The Water Element; Fear, Arousal, Wisdom 

Honoring the deep yin in the winter season

As we move through the cycle of the five seasons, our bodies, being of nature herself, shift accordingly. Even in our modern lifestyles, somewhat divorced from the natural world, we are still energetically, spiritually and physically impacted by these forces of nature. As we walk out our front door in the morning on the way to work, we might catch a glimpse of a squirrel scurrying about to catch the last vestiges of a shell or seed casing. We sense and see how all of the trees and vegetation become contracted, moving inward to store the essential nature of life for the spring to come. This inward movement is exactly what is being asked of us, even in the midst of the chaos and business of our world. Winter is the time of the deep yin. The kidney sages of the water tribe ask, how can we go in while still being productive in our lives? How can we slow down while moving at the same speed? How can we lean back into the support of our lineage, or what we define as divinity? 

The kidneys are unique as organs in taoist medicine as one kidney is yin and one is yang. Because of this phenomenon, the kidneys are the masters of yin and yang throughout the whole of our terrain. The yang is the day, our driving force and willpower, our sexual nature and vitality of arousal, of power. The yin is the night, the way we settle into quietude, the essences that give us longevity, health and inner luminance; the building blocks of life itself. The winter months beckon us into the depths of the yin; the quietude of a blanket of snow, the restfulness of a mountain lake. The deep yin of winter invites us to rest, relax, to store and build our essences with hot herbal teas, nutritious broths and dark leafy greens. Take that time to snuggle up with a book or journal under your favorite blanket with a cup of warmth close by. Take the time to simply be, perhaps reconsidering ideas about what it means to be productive. When the business and challenges of the responsibilities of modern life demand your attention, come to them from a place of being and deep wisdom, rather than panic and the adrenal/cortisol survival drive. 

Above all, be kind to yourself. We are living in a time of extreme chaos and collective trauma. It is likely that most of us are facing a ramping up of our adrenal/cortisol survival drive and a potential fraying of our nervous systems. Offer yourself understanding and love; these reactions are normal, given the circumstances. When we embrace ourselves and the frequencies we are vibrating at, now we have some options, perhaps a new way will emerge. The water element offers us its wisdom of leaning back into the spine of our ancestry, our lineage and our faith. This offers us the strength and fortitude needed to face a multitude of armies and remain in our authentic rootedness. As we push forward, remember to lean back. 

In the Five Element work we talk of some people being water constitutional types. Even if water is not your predominant or prevalent element, the one through which you view and interface with the world, we all have all five elements within us. Each element correlates to different emotions, body parts, sense organs, aspect of spirit, meridian networks and internal organs. We are the five elements and the five elements are us. In the winter season, the water element is more active within all of us. Some of us may feel more yang, some more yin. This can present as a sense of arousal, power or anticipation, or this may manifest as grogginess, lassitude, and tiredness or exhaustion. Remember that winter is about restoration and storing. Think of the seeds deep inside the plants, waiting for the returning yang of spring and the light to grow once more. The energy is beckoning us to be still, to rest. You may feel very tired and fear that there is something wrong with you, when, in fact, that is exactly right and what will get you to rest more. Also, if there is a deficiency in your water qi, once you begin to relax and unwind, you may feel how truly exhausted you are from overwork, fears, vague anxieties or other imbalances or health conditions. Rest. Be. Allow. The yang will return in spring. 

Seasonal Formula, Rehmannia 8, * is a classical herbal formula designed to support us during the winter months. This formula balances and supports both the yin and yang aspects of the kidneys and also supports the kidney function of grasping the qi from the lungs, an additional support for winter time breathing challenges and coughs. This medicine assists us in building our essences and feeling safely rooted in our being, ready for the challenges ahead and coming from a place of wholeness and beingness rather than the push of “I have to summon the energy to do this.” We have all been in that place of having to push through exhaustion. Rehmannia’s wisdom allows us to fill the reservoirs and have a foundation to act from. 

*Required caveat: Always consult with a licensed practitioner regarding proper herbs and dosages for your particular nature; remember to check for contraindications to any medications. Herbs and acupuncture are not meant to replace the advice of a medical doctor. 

January 2021