“There may be a great fire within our hearts, yet no one ever comes to warm himself at it, and the  passer-by sees only a wisp of smoke” (Vincent Van Gogh)

Continuation of the Seasons Series - Summer from a Chinese Medicine perspective:
Five Element (Wu Xing) theory helps us understand the world around us through a series of phases (seasons) and their associated correspondences and interrelationships. This month, we focus on how to work within the Summer season for best balance and harmony of Body, Mind and Spirit.   The nature of Summer is Yang, high energy and expansion, which means this is the time when excitement abounds: kids are out for the summer; you can hear their excited squeals as they tear about, blissfully ignorant of the heat of the afternoon sun.  We feel light and airy and free – rising as heat from a flame, or wilted and scorched when done to excess.

* Representative Organ System for the Summer Season:  
- Heart (aka The “Monarch”, “Emperor” or “Ruler”).  Organ time = 11am – 1pm
- Heart opens to the tongue and controls speech:  Have you ever wondered why your Acupuncturist looks at your tongue?  The tongue tells a lot about particular organs and their pathology, Heart included as well.  Because the Heart controls speech, we also pay attention to the content and the pattern of your speech.  On one hand, people may have pressured, rapid speech or appear to speak incessantly, whereas others may be somewhat aphasic or stutter when the Heart is in disharmony. The Heart “hates” (doesn’t care for) Heat so the Pericardium (Heart Protector) does serve to some degree to protect the Heart from this pathogen.   There is also a relationship between the Heart and Small Intestine (another Yang “organ”), and it is said that the 2 work together to ensure clarity of the Mind in order to have proper judgment and right decisions.  San Jiao (Triple Burner) is associated with the Fire element also, but is a puzzle to the general public as it is not an anatomical “organ”, but this is the beauty of Chinese Medicine:  the interrelationship of the various systems. 
- Heart governs Blood and blood vessels.  At its worse, think the physical disease of heart attacks or circulatory disorders; at its best, our circulatory system is able to meet the body’s needs as the heart pumps out blood and life-giving nutrients to every cell.  Energetically, the Heart is poetically said to be the “residence of the Mind (Shen)”,   although several of the other organs affect our Spirit-Mind as well.  When the Heart is in harmony and functioning at its best, we have great spirit & vitality, are able to fall asleep easily and have deep, restful sleep.  A disturbed Heart causes difficulty falling asleep, interrupted sleep, and vivid dreams that bother you long after waking up.

* Representative Color of Summer is red; Heart manifests in the complexion & controls sweat. 
We see this clinically when our patients present to us with red complexion (although other organs can cause Heat as well), or a red tongue tip.  Some may even have a scorched smell to them, while a lot of Heart patients will complain about the heat.  A common complaint I often hear has to do with spontaneous, random sweating, or having to change pajamas from waking up in the middle of the night drenched in sweat. One of the reasons for this may be because Heat injures Heart-Yin and causes sweating which weakens the Yang aspect of the Heart, or just really poor Heart Qi (other organs can act up too & cause problems with sweating so talk to your Acupuncturist about this).
.
* Representative Sound:  laughter; Representative Taste:  bitter; Representative Emotion:  joy. 
Laughter is the best medicine they say, and I have laughed till I cried; but people with a Heart disharmony usually have inappropriate laughter (like the nervous kind), or disruptive loud outbursts and “joy” that almost seems manic.  On the other hand, when we hold on to feelings of frustration, resentment, jealousy, or guilt for too long, we can also injure our Heart.  These patients often complain of palpitations, forgetfulness, insomnia or a really bad night’s sleep, and waking up with a bitter taste in their mouth.  Some may swing to the other extreme and actually feel depressed – joyless.

* Representative Element/Climate of Summer:  Heat. 
Excess Heat in our bodies will dry up our Yin fluids, and may show up as acne, headaches, constipation, fever, irritability, heartburn; some may even literally have a heat stroke. 

Recommendations for the Summer season:  
- A normal state of joy is necessary for life, so go ahead: en-Joy life! It’s okay to live a life of pleasure, but remember anything in excess can be of detriment so appropriate moderation versus wanton abandonment is advised :-D.  With more hours of sunshine available during summer, it’s easy to lose track of time and go-go-go all day, but get up early, take an afternoon nap if you can (I love visiting countries that have siestas), and hang out a little later at night.
- Foods that are considered hot in nature (e.g. red meat, chicken, greasy fried foods, heavy or spicy hot sauces, even alcohol!), should be minimized as much as possible during the summer months (Rutrow! There goes the family barbeque! =D).  Eat foods that are cooling, light and easy to digest like watermelon, cucumbers, berries, bok choy, summer squash, cilantro and mint.  A small amount of bitter foods like dandelion or chicory leaves, and even a little spice (pepper, ginger, horseradish) can also be beneficial in the summertime.
- It’s easy to visualize the concept of  “water puts out fire”  - in Five Element theory, this is the “Ke” or “Control” cycle and so no wonder we are drawn to the beaches or swimming pool (just avoid hanging out too long in the sun as this creates another form of Heat problem (sunburn).  We just recently had a water fight with the garden hose, and I am famous for dancing in a summer’s rain - probably to the amusement of my neighbors :D.  It is highly recommended to drink lots of water to prevent dehydration and replenish any fluids lost through excess sweat; just be sure to avoid sweetened beverages in excess.  I don’t particularly care for electrolyte enhanced water no matter how good they say they are for you (blech!).  I much prefer water infused with slices of fruits, cucumbers, lemon or mint – these are the latest rage, and they make a refreshing and healthy drink alternative in these dog days of Summer. Be careful though as we get into the later days of Summer as too much cold, sweet or damp foods can create more problems.
- See your Acupuncturist for a Summer tune-up.  With Chinese herbs, dietary therapy and acupuncture we can help you clear Heat, nourish Yin or calm Shen (settle the mind).  Not only will you have more energy and feel more vibrant, but you will sleep better, awaken feeling more refreshed and joyous to greet the day, and your Heart will thank you for it.   Here’s to your health! May your Fire continue to burn bright within!
Audrey Steele, L.Ac
Acupuncture Physician
www.Acupuncture4YourHeath.com

