Sunspot activity influences telepathic and telekinetic activity

Below are a few excerpts from the book The Intention Experiment by Lynne McTaggart, Free Press, New York, 2007, ISBN 0743276957.

In the chapter titled "The Right Time," she reports on studies and experiments done at times of both low and high geomagnetic activity, particularly sunspot activity. To begin, on page 104, after talking about human heart rate variability and activity, it points out:

"It is not surprising that biological systems like human beings are sensitive to external signals, such as geomagnetic disturbances. Magnetic fields are caused by the flow of electrons and atoms with charge, known as ions, and whenever magnetic forces change, they alter the direction of the flow of these atoms and particles. Ultimately, since living organisms are also composed of particles like electrons, any profound change of magnetic direction may markedly alter their biological processes.

"Once [scientist Franz] Halberg understood the effect of the Earth's geomagnetic field on living things, he renamed his life's work "chronoastrobiology" – the rhythms of biology as affected by astral bodies. The sun was the giant metronome setting the pace for all life."

Further down the road, quite a few scientists did studies and experiments on the geomagnetic influence on brain functioning. I'll share a few of the best. These are just snapshots of the info; if you are interested in all the details, read the book! I highly recommend it!

P. 104: "They discovered that geomagnetic activity has a strong influence on brain functioning. During magnetically stormy days, EEG readings get destabilized. Geomagnetic turbulence also disturbs the balance between certain parts of the brain and profoundly disrupts communication within the nervous system, overactivating certain aspects of the autonomic nervous system and lowering others."

P. 106: "Contact with geomagnetic fields may play a primary role in maintaining the equilibrium of the nervous system, Indeed, the Earth's tiny geomagnetic fluctuations have the most profound effect on the two major engines of the body: the heart and the brain."

P. 107: "Our 'sense of self' and our sense of 'the other' are housed in both temporal loves, but primarily in the left hemisphere, where the language centers are located. To function normally, the left and right temporal lobes must work in harmony. If something upsets this balance, the brain will sense another 'self' and create a hallucination. As Persinger discovered in his experiments, stimulating the right temporal lobe portion of the brain geneates the sense, presence, or feeling of spiritual visions, both good and bad."

P. 107-8: "It would have been tempting for Persinger to conclude that all spiritual experience is simply geomagnetically induced hallucination, except for one unsettling fact: extrasensory perception and other psychic abilities appear to be more acute during particular types of geomagnetic activity. When the Earth is 'calm' and geomagnetic flux at an ebb, telepathic and extrasensory perceptions increase. Even minor environmental changes – from slight variations in the weather to solar patterns – appear to have a profound effect on extrasensory perception or the ability to view things remotely. The reverse occurs with psychokinesis – mental attempts to change physical matter. The power of intention increases when the Earth's energy is agitated."

P. 109-10: "But do geomagnetic fields also affect the strength of our [mental/psychic] transmissions and their effect on the physical world? Research by Stanley Krippner offers a few clues. Krippner wished to rest the hypothesis that psychokinesis is likely to occur on days when the Earth is 'noisy.' He and his team visited Brazilian sensitive Amyr Amiden, known for his extraordinary psychokinetic ability, and set about comparing the time of Amiden's psychokinetic activities with geomagnetic fluctuations in the Brasilia area, where the sessions were taking place."

P. 110: "The team found a significant correlation between Amiden's psychic feats and the daily geomagnetic index for the entire southern hemisphere. For instance, Amiden performed the most feats on March 10 and March 15, which were the days that month with the greatest geomagnetic activity. He produced nothing out of the ordinary on March 20, the geomagnetically quietest day of the month."

P. 110: "Psychologist William Braud carried out some intriguing studies of the effect of geomagnetic fields on intention by examining whether high levels of geomagnetic activity were correlated with powers of remote influence. Braud examined the effect of sending intention to human blood cells and to another person. Like Krippner, he discovered that the success of intention was linked to a 'noisy' sun producing high geomagnetic activity."

P. 110 Besides solar activity, other environmental factors should be considered in working out the best times to send information. A number of scientists, including Persinger, found that certain days and certain times of day influence the success of ESP and psychokinesis . The best results occur around 1 P.M. local sidereal time, which is time measured by our relation to the stars, not the sun. Local sidereal time is worked out as the hour angle of the vernal equinox, where the plane of the Earth's equator would intersect with that of its orbit, if measured out in the heavens. Psychokinetic effects also seem to be greater about every thirteen days, at times when solar wind is modulated."

To enable you to use this information in planning your own telepathic/telekinetic education and experiences, I've included a table of predicted sunspot activity so that you may choose the best times for your activities.

The table below is from the link below. I copied only from 2008, where it appears that the current cycle began since the numbers for November and December of 2008 are the lowest, to the end of the table.

Sunspot prediction by month 1997 to 2019

http://solarscience.msfc.nasa.gov/images/ssn_predict.txt 

Cycle 24 Sunspot Number Prediction (November 2009)

