Winter in the Chinese Five-Phase (or Five Element) wheel, is the time of Water. Every element also has multiple associations with it, including a color, flavor, sense organ, emotion, body part and climate or temperature. In Winter, the color is black, flavor is salty, sense organ is the ears, emotion is fear, body part is bones, and climate is cold. In Winter, the Yin and Yang organs that rule this time are the Kidneys and Urinary Bladder. What does all this mean and how do we apply it to our lives?
I love first looking at whatever yin and yang organs are associated with an element because it helps us to understand ourselves and relationship to the world better. The Kidneys are the main organ we focus on for the Water element and the time of Winter. It holds our congenital Qi, to me the Qi of our ancestors, whatever was passed on to us. Kidneys store the Essence in Chinese medicine and it sort of determines the lifespan of an individual because it holds (almost like) our DNA. The Kidneys rule the bones and teeth also, so we can see as we age, our Essence starts to diminish as do our physical bodies begin to change and essentially degrade as we age.
One of the reasons I feel like this is so important to note in Winter, is because a lot of us still try to maintain our level of activity in the Winter as we do in the other months of the year. We see many animals hibernate and change with the seasons – food can become scarce for wild animals, as an example, but in the cities, we have access to things year-round and are never really wanting. By not attuning ourselves to these seasons, especially the dark, cold Winter (where Fear is the main emotion, I would like to circle back to that!), we can easily burn out the resources we have, and as the years go on, longevity and healthy aging become less likely.
Patient said this to me this week – “I don’t really get sick at this time of year and I am wanting to build my immune system, but I usually get sick around January 1st! It’s like as soon as we can slow down I get sick.” I feel like this is SO common and immunity doesn’t build itself overnight. Building up your stores (blood, fluids, Qi, Yin) takes time. It takes rest, nourishment, a clear mind from worry and stress, fluids and more. It is not just a restful weekend or vacation, it can take a long time to build this back up – but don’t get discouraged, you are investing in your health for the long run, right?
I would encourage you to look at this Winter season AND keep all of this in mind for NEXT Winter season as well! Here are some things to think about:
· In what ways can I live with the season that flows with this energy? In what ways can I prepare for next season?
· Are there things I can let go so that I am not so busy all the time?
· Why am I so busy? What happens when I do less? Do I have feelings to sit with that I don’t want to, or tasks that I don’t want to deal with? Do I feel pressure from society, family, loved ones to participate in things? Do I feel I have to do these things?
· Would slowing down the season before Winter help me build up and maintain my stores a little more?
· How am I filling up stores - emotionally, physically, spiritually? If not, how could I?
Some ideas to fill up your stores (of blood, Qi, Yin, Essence):
· Don’t fill every empty space on your calendar. Prioritize things that you must do and things you want to do and make sure that’s balanced!
· Try and go to sleep by 10PM. Your best sleep happens around 10PM-2AM and when you keep pushing later and later, your body will use up its stores.
· Allow yourself space out time. If you feel sleepy after dinner and just want to lay in bed and stare out the window until bedtime, do that. More rest and sleep this time of year is helpful.
· Eat warm, cooked foods. Do an experiment and see what your body does after you have something cold or chilled, and then try something like a hot tea or cup of soup. Cold is constricting and stagnating but hot is calming, nourishing, more expansive.
· Other food ideas: nature gives us what’s in season. Low immunity? Look at all the citrus in the store; full of vitamin C, it’s a great food to eat this time of year!
· Find your balance of time alone and having nourishing relationship time. If it feels good to be social, time with your friends, think about what fills your cup and what takes away. Do that thing.
I hope this helps you live more in-tuned with the season of Winter!
Warmly, Angela
Photo by Janna Rasch of Mellow Nectar Co