Simon & Garfunkel knew what they were talking about when they sang those words.  Our world is a busy, noisy, erratic place, and often it’s only when we are pushed to the limit that we vow to find a moment’s peace.  Sadly, not everyone knows that this is even an option.  We go/go/go and then we go some more, all the while listening to the voices inside our head that subliminally demand of us to do more/be more/live less.  Live less?  Yes – when we spend all that time listening to the ceaseless chatter of the monkey mind, we miss the silence of this moment.  For some of us, when we’re not listening to the voices in our heads, we resort instead to speaking without filter.  As a kid, when we got too rowdy or pestered my mum with a kajillion questions, she would say “Please let my ears eat grass!”  My Granny would calmly look at us and quietly murmur: “It is better to be silent & thought a fool, than to open your mouth and remove all doubt”  (aaaah, the wisdom of our elders!).  I remember too when I was in Acupuncture school, if any of us students whined too much about one test or another, a particular teacher would caution us: “If you don’t stop on your own, then I will personally sedate UB 10”.  In other words, “Be silent please?” Apparently, silence is golden; apparently silence is thing to be desired.  In silence is where our Truth lies.  What does the sound of silence look like to you?

All different kinds of patients present to me looking for Chinese Medicine to provide a quick fix answer to their latest health challenge.  I explain to them there is no quick fix (surprise!) and more often than not they walk away with homework to do.  One such exercise I assign them is to take 5 minutes of every day until their next visit to be in silence.  This doesn’t mean they have to be sitting still; it could be in the form of a walking meditation, a mindless task, just before dozing off, any 5 random minutes will do.  And in those 5 minutes of silence, they ask no questions, they look for no answers; they’re tasked with “just Be”.  Most find this very difficult.  Many can’t even make the time.  Several feel guilty when they do.  By day 4, they report they start to anticipate taking the 5 minutes.  At the end of the 1st week - on their own accord - they add another 2 minutes.  By day 10 they smile going into their 5 minutes, and beam coming out.  They thank me profusely on their next visit, and then they get another silent task – I call this “Grasshopper Training”. 

Grasshopper Training came about when I was growing up in New York City.  We learned to not stare at people on the train; instead, with our eyes closed we listened for the energy, emotions and unspoken words behind the conversations around us.  With our eyes closed we noticed the smells, felt the rhythm of the train tracks, and imagined how that hoagie, pizza slice or knish the guy 2 seats over was having for lunch actually tasted.  In Grasshopper Training, my patients now are instructed to take those 5 minutes & be active in the silence.  In this silence, they cannot listen to their minds’ chatter; instead they now must discern the sounds around them:  that chirp or tweet – is it of a cardinal, blue jay, crow, mocking bird or dove? Is it a blue jay mocking a mockingbird or a mockingbird mocking the blue jay? Is that helicopter zipping by overhead our local Coast Guard, news station or Trauma Center?  Just before the afternoon thunderstorms pop up, can they hear the change in the pattern of the wind, the silence of the birds, or that sudden stillness just before the rains begin? They leave flabbergasted at the impossibility of the task, but then I get an email or phone call excitedly telling me about their latest accomplishment or discovery.  I share this now with you hoping that you too will take the time to make this your practice, and that you too can find the benefits of being still.  One of my favorite passages from the Bible offers this counsel:  “Be still and know that I am God” (Psalm 46:10).  I am a very busy, Type-A personality who used to stop when it was time to sleep.  Now I like being still.  Being still is the grownup’s time-out, except this is a treat, not a punishment.  My perspective shifts, I’m like a new person, and I always feel better after 5 minutes of silence.  My 5 minutes now can involve cloud watching, listening to fishes swim in the koi pond at our local Sunken Gardens, watching a slug leave its shimmery trail, or a lizard breathing in the heat of the sun. 

