Observing the Cycle of Life Through the Grieving Eyes of the Po
As the heat of summer drains into the golden tones of autumn, yang gradually transforms to yin.
The changing of the seasons is as natural as death itself. The alchemical symbol of the Ouroboros, the snake that eats itself, which depicts eternity and endless return comes to mind. Yes, we will all die someday, but what we leave behind lives on. Our bodies will fertilize the earth and life will spring forth again regardless if you believe in a spiritual life after death.
The Po will perish when we do; a very hard and finite truth for all living things. Hence the emotion assigned to this Metal Spirit is Grief. Coming to terms with our own mortality is difficult enough, but when someone we love dies, it’s crushing. Grief shakes the heart like a tidal wave. No singular deep breath can steady it. Realizing what little control we have in life can froth up a well-spring of emotions. Shock, fear anger, sadness; each one valid and every feeling correct for that individuals grieving process.
When a chapter of our life has closed it can be devastating.
We feel grief not only for those we’ve lost to death, but also when relationships end. When a chapter of our life has closed it can be devastating. During the pandemic I’ve listened to those around me mourn the lives they once had; the ability to walk freely through the world and embracing loved ones without hesitation.
Lamenting being crucial in healing, the Po reminds us that eventually we must accept that things end. The metal organs are perfect examples, the lungs take in oxygenated air literally breathing life into our bodies and exhaling harmful carbon dioxide. The large intestines are no different; the unusable material of the food we’ve eaten can be expelled with accumulated toxins emptying us for the cycle of digestion to repeat itself.
We must let go of what does not serve us in order to maintain equilibrium.
Grief can oftentimes (but not always) lead to depression and feelings of hopelessness. Envisioning the future can seem futile, which can cause resignation. This stagnation can affect the smooth flow of our Qi undermining the organ responsible for this function, the Liver. If the individual is also showing physiological signs that the Liver Qi is in fact stuck, a practitioner can choose this acupuncture combination.
The last point on the Liver channel LIV-14 also known as Qi Men, Cycle Gate (P. Deadman) or Gate of Hope (J.R. Worsley) must be needled. By accessing Qi Men, we can invigorate Qi, awakening a sense of purpose, motivating and utilizing the Wood Spirit or Hun for its gift of imagination.
In order to complete the circuit, we need a second point, Lung 1, Zhongfu or Middle Palace. Along with Qi Men, Zhongfu is also a Mu point; this is where the Qi of an organ (Liver and Lungs, respectively) concentrates itself and can be accessed at these anatomical locations.
Essentially, by needling these two points in a treatment, we are joining the two ends of a circuit together.
Where Qi Men represents the last point of the organ meridians, Zhongfu is the first situated on the Lung Meridian. Essentially, by needling these two points in a treatment, we are joining the two ends of a circuit together. Qi can pass through all twelve meridians completing one full cycle, hence the name Cycle Gate.
Invigorating the Qi of the chest can aid in the recovery of someone who has grieved to the point of weakening their Lung Qi, but to those who are having a difficult time releasing too.
When we mourn a loss in our lives, I feel it is crucial to feel your feelings. As painful and uncomfortable as this is, coming to an eventual place of acceptance can be empowering. It is easier said than done, but help is available and creating a support network is an important act of compassion towards oneself.