In our previous column, we addressed the archetypal facial landscape and how memory patterns exhibited outwardly as facial microtensions (i.e., wrinkles, lines and sagging) can cause emotional disharmony in body/mind and spiritual essence. In contrast to Western archetypal symbolism, which represents characters, situations and symbols that influence our daily lives via the unconscious mind, the Chinese interpretation embraces the ideology of qi manifestation. The idea that our thoughts and actions are motivated by the harmony or disharmony of qi flow throughout the body is the basis of Eastern philosophy.
The body/mind/spirit is inseparable, and communication between these three states of being is facilitated by the vitalizing flow of energy contained in the meridians, which transport precious ancestral information in the form of cellular memory. Additionally, each zang/fu organ whose Five-Element function is a mirror of its position within an Imperial "hierarchy," houses a virtue, a particular archetypal persona (i.e., one of the 12 Officials) and a balanced or imbalanced expression, which can support the harmony, growth and evolution of each individual or group.
"Watering" the Palace Gardens
The six levels, taiyang/shaoyin, yangming/taiyin and shaoyang/jueyin, represent another aspect of the archetypal balance/imbalance of qi flow. Imbalance manifests in emotions that disturb, compromise or impair, while virtues of wisdom, benevolence and integrity flow abundantly in a balanced individual. Cultivation of qi as a gateway to longevity, beauty and conscious development of virtuous qualities has long been a tradition of Chinese medicine. Acupuncture is an important tool to unblock qi and also liberate the free flow of shen and jing in the Three Treasures and the virtues of the organs.
An examination of the state of the facial landscape provides the practitioner with insight into the overall health and well-being of the body. Acupuncture then provides an avenue of communication between the yin/yang pairs and primary archetypal circuitry represented in the meridians and the cutaneous energy pathways of the six divisions.
Taiyang/Shaoyin. Taiyang represents heaven expressing shen through the union of the yang aspects of fire and water - the archetypal expressions of discernment and containment. Its yin counterpart is the union of shaoyin, the yin aspects of fire and water. Heart and kidney clear inner sight and encourage harmonious alignment. Taiyang and shaoyin manifest as another archetypal strength, that of propriety and wisdom.
Emotions that disturb the relevant organ systems include the following:
Yangming/Taiyin. Yangming represents earth expressing jing essence through the alliance of the yang aspects of earth and metal; the archetypal expression of integration being a centered and effortless release. Its yin counterpart is the union of taiyin, the yin aspects of earth and metal, with spleen and lungs expressed as the archetypal energies of transformation and receptivity. Yangming and taiyin manifest archetypally a deeper expression of integrity and righteousness.
Emotions that compromise the relevant organ systems include:
Shaoyang/Jueyin. Shaoyang represents the body of qi expressing humanity through the union of the yang aspects of fire and wood, the Triple Heater and gallbladder, and the archetypal energies of alchemy and judgment/decision-making. Its yin counterpart is the union of jueyin, the yin aspects of fire and wood, the Heart Protector, the pericardium and liver. This partnership combines intimacy with keen perception, and mobilizes positive action, manifesting as propriety and benevolence.
Emotions that impair the relevant organ systems include:
We have explored qi as an ever-changing image of human consciousness and growth, a template of ancestral memory and an evolving dynamic of individual health. The expressions of the face, being intimately linked with the brain, serve as a life map that manifests outwardly the archetypal energies of the Five Elements, the 12 Officials and the Six Divisions.
Whether your patient yearns for the renewal (inner and outer) of beauty, relief from Bell's palsy, the aftermath of a stroke or the pain of TMJ, facial acupuncture, rooted in the precepts of Oriental medicine, supports the evolution of their well-being by wisely embracing the perennial philosophy of relationship, flow, harmony and balance.
| TABLE 1: THE EMPEROR'S COURT, THE 12 OFFICIALS | |||
Yin Organ | Archetypal Persona | Balanced Expression | Imbalanced Expression |
Heart | Emperor | Source of shen and clear sight | Confused; unclear thinking; propriety and order are lacking |
Kidney | Minister of Health | Determines the strength of body; controls water and fluids; stores will and inherited constitution in form of yuan qi and jing | Fearful; disconnected; experiences separateness in life |
Heart Protector; Pericardium | Celestial Empress; protects the Emperor (the heart) | Governs intimacy | Difficulties with relationships and experiences; emotionally distant; inappropriate behavior or lack of boundaries |
Liver | General | Perception; planning protection through detoxification | Depression; frustration; anger; irritability; chronic indecision; impeded perception and focus |
Lung | King's Minister | Receptivity: receives pure essence | Sadness, melancholy, low self-esteem; a need to conquer; unable to receive little gifts of life |
Spleen | Official | In charge of granary, transformation & transportation, distribution of nourishment | Obsessive-compulsive; self-pity; confuses sympathy for empathy |
Yang Organ | Archetypal Persona | Balanced Expression | Imbalanced Expression |
Small Intestine | Receiving Official | Separates the pure from the impure; conducts essence to and from the heart | Overwhelmed; confused; foggy-headed; compromised thought, word and deeds |
Bladder | Minor District Official | Stores reserves, manages and dispenses resources; controls storage of water & excretes fluids | Fearful; greedy; sour disposition; unable to hold onto anything of meaning in life |
Triple Heater | Irrigation Official | Maintains homeostasis, body thermostat, supports social relations, networks and communications; water-channel balance & harmony | Disconnected; withdrawn; marginally engaged; very limited range of self-expression |
Gallbladder | Judge/Arbitrator | Wise judgment; supports the perception of liver | Limited insight; irritable, frustrated; rage or violent behavior |
Large Intestine | Official | Lets go of that which no longer serves | Insecurity; fearful of what future may hold (when large intestine is obstructed) |
Stomach | Official | In charge of granary; nourishes through the integration of experiences acquired throughout life | Overloaded in all areas of life; inability to integrate past or present issues |
| TABLE 2: THE PALACE GARDENS, THE SIX DIVISIONS | |||||||
Yang Flows | Channel | Aspect | Endowment | Element | Virtue(s) | Channel | Yin Flows |
Taiