The energetic Winter season is associated with the energetic aspect or element of Water. Water’s organs are the yin kidneys and the yang bladder. Both organs intimately associate with water circulation in the body. According to traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), when kidney is strong and in balance, our bodies are able to regenerate themselves, and increase youth, vibrancy and vitality. PHYTO5’s quantum energetic Water element line of skin and hair care is expressly formulated to help bring your skin, vital energy and emotions in harmony with this season and element.
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They may sound merely like metaphors but when we look at the imagery and function of the Winter/Water season, the imagery we see has direct and important relevance in our lives and health. Just as the waters of the earth freeze over, Water energy within us has the potential to harden and solidify during this season. When we are in balance with the Water element at this time, we’ll find we tend to become passive and inwardly directed. Those who dread the Winter months or who develop “cabin fever” may want to consider that they are out of balance with Water. When we are not in balance with Water we will also tend to be fearful.
In the ancient medical text, the Neijing Suwen, the Yellow Emperor* advises the following concerning the season:
“During the Winter months all things in nature wither, hide, return home, and enter a resting period, just as lakes and rivers freeze and snow falls… Retire early and get up with the sunrise which is later in Winter. Desires and mental activity should be kept quiet and subdued. Sexual desires especially should be contained as if keeping a happy secret. Stay warm, avoid the cold, and keep the pores closed. Avoid sweating. The philosophy of the Winter season is one of conservation and storage. Without such a practice the result will be injury to the kidney energy.”
Though we each have attributes of all of the five elements within us, we do have a dominant element, called our Five Element Type. We are born with this type which presents us with both challenges and gifts throughout life. It can benefit us to understand our type.
You are a Water type if the following generally describes you:
narrow shoulders, long spine
large abdomen and head
broad cheeks
somewhat darker toned complexion
cravings for salty foods
you don’t do well in the cold, especially Winter
retention of fluid
memory problems
challenging symptoms in menopause
fertility issues
low libido
viewpoint tends to be honest, objective and sensible
introspective
tendency to fear (especially when out of balance with Water)
lacking confidence
tendency to depression in Winter
challenges fitting in with others
desire for spiritual and cerebral connections with others
need for a cause to believe in or direction to follow
pursuit of knowledge and wisdom
idealistic visionary seeking to create a better world
need for connection to something greater than the self and to fulfill ambitions
a belief that life is inherently dramatic
self-imposed isolation
meditation is appealing
emotional and philosophical
ability to focus on goals
It’s important to note that the energetics of the kidneys oversee everything that we think of as aging such as: hearing loss, low back pain, knee pain, hair loss, greying hair, menopause, urinary frequency or incontinence, and feeling cold.
Whether you are Water type or a Wood, Fire, Earth, or Metal type, TCM tells us that your health and vitality hinge on whether you choose to live in harmony with energetic Winter or not. Refer back to the Yellow Emporer’s quote above for basic tips. Seek out ways to nurture your inner and outer calm. Utilize this time to more profoundly discover what lies within yourself. Hone your skills of focus and concentration. Find creative ways to surround yourself with the colors of the season–blue and black. Wear them in your clothing and decorate your home with them. Consume blue and blue black foods. Slow cook your food. Be still and quiet and conserve your energy. You’re going to need it for energetic Spring.
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Endnotes:
*The Neijing is one of the most important classics of Taoism andthe highest authority on traditional Chinese medicine. Its authorship is attributed to the great Huang Di, the Yellow Emperor, who reigned during the third millennium BCE.
Elias, Jason, and Katherine Ketcham. Chinese Medicine for Maximum Immunity: Understanding the Five Elemental Types for Health and Well-Being. Three Rivers Press, 1998.
https://www.phyto5.us/blog-1/energetic-winter-fear-chinese-medicine-anti-aging-wellness?rq=kidney