Year Mon  95%   50%    5%

2008   1   8.0   2.6   0.0

2008   2   7.6   2.4   0.0

2008   3   7.2   2.2   0.0

2008   4   6.8   2.0   0.0

2008   5   6.4   1.9   0.0

2008   6   6.0   1.7   0.0

2008   7   5.7   1.6   0.0

2008   8   5.4   1.4   0.0

2008   9   5.1   1.3   0.0

2008  10   4.8   1.2   0.0

2008  11   4.6   1.1   0.0

2008  12   4.6   1.1   0.0

2009   1   4.7   1.2   0.0

2009   2   5.1   1.3   0.0

2009   3   5.7   1.6   0.0

2009   4   6.5   1.9   0.0

2009   5   7.6   2.5   0.0

2009   6   9.0   3.1   0.0

2009   7  10.5   4.0   0.0

2009   8  12.3   5.0   0.0

2009   9  14.2   6.1   0.0

2009  10  16.4   7.4   0.0

2009  11  18.7   8.8   0.0

2009  12  21.1  10.4   0.0

2010   1  23.7  12.2   0.7

2010   2  26.4  14.0   1.7

2010   3  29.2  16.0   2.8

2010   4  32.1  18.1   4.1

2010   5  35.1  20.3   5.4

2010   6  38.2  22.5   6.9

2010   7  41.3  24.8   8.4

2010   8  44.4  27.2  10.0

2010   9  47.6  29.6  11.7

2010  10  50.7  32.1  13.4

2010  11  53.9  34.5  15.1

2010  12  57.0  37.0  16.9

2011   1  60.1  39.4  18.7

2011   2  63.2  41.8  20.5

2011   3  66.2  44.3  22.3

2011   4  69.2  46.6  24.1

2011   5  72.0  48.9  25.9

2011   6  74.8  51.2  27.6

2011   7  77.5  53.4  29.3

2011   8  80.2  55.6  31.0

2011   9  82.7  57.6  32.6

2011  10  85.1  59.6  34.1

2011  11  87.4  61.5  35.6

2011  12  89.6  63.3  37.1

2012   1  91.6  65.0  38.4

2012   2  93.6  66.6  39.7

2012   3  95.4  68.2  40.9

2012   4  97.1  69.6  42.1

2012   5  98.7  70.9  43.1

2012   6 100.1  72.1  44.1

2012   7 101.4  73.2  44.9

2012   8 102.6  74.2  45.7

2012   9 103.6  75.0  46.4

2012  10 104.5  75.8  47.1

2012  11 105.3  76.4  47.6

2012  12 106.0  77.0  48.0

2013   1 106.5  77.4  48.4

2013   2 106.9  77.8  48.7

2013   3 107.1  78.0  48.8

2013   4 107.3  78.1  48.9

2013   5 107.3  78.1  49.0

2013   6 107.2  78.0  48.9

2013   7 107.0  77.9  48.7

2013   8 106.6  77.6  48.5

2013   9 106.2  77.2  48.2

2013  10 105.6  76.7  47.8

2013  11 105.0  76.2  47.4

2013  12 104.2  75.6  46.9

2014   1 103.4  74.8  46.3

2014   2 102.5  74.1  45.7

2014   3 101.4  73.2  45.0

2014   4 100.3  72.3  44.2

2014   5  99.1  71.3  43.4

2014   6  97.8  70.2  42.6

2014   7  96.5  69.1  41.7

2014   8  95.1  67.9  40.7

2014   9  93.6  66.7  39.7

2014  10  92.1  65.4  38.7

2014  11  90.5  64.1  37.7

2014  12  88.9  62.7  36.6

2015   1  87.2  61.3  35.5

2015   2  85.5  59.9  34.4

2015   3  83.7  58.5  33.2

2015   4  81.9  57.0  32.1

2015   5  80.1  55.5  30.9

2015   6  78.3  54.0  29.8

2015   7  76.4  52.5  28.6

2015   8  74.5  51.0  27.4

2015   9  72.7  49.4  26.2

2015  10  70.8  47.9  25.1

2015  11  68.9  46.4  23.9

2015  12  67.0  44.9  22.8

2016   1  65.1  43.3  21.6

2016   2  63.2  41.8  20.5

2016   3  61.3  40.3  19.4

2016   4  59.4  38.8  18.3

2016   5  57.6  37.4  17.2

2016   6  55.7  35.9  16.2

2016   7  53.9  34.5  15.1

2016   8  52.1  33.1  14.1

2016   9  50.3  31.7  13.2

2016  10  48.6  30.4  12.2

2016  11  46.9  29.1  11.3

2016  12  45.2  27.8  10.4

2017   1  43.5  26.5   9.5

2017   2  41.9  25.3   8.7

2017   3  40.3  24.1   7.9

2017   4  38.8  23.0   7.2

2017   5  37.3  21.8   6.4

2017   6  35.8  20.8   5.7

2017   7  34.4  19.7   5.1

2017   8  33.0  18.7   4.4

2017   9  31.6  17.7   3.8

2017  10  30.3  16.8   3.2

2017  11  29.0  15.8   2.7

2017  12  27.7  15.0   2.2

2018   1  26.5  14.1   1.7

2018   2  25.4  13.3   1.3

2018   3  24.2  12.6   0.9

2018   4  23.2  11.8   0.5

2018   5  22.1  11.1   0.1

2018   6  21.1  10.4   0.0

2018   7  20.1   9.8   0.0

2018   8  19.2   9.2   0.0

2018   9  18.3   8.6   0.0

2018  10  17.4   8.0   0.0

2018  11  16.6   7.5   0.0

2018  12  15.8   7.0   0.0

2019   1  15.0   6.6   0.0

2019   2  14.3   6.1   0.0

2019   3  13.6   5.7   0.0

2019   4  12.9   5.3   0.0

2019   5  12.3   4.9   0.0

2019   6  11.6   4.6   0.0

2019   7  11.0   4.2   0.0

2019   8  10.5   3.9   0.0

2019   9  10.0   3.6   0.0

2019  10   9.4   3.4   0.0

2019  11   9.0   3.1   0.0

2019  12   8.5   2.9   0.0

I Ching (Yijing) throughout the year – the Tidal Gua (aka the Monthly Hexagrams)

There are twelve special hexagrams in the Yijing (I Ching) that are often called the Tidal Gua. They each represent a solar month and are symbolic of the rise and fall of yang and yin throughout the course of the year, starting with the Chinese Solar New Year in February.

The equinoxes and solstices are also each represented by a hexagram which will be described in the appropriate month.

February

The I Ching hexagram governing this month is number 11, Tai, Advance, or Peace, Harmony, Good Opportunity. The element is Earth, and the chakra is the Solar Plexus. This is the first month in the Chinese solar calendar ~ Happy New Year ~ !

This is an especially favorable time...the beginning of a new year...and as all beginnings, notice that it starts in balance with the lower yang lines and upper yin lines. The active energies are strengthening and moving upward and outward. The passive energies are decreasing, resting on and meeting with the active. Since the trigrams move toward each other, the lower moving upward, and the upper moving downward, this symbolizes the combining or co-mingling of opposites thereby establishing a state of balance and harmony of the natural energies. In the trigram family, the upper yin lines represent the Mother, the lower yang lines represent the Father. When Mother and Father come together, all things may be conceived, may be born, grow and prosper.

Also, this is a reminder to us to work toward the balance of inner strength, virtue and correct conduct, with outer softness, showing mercy and compassion to others. Personal spiritual growth and self-cultivation is a good thing to work on at this time. The days are a little longer and a little warmer, allowing us to get outside and back into Nature. That, in turn, gives us the opportunity to mingle with others (we all get out more when the weather is nicer!) and share some of that rising, positive energy.

March

The I Ching hexagram governing this month is number 34, Da Zhuang, Great Strength, thunder over sky or heaven. The phase is wood, the chakra is the Heart. With the coming of the Spring Equinox this month, we see that growing yang has overbalanced receding yin. Being of the wood phase, the energies are outward moving, but sideways, like a tree sprouting spring buds, rather than straight upward. Eventually the leaves will reach for the sun, but not yet. Likewise, we are coming out of a hibernation of sorts, re-exploring our newborn surroundings after the sleep of winter. The Great Strength we see is the inner strength of Virtue; outwardly, we should still reach with the gentle, soft touch of the heart when dealing with others. An astral journey may be indicated with the feet (thunder) over the head (heaven); this reversed body position could be symbolic of climbing the upside-down World Tree sometimes depicted in Northern Asia as having roots in heaven and branches touching the earth...the paradox of going up (toward heaven) and down (toward the roots) at the same time. Thunder in the sky represents the spring rains that will nourish the crops, the food to sustain Life and bring future prosperity, both physical and spiritual. Thunder, the eldest son, above Heaven, the father, reminds me of the scene in the movie "The Lion King" where King Mufasa, standing on the cliff above the other citizens of the African plains, holds aloft his eldest cub Simba, his great promise for the future. That scene always gives me goosebumps, much like an approaching thunderstorm!