When you come to me for an acupuncture treatment, somewhere between when I first put the needles in and when you catch yourself snoring, you too will have those 5 minutes of silence.   This is where you let down your guard, you release all expectations, and your mind gives up control of writing your body’s agenda.  It is in this silence that the Healing begins.  What is your experience with silence?  If you currently have no similar self-care routine, I invite you now to give yourself a 5 minute gift of silence.  Try my Grasshopper Training exercise above for a week and then let me know how it goes (comment below or shoot me an email). I now give you permission to hum along in your mind’s eye the tune of Simon & Garfunkel’s “Sound of Silence” as noted below. Om Shantï!
Audrey Steele, Acupuncture Physician
www.Acupuncture4YourHealth.com

"The Sound Of Silence"
(Simon & Garfunkel)
Hello darkness, my old friend,
I've come to talk with you again,
Because a vision softly creeping,
Left its seeds while I was sleeping,
And the vision that was planted in my brain
Still remains
Within the sound of silence.

In restless dreams I walked alone
Narrow streets of cobblestone,
'Neath the halo of a street lamp,
I turned my collar to the cold and damp
When my eyes were stabbed by the flash of a neon light
That split the night
And touched the sound of silence.

And in the naked light I saw
Ten thousand people, maybe more.
People talking without speaking,
People hearing without listening,
People writing songs that voices never share
And no one dared
Disturb the sound of silence.

"Fools," said I, "You do not know –
Silence like a cancer grows.
Hear my words that I might teach you.
Take my arms that I might reach you."
But my words like silent raindrops fell
And echoed in the wells of silence

And the people bowed and prayed
To the neon god they made.
And the sign flashed out its warning
In the words that it was forming.
And the sign said, The words of the prophets are written on the subway walls
And tenement halls
And whispered in the sound of silence.

This month’s blog is dedicated to those who Mother (verb), to my biggest inspiration – my daughter Jessica (pictured above), and comes from the wisdom of the Winged Ones, specifically Butterfly.  Those of you who know me, know I love, respect and follow the symbolism of numbers, and so again it is no coincidence I’m posting today: 5/5 (5 = change!).  And boy am I ever ready!  Taking a mental health break today, I decided to ‘peruse the perimeter of my property’.  I had had enough of being locked up for hours on end behind the technological demands of a computerized world, ringing phones, 12 hour shifts, and gloomy wet rainy days that never seemed to end.  My physical, mental, emotional & spiritual ‘Selves’ longed to be free of the demands placed on me…. I wanted to be carefree, unfettered by responsibilities, to awaken just 1 morning without an agenda or an obligation – to just…. “Be”. 
 
Dance of the Butterfly
And so, sitting on the grass, basking in the warmth of today’s long-awaited Sun, I connect with Mother Earth, Father Sky & Spirit all around me.  I have no agenda.  There is no deadline.  I am still….. And Butterfly approaches, cautiously at first; then it playfully decides to tease & flirt with me, delightfully dancing in between the leaves and flowers of my garden, then soaring gracefully to the blue skies above.  I can’t help but feel happy.  My face breaks out in smiles, I feel like skipping, and my heart is full.  I want to grow delicate wings and dance among the petals like Butterfly. Silently I wait, knowing the lesson was still to come.  And then it hits me:  the natural order of the circle of life is for the Caterpillar to experience 1st a state of being an egg, then it is restrained by the ‘chrysalis-tic” trappings of the pupa stage, until finally it emerges transformed into that which it was destined to Be: Butterfly. I don’t know if at any point, She just decided “That’s it! I’m tired of being Caterpillar.  I’m tired of crawling around on leaves.  I’m ready to grow wings &  dance amongst the flowers!”.   It  IS  the nature and timing of Divine Creator that – much as our Ego Self allows us free will – our destiny is as it is supposed to be.  Caterpillar can at no point skip the period of dormancy in preparation for the next phase; it  must endure the process and natural order and timeliness of growth and transformation.  Neither can it at any point decide to not BE Caterpillar, and strive instead to become an Eagle. 

And thus whispers (screams) my lesson today, Friends:  I will respect the role of Divine Creator in the Universe’s plan for me, while accepting full responsibility for my part (action or anticipation) in the necessary and orderly steps of its unfolding, and I will cherish the transiency of the Truth of this moment, and just “Be”.  Happy #Mothers'Day, Om Shantí, & Namasté!
“The butterfly counts not months but moments, and has time enough.” (Rabindranath Tagore)
Audrey Steele, L.Ac.
Acupuncture Physician
www.Acupuncture4YourHealth.com

As far back as we can recall, Man has always  sought advice and direction from one source or another:  The ancients looked to the moon & stars; Cultures observed  the elements of Nature as well as our friends from the Animal Kingdom; Kings and rulers consulted their astronomers; Feng Shui experts offered guidance  in proper placement even before building homes, offices and temples; The Three Wise Men followed the Star in the East purportedly at Christmastime; and my personal favorite quote from directional expert Martha Beck:  “Many people experience their true path not as something that happens to them, but as the simultaneous loss of self and complete connection with the universe…..so Find (I further interpret it to include) and  Follow your North Star”.  I was recently at dinner at one of our delightful outdoor-dining restaurants in town, and was waxing poetic about my journey thus far, the direction in which my life had taken, and wondering where the path would eventually lead.  I turned around just randomly looking out at the water, when I “noticed” the directional sign jokingly displayed on the handrail. I say “noticed” because I’d eaten there before and had seen the sign previously, but for some reason on this particular day it seemed as if the Universe was again whispering gently in my ear.  I thought for sure how I felt like I was being pulled in numerous directions at various times in my life, and yet the signs were always there to guide me - if only I stayed still long enough to pay attention and truly listen to Spirit…. Truly follow my North Star.

