“Life is a series of natural and spontaneous changes. Don’t resist them – that only creates sorrow.
Let reality be reality. Let things flow naturally forward in whatever way they like.”
Lao Tzu
What is Summer Chi like?
It is the season of summer we are enjoying on the Northern Hemisphere and the weather is hot. The specific element associated with summer is Fire.
2016 is Yang Fire and will be followed by a Yin Fire year 2017 in the cycle of 60 lunar years made up of five twelve –year cycles. The Yang Fire element is likened to the Sun, the opposite is the Yin Fire can be symbolized by a candlelight.
Looking into the Lunar Calendar for Fire months
In Chinese astrology each season is assigned three months.
The Lunar months of the Snake, the Horse and the Sheep are associated with summer. May and June, the first two months represent Fire, but the fixed element of the third month of any given season is the Earth. The Snake month has its fixed element of Yin Fire that is still growing in strength.
The Horse month has the fixed element of Yang Fire that is fully grown, and has its peak at the time of Summer Solstice. This is the strongest phase for the Fire element.
After the second Chi of the Horse month 21st/ 22nd June, the Fire is still strong and the weather is hot. It can represent Sat Chi meaning harm or destruction as well i.e. forest fires in the South.
As of 7th July the Sheep month, the Power of the Fire is coming to an end slowly and the Earth Chi is born as the child of fire. The newly born Earth has the Yin Chi quality and Sang Chi in it. So the Yin Fire has grown into Yang Fire that gave birth to the Yin Earth. This is also based on the same law as the Yin and Yang of the Universe, one extreme leads to the birth of the opposite.
So the Sheep Earth month of the season will bring in the change of season. In a four season climate this change means that the weather can swing between summer and autumn for a couple of weeks.
What is the nature of the Fire energy for Homes?
Do you feel relaxed in the heat? Can you sleep well in a stuffy room heated by the sun all day long? Do you feel active and still sleep well?
In the Lo Shu, Magic Square the number of Fire is 9, a Yang active number. It is located in the South. This is why we recommend that in the man made environment the best place for the kitchen is in the South. It is not advisable to have your bedroom in the area of your home with strong Fire energy.
We all have experienced that fiery energy is pulsating, always moving, not resting just like a hyperactive child. These effects can cause tiredness and agitation when working in the heat on the long run.
Chinese Medicine and the Fire organs
Fire in the human body represented by the heart, as the Chinese call it, the Emperor organ. Why?
The function of the heart is pumping the energy, moving the whole body.
The heart is where our spirit dwells, so it has a spiritual role as well. The heart controls the human behavior and actions. Take care that your heart is not overburdened with Fire energy:
Do not eat too spicy food, drink alcohol or do too much intellectual work in the heat of summer.
Too much of the above Fire energy can damage your heart and cause high blood pressure, heart attack.
The Late Heaven Trigram of the Fire, Lei represented by the eyes. The eyes are very active all day long while we are awake. The Fire quality in the BA ZI /supportive or avoid element/ can give information about the health of a person’s eyes.
Follow the natural cycle of the seasons
to be able to benefit from the Sang Chi
To avoid the Fire that is getting too strong in the environment it is best to be in nature where we can find the elements of Water or Earth. We seek relief from the scorching Sun as go to swim at the beach or go hiking in the mountains. Summer as it gives us the opportunity to spend a lot of time in nature. Following the natural Chi is about following the natural cycle of the seasons. You probably felt like being more active in May, and June, as the daylight hours were getting longer and the Sun warmed the air and the temperature at midday reached its peak. But then it is also necessary to relax after increased activity times for a balanced lifestyle.
“Nature does not hurry, yet everything is accomplished.”
Lao Tzu
Master Kristina’s own picture
In July and August we naturally follow the Yin Chi, as it is our holiday season. It is time to get relaxed and having more fun in nature to balance the Yin and Yang energy in the body, mind and soul.
Strengthen your mind and body relation with gardening
The feeling of being in tune with this season can mean that you will be interested in doing a little gardening. Being in nature as well as gardening can be beneficial to your body and soul. Nature can awaken liveliness within you. Gardening is a great way for grounding the body and mind after spending too long time on the Internet or doing other increased mental activities.
Meditation in nature or in the garden
Anyone can turn gardening or being in nature into a meditative experience without realizing it. You may be already using it as a meditation practice. Chanting, repeating a mantra, praying, or singing will have positive effects not only on your own peace of mind, but also on all plants and animals around you. Wherever you are in pristine nature, the smell of fresh earth, the sounds of water fall, birdsongs or the warmth of the sun will lend you a sense of calm you and help to reach a meditative state of mind in itself, in a passive, unintentional version.
“Calm mind brings inner strength and self-confidence, so that’s very important for good health.”
Dalai Lama
Tune in with natural sounds
The best way to tune in to natural sounds is to spend time in nature or in your garden and listen to the sounds of the natural environment. Birdsongs, waterfalls, and mountain brooks, garden ponds and wind chimes can enhance the peacefulness of your gardening experience.
“We can never obtain peace in the outer world until we make peace with ourselves.”
Dalai Lama
Breathing Techniques
Make sure that you practice some breathing exercises in your garden or in nature. Breathe deeply and slowly, and allow yourself to become aware of your role as nourishes to the environment. Share your breath with your environment, and let your body and soul be nourished.
Chi Gong
I am one of the many Chi Gong students taught by Master Chan. My experience of daily Qi Gong practice is that it released blockages in the body. It helped me also to look and feel younger. When you practice you will be able to have a better connection to other people, as well as to the Earth energy during your Feng Shui consultations.
“In order to carry a positive action we must develop here a positive vision.”
Dalai Lama
Master Kristina Neuhauser