Spring Equinox is symbolized by hexagram number 51, The Arousing, Shocking, thunder over thunder. This is quite a lively month with all the thunder symbolism! Doubled thunder represents a blast of energy, doubled feet a lot of movement. There is great potential for creativity and new beginnings, but much disruption, too. Like the warning of the Tarot Tower card, caution must be taken that any "shock" be met with inner firmness and outer flexibility, be weathered creatively but not allowed to push us from our path.


April

The I Ching hexagram governing this month is number 43, Guai, Eliminating, or Resolution (equivalent to "eliminating" obstacles or hesitation), lake over heaven/sky. The phase is metal, and the chakra is the throat. As coincidence has it, this chakra attribute coincides favorably with the upper trigram which also represents the mouth, and the advice of the I includes "Declaring," "howling," and to "notify," all voice related activities. This is a time when the five strong lines below are one step away from eliminating the weak yin line at the top. The image speaks of water from the lake accumulating high above. There is the tension as of a coming storm. (You may be reminded, as I am, of the little poem "April showers/bring May flowers.") As it happens, it's raining even as I write this!

The lower trigram of three yang lines is the Father. Of the metal element, this is indicative of great inner strength and wisdom. The upper three lines, two yang and one yin, the lake, is the youngest daughter in the trigram family. She is named "The Joyful" or "The Joyous." Her elemental correspondence is metal also, making this a very strong combination indeed. The strength of the yang lines pushing upward and finally bursting through the one yin line shows that we can overcome any lingering inferior yin forces. It is definitely a time for overcoming obstacles (within ourselves, or in our external environment), for action and support for worthy causes! However, rushing into action recklessly would be a mistake.

It is worth noting that our youngest, joyful daughter also represents the metal of weapons -- and we can't help be wary of having "sharp tongues." Speaking out sharply would only cause further strife when we are trying to relieve tensions. Rather, we should take the time to consider and choose our words carefully, use our Voices, yet resolve to speak out against negative influences with thought, clarity, and virtue.

May

The I Ching hexagram governing this month is number 1, Qian, The Creative, or Initiating, heaven/ sky over heaven/sky. The phase is metal, and the chakra is the third eye.

Heavenly, yang energies are at their peak this month just as the longest days of the year occur during this month. Sometimes people wonder why this is the May hexagram instead of June, as we usually think of June as being the Summer, very yang, month. The reason is the Solstice; Just as the hours of daylight were (finally!) longer than the hours of darkness with the coming of the Equinox in March, the hours of daylight begin to wane again with the coming of the Solstice in June. Therefore, May is really the month with the most hours of sunlight each day.

This hexagram is one of the few which contain all four of the most auspicious Judgments in the I Ching: sublime initiation (yuan), prosperous and smooth (heng), favorable and successful (li), and steadfast and upright (zhen). It contains the full circle of sprouting, growing, blooming, and bearing fruit. Ancient oracle bones tell us that this sequence once may have represented the proper way to conduct a divination. Heng and zhen meant "sacrificial offerings" (to Heaven, Earth, and ancestors) and "divination" respectively. Master Huang, in The Complete I Ching, says "From the ancient pictographs of yuan, heng, li, and zhen we comprehend that one needs to prepare for divination by aligning with the spirit of Heaven and Earth and presenting sincerity and reverence as sacrificial offerings; then one will reap the harvest of the divination to obtain guidance for favorable actions and to avoid misconduct that invites misfortune." (p.23)

This information, combined with the third eye chakra (Second Sight!) correspondence, not to mention the real & symbolic "light" of this month, it seems that divinations are especially favored! You may want to ask at this time what the next year will bring. Good luck!

June

The I Ching hexagram governing this month is number 44, Gou, Encountering, or Meeting Together, heaven/sky over wind/wood. The phase is metal, and the chakra is the crown. Following the Summer Solstice, the yin, dark energies begin their yearly return as we see in the bottom line of this hexagram; the darkness beginning to encroach on and displace the bright yang lines.

Because of the single yin line at the bottom, which is advancing, this hexagram is considered an unfavorable omen; dark forces or unworthy persons are approaching. The wind in the sky penetrates everywhere; one must be vigilant lest negative influences try to worm their way into one's life. Competition between the yang lines (men) for the single yin line (woman) is another symbol associated with this sign: beware of entering into competition with people or the Self; arguments and disruptions will surely occur if you do. Also, take care to not regress into bad habits.

The summer solstice is marked by hexagram number 30, Li, Radiance, or Brightness, fire doubled. Fire is the symbol of the sun. It is also the symbol of the middle daughter, and of the eye; the middle daughter is the diviner, the clairvoyant who sees clearly and can interpret well the advice received through an I Ching divination. Fire is also sometimes referred to as "the clinging" because it clings to that which is burning. When one "clings" to brightness, that which is virtuous and correct, one is able to avoid darkness and danger. However, one should not attach to too much brightness, or one will burn oneself out!


July

The I Ching hexagram governing this month is number 33, Dun, Retreat, heaven/sky over mountain. The phase is metal, and the chakra is the Third Eye; having reached the crown last month, qi is now moving down the front of the body as the Microcosmic Orbit, as it is known in qi gong, continues.

The dark, yin forces are advancing. Retreat tells us that now is not the time to oppose them. Just the opposite, we are advised to draw back and regroup. How does one draw back? In an orderly fashion. This is not a turn-tail-and-run sort of withdrawal, but rather we should acknowledge the strengthening of dark forces without becoming involved with them. The two trigrams, heaven and mountain, do not move toward each other; the favorable energy of heaven moves upward, but the mountain stands still. Allow yourself to look upward, beyond the negativity; rise above it and stand fast in your virtue.

The top trigram also represents the father, and the sage, the repository of creativity and wisdom. The lower mountain trigram represents the youngest son. In other cultures, when the youngest son goes to his father for a lesson, he seldom fires off questions; he sits quietly and observes keenly. These are his lessons; patience, looking beyond the trivial, and paying attention to the higher, important happenings. An appropriate proverb might be "Good things come to those who wait."

When we seek creativity and wisdom, we should emulate the youngest son, assume the stillness of a mountain (better yet, find a place to sit on top of one) quietly in meditation, retreat to an inner place, and watch what unfolds from the heavens, for, assuredly, something will!


