Under heaven, nothing is more soft and yielding than water. Yet for attacking the solid and strong, nothing is better. It has no equal.
~Tao Te Ching~
Winter is the season of the Water Element, the time when nature brings her energy inwards for great rest and deep regeneration. Like nature, you may start to feel the cold air guiding your energy to move inward and deeper. Turning to embrace yourself within the depths of the coldness and darkness. It is the time for hibernation and the conservation of energy to allow deep introspection of the self.
The Water Element in the Chinese Elemental Cycle reserves the space of the deepest Yin. Yin is the energy of the Earth, it is heavy, dense, dark, cold, but holds the power of manifesting thought into matter. Yin waits in the time of mid night, and at this time, deep in our sleep we begin to connect to the Divine Cosmos within us and the deep wisdom it holds within the darkness. Yin is like the information, where Yang creates the action.
When connecting and relating to Yin and Yang and the Five Elemental phases of Chinese Medicine, I like to bring it back to the natural cycles of a plant. I find it much easier to contemplate the energies of these elemental phases with their mirrors in nature within me, and around me.
Winter and Yin represent the energy of the seed. The seed holds all of the DNA or divine information to become a great tree. From the outside the seeds are seemingly dormant or inactive, but within is the great universal potential, and a divine plan, gathering energy and holding it internally until the energies and seasons around it are most harmonious for its rupture from the cold dark Earth, to begin its journey towards the sun and the Heavens. If the tree has already sprouted from the Earth, we see it drop its leaves, with empty branches they send their energy and nourishment to their roots, strengthening their foundation in the Earth.
Quite like the seed, we are invited in Winter to become more restful and more still. We are asked to start gathering and holding our great potential in life, holding it within until the time is right to spring into action. Winter is the time to tend to the soil, to begin to plant the seeds for the future and prepare the foundations for its growth, and we can do the same within us.
So what can we do to stay moving with the cycles of nature? And why is this so important?
When we move and live in harmony with the cycles of nature we are moving and living in harmony with ourselves. Each day we have a rising and a setting, each day we have time for action and time for deep rest, and it is the same in the seasonal cycles. By moving with nature and following its guidance we can live a more full and authentic life. We allow different aspects of our selves to surface and lead the path, making space for acceptance and a greater understanding of the self. I have also experienced how living in harmony with the seasons really supports my health and is an aspect of preventative medicine that feels really natural, like we wouldn't run around in the snow all day in a bikini and thongs!! By following and feeling the changes within ourselves as the seasons and nature changes around us, I feel we are given a greater opportunity to connect more deeply with our body, mind, and heart and to learn more about how we interact and relate with the world and people around us.
For instance, Im personally not a big fan of Winter and generally try to travel and live in warm places where the Fire and Yang is more abundant. Living in Melbourne for five years allowed me to really sink into the coldness of Winter. I had to be happy with being still, I moved from being constantly 'out and about' to enjoying staying home to keep warm and nourished. I began to enjoy the quietness that surrounded me on cold winter mornings and evenings as I gathered kindling and logs for the fire at home. And during the Winter's time I found a new part of myself, one that was soft, quiet and still. It gave me perspective that life isn't here for constantly 'doing' and always having a full schedule. And most of all it allowed me the perspective to accurately discern what 'laziness' and 'relaxing' really are.
What can happen during Winter if I am not following the natural flow of the Seasons?
The Kidneys and Urinary Bladder are the main organs that are governed by the Water Element, along with the adrenals. If we don't begin to slow down in Winter from busy lifestyles and allow ourselves to rest, relax and regenerate we may find ourselves in a state of adrenal fatigue. Relying on coffee and stimulants to get ourselves going in the morning, or alcohol and depressants to wind down in the evenings may be a strong sign that we are running off a stress cycle and relying on that for energy. Other signs that our Water Element may be out of balance include Kidney infections/stones, UTIs, fertility and menstrual issues, impotence, urinating a lot during the night, sleep issues, lower back pain, instability in the knees, and a weakened immune system. Coughs, colds and flus are the most common reason I see people in the clinic in Winter.
So what can YOU do to keep your Water Element in balance this Winter?
1. Eat more warming and nourishing foods.
In Winter we tend to crave more nourishing and 'hearty' foods, soups, broths, stew and roasts are the perfect kinds of foods for Winter. Because these foods are generally cooked for a longer time they provide more warmth for the body and the nutrition from the food is easier to absorb. This is great because the warmer foods during Winter oppose the cold temperatures around us and protect the digestive system from cooling down, causing lots of different digestive issues and discomfort.
2. Wear Socks!!
Keeping our feet, lower backs and lower abdomens warm (especially during Winter) is one of the most important things!! The Kidney meridian starts on the sole of the foot, and the Kidneys do not like the cold! Wearing socks and slippers in Winter is super important to keep the Kidneys warm and the fire of life descending to keep us inspired here on Earth! Cold Kidneys can lead to a myriad of disturbances throughout the body including lower back pain, digestive issues, aversion and fear of the cold, poor circulation and even Bladder and fertility issues!
3. Increase the intake of Salty flavoured and black/dark coloured foods.
The colour of the Water element is black or a dark black blue, while the flavour is salty. Eating foods with this salty flavour (miso, soy sauce, seaweed, fish) can help to strengthen and support the Kidneys, Bladder and the metabolism of fluids. Foods that we find in water are also fantastic foods to help generate the Water element. Kidney beans, walnuts, water chestnuts, kidneys, sesame seeds (especially the black ones), and bone/mushroom broths are all great foods to nourish and support the Water element. Blueberries, plums and purple fruits are also fantastic for supporting the Kidneys.
Avoiding stimulants like coffee, energy drinks, alcohol, tobacco and processed sugars will help to counteract adrenal fatigue and help the nervous system to regulate itself back into a natural cycle of sympathetic and parasympathetic functions.
4. Invite silence and stillness into your daily routine.
Meditation of any form (knitting, sitting, yoga, visualisations, walking, running, drawing, colouring, journalling) in silence helps to develop the Yin of the Kidneys and the Water element. If you find it hard to wind down in the evenings, swapping devices and screens for some of these other activities will help your nervous system slow down and move into 'rest and regenerate' mode. This nervous system also helps to regulate our sleep and wake cycles. When we get a deeper sleep we sink into a deeper restorative state and the body can set to work healing itself and preventing disease.
5. Come in and receive some Acupuncture and Chinese Herbs to boost your immune and nervous systems!
Acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine both help to regulate the nervous system, endocrine system and the natural healing abilities of our bodies. I like to think of Chinese medicine as a catalyst and support system for our own healing abilities, helping the body to function more harmoniously, without taking over the natural function of the body. Acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine work in conjunction with each other and the use of both can help transform unharmonious conditions back to harmony. Using Chinese herbs and acupuncture alongside each other can reduce treatment regularities, lifestyle and nutritional changes with the season and what you can do each day is the most powerful medicine.
ZenThai Shiatsu is also a powerful modality to help regulate the nervous system and decrease the effects of stress.
What will you do this Winter to keep your Water element healthy and your body, mind and heart happy? I'd love to hear about your experiences and what helps you during Winter!
If you have any questions or want more information, please don't hesitate to connect with me!
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