Full Moon, Eclipses, & Grand Cardinal Cross… Yipes!!!!
Soooooo……. if you’ve not heard about how important this month of April is to those of us who trend specific dates, planetary activities, numbers and astrology, then  may I remind you that it is no coincidence that I am posting this blog today (4-14-14), or that I feel I must remind you of the #FullMoon (Libra) AND total  #LunarEclipse tonight into tomorrow morning  (beginning around 2am and taking on a reddish glow, thus giving it the nickname “Blood Moon”). Full moons are about endings, releasing and letting go, but note that this may just mean ending the way you currently think or do things and so this is healthy and timely.  Libra is about partnerships, so seek to create balance & harmony in all your relationships. I can hardly contain myself at the time of this writing thinking about all the other exciting events bringing about change this month: 
- Pluto (transformation, letting go, endings & beginnings) turns retrograde today in Capricorn (work, career, power & ambition);
- Mercury (communication) squares Jupiter (benefactor) & Pluto but conjuncts Uranus (change, change, upheaval & change!);
- The #GrandCardinalCross (April 23rd) which already has my phone ringing off the hook with questions about “What does this mean for me?”.  With 4 planets sitting exactly equidistant from each other, they form a giant square (looks very pretty when seen from a “chart” perspective) and so now everyone’s worried about Mercury (communication) squaring Mars (action – perhaps “inaction” is more like it since Mars is still in retrograde phase until 5/19) squaring Pluto (in retrograde phase), squaring Jupiter (in Cancer) and squaring Uranus!  Huh??!!  Yup! If any of this has your head in a tizzy, you are in good company.  Don’t give up.  This too shall pass.
- Holy Week (commemorating the Passion of Christ) began Palm Sunday (4/13) and ends Holy Saturday (on 4/19) as Christians remember the crucifixion & resurrection of Christ on Easter Sunday (4/20);
- Jewish celebration of Passover/Pesach (begins today at sundown and ends sundown 4/22);
- Earth Day some celebrated in March, others on 4/22 (advocating environmental protection); and last but not least:
- Solar Eclipse in Taurus 4/29.  Eclipses (both lunar and solar) have a 3 month effect so don’t necessarily expect any major changes this exact moment.  Just know that things will not be the same before the year is out - especially since we have a total of 4 this year – I would suggest consulting a trusted astrologer to look at your natal chart to see how all of the above has the potential to affect you.

So What Does This Mean For Us?
Change is inevitable - whether you like it or not, whether you’re prepared or not - so I write this today, not to scare you but to remind you:
a) Be flexible & open to the possibilities tomorrow brings. The upcoming planetary changes are going to push us to transform in ways that may not be familiar to us; resistance brings unnecessary pain so be a little more yielding and patient with yourself and the world around you. 
b) Be aware; Knowing what’s going on within and around us prepares us so we are not caught off guard with the changing tides, but can ride the waves and adjust the sails until the “storms” pass.
c) Be at peace; Those of us who work the healthcare field swear by the Full Moon that it’s gonna be crazier than norm so remember: don’t get caught up in emotional outbursts and power plays.  Stay centered & grounded, and let your outbreath be from a place of love and serenity.
d) Be grateful – Caterpillars turn into butterflies; seeds become that which they’re destined to become; night eventually turns into day, and the moon waxes and wanes.  I particularly love Full Moons as they are pregnant with promise, so set intention to release with gratitude that which no longer serves you, in anticipation and preparation for the new.
e) Be bold! Many moons ago, I read a quote from the I-Ching that asked: “When Spring comes, does the grass plan to grow?”  In last month’s blog post (“Spring Has Sprung”- http://tinyurl.com/me8j8h4), I alluded to the fact that Spring is a time of growth, change and rebirth, and that like the bamboo, flexibility and resiliency are key to survival.  #Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine can help you deal with the stresses of these changing times.  My challenge for you this Full Moon is this:  Grow where you are planted, but “Find (and Follow) Your North Star”, and while journeying, let Oriental Medicine be 1 of the tools you use to get you through this phase of change and transformation, growth and expansion.  Namasté!
Audrey Steele, L.Ac
Acupuncture Physician
www.Acupuncture4YourHealth.com

Today - March 20th- - marks the beginning of the March/Vernal/Spring Equinox in our little part of the world, and heralds the beginning of Spring, a time when the Earth renews itself, both physically and spiritually.  Meanwhile, back at the ranch, the Southern Hemisphere welcomes the Autumn Equinox and the beginning of Fall.  In many parts of the world, cultures still continue to honor long-time traditions associated with springtime, and many of our current rituals are reflections of these ancient festivals honoring fertility and the return of Light & life after the stillness of winter. The ancient Egyptians celebrated Isis as a symbolism of rebirth, for example, and the Germanic festival of Ostara was created to honor the goddess Eostre .  Our Passover/Easter in Judaic/Christian faith, the New Year in Iran, and ‘Earth Day’ (today) are all examples of Springtime practices based on historical, cultural and spiritual beliefs.