August

The I Ching hexagram governing this month is number 12, Pi, Hindrance or Misfortune, heaven/sky over earth. The phase is metal, and the chakra is the throat; qi continues to move down the front of the body as the Microcosmic Orbit of circulating energy continues.

There is no integration of yin and yang energy here; worse, the yang energy above, following its natural course, continues to move upward and farther away while the yin energy below continues to sink further downward foretelling the continuation of imbalance and disharmony. Master Hua Ching Ni, in The Book of Changes and the Unchanging Truth, tells us: "Much is given; little is received." (p. 282) All our energy is being poured outward; our inner energy is in danger of being completely depleted if we continue to give without remembering to rejuvenate ourselves.

Perhaps we have, during these longer and balmy summer days, spent more of our time out and about enjoying Nature than we have spent practicing the cultivation of inner energy or our spiritual selves. We may have gotten "carried away" with all the outdoor activity of the season, and may now be experiencing a decline in our reserves. (It's somewhat amazing to notice the number of people who are relieved by the arrival of Labor Day in September...they get to slow down a little!

Of course, everything cycles over time, so while we should certainly be careful at a time like this which calls to our attention the prevailing state of imbalance and disharmony, we know that this is not a lasting condition; we need only to return to the practice of cultivating our inner selves and spiritual energy.

September

The I Ching hexagram governing this month is number 20, Guan, Watching, Contemplation or Point of View, wind/wood over earth. The phase is wood, and the chakra is the heart.

With the equinox fast approaching, the dark hours will soon overtake the daylight hours; so begins the seasonal strength of the annual yin cycle. Guan is sometimes spelled Kuan, and this hexagram may belong to Kuan Shih Yin, the Bodhisattva of Compassion. The trigrams of wind and earth represent the eldest daughter and the mother; the hexagram itself resembles the doorway to the temple, or an altar. The advice for this symbol is to prepare oneself to make a sacrifice. Perhaps the mother and her daughter come together to celebrate a ceremony of thanks for an abundant harvest, or perhaps they prepare for meditative practice where the offering is made to "show one's sincerity," (Huang, p 186) remembering it is as important to maintain spiritual practice at one's inner altar as to visit the temple or shrine.

It is also a time for looking back over the year to ponder your accomplishments. Did you do what you set out to do? Do you need to continue efforts in any area?

Also, in actually looking downward (from the "high" yang lines at the top), which implies that you, as a person in a "high" place, are looking "down" upon your followers, you have the opportunity as a leader to make sure you are leading in a correct and virtuous manner. Do not watch just your followers; more importantly, watch yourself as well so that inner negative forces do not overcome the positive. Keep in mind, a person in a "high" place is always being watched by someone! As Master Ni says, "Just as a penetrating wind pervades everywhere, a good way of life and good teachings influence everyone they touch." (Ni, p. 328)

The autumnal equinox.









October

The I Ching hexagram governing this month is number 23, Bo, Falling Away, Erosion or Decline, mountain over earth. The phase is earth, and the chakra is the solar plexus.

This hexagram is often spoken of as depicting a landslide; the single yang line at the top of the mountain cannot be supported properly by the advancing yin lines of the earth, and therefore yang energy will soon disintegrate. The youngest son (the mountain) may want to advance or stand alone away from his mother (the three yin lines at the bottom), but his strength has been vastly reduced; he has no other recourse but to accept the darkness of the time and await the turning of the seasons. As Master Ni succinctly says, "Now is not a good time to go anywhere." (p. 344)

We see here a reminder of two things. First, stay grounded and be prepared; the mountain also indicates thoughtfulness and steadiness. We know that winter will soon be upon us; plan for the season. Be sure the pantry is well stocked, and the firewood is close at hand. Don't even try to rush around at the last minute, or you may feel as though you are caught in the middle of a landslide! Second, this is not a time to depend on others - remember, the yin lines cannot offer proper support to our actions. Depending too much on others could mean lack of preparedness just when it's most needed.

This hexagram looks too much like a doorway to not comment upon that symbolism. This is definitely a time to "go inside," go within yourself. This is surely the time for meditation (mountain), and calmness and transformation (earth). Hopefully, your transformation won't be of the "landslide" variety. But even the fall of a mountain opens new vistas and new paths to tread, though the going may at first be rocky.

November

The I Ching hexagram governing this month is number 2, Kun, Responding or Receptiveness, earth over earth. The phase is earth, and the chakra is the sacral.

Due to the reintroduction of yang energy at the Winter Solstice, November is the most yin month of the year, hence the hexagram of six yin lines. This is the hexagram of Mother Earth, just as the trigram of three yin lines represents the Mother in the trigram family.

She is both the receptive and the responsive for that is the interaction of her strength, and yet she contains the potential to manifest all creative possibilities. At this time we are like the seed in its furrow of earth waiting patiently (for how else does a seed wait?) for the warmth of spring to stir us to virtuous deeds. It is a time to be completely grounded and know where you come from, a time to follow along with the seeming drowsiness of winter, and yet a time of great potential if one practices meditations and visualizations for the future.

Now is the time of gestation. Imagine yourself as the earth resting beneath her snowy blanket. Go within, Be quiet, Follow your dreams.

December

The I Ching hexagram governing this month is number 24, Fu, Return or Turning Back, Earth (upper three lines) over Thunder (lower three lines). The element or phase is Earth, and the chakra is the Root Chakra. In the Chinese calendar, December is the eleventh month. It embraces the Winter Solstice which is marked by the single Yang line at the bottom of the hexagram; outward, active energies are just beginning to cycle in and upward but, as yet, remain buried deep within the stillness of earth like a seed awaiting the summons of spring. The symbolism of this hexagram is of a person turning homeward, or inward. Spiritually, it indicates a time of turning back to the source, our inner selves and our inner connections. This is a good month to sit by a warm fire with a cup of hot cocoa (with marshmallows!) and contemplate or meditate upon that inner spark of the lightening which accompanies Thunder, that tiny flame in the DanTien (our Spirit Energy Center) which connects us to the Higher Powers.

The Winter Solstice itself is governed by hexagram number 29, Kan, Darkness or Abyss, water over water. Here we see the yang energies, lines 2 and 5, trapped between yin energies just as the short winter days are trapped between long winter nights. (The lines that make the sign for water can be seen as the winter solstice day from midnight to midnight: 8 hours of darkness - bottom yin line, 8 hours of light - center yang line, and 8 hours of darkness - top yin line.) One way to interpret and apply the symbolism of this hexagram is to be like water: the water (the yang line) flows between the earthen banks (the yin lines). It remains steadfast on its course. Water has the ability to overcome the firmest of obstacles with its gentle persistence. (Consider its effect on the Grand Canyon!) When we meet obstacles with gentleness, remain flowing and letting the earth guide us along our course, we will usually find that the turning point toward a favorable outcome is nearer than we expected.


