ABOUT THE CYCLES

Constellation – The constellations present in the sky during each lunar month

Great Movement – The yearly cycle, beginning generally with the second new moon of the solar year. It is described (as is each month, day, and Chinese hour (2 of our hours)), according to the combination of 1 earthly stem and its associated element along with 1 heavenly branch and its associated animal. 2011 is a xin mao / metal hare year. There are 60 possible combinations of stems and branches, so that each, year, month, day and hour combination repeats once every 60 cycles. It takes a full 60 years to complete one cycle of every combination or energy pattern.

Host / Guest 5 Movement – The cycle of energy during the year according to 5 phase theory. The host / terrestrial order beginning in spring of wood, fire, earth, metal and water remains constant, while the guest / celestial positioning varies. The relationship between the two determines the energetic quality of the season.

Host / Guest 6 Qi – The cycle of energy during the year according to 6 Qi theory. Similar to the 5 Movement cycle, the host energies are stable while guest energies vary. This particular cycle is very reflective of climactic influences upon health, which is why I have chosen it for acupuncture treatments. All 6 relationships for 2011 are unfavorable. 6 Qi theory forms the basis of classical Chinese medicine, and describes the penetration of external factors and illness into 6 progressively deeper layers of the body. It forms the basis for treatment of acute illness such as cold, flu, allergy, etc., as well as more serious and chronic diseases.

Lunar Month – The 2 month movement of metal, earth, fire, water, wood is the same every year. Notice that the first month of the (Chinese / lunar) year begins in metal, even though the season corresponds with spring and wood. This adds another layer of complexity to this cyclical model, and offers deeper insight into energy patterns, disease, and treatment.

Monthly Branch and Stem – 12 heavenly branches and 10 earthly stems repeat continuously to form 60 energetic combinations, each beginning on the new moon.

Season – The most familiar cycle system in the West. Chinese seasons are dated 6 weeks prior to the solstices and equinoxes, which mark the beginning of new seasons in the West.

24 Seasonal Nodes – These reflect a further refinement of energetic cycles, describing roughly 2 week periods of changes and events, primarily atmospheric, in the natural world.

Moon – Full and new moon cycles, the latter being the turning point for each lunar month

72 Material Manifestations – An even further refinement of natural events, primarily terrestrial, than the 24 Seasonal Nodes