Springtime from a Chinese Perspective
In Chinese philosophy, “Wu Xing” (or Five Element) theory can help us to understand life and the world around us through these 5 series of phases (seasons) and their associated correspondences and inter-relationships.  In previous posts on this blog site, I’ve alluded to this before, and what follows below is a quick summary of how to work with the Spring season for best balance and harmony in Body, Mind & Spirit:   
* Representative Color of Springtime:  
Green is associated with Spring in 5 Element theory.  
Rec:
Take a break from all that computer work &  rest your eyes by gazing at the surrounding greenery of Mother Nature.
* Element/Climate:  Wood/Wind
Rec:
◦ Be out in Nature more; take a walk in the woods, hug a tree & reconnect with the Earth.
◦ Avoid being exposed to too much wind on extremely windy days; if you have to, keep the back of your head & neck covered.  There are acupuncture points along the DU and Bladder meridians in that vicinity that are susceptible to Wind invasion.
* Direction:  East
Rec:
◦ Honor each new day by taking a moment to face the East when you arise, or on your way out the door.
◦ See each sunrise as a new beginning; feel the warmth of the Sun on your face & be grateful for its energy to propel all things to grow.
* Challenge:  Growth vs Feeling Stuck:
◦ Are you charging blindly ahead without careful thought (the Fool in the tarot deck), or have you carefully planned your strategies to move forward in life with grace, ease & control (Chariot in tarot deck)?
◦ Physical ailments:  Allergies, coughing, sneezing, etc.  Take good care of your lungs!  Ginger is a great anti-inflammatory agent, pears will help moisten any dry cough, foods high in Omega-3 fatty acids and quercetin have antihistamine properties and can all help to support your immune system to fight seasonal allergies.
◦ Liver overacting on Spleen → stomach pains, acid regurg, diarrhea (no control) or constipation (holding on, stuck on what no longer serves you).  Try a detox shake (the internet is loaded with suggestions) and minimize/eliminate any chemical (i.e. alcohol, cigarettes) that taxes your liver.  A fast  - even for 1 day - in keeping with the spiritual history of this season is highly recommended.
* Organ: 
Liver:  
◦ Opens to the eyes – do you have clarity of vision for the season ahead?  Are you predisposed to dizziness, red eyes, dryness or frequent tearing, mood swings, headaches?
◦ Governs blood, manifests in nails, sinews & tendons (just how flexible are you?)
◦ Is the “General in charge of Strategic Planning”  – do you have the ability to make decisions, set direction for the season ahead?
Gallbladder:
Judgment, courage & determination to follow through on decisions made – do you sit on the fence, namby-pamby, wishy-washy, vacillate on moving forward; or are you brave enough to forge ahead?
* Time:  Liver = 11pm - 1am; Gallbladder = 1am - 3am
Rec: 
Make note of what happens during these times that may be disturbing or stressful (e.g. disrupted sleep, vivid dreams, or any physical symptoms).
* Sound: Shouting
Rec:
It is important to speak your truth but instead of shouting in anger and rage, find more appropriate ways to communicate and express yourself.
◦ Lift your voice & sing!
◦ Let the windows down & jam while you’re driving!
◦ Om in the shower! 
* Release the emotions of your Liver through the sound of your voice.
* Flavor/Taste/Food:  Sour
◦ Sour flavored foods support the Liver,  but a sour taste in the mouth is not healthy.  Talk to your Acupuncturist about this.
◦ Eat lots of green leafy vegetables (young dandelion leaves are a great Liver detoxifier), sprouts (mung & adzuki bean, sunflower seeds), asparagus, broccoli, kale, milk thistle, watercress, Shitake or Reishi mushrooms,  and fresh fruits & citrus like lemons & limes.
* Emotions: 
◦ Anger
◦ Self-assertion
◦ Patience (or lack thereof)
◦ Frustration
◦ Hopelessness
◦ Irritability
* An unbalanced Liver leads to depression, anxiety, outbursts.

The 5 elements all inter-relate & depend on each other.         
Please note however, that the principle of 5 Element Theory is more complex than the above suggestions alone, as each phase is inter-dependent on the one preceding, following and interacting in cycles known as mutual generating/nourishing (aka “interpromoting”), and controlling/restraining (aka “interacting”).  There are many other aspects to this cycle as well, which make it even more intricate in designing & individualizing an acupuncture treatment plan for our patients.  Your local acupuncturist will design a treatment plan individualized for you in relation to the Spring season, whether it’s to detox the Liver, strengthen your decision making skills, help bring clarity of vision (literally & figuratively), nourish Liver Blood/Yin, or release stagnant Liver Qi so that you may grow 'confidently in the direction of your dreams’.  Here’s hoping that the seeds of health that you have planted will spring forth this Equinox in a healthier, balanced You!
Audrey Steele, L.Ac.
#Acupuncture Physician
"Earth, teach me to forget myself as melted snow forgets its life…. teach me regeneration as the seed which rises in the spring" (William Alexander).

Wellness:  Resolution or Revolution? Gong Hey Fat Choy! (Happy New Year!)  新年好
by Audrey Steele, L.Ac., DOM
Acupuncture Physician

When you see the word ‘wellness’, what images come to mind?  Actually, the more important question should be:  What is YOUR personal definition of ‘wellness’?  I recently celebrated my B-Earthday, and a very special gift given to me was the gift of personal time and self-care, with no demands placed on me by the ‘outside world’.  For over a week, I was without Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Linked-In, email, or cell-phone. Actually the cell phone was on stand-by (for other people’s emergencies – I say “other people’s emergencies” because I realized a long time ago that as long as I was at the beck and call of those around me, I would never really commit time to care for myself because I was always called in to put out fires or listen to their latest personal crisis).  This may sound cold to some of you, but for those of us who call ourselves caregivers, it is the unfortunate truth.  The term  “caregiver burnout” may even sound personal and familiar to you.  And so for many years I would take the week of my birthday off, grab my passport and backpack, & disappear to some foreign country (to the worry of my dear mother).  It was the only way I could get some ‘me’ time:  to unplug, recharge, pray, meditate, be in silence, breathe, and to see the world through the eyes of a newborn.  This annual ritual became a birthday gift to myself – the gift of health, and it never failed that on my return, I would be in a better position to be of service.  This, dear friends, is my other truth: I have absolutely NO problems  taking  time off to care for myself, without feeling an ounce of guilt.   Even Jesus took time away from His disciples and the multitudes to reflect and  reconnect with Spirit…..  Wonder if Mercury was ever retrograde during any of those times J?

Resolution vs. Revolution?
So for me – having a birthday in January  means it’s the perfect time at the beginning of a new year to take stock of my life and reevaluate all those things we typically resolve to do on the 1st of  January.  I bring to mind all the people that have graced my life, the lessons I’ve learnt over the past year, the challenges and successes, my hopes and dreams.  Like you, I make resolutions to be a better me.  And like many of you, some of my resolutions become revolutions and I end up doing a whole 360º, having to repeat them again, this time with the next new  moon.  Within this past week alone we have experienced several significant events that stimulated either a resolution or a revolution:
◦ Venus (relationships; old lovers reappear; what/whom do we value?) thankfully came out of its retrograde phase (12/21-1/31);
◦ New moon (also known as a Black Moon; 2nd in 1 month! – sudden change, new beginnings);
◦ the astrological shift from hardworking Capricorn to humanitarian freedom-loving Aquarius; 
◦ Mercury retrograde 2/6/14 (until 2/28 caution is advised since Mercury messes with anything related to communication so best to reassess before making any major commitments or purchases); and
◦ the  start of the #ChineseNewYear – signaling springtime and the year of the Green Wood Horse in the Chinese calendar.    

Application to Chinese Medicine:
Springtime in the Chinese culture is represented by the color green, and is symbolic for growth. Just like in springtime, the leaves/wood burst forth in bloom, everything is green, and life begins to stir after the sedentary reclusive period of winter.   In Chinese Medicine principles, springtime is associated with the Liver and emotions such as anger, resentment, irritation, frustration and indecisiveness.  When your Liver is healthy and in balance, your thinking is clear, you make decisions easily and confidently, and there is a healthy outlet for the emotions.  To help your Liver flow smoothly, eat as much organic produce as possible, switch from the heavier soups and stews to more lighter fare such as leafy green veggies; detox if you can, exercise, and drink lots of water to keep that Qi flowing.  A good  thing to do is to schedule yourself a session with your #Acupuncturist to get the Chinese New Year off to a healthy start. With this Green Wood Horse year, we can expect 2014 to be a year of action, adventure and forward movement.  The 2 horses pictured in this blog are of 2 of my favorite totems I have at home, for the simple reason that they are in motion and exude strength and wellness at its best. Like the horse, I don’t like to be constrained, I relish my freedom, and I find it hard to sit on the sidelines and wait for life to happen.  This Horse year is perfect for me and the plans I have for my life.  The caution for me (and you too, my friend) is to not be too reckless, impatient or high-spirited, and especially with the upcoming Mercury Retrograde period, take the time to reassess before making any sudden decisions.  Yes, I am rearing to go with my dreams and resolutions for this Chinese New Year, and I wholeheartedly commit to this Wellness Revolution!  
Mǎ nián dàjí! Best wishes for the Year of the Green Wood Horse!   马年大吉  
Audrey Steele, L.Ac. DOM
Acupuncture Physician

January 1st, 2014.  Goddess’s log……
The day dawns bleak, dismal & dreary by all appearances.  Here in my little part of the world, a light rain has graced us on this New Year’s morn - not what I had anticipated.  I had big plans to celebrate the #NewMoon – honored in native traditions as a time of new beginnings.  How apropós that it should land on the 1st day of a new year, when we make resolutions to create change for the betterment of our lives.  My typical ritual on any Moon is to go to the water’s edge and honor the importance of that moment in time.  Through prayer, meditation, reflection and ritual, I review the past, appreciate the present, and anticipate the future.  I am comforted on my journey, as I reconnect with my ancestors & Spirit, knowing that They support me in all my endeavors.  Today, therefore, is no exception.  I am again drawn to the water’s edge and the drizzle has now become my blessing, my medicine… cleansing me of the old, preparing me for the new.  I am grateful. 

And so with this New Year, on this New Moon, the advice I offer is that which you have heard before and know in your soul:
1) Your thoughts - becoming your intention – manifest in your reality.  In my Buddhist meditation classes, I am reminded that “thoughts come, thoughts go”.  When seemingly random or annoyingly repetitive thoughts pop in your head, be aware of the energy they contain.  Like a garden, with conscious intention eliminate the ‘weeds’ that stunt your growth, and nourish those elements that feed your soul.
2) Change is good.  The #resolutions we make on this day are a promise that we make to improve or make a difference in our day-to-day world.  Have a specific goal as to what your final outcome will look like; be realistic in the steps you need to take to get there; and be kind to yourself when you encounter those pieces that are beyond your control.  Here at the water’s edge, I watch in silence at  the reeds’ graceful dance as they move and yield to the gentle power of Brother Wind.  Let flexibility be your motto while you change and grow.
3) Choose good health as the foundation on which to build your dreams. Your body is your Temple. Your career, relationship, finances, your sanity even… are worth nothing without a healthy Body, Mind and Spirit. Go forth into this new year with the firm conviction that this will be your best year yet, and you will have the best health ever.  In Chinese Medicine, the Yin-Yang symbol as applied to the Body represents good health and a life that’s in balance and harmony.  #Acupuncture can help you maintain and restore your health.

Now on this rainy New Year’s Day, I leave you to contemplate an excerpt from “The Canticle of Brother Sun and Sister Moon of St. Francis of Assisi”:

Most High, all-powerful, all-good Lord, All praise is Yours, all glory, all honor and all blessings.
To you alone, Most High, do they belong, and no mortal lips are worthy to pronounce Your Name.
Praised be You, my Lord, with all Your creatures,
especially Sir Brother Sun,
Who is the day through whom You give us light.
And he is beautiful and radiant with great splendor,
Of You Most High, he bears the likeness.
Praised be You, my Lord, through Sister Moon and the stars,
In the heavens you have made them bright, precious and fair.
Praised be You, my Lord, through Brothers Wind and Air,
And fair and stormy, all weather's moods,
by which You cherish all that You have made.
Praised be You, my Lord, through Sister Water,
So useful, humble, precious and pure.
Praised be You my Lord through Brother Fire,
through whom You light the night and he is beautiful and playful and robust and strong.
Praised be You, my Lord, through our Sister,
Mother Earth
who sustains and governs us,
producing varied fruits with colored flowers and herbs.
Praise be You, my Lord, through those who grant pardon for love of You and bear sickness and trial.
Blessed are those who endure in peace, By You Most High, they will be crowned….

… Praise and bless my Lord and give Him thanks,
And serve Him with great humility.”

Blessings to you all!
Audrey Steele, L.Ac, Acupuncture Physician
www.Acupuncture4YourHealth.com

Take a moment before you read further to go back to the picture at the top of this month’s blog.  Pause for a second & take a closer look - what do you truly see?  Those poles sticking out of the water:  splotches of rust, peeled paint… reflection of months/years of not being cared for or maintained? How about that murky water:  even through the stagnant sludge, can you can see the breakthrough patterns of light reflected beneath the surface?  And what about how much of the pole you can’t see…. the portion submerged below, that part whose true surface is unseen - hidden from the naked eye?  Now go back again, and from a place deep within the peace and quiet of your heart, REALLY look at that picture again.  What feelings or thoughts are evoked as you look at the image?  Looking at this “story” of rusty poles & ragged pilings, light reflecting off of water, the interplay of light versus shadow, how are you moved?  Is there sadness or gloom because of the “darkness” of the water and the dock?  Or does this feel like a welcome reprieve from the heat of the afternoon’s sun, where you are soothed & calmed by the cool, quiet stillness of the healing energies of  Water?  Is there an analogy between this dock and how you see your physical Self? 

At this time of the year, we all make resolutions to change our lives for the better in the upcoming New Year.  It may be that our physical bodies feel battered & scarred by the stressors of daily living complicated by poor choices, and so we resolve to lose weight, eat right, exercise more, sleep later.  Or it could be that our Emotional/Mental bodies have been worn down by stress, despair, loneliness and loss, so we affirm our intentions to meditate, cuddle, release and ‘let go’.  During the holidays, we have a tendency to forget the true spirit of the season, getting caught up in the glitz, glamour and bling of lights, gifts, and excess.  We outdo our neighbors in our decorations, and we buy love with gifts that put us under unnecessary financial stress the minute the magic wears off and the bills come in. Some of us withdraw from the festivities and hide away, cocooned within our feelings and emotions.   It is no wonder so many people are left with a sense of dread each time the holidays roll around.  So was this a blog to bring you down?  No!  You know as well as I do the truth of what was just said. There were many times where I, myself, was limited by the emotional, mental and physical aches, pains and scars of my very own body.  I have felt like that dock in the picture – a little “beat-up/run-down”, uncared for.  And so, because “Namasté” means “Thee in me I see”, I usually get a patient (or two, or three… :-)  who comes to me seeking the “MagicOfChineseMedicine” to fix physical, emotional, mental and Spiritual complaints. 

Now,  back to the picture above:  at the top of 1 of those poles, what you can’t see is a sign that  says “Resume normal safe operation”.  So one of my patients comes to me with musculoskeletal symptoms and says he is limited by his budget and time, but wants me to fix him so he can go back to normal again, i.e. “Resume normal operation”.  Like the pole sticking out of the water and the rusty pilings of the dock in the picture, he’s got visible signs of wear & tear: a guarded limp, bags under the eyes, brittle hair, and numerous varicosities to name a few of his visible battle scars. And – like the pole in the picture – beneath the surface lie all the factors that make this request a real challenge for me, his #Acupuncture Physician:  age, years of dietary indiscretions, minimal & interrupted sleep, repeated overuse & strain on the musculoskeletal system, and several internal medicine diseases (obesity, diabetes, tobacco use, and high blood pressure) . All of these darn inflammatory factors compound the problem, contribute to further dis-ease and challenge the wellness plan I want to create for him.  So can I fix him in 1 magic treatment? Uhmmmm….. .... Nah, I think not! So in our first visit, we spend some time talking about his multiple TCM diagnoses, treatment plan, projected number of sessions, and expected outcomes.  We work together to set goals for him that are measurable and attainable, and spaced out over a realistic time period (sorry Buddy, there’s no magic bullet here today!).   As his Acupuncturist, can I help him “resume normal operation”?  

Well,  for starters I am limited by several factors in his constitution and lifestyle that I cannot change, but here’s where his, your <and my> commitment to wellness begins: 
a) Be committed to the wellness plan – this means you have to make wellness your priority: show up for appointments, take your medicine, do those physical things you resolved to do for the New Year, like exercising, making healthier food choices, detoxing, going to bed on time…. etc.
b) Be patient  - it took time for you to develop these health challenges so I have no special abilities to turn your life around in 1 or 2 treatments.   Situational or acute crisis challenges (e.g. stress, ankle sprain) can be significantly minimized or eliminated in fewer treatments than constitutional, chronic diseases (e.g. diabetes, substance withdrawal).
c) Be willing & open to change  – I’m going to ask you to do some things that some may consider far out or spacey.  Energy is like the wind  – invisible to the naked eye but boy, can you feel its power when it unleashes its force!  I may suggest rolfing or EMDR; I  may ask you to do some tapping exercises (EFT), chakra balancing meditation, journaling, or grounding techniques, for example.  Amongst other things, you are a product also of your thoughts, beliefs and feelings, so we will work on physical, emotional, mental and Spiritual levels.
d) Be brave – the space I have created for you while in my care is a safe place.  It is where you can let your guard down and trust me as I care for you during our time together.  And although I am no psychotherapist, it is where you can bare your soul. Deep within the recesses of our minds (as in the picture above where the poles lay buried below the surface), are the thoughts & feelings we hide  that contribute to making us feel not complete, not lovable, not good enough, or not worthy.   They weaken our resolve so that we make unwise choices.  They are masked by the external trappings of the clothes we wear, or our outside appearance, as we project a certain image to the people who “see” us.     

There is an old spiritual song that says “Wade in the water; Wade in the water children; Wade in the water, God’s gonna trouble the water”.  I know the cultural history of this beautiful song, but for some Medicines, the Water element represents the emotional plane, so I’m challenging you now to take a step into looking at how your emotions enslave you and cause you to make the wrong decisions.  Let the energy of Water cleanse you as you prepare for the New Year: go to a body of water, listen to it; look deep into the stillness of water; inhale its Essence, wade in it, bathe in it, and set intention to release – through the power of water – all that bogs you down on the emotional plane.   As your Acupuncturist, I can help polish the barnacles off your exterior, but through the power of Chinese Medicine, I will have to go below the surface to stimulate and move Qi, tonify Spleen, drain Damp, transform Phlegm, nourish Yin, Invigorate Yang, soothe Liver, calm Shen, strengthen ligaments, bones & tendons, warm the Gate of Vitality – whatever it takes, to correct those imbalances that have accumulated over the years, so that Yes, you can have a healthier New Year.  With the holidays coming up and 2014 only weeks away, go ahead and  make those resolutions for living a fuller, healthier more balanced lifestyle. Chinese medicine can help you do all of that, and I am here to serve. 
Audrey Steele, Lac.
Acupuncture Physician
The moon does not think to be reflected, nor does the water think to reflect in the Hirosawa Pond.(Tesshu)