January

The I Ching hexagram governing this month is number 19, Lin, Approaching or Advancing, Earth (upper three lines) over Marsh or Lake (lower three lines). In the Chinese calendar, January is the twelfth month. The element or phase is Earth. Yang energy is increasing (note there are now two yang lines at the bottom) and moving upward and outward. Internally, this indicates energy moving upward along the spine to the Sacral Chakra. (Energy movement is upward following the yang Governing Vessel Meridian until June when it reaches the Crown. In July, it begins to descend along the yin Conception Vessel Meridian (front of the body), returning to the Root Chakra again in December. In Qi Gong, moving qi through your body along these channels is called the Small Heavenly Circuit.)

The trigram Earth represents the mother; the Lake represents the youngest daughter, and the mouth or voice. One of the written symbols for this hexagram indicates a person in a position of leadership; some suggest a teacher. The name of the hexagram implies the leader or teacher is growing toward greatness. Another part of the ancient writing for Lin shows three mouths, indicating "people." Perhaps the leader is moving toward greatness with her timely and correct advice or lessons to her followers.

Spiritually, it is a time to become more active, and yet be responsive to your inner voice. Perhaps dialoguing with your inner mother-self in a journal would be beneficial and help to clarify lessons you have learned that have led you on the correct path. It is also a time to be a good daughter/listener, to yourself and to others. As the Sacral is the chakra of partnerships, your inner dialogue may find an outward expression by your adopting the role of a big sister, leading or teaching others through the sharing of your experiences and insights.

For an excellent explanation of how these hexagrams came to represent the months of the year, see LiSe Heyboer's "From Gui to Gua" page on her website "Yi Jing, book of sun and moon."

Why Feng Shui Works – Scientists Discover Magnets In Brain

A Luopan, the traditional feng shui compass

I love stories like this. They renew my faith in the natural order of the universe. Not that my faith needed renewing, but too many times people blame the natural order for being obscure, not themselves for not having enough information.

The art of Feng Shui measures the cycles of the Earth's electromagnetic field and applies this influence to the directions and dwellings of human beings. Yes, folks, not only do you really intercept this field, it really affects you in ways you can't imagine unless you have a feng shui reading done.

It is also my personal belief that at birth, the magnets in your brain are "set" in some way based upon the positions of the planets, and that is why astrology "works" also, but I don't yet have scientific proof of that idea.

However, I do have proof that we humans have the capability and therefore the likelihood of detecting and being affected by the Earth's electromagnetic fields.

Read on……

From the Earth's magnet field affects humans website:

ITEM 43:

Microscopic magnets have been found in the human brain that might help explain possible links between cancer and electromagnetic fields, scientists said Monday.

'They are little biological bar magnets' made of crystals of the iron mineral magnetite, said geobiologist Joseph Krischvink of the California Institute of Technology. 'This really is an exciting discovery.' . . . Homing pigeons, whales, salmon, honeybees and some shellfish and bacteria have microscopic magnets . . . "

- Associated Press, Omaha World-Herald. Tiny Crystal Magnets Found in Human Brain. May 12, 1992.

Here is the whole story as reported in the Syracuse, NY newspapers, the evening "Herald Journal" or the morning "Post Standard." I'm not sure which newspaper it was in; I have the original clipping, but failed to record which paper or the date I clipped it. I assume it was clipped close to the date as listed above, May 12, 1992, since it appears to be the same AP article.

*** Begin Quote

Scientists Discover Magnets In Brain

Crystals may explain the side effects of home appliances.

Pasadena, Calif. (AP) - Microscopic magnets have been found in the human brain that might help explain possible links between cancer and electromagnetic fields, scientists said Monday.

'They are little biological bar magnets" made of crystals of the iron mineral magnetite, said geobiologist Joseph Krischvink of the California Institute of Technology. "This really is an exciting discovery."

The crystals are strongly magnetic, unlike other iron compounds in the body. They come in two sizes, about one-millionth and 10-millionths of an inch wide," he said during a news conference.

Homing pigeons, whales, salmon, honeybees and some shellfish and bacteria have microscopic magnets.

In recent years, scientists found growing but inconclusive evidence that electromagnetic fields, or EMF's, might increase the risk of certain cancers, including childhood leukemis and brain tumors.

EMF's are invisible electric and magnetic fields generated by power lines, appliances, and everything electrical.

Many physicists doubt any EMF-cancer link because "they thought there were no plausible mechanisms by which electromagnetic fields could affect biological tissue," Kirschvink said.

The study found an average human brain contains about 7 billion microscopic magnets, weighing a total of one-millionth of an ounce, said associate research engineer Atsuko Kobayashi-Kirschvink, who co-authored the study and is married to Kirschvink.

*** End Quote

Further evidence from the Earth's magnet field affects humans website:

ITEM 44:

"Every organism including the human organism, demonstrates cycles of biological and mental-emotional activity closely linked to geomagnetic force-field patterns and more complex force-field interrelations, both planetary and solar-terrestrial in scope. Human behavior is influenced through the direct current control system of the brain by the terrestrial magnetic field, solar and planetary conditions, and both high and low energy cosmic radiation."

- Dr. Robert O. Becker, Medical Research, Syracuse University.

ITEM 45:

"I found in my research that this permeability (of blood cells) is under the direct control of (Earth's) geomagnetic field. Apparently the control is connected with changes occurring in the water molecules of the membranes."

- Dr. Alexander Dubrov, USSR Academy of Sciences. Soviet Life. Jan 1972.

ITEM 49:

"After analyzing six years' worth of data, two geophysicists (S.R.C. Malin, B.J. Srivastava, Nature) have concluded that there is a significant relationship between heart attacks and changes in the earth's magnetism."

New York Times. April 24, 1979. Heart Attacks Tied To Magnetic Change.

ITEM 51:

In a fascinating study on geomagnetic storms and depression, British researchers found that male hospital admissions with a diagnosis of depression rose 36.2% during periods of geomagnetic activity as compared with normal periods. The investigators hypothesized that this increase may have been caused by a phase advance in the circadian rhythm of melatonin production.

Kay RW. Geomagnetic storms: association with incidence of depression as measured by hospital admission. British Journal Psychiatry 1994 164(3): 403-9.

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Think Feng Shui doesn't affect YOU??

Think again!

The numbers 63 and 64, the I Ching, and fractions of the Eye of Horus.

