Winter

Winter is the most Yin time of the year. What is Yin? It is our shadow side, the deep, dark, and quiet aspect of ourselves.

We mirror the flow of nature, so during Winter as activity slows outside, we notice an inclination to slow down as well. Instead of resisting that, we might choose to follow nature’s rhythm. Allow the experience of the downward pull, which is the Yin energy, by resting and relaxing more.

In doing so, we actually minimize the chance for illness by storing up and regenerating our energy which prepares us for the Spring.

Yin Valley

This “water” point is the 10th acupuncture point on the Kidney meridian. It produces tranquility and calm. It is also used to cool down conditions such as lower abdominal pain, or swelling of the knees.

Kunlun Mountain

This 60th acupuncture point on the Bladder meridian is a “fire” point. It is used to warm up cold conditions like occipital headaches, the common cold, back, neck and shoulder problems.

The chart below displays the correspondences of the five seasons:

FIVE ELEMENTS Wood Fire Earth Metal Water
Seasons Spring Summer Late Summer Autumnn Winter
Zang/Yin Organs Liver Heart Spleen Lung Kidney
Fu/Yang Organs Gallbladder Small Intestine Stomach Large Intestine Bladder
Directions East South Middle West North
Tastes Sour Bitter Sweet Pungent Salty
Tissues Tendons Vessels Muscles Skin/Hair Bones
Colors Green Red Yellow White Blue/Black
Sense Organs Eye Tongue Mouth Nose Ear