The Chinese calendar marks November 7, 2024, as the beginning of Yin Wood Pig Month. The calendar assigns one of the twelve animals, five elements, and the polarity of yin or yang to each year, month, day, and hour. The Yin Wood Pig month extends until December 7, 2024.
The Yin Wood Pig references the 59th hexagram described in the I Ching and used in Feng Shui. Its image is the Wind trigram above, and the Water trigram below. The Yin Wood Pig represents "Dispersion". From the I Ching, we find this description of this month's hexagram:
Wind blowing over water disperses it, dissolving it into foam and mist. This suggests that when a man's vital energy is dammed up within him (indicated as a danger by the attribute of the lower trigram), gentleness serves to break up and dissolve the blockage.
The Yin Wood Pig represents a situation where the root (Water trigram) is weak and unable to support and temper the Wind (upper trigram). This results in an excessively energetic nature affecting the body, especially the Yang aspects and meridians of the body. In the Yin Wood Pig, erratic heat is the nature of Wind. The hexagram advises strengthening our roots (the Yin meridians and organs) so they can control the Yang.
The Yin Wood Pig hexagram:
In traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), each of the five elements is associated with a pathogenic influence. Each component has specific characteristics and effects on the body and environment. The Yin Wood Pig combines several of these:
dryness and heat affecting the Yang meridians and body regions
stagnation and accumulated dampness affecting the Yin meridians and body regions
The Yin Wood Pig is a complex hexagram. The root of the hexagram is the Water/Pig trigram. It is associated with the Yin aspect of the Water element, the Kidneys. Its pathological influence is damp-cold or stagnation. Other systems linked with this trigram are the Stomach and Bladder. All these organs and systems are considered lower-body or foot meridians.
Dampness, cold, and stagnation are internal medical conditions within the gastrointestinal and urinary tracts, impeding digestion and allowing food to become putrid and toxic in the intestines. This, in turn, affects fluid elimination by the Kidneys and Bladder, resulting in urinary tract infections, low back pain, and kidney stones.
The Stomach meridian, though a lower body meridian, reaches the chest, throat, and face. The influence of the Yin Wood Pig causes stagnation in these regions leading to metabolic imbalances, respiratory congestion, throat phlegm accumulation, and sinus problems.
In the Yin Wood Pig, the Wind trigram, (upper trigram), represents the Liver. This trigram also has relationships with the Gallbladder and Lungs. The pathological influence of the Wind trigram is erratic heat. Though the Liver and Gallbladder are considered lower-body meridians, both reach the upper body.
The Liver meridian travels through the genital region, lower abdomen, and chest. The Gallbladder meridian travels through the exterior aspect of the legs, hips, lower rib cage, upper back, and head. Erratic heat in the Liver meridian leads to reproductive organ disharmony, impotence, libido changes, urinary tract infections, and respiratory and digestive inflammation. Erratic heat in the Gallbladder meridian leads to a stifling sensation in the chest, neck, and upper back pain, and migraine headaches.
The Lung is an upper body meridian. However, internally it is linked to the Liver and Stomach. A stagnant and weak Stomach meridian leads to weakness in the Lung Qi resulting in fluid and mucous buildup, and a phlegmy cough. Erratic heat in the Liver meridian leads to heat and fluid deficiency in the Lungs with a dry hacky cough, dry sore throat, thirst, and fatigue.
The Yin Wood Pig month represents weakness in the Kidney, Bladder, and Stomach. This leads to an accumulation of dampness and toxins. It's characterized more by turbid dampness and toxicity leading to yin-type inflammation. Chinese medicine recognizes two types of inflammation: Yang-type, and Yin-type. The Yin Wood Pig is an example of Yin-type inflammation within the Stomach, Kidneys, and Bladder.
Additionally, the Yin Wood Pig month represents Yang-type inflammation in the Liver and Gallbladder. Erratic heat here leads to muscle tics and spasms, vision problems, gastrointestinal imbalances, headaches, insomnia, tinnitus, chest pain, genital pain, and anxiety.