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eye_of_Horus

The Eye of Horus (originally, The Eye of Ra) is an ancient Egyptian symbol of protection and power, from the deity Horus or Ra. In the Egyptian language the word for this symbol was "wadjet" (according to M. Stokstad "Art History").

The Eye of Horus, originally the Eye of Ra, symbolized royal power. The ancients believed this symbol of indestructibility would assist in rebirth. The Eye of Horus was found under the 12th layer of bandages on Tutankhamun's mummy. Horus was an ancient Egyptian sky god; one of his eyes was the sun and the other the moon. The eye represents a peregrine falcon's eye and the markings around it, including the "teardrop" marking sometimes found below the eye.

In arithmetic

In the Ancient Egyptian measurement system, the Eye Of Horus defined an Old Kingdom rounded off number limited by: one(1)= 1/2 + 1/4 + 1/8 + 1/16 + 1/32 + 1/64. The Eye of Horus statements created 6-term rounded off numbers. The Old Kingdom definition had dropped a 7th term, a remainder 1/64, that was needed to report exact series. During the Middle Kingdom exact series definitions and applications were written by creating 7-terms, or more, written as Egyptian fraction series, often scaled to 1/320 hekat. For example, the Akhmim Wooden Tablet wrote quotients in the Eye of Horus 6-terms, while writing 7th term remainders as Egyptian fractions, scaled to 1/320 of a hekat. The metaphorical side of this information linked the Old Kingdom six fractions, 1/2, 1/4, 1/8, 1/16, 1/32, and 1/64 to separate parts of the eye, as noted by:

· 1/2 was represented by smell, symbolized by the right side of the eye in a form of the nose. The pyramid text says: "Behold [the fire] rises in Abydos and it comes; I cause it to come, the Eye of Horus. It is set in order upon thy brow, O Osiris Khenti-Amenti; it is set in the shrine and rises on thy brow."

· 1/4 was represented by sight or the sensation of light, symbolized by the pupil. The pyramid text says: "Perfect is the Eye of Horus. I have delivered the Eye of Horus, the shining one, the ornament of the Eye of Ra, the Father of the Gods."

· 1/8 was represented by thought, symbolized by the eyebrow. The pyramid text says: "...the Eye of Horus hath made me holy...I will hide myself among you, O ye stars which are imperishable. My brow is the brow of Ra."

· 1/16 was represented by hearing, symbolized by the left side of the eye in the form of an arrow pointing towards the ear. The pyramid text says: "That which has been shut fast/dead hath been opened by the command of the Eye of Horus, which hath delivered me. Established are the beauties on the forehead of Ra."

Headline text

· 1/32 was represented by taste, by the sprouting of wheat or grain from the planted stalk, symbolized by a curved tail. The pyramid text says: "Come, the Eye of Horus hath delivered for me my soul, my ornaments are established on the brow of Ra. Light is on the faces of those who are in the members of Osiris."

· 1/64 was represented by touch, symbolized by a leg touching the ground, or what can also be thought of as a strong plant growing into the surface of the earth. The pyramid text says: "I shall see the Gods and the Eye of Horus burning with fire before my eyes!"

In the Middle Kingdom the 1/64 symbol denoted 'rest' and 'healing' as connected to the hekat, with the word dja being attached.

*** End Quote ***

What I find so amazing about this is that the numbers 63 and 64 have a very special significance in the Yijing (I Ching) also.

Hexagram 63 is called "After Completion." This is the only hexagram in the I Ching in which all six lines are in their proper places. There is an energetic law in the I Ching that favors the "weak" yin/broken lines resting on the "strong" yang/whole lines, so it is usually favorable that when comparing pairs of lines, the lower line be yang, the upper line be yin.

In observance of this energetic law or rule, yang lines in places (counting from the bottom to the top) 1, 3, and 5; yin lines in places 2, 4, and 6 constitute energetic perfection and balance. The pairs of lines are all in complete harmony: the yang and yin pairs of lines are 1/2, 3/4, and 5/6. They also are compared in pairs of lines 1/4, 2/5, 3/6.

So, in the I Ching as in the Eye of Horus, the number 63 appears to be the end. After all everything has been completed, all the lines of the hexagram are in harmony and in the right places. The trigram for water is above the trigram for fire, indicating that the energetic movement of each is toward the other….water moves down to combine with fire, and fire moves upward to combine with water. With its parts that add up to 63, the Eye of Horus appears to be whole and complete as well

So, what is the next step? Why is the Eye not a complete 64/64? Why does the final hexagram, hexagram 64, contain all the line comparison harmonies of hexagram 63, but have all the lines are in the wrong places, all the yang lines are "resting" on yin lines? That just won't do!

The next step after completing something is starting something else. A new life perhaps?

The final hexagram is named "Before Completion." The Image (referring to the upper and lower trigrams of three lines each) says: "Fire over water. The image of the condition before transition." Perhaps it means before the transition to immortality!

In Daoist philosophy, there is the concept of immortality. Each person is born with multiple souls. Some of these are heavenly souls (fire) and some are earthly (water). Through a practice called the Kan and Li Qigong (Water and Fire Energy Practice), a person can attain immortality by melding together his heavenly and earthly energies, his water and fire energies.

Some believe the I Ching is a map of how a person should work with their energies and souls to attain immortality. If they manage to complete the process, they reach the perfection of hexagram 63. If not, their energies move apart as they do in hexagram 64, the energies of fire rising skyward, and the energies of water flowing earthward, and immortality is not attained.

Some believe the Eye of Ra is a symbol of immortality also, especially the immortality of Ra of course, but there is something missing, here, too. The eye has everything it needs except a pupil….that part of the eye through which a person can see. An eye without a pupil is as good as no eye at all, for one cannot see with it. Is it possible that the missing 1/64 of the eye is the pupil, that part of the eye that would grant Vision, perhaps of an immortal or enlightened type?

Possibly this is so. The number 64 is the square of 8, and squares of numbers tend to have special significance, such as 3X3, and especially 7X7 (which we see in the saying "the seventh son of a seventh son").

The number 8 can represent two different ideas of wholeness or completeness. First, on a two-dimensional level, it can represent the eight directions; in time, it can represent the eight special days of the year, the two solstices and equinoxes as well as the cross-quarter days, the days that fall between the solstices and equinoxes. Second, on a three-dimensional level, the number 8 can represent the corners that form the earth (shades of the ancient "square earth" theory), and the four corners that hold up the sky! Without four heavenly corners, the sky would just fall and there would be no earth.

So, it seems very reasonable that the number 63 would symbolize a life well lived and well spent, and that 64 would be an indication of a life just starting over again!

In hexagram 64 we have balance and harmony, just in the wrong order, and if you give the Eye a pupil, that last little 1/64 of its weight, it will surely see it's way clear to return from the Otherworld of Osiris and make a new life here on Earth again.

