February 5, 2024, is the first day of the Yang Wood Dragon Year. The Yang Wood Dragon is rooted in Chinese philosophy, which is based on a lunar calendar. The Chinese zodiac comprises 12 animal signs and five elements, forming a 60-year cycle. The Dragon is one of the animal signs, and each sign is associated with one of the five elements (Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal, Water). 2024 the Dragon is linked with the Wood element, creating a Yang Wood Dragon Year. The next Yang Wood Dragon Year will be 2084.
Each of the 60 years has an associative hexagram from the I-Ching. The Yang Wood Dragon corresponds to the 62nd hexagram "Small Preponderance". The image is Thunder, the upper trigram, over Mountain, the lower trigram.
Thunder is one of two trigrams linked to the Wood element. When Thunder is the upper trigram in a hexagram there is weakness in the defensive Qi or Wei Qi of the body and weakness in the GI tract, specifically the stomach and colon. This weakness is due to the inability of the Yang aspect of the Wood element to activate the Qi of the stomach and large intestine.
The Mountain trigram is one of two linked to the Earth element. When the Mountain trigram is the lower trigram in a hexagram there is phlegm and mucous affecting the circulation of blood within the vessels along with phlegm and dampness affecting the heart and kidneys
It's important to note that Chinese medicine is based on oscillating energy cycles. With that in mind, the potential effects of the Yang Wood Dragon Year are listed below.
The combination of Thunder over Mountain is the underlying influence for the Yang Wood Dragon year. The implication is to engage in activities, and dietary practices to strengthen those regions of the body prone to weakness this year.
The first stage requiring support this year is the Shaoyin regions and organs, specifically the Heart and Kidneys, two very important organs. The heart and kidneys belong to the Fire (yang) and Water (yin) elements, respectively. This represents the balance of heat and cold in the body. The heart and kidneys are closely connected in TCM, with the heart governing the mind and the kidneys storing essence. An imbalance between the heart and kidneys can result in various health issues, affecting both mental and physical aspects.
In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), the Shaoyin stage refers to one of the six stages of disease progression. Each stage represents a specific level of pathology and is associated with particular organs and meridians. The Shaoyin stage is characterized by a deficiency of both Yin and Yang energy in the body.
Governs blood and vessels: The heart is responsible for pumping blood and ensuring its proper circulation throughout the body.
Heart Disorders from Weakness or Deficiency:
Kidneys TCM Functions:
Stores essence (Jing): The kidneys are believed to store the body's essence, which is crucial for growth, development, and reproduction.
Kidney Disorders from Weakness or Deficiency:
A unique characteristic of TCM is the various internal connections each organ has with other organs and body regions. These connections are considered to be similar to the acupuncture meridians but without acupuncture points. In the case of the heart and kidneys they each have specific connections that help to explain pathological processes affecting each of these organs.
The Heart (HT) is connected to the Kidneys (KI), Urinary Bladder (UB), Small Intestine (SI), Gallbladder (GB)and Spleen/Pancreas (SP). Notice that the arrows depict a connection in both directions. This means pathology in any of these connected organs can affect the heart's functions, either weakening it or inflaming it. The red organs belong to the Fire element, blue organs to the Water element, green organs to the Wood element, and yellow organs to the Earth element.
One aspect of the Water element is its relationship to the battery of the body - our adrenal glands. This is known as pre-natal Qi. This is the energy and essence we're born with. It's the combination of the energy and essence of our parents transferred to us. The Water element organs, kidney, and urinary bladder, typically, are known for their patterns of disharmony involving weakness, and deficiency. In most of these cases, the result is a problem with fluid metabolism, fatigue, low back pain, knee pain, hearing problems, thinning head hair, sexual dysfunction, and weak bones.
