Winter is a time of Water Element in TCM and the nature itself seems to have pressed a pause button on our outdoor life and – in colder climates – it is a slowest-pace season dictated by coldest temperatures and lowest sunshine levels. We can read it as nature’s invitation to rest; to go within; to conserve our essence; to reflect and reframe and access the very depth of our being so we can start resurfacing anew with the increasing warmth and brightness of the early spring. This is the very depth of nourishing Yin energies of recharging, repair and ‘renovation’ of our being on all levels – Body, Soul and Spirit.
While the idea itself seems extremely attractive – magnetic if you had a really busy or stressful or overwhelming time in the previous season – there is a need to be mindful of ‘overdoing the Water Element’. When in excess – situationally (because of the reasons above) or constitutionally (there is a lot of ‘Water’ in our body-mind energy signature = too much constitutional Yin) or when there is a history of trauma or emotional overwhelm, personal or ancestral (or even collective) – the Yin of Water can lead to stagnation, much like the water in a pond start stagnating when there is not enough movement, not enough light, not enough life.
Reflection and contemplation – the Yin energy states – which will ideally lead to clarification of our true needs and desires and a better alignment with our Path, are usually celebrated for this Self discovery supporting side. However, in the absence of balancing Yang of action (or at least a clear planning for the Yang of action) this Yin Qi when too deep or/and too long, can easily slip into this stagnation. Rumination – a repetitive, ‘going round in circles’ thinking, focusing on the same problem or event or life or health situations is a part of it. Rumination is a “stuck” state that prevents us from living in the now; we stop seeing current possibilities, opportunities, options and may well end up wasting our gifts – from living and cherishing these precious daily little moments to abandoning the development of our talents; supportive connections; alignment with our path.
While a potential shift from a nourishing reflection to a stagnant rumination may sound dramatic, it actually happens a lot with people who are generally easily stressed or overwhelmed, currently tired or don’t have adequate support to resolve accumulating life problems and unresolved inner conflicts. The temptation to descend into this ‘deep Water’ is too strong for it feels life a life saver, a well deserved and long overdue rest.
While a solution to this problem intuitively feels like a journaling exercise (and it is), the journaling itself (in a state of unchecked rumination and without engaging Yang-focused journalling tools) can facilitate more reflection…which without taking a balancing action can take us right back to rumination. So this is the instance where I’d start with the body. Certain Acupuncture points and Reflex Zones can be very helpful in counteracting the ‘repeat’ mental sequences, the same thought or emotional patterns and so on. Taking ‘rumination’ as a clue and going with another meaning for the word we can look very closely (read: locate; massage; feel into; apply Colourpuncture; feel into again) at our TMJ joints which are central to the act of chewing…and chewing…and then some more chewing.
Any treatment of TMJ – even a simple Acupressure massage repeated for some time on a daily basis – will balance the body in a number of ways: this is the field of Fire Element; our connection with ancestry energies; our connection with the bigger whole and more. It seriously aids bodily and mental relaxation from a structural point as this is where we tend to hold a lot of tension without realising it (clenching your jaws…grinding our teeth..).
And what’s about our reflection on life experience supported by refreshing waters of contemplation? Here we can add one of Colourpuncture’s great discoveries: the ‘Memory point’, a sensitive spot on the midline of the face at the hairline. Together, these 3 points will provide us with a much needed balancing. And if you feel that some regular support is needed to encourage the Yang energies (tiredness; stressful times; demanding life situations with seemingly very little hope for the resolution; constitutional weakness of Yang Qi), you can always add some Yang points – as simple as Du20 (top of the head, in line with tips of the ears) which while being a classic Yang Qi Acupuncture point, de-stresses, helps relaxation and supports mental clarity.
If Colourpuncture is your self-care, I’m inviting you to figure out the optimal spectral colours for these points using resources on this site: starting with simple Colourpuncture colour indications; looking into complementary colour pairs and – experimenting. Please feel free to connect using the form below if you feel you need advice on colours or have other questions. Happy, healthy, good-quality Yin Qi Winter to you!
- Dreamwork suggestion for winter: Zone of Memory, Inner Light
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