Whether that new life is a rebirth or a resurrection is a topic for another post. :-)

7 Guidelines for Developing Symbolic Sight

The following article was written by my friend Charlsie, and I want to share it with you. It includes great information about developing your intuition or Symbolic Sight.

Enjoy!

7 Guidelines for Developing Symbolic Sight
By Charlsie Winston

Symbolic Sight is the ability to use your intuition to interpret the power symbols in your life.

Interpreting these power symbols allows us to see and understand more regarding the circumstances surrounding our life and to understand the Truth of it all.

It is when we ’see and understand’ more of what’s happening in our life that the healing needed in both our personal life and that of the world can begin.

Following are 7 guidelines for using your intuition in interpreting power symbols in your life and for developing Symbolic Sight. . .

1) Everyday bring your attention to the challenges you have and to how your spirit and mind respond to these challenges. Observe what causes you to lose power, to lose energy.

2) Think of yourself as an energy being, as well as a physical being. And, remember if you want to see things in a certain way, you will interfere with your reception of energy information. You have to be open to seeing people, things and circumstances for what they are. . . the truth of it!

3) Conduct energy self-evaluations on a daily basis. Learn to sense stress accumulating in your energy field, and take steps to heal yourself at the energy level. I utilize the energy of Reiki for this.

4) When you discover an energy leak ask yourself, “why am I losing power?” Involve both your mind and your heart in answering this question. . . your intuition.

5) Learn ‘what’ rather than who is drawing energy from you. Understand that the person you think is drawing power, energy from you is actually only a reflection of some part of yourself. You are falling into fear and blame when you think that a specific person is depleting your energy!

6) Simplify your requirements for healing. Think of illness as a power disorder. Make whatever changes are necessary for healing to begin. . . leave the stressful job or marriage, learn an alternative type energy healing practice, do something fun you’ve always wanted to do, and combine these things with proper traditional medical care, if needed. Be sure to use common sense and good judgment as to your medical needs.

7) Simplify your spirituality. . . believe and practice simple and eternal Truths. The simpler your spiritual beliefs, the less stressful and more in tune with the real you they are.

Achieving health, happiness and a balance of energy depends on focusing more on the positive than the negative and living in a manner that is spiritually aligned with what we know is the Truth.

Symbolic Sight. . . the ability to see through physical illusions, learn of our power symbols and how they effect our lives and recognition of the lessons being offered by our life challenges. . . is developed when we are able to learn the Truth and to allow our Divinity to work within and through us.

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For over 15 years Charlsie has consciously been on (and off, on and off. . . well, you know!) the path to transformation. She is certified in all levels of Reiki and spends much of her time learning about and applying our numerous Universal Laws. For other related articles on reiki, healing, energy, manifestation, universal laws and such. . . and, high quality recommended resources, visit Charlsie's site at: http://www.manifestinguniverse.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Charlsie_Winston

Daoism on Gain (Harvest)

The writing I share with you is "Gain" from p. 176 of Everyday Tao: Living with Balance and Harmony by Deng Ming-Dao, Harper San Francisco, NY, 1996, ISBN 0-06-251395-8.

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Gain

"Some people might say it is hard to pursue Tao without the gain to support one's endeavors. But it's important to distinguish the exact types of gain that will actually bring us profit.

"In the beginning, the ancients taught very simple and direct ways to live with Tao. But as time went on, people embellished the teachings until they became a very complicated body of knowledge that took a thousand volumes to document. Tao became the pursuit of the rich and cultured. Only they could afford the herbs, the lessons, the expensive art materials, the beautiful living locations, the servants, the travel, and the myriad other luxuries that afforded the freedom to pursue Tao. For many centuries, the simple and rustic ideals of the ancients were obscured by wealth, alchemy, artistic pursuits, and eccentricity.

"We who want Tao may imagine that we will never succeed if the wealth and cultured living of the past are required. But that is not so. Do not be misled by the trappings of those who lived in the past. Look instead to what actually exists in your own life. As long as you live and breathe, as long as your heart beats and your mind dwells on the way, Tao can be found.

"If we look at the image of 'gain,' there is a lesson for us. (Ed: the Chinese image/character for 'gain' is two characters, 'grain' and 'a knife.') Gain is simply the result of harvest. We don't need a fancy lifestyle. We need know only where to look for grain and when to harvest it. Those who harvest the ordinary are those who ultimately gain."

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What do you need to attain your spiritual goals? This is something I have struggled with over the years - feeling I needed this teacher, that book, some other paraphernalia to get where I wanted to go. Many people will tell you, you need a Guru, a Master (and by the way, make sure he or she has the "right" lineage!), a special ceremony in a remote temple, or at least in the Master's home or office. There are certain books you must study, and only the Master can tell you when you've studied enough; certain skills you must learn before your practice can be effective, and the skills are often hard to come by or costly.

So, what do you really need? You need You - that is all. Sure, some guidance is in order; maybe a mentor, or maybe a few great books (and I have found that, with the exception of the I Ching, if you have four books on any spiritual topic, that is probably enough - more than four, and they start repeating themselves). But the bottom line of any spiritual practice is: how much of yourself are you willing to devote to it, and how fast do you want it?

Believe it or not, speed of acquisition is a major concern to many people. They want to be spiritual, and they want it Now! Not too long ago, I had an interesting conversation with a Reiki Master on a message board. She posted the great benefits of a Reiki attunement. I have practiced qi gong for around seven years now, and combine that energy work with what I learned about healing by studying a book about Therapeutic Touch and practicing the exercises. I was fairly amazed to learn that, as far as healing went, I could do everything the Reiki Master could do. The only difference was that she was given the healing ability quickly through attunements, and I took time to gain it through qi gong practice. I really was amazed, though. Never having had an attunement, I had long thought that I was missing out on some important facet of healing ability, only to find that was a misconception and not true at all.

In fact, it's interesting to note that originally Reiki had one level and one attunement, much like Tao was originally a simple and direct practice. Obviously, it's grown into something like the later Tao practices with their embellishments. (I am not disparaging Reiki in any way - it is a very valuable practice - I only wonder if its evolution is on the right path.)

A spiritual practice means connecting with the right energy whether you call it God, The Collective Unconscious, Universal Enlightenment, or any other name. "All paths lead up the same mountain," it is only the scenery along the way that is different. You are free to choose that scenery, and make it as fancy or as simple as you like. What practices would you like to undertake? If you love ceremony, go ahead and perform spiritual rituals; if not, spend your time meditating in a quiet way and place. The results will be the same. You may read a great book, or find a Master to mentor you - the results will be the same. You can travel around the world and pray in gilded shrines and temples, or go out into your back yard and pray under the open sky - the results will be the same. The amount of personal attention and time you devote to your practice is what matters, not the trappings.

