depending on which season). This occurs to minimize extremes and create a healthy balanced smooth flow which is associated with the liver. This is the secret to feng shui and balance of yin and yang in our lives. Follow the rhythm of nature and avoid being extreme. This allows you to tap into the invisible forces of creation, to trust and to release attachments to those things that hold you back. The smooth pulsating life energies from the liver and gall bladder bring the joy of balanced prosperity and smooth flow that produces luxury and wealth in our life.
Many Blessings Ernie Padilla