Conclusion
When weakness and toxicity in the Kidneys, Bladder, and Stomach are combined with erratic Heat in the Liver, Gallbladder, and Lungs, the symptoms may overlap and worsen, manifesting as:
Chronic fatigue and irritability: Kidney weakness combined with Liver Heat leading to exhaustion and mood disturbances.
Digestive disorders with heat signs: Stomach toxicity leading to bloating and poor digestion, worsened by Liver and Gallbladder Heat, causing acid reflux, nausea, and bitter taste.
Urinary problems with inflammation: Bladder toxicity (UTIs, painful urination) combined with Liver and Gallbladder Heat.
Respiratory issues with skin problems: Lung Heat causing cough, phlegm, and skin rashes, combined with Kidney weakness affecting water metabolism, leading to dryness.
Headaches and dizziness: Liver Heat rising, worsened by Kidney Yin deficiency, contributing to migraines and dizziness.
Treatment Approach:
Tonifying the Kidneys and strengthening the Bladder and Stomach to resolve weakness and toxicity.
Clearing Heat from the Liver, Gallbladder, and Lungs to restore balance and prevent further complications.
Many of the signs and symptoms of the Yin Wood Pig month result from damp toxic stagnation coupled with erratic heat. Fortunately, acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine have great treatment options for these conditions.
One final note regarding the Yin Wood Pig is its effect on the body as a whole. As always, it's recommended that dietary changes should coincide with each season. The I Ching's description of the Yin Wood Pig cautions us to be aware when the body's energies become weakened and stagnant and will lead to erratic heat. Try to make meals simple. This is how health problems can be mitigated.
General Foods to Avoid (for all organ systems involved):
Dairy and processed foods: These contribute to phlegm and dampness, exacerbating heat and toxin buildup.
Caffeine: Overconsumption may exacerbate Liver Heat and weaken the Kidneys.
Excessive sugar: It can lead to Dampness accumulation, which can worsen symptoms of weakness and toxicity.
Lifestyle Recommendations
Stress Management:
Meditation, tai chi, and qigong: These practices help calm the mind, relieve stress, and reduce Liver Heat (often exacerbated by emotional stress and anger).
Deep breathing exercises: Promote lung function and reduce erratic Lung Heat.
Rest and Restore:
Adequate sleep: The Kidneys are restored during sleep, so regular, sufficient rest is essential for Kidney health.
Avoid overwork: Physical and mental exhaustion depletes Kidney Qi and weakens the entire system.
Exercise:
Gentle exercise: Activities like walking, swimming, or yoga support Kidney and Lung function without overstraining the body.
Stretching and yoga: Helps improve Liver Qi flow and reduce stagnation, which can lead to erratic heat.
Avoid overexertion: Excessive or high-intensity workouts can deplete Kidney Yin and worsen heat symptoms.
Hydration:
Drink plenty of water: Staying well-hydrated supports the Kidneys and Bladder in detoxifying the body.
Avoid sugary or caffeinated drinks: These can dehydrate the body and contribute to erratic heat.
Environmental Toxins:
Reduce exposure: Minimize exposure to toxins, such as pollution, heavy metals, and chemicals, which can exacerbate Lung Heat and Kidney toxicity.
Emotional health:
The Liver is particularly affected by emotional stress, so cultivating a calm emotional state is crucial. Activities that promote emotional release, such as creative hobbies or counseling, can help regulate Liver Qi and heat.
To get your diet dialed in schedule a personal consultation to determine the correct foods for your constitution as most diet programs are inappropriate. Michelle offers patients an opportunity to help learn the foods that will boost their immune system and are designed especially for your constitution. Schedule with her here.
This month's special:
New patient consultation and treatment special:
- Consultation
- Chinese pulse diagnosis using the Pulse Matrix system of Chinese medical diagnosis
- Chinese tongue diagnosis
- Ba Zi Constitutional analysis
- Acupuncture
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