I would like to add a few words on ceremonial items, though. We've all heard the fairy tales of the wicked witch casting an evil spell on someone when provided with a personal item from that person. I won't comment on evil spells or anything, but I do believe that items you use or wear during a spiritual practice do absorb and reflect back to you some of the energy generated during that practice - special clothing, prayer beads, a statue upon which you focus. I believe it is beneficial and enhancing to your spiritual energy if you have some sort of item - clothing, jewelry, whatever - to augment the energy generated during practice. It need not be anything fancy, but it should be the same item, and should be used at all times during prayer, meditation, or other energy work. I think you will like the results!

Everyday Tao: Living with Balance and Harmony

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Daoism on Spring Equinox

In honor of the Spring or Vernal Equinox, the quote below is “Spring” from 365 Tao: Daily Meditations by Deng Ming-Dao, Harper San Francisco, 1992, ISBN: 0062502239.

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Sun and moon divide the sky,

Fragrance blooms on pear wood bones;

Earth awakens with a sigh.

Wanderer revels on the path alone.

It is the time of equinox, when day and night are briefly equal. This day signals the beginning of spring, the increasing of light, and the return of life to the frozen earth.

Of course, this day only represents a moment in time. Spring has long been returning, and we know that summer will soon follow. The cycle of the seasons will continue in succession. There is no such thing as a true stopping in time, for all is a continuum. Nature makes its own concordances as a mere outgrowth to its movement, it is we who see structure and give names to pattern.

But who can begrudge temporary pleasures to a solitary traveler? Let us go out and enjoy the day, revel in the coming of spring, rejoice in the warming of the earth. For though the ground may be covered with frost, movement and growth are taking place all around us. Beauty bared fills our eyes and makes us drunk. As we wander the endless mountains and streams, filling our lungs with the breath of the forests, let us take comfort in being part of nature. For life has enough misery and misfortune. Philosophy reminds us enough of the transience of life. Give us the charm of the ephemeral, and let it silence all who would object.

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I wonder if "Wanderer revels on the path alone" refers to a human wanderer or a heavenly one – the sun! Consider: 'Planet: late O.E., from O.Fr. planete (Fr. planËte), from L.L. planeta, from Gk. (asteres) planetai "wandering (stars)," from planasthai "to wander," of unknown origin. So called because they have apparent motion, unlike the "fixed" stars. Originally including also the moon and sun; modern scientific sense of "world that orbits a star" is from 1640. Source: Online Etymology Dictionary. Douglas Harper, Historian. Dictionary.com http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/planet

March 20^th is the Spring Equinox for the northern hemisphere, the time of year when the sun is at zero degrees longitude and latitude on the ecliptic, and the hours of daylight and dark-of-night are of equal length.

On the equinoxes, the sun and moon pass each other in the sky at the intersection of the ecliptic with the celestial equator as they rise and set. (The ecliptic is the path followed by the planets against the backdrop of the constellations. The celestial equator is the projection of the Earth's equator onto the sky, an invisible line enabling us to determine whether a heavenly body hovers over our northern hemisphere or our southern hemisphere. These two invisible lines intersect at the equinoxes.)

Eclipses often occur about the time of the equinoxes; solar eclipses right on the equinox day, and lunar eclipses about two weeks before or after the equinox day. Indeed, there will be a partial solar eclipse on the 19^th of March this year that, providing my solar eclipse mapping program is correct, will be visible from Southern India going northward, across Eastern Asia, over the North Pole and down to Western Canada and Alaska. The time of the eclipse will extend from 0:38 to 04:24 UT with the greatest coverage of the sun by the moon occurring at 02:31 UT.

For the next six months, the sun will continue to rise and set north of the celestial equator while the Full moon appears rising in our southern sky. On the Summer Solstice, the sun will rise at its northernmost point on the horizon and the Full moon will rise at its southernmost point. From then on, the points on the horizon they each rise will move back toward the center until they meet again on the Autumnal Equinox.

It's almost like a Square Dance when the caller sings out for the shining couple to leave their corner, do-se-do in the middle, and go back to the opposite corner. The heavenly bodies do indeed dance around the sky! :-)

(Here is my attempt at graphing this dance, and I have to say, the taiji or yin/yang circle has to be one of the most useful diagrams on the planet; it is such a perfect symbol to show so many natural cycles! I'm sure you noticed that the curved lines form an infinity sign, a sideways 8! That's a topic for another post, though.)

In the taiji diagram above, the curving line separating the black and white sections tracks the rise and set positions on the horizon of the sun from one Spring Equinox to the next. Each day from the Spring Equinox, the sun rises at a more northerly position on the horizon until, on the Summer Solstice, it rises at its most northerly position. From that point until the Fall equinox, the sunrise on the horizon is in the northern half of the sky, but moves slowly back to the Celestial Equator.

After the Fall Equinox, the sun's rising place on the horizon moves in a more southerly direction until it reaches its most southerly point on the day of the Winter Solstice. Following the day of the Winter Solstice, the sunrise point on the horizon rises again and comes closer each day to the Celestial Equator as the calendar approaches the date of the Spring Equinox.

Imagine an opposite line, a mirror image line (I attempted in blue), tracking the rise and set positions on the horizon of the Full moon for the same annual period. You see that the movement of the moon is the opposite of, and reflects the movement of the sun.

But, to get back to the Spring Equinox…

We know the sun is symbolic of yang, and the moon is symbolic of yin. At the equinox, yang grows not only as warmer weather and longer hours of daylight, but also as the sun climbs in our northern half of the sky above the Celestial Equator. Yin, the moon, diminishes by virtue of its rising and setting away from us in the southern hemisphere of the sky below the central Celestial Equator.

To follow the Dao and the example of Nature at this time of year, we begin to increase our yang activities and decrease our yin activities.

Spending more time out side is something most of us do, enjoying the fresh air and warm weather, and soaking up the sunshine to replenish our Vitamin D supply which no doubt is quite diminished after the winter! Meditation can move from the quiet, seated contemplations to more active styles such as Standing Like a Tree, or labyrinth walking. Definitely more physical activities like hiking and swimming are called for, though I find it impossible to put away the books completely! There is a lot to be said for spending a lazy afternoon outside, reading a book under a tree.

Since spring is the season of growth represented by the energy phase of wood, do some gardening! Even if it's a small pot of herbs for making fresh herbal teas or for wonderful gourmet dinners, you will be aligning yourself with the energies of the season. (I recommend growing mint. It's very easy to grow, it's an especially refreshing drink on warm days, and it aids digestion.)

You can grow all sorts of things, too, not just plants. Grow a hobby, or a business. Encourage your mind to grow by taking fun or challenging classes which might let your circle of friends grow, too!