Rest - Restore - Revitalize Winter and Chinese Medicine  "In ancient times those people who understood Tao (the way of self cultivation) patterned themselves upon the Yin and the Yang (the two principles in nature) and they lived in harmony…”  The Yellow Emperor’s Classic of Internal Medicine  . Winter starts with the Solsice on December 21st, representing the longest night and the shortest day of the year.  In the natural world, cold, darkness, and quiet stillness abound.  The ancient Chinese believed that human beings should live in harmony with the natural cycles of their environment.  The cold, darkness, and stillness of winter urges us to slow down.  This is the time of year to relfect on our health, replenish our energy, and conserve our strength.   Winter is Yin in nature, it is inactive, cold and damp.  Remain introspective, restful, and consolidate your Qi through the season and prepare for the outburst of new life and energy in the spring.  Element: Water Nature: Yin Organs: Kidney, Urinary Bladder, Adrenal Glands, Ears and Hair Emotion: Fear Flavor: Salty Winter is ruled by the Water element, which is associated with the kidneys, bladder and adrenal glands. According to the philosophy of Chinese medicine, the kidneys are considered the source of all energy or “Qi” within the body.  They store all of the reserve Qi in the body so that it can be used in times of stress and change, or to heal, prevent illness, and age gracefully. During the winter months it is important to nurture and nourish our kidney Qi.  It is the time where this energy can be most easily depleted. Our bodies are instinctively expressing the fundamental principles of winter – rest, reflection, conservation and storage. The emotion associated wtih the water element is fear.  When the water element is out of balance, we may experience fear that shows up in many aspects of our lives:  relationships, career, finances, and personal growth.  An imbalanced water element habitually reacts to fear instead of responding with wisdom and equanimity.  Often, the reserves of Qi are continually used up in an attempt to control, manage, or run away from fear. The spirit associated with the water element is willpower.  Willpower guides us to take steps in life that are congruent with our soul's purpose.  It is the commitment to live in the highest virtues in life even when we are faced with fear and extraordinary difficulties.  Ironically, when we overuse this will through habitually reacting to fear, we end up exhausted and depleted.  In order to find balance with fear, we must cultivate wisdom.  Wisdom guides us to respond to life and utilize our resources appropriately.          --  Jean Kuty, LAc, LPC