Seasons of Extremes

Northern Hemisphere: Winter Cold

        From a Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) point of view, the phase of Water is a time of rest and a time for storing energy. Animals must reserve energy for warmth and the purposeful seeking of nourishment. Winter challenges the health and balance in such a way as the animal must use his inner resources – his physical essence and emotional determination to endure this rugged season.

        The organ systems associated with Water are Kidney and Bladder which are highly involved with body fluids. The Kidney in TCM is seen as the “Root of Life” since it houses the horse’s original essence that is inherited from the parents. If the dam and sire are Thoroughbreds, than the off-spring will look and act like a Thoroughbred. He arrives on earth with his original Thoroughbred essence which is stored in the Kidney. Same is true for dogs and cats. If the bitch and the sire are Golden Retrievers, the puppies will have all the attributes of Golden Retrievers. The stored physical essence dissipates as the animal ages and when Kidney essence is completely exhausted, the horse will die. During the animals life it is his core source of physical strength and endurance.

        This Kidney essence can become injured and dissipate too quickly resulting in premature aging and death. Severe illness or injury can deplete Kidney essence. Abuse, neglect, poor sources of nutrients, over-work, stress, and over-vaccination – all can contribute to excessive loss of essence.

        The emotion of fear is associated with Kidney. Fear is the most compelling emotion of survival. Without fear the horse is doomed to die; with too much fear, the animal can injure Kidney essence. A dog with no fear is a dangerous animal. Fear requires careful balance for animals to survive healthfully.

        Kidney essence promotes bone growth and development, fertility, water metabolism, ear health and keenness of hearing. When Kidney energy is not in balance, especially during the winter months, the horse may have lower back pain, not heal readily from an injury particularly when bone is involved, experience excessive fear or no fear at all, suffer from extreme lethargy, have urinary tract problems, and possibly have reproductive issues.

Balance in Winter

        Animals know instinctively how to balance their energy and endure the frigid months. Their downy undercoat undercoats grow thick to keep their body heat close while their outer coat protects them from the whims of weather. They seek shelter when the harshness of winter presents itself. They know to rest and replenish their physical strength. Winter is a time of surviving and restoring.

Southern Hemisphere: Summer Heat

        In the cycle of seasons, the season is the energy of summer, which is hot and expansive in nature. Crops grow rapidly toward maturity in the heat of summer. This is a time of high energy just as the sun is at its highest point in the sky and the days are long. The emotion associated with the Fire Phase is joy because it is a feeling of expansiveness and warmth. There are four energetic pathway, or channels, known as “meridians” associated with Fire: Heart, Small Intestine, Pericardium (the sack surrounding the heart), and Triple Heater (the energetic organ system that regulates all the other organs in the body). Each of these organ systems perform important functions in maintaining the health and balance of the vital substances in the body: Chi, life-promoting energy, Blood (nutrient-rich fluids), and other Body Fluids.

        The young, healthy, balanced animal gives us such a vivid vision of all that is intended in the Fire Phase analogy. As he grows in the Fire Phase of his life, he will acquire all that it takes to become a fully mature with his own presence. He will be magnificent in movement, mind, and form.

        When balanced and healthy, horses, dogs and cats present a clear energetic depiction of Fire. The opposite is only too true…when the animal is not balanced; he can demonstrate all the difficulty and disease that may arise from an imbalance in the Fire Element.

        When his spirit is not rooted by his Heart, a horse can be frenetic, restless and uncontainable like a raging fire. Or, he can be lethargic and plodding. The look in his eye may appear flat and empty of spirit. His vascular system can be weak and his body cold, especially his lower limbs, because of poor circulation. He can spontaneously sweat, or pant, with no exertion or suffer from anhydrosis and not sweat at all. His heart may race or suddenly slow for no apparent reason. He may not be socially accepted by his herd or pack. This animal may not trust any other animal or human. A horse or dog may stand in the shade on a cold day while all his mates are standing in any ray of sun they can find.

        Animals give us a glimpse into the energetic analogies that are intended to be represented by the Five Phases of Transition. They are so honest and transparent in the way they live their lives. Animals know nothing of theories or medicine; they are simply real creatures living every instant. We are all between heaven and earth giving us the opportunity to share in their joy.