Module Six
water
“Take yourself to the source of all life
The water element is said to store the essence of life, reproduction, growth and development. Water is the evolutionary shift to Venus the flow from what was to what is. Water purifiers, births, baptises, cleanses and flows. It invites us to be with our emotions, yet not of them, to know them, yet not hold them, no them us. Would represents the will, drive and ambition to create in the world it has a strong manifesting energy, just as life manifests from the waters of the womb.
What is the season of water medicine, a time of energy to be stored and preserved the time to contract inwards, to keep warm. It is the time when we commit to potential, yet not in an active way, in a resourceful way. She is in carefully where we put our energy where can it be put to use best? Like a seed lying dormant in the soil, such as the nature of the energy of water. Look at the energy of the nature in the winter, all is quiet, always conserved, all is drawn inwards. This is a philosophical energy: imagining, reflecting, germinating and perceiving all water superpowers. Connect with the water medicine and take yourself to the source of all life: to the water, bathe, drink, admire, baptise, float or swim.
The Water Element
The water element (kidneys and bladder) when they are working well are its your seat of vitality, moving forwards and flowing with life.
When the Qi isn’t there they feel fearful and held back in life.
Key Associations
Season - Winter
Organs: Kidneys and Bladder
Strongest Time of Day: 3-7 PM (5-7 PM peak)
Taste: Salty
Emotions: Fear, fright, sadness, adventure
Direction: Downwards
Characteristics: Warming, brightening
Tissues: Bones
Sense Organ: Ears
Personality Traits: Intelligent, introverted, loyal
Injurious Climate: Cold
Seasonal Diet & Activities
Energetics: During this yin time, prioritize foods and practices that promote yang energy.
Cooking Methods: High heat, longer cooking times (baking, roasting, frying, soups, stews).
Seasonal Foods: Beans, squash, winter greens, roasted fruits, and vegetables.
Symptoms of Kidney and Bladder Imbalance
Urinary Issues: Poor bladder control, bladder infections, water retention
Fatigue: Low libido, tiredness, frequent yawning, general fatigue
Appearance: Dark under-eye circles, thinning hair, early greying
Emotional Symptoms: Fear, phobias, paranoia
Cravings: Salty foods
Physical Symptoms: Stiffness, weakness in the lower back, long-term memory loss
Functions Governed by the Kidneys
Reproductive organs and hormones
Water in the body
Our Wei Qi - Immune System
Bones, lower back, knees, lumbar region
Production of bone marrow and stem cells
Excretion of urine
Hair health (on the head)
Ears and hearing
Nourishment of teeth
Brain and memory control
KIDNEY THIEVES (what robs them of good health)
Stress, fast paced life, environmental toxins, overstimulation, lack of sleep
Diuretic, cold, fear, overworking, stimulants, travel, mutli tasking
FUNCTIONS
There are two kidneys in our bodies and in TCM they do different things -
Kidney yin lubricates, cools down, nourishes, generates blood and fluids
Kidney yang moves, provides defensive energy, warming energy and spirits
Control overall yin and yang balance
HOUSES - Jing, yuan qi (ancestral energy) and will to live (zhi)
THE WATER ELEMENT - KIDNEYS AND BLADDER
THE WATER ELEMENT - KIDNEYS AND BLADDER
The Kidneys store our Jing and Jing is the foundational treasure.
If we look back at the image we saw back in Module One, Jing is where all of our energy comes
from, our essence and foundation of our Qi - therefore we need to be make sure our Kidneys and
Jing are healthy.
JING - deepest, most fundamental aspect of the body
A reservoir or regenerative lifeforce essence.
It governs growth, development and ageing and slow unfolding of lifes changes
Constitutional energy and blueprint and longevity
Regeneration, youthfulness, long-term vitality, mental clarity, reproductive power and immunity
JING - the wax and wick of the candle from the material substance, the candies innate essence. The candles life expectancy will depend on the size of the candle and quality of the wax.
Qi - the flame is the energy and activity of the candle and provides the source of light. Requires food (wick) and air to continue and eventually the flame consumes the candle
SHEN - the light given off by the flame is the ultimate purpose of the candle. A larger candle produces a larger flame and gives off greater light.
FOOD
Leafy greens, rocket, beetroot, cinnamon, turmeric, endive, mustard greens, cacao is also brilliant, raddish, rocket
Taste – Bitter, drying, downwards, inwards, drains, clears damp
The heart is like the SUN to our body, radiating out heat and nutrients via the blood circulating the body
If love is abundant the face is normal reddish and moist and bright. If its insufficient its pale and without lustre
SHEN is energy of consciousness and awareness. Its the radiance of our spirt which lights up the dark. It’s the flame of a candle -
Since Shen resides in the Heart and circulates through our whole body in our Blood, supporting this important organ and the essence of Blood can help us to stay grounded, calm and open in our mind.
• Eat foods that have a vibrant red color
• Don’t forget, a little bit of Bitter flavour helps to extract nourishment from food and send it to the Heart
• Give your Heart and Shen flowers, in food, brewed into tea, or as flower essences
FOOD AND HERBS THAT CALM SHEN
• Longan, mulberries
• Warm raw milk
• Lavender, chamomile, valerian, motherwort, hops
• Magnesium rich foods