The deficiency patterns stress the heart by not providing sufficient energy to support its various functions. One exception is when the yin aspect of the kidneys is weak or deficient. Health involves a balance between the yin and yang energies of the body and of each organ. When kidney yin is weak it allows kidney yang to be exuberant. This leads to many of the symptoms mentioned above along with night sweating, low-grade fever in the afternoon or evening, malar flush, red cheeks, sore throat, and dark scanty urine. These signs are commonly seen in menopause.
The small intestine is the paired organ with the heart within the Fire element. It is a yang organ, which by definition, is very active and tends to have a highly energetic and hot nature. This characteristic can become excessive and can, actually, transfer heat to the heart. This is characterized by irritability, palpitations, insomnia, red or flushed face, rapid heart rate, and mental restlessness.
The gallbladder functions to process fats and oils in our diet. When it is overloaded with excessive amounts of these food types, gallstones develop. If this goes on long enough it may impede the ability of the gallbladder to continue its functions and become inflamed, resulting in having it removed surgically. Many times before this happens the greasy, fried, fatty, and oil foods will begin to deposit in the bloodstream and negatively affect the blood vessels and heart. This can lead to a variety of serious cardiovascular disorders.
The Kidneys (KI) are connected to the Heart (HT), Urinary Bladder (UB), Large Intestine (LI), and the Psycho-Emotional, Lymphatic, and Endocrine systems. Notice that the arrows depict a connection in both directions. This means pathology in any of these connected organs can affect the kidney's functions, either weakening it or by inflaming it. The red organs belong to the Fire element, blue organs to the Water element, green systems to the Wood element, and gray organs to the Metal element.
Of the organ connections to the Kidneys all are considered yang organs except the Heart, a yin organ. Yang organs tend to be highly energetic and prone to inflammation. When this occurs with either of the intestines, heat is transferred to the kidneys and urinary bladder resulting in either a kidney infection or bladder infection.
Small intestine inflammation oftentimes causes heart fire in Chinese medicine. Both small intestine inflammation and heart fire can weaken the kidney yin. Some common conditions are chronic hearing problems, chronic low back pain, chronic nephritis, diabetes mellitus, and essential hypertension.
The Lymphatic, Endocrine and Psycho-Emotional characteristics of our body belong to the Wood element. Each element has particular properties that define its pathological influence. The pathology associated with the Wood element is Wind. Wind moves things. When Wind is not controlled it can combine with the other elemental pathologies and move them through the meridian system, organs, and tissues. Excessive Wind results from Yin Deficiency or internal heat and inflammation and causes extreme irritability, anxiety, and stress. Deficient Wind results from Qi Deficiency and causes depression, lymphatic swelling, and GI tract disorders, to name a few.
Conclusion
In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), the Shaoyin stage refers to one of the six stages of disease progression. Each stage represents a specific level of pathology and is associated with particular organs and meridians. The Shaoyin stage is characterized by a deficiency of both Yin and Yang energy in the body.
Yin-Yang Imbalance: The Shaoyin stage signifies an imbalance between Yin and Yang energies, with a tendency towards deficiency.
Problems of Weakness and Deficiency:
General Weakness: The Shaoyin stage often exhibits overall weakness, fatigue, and lethargy.
Emotional Imbalance: Since the Heart is affected, emotional symptoms such as anxiety, palpitations, and insomnia may manifest.
Reproductive Issues: Kidney deficiency can lead to reproductive problems, including infertility and menstrual irregularities.
Fluid Metabolism Issues: Kidney involvement may result in water metabolism issues, leading to edema or urinary problems.
Cardiovascular Issues: Heart involvement may contribute to conditions like arrhythmias, palpitations, and poor circulation.
Endocrine Disorders: Kidney deficiency may be linked to hormonal imbalances and disorders such as adrenal fatigue.
Reproductive Health Problems: Infertility, menstrual irregularities, and sexual dysfunction may be associated with Kidney deficiency.
Immune System Weakness: Overall weakness and deficiency may compromise the immune system, making individuals more susceptible to infections.
Neurological Disorders: Emotional disturbances linked to the Heart can contribute to psychological issues, including anxiety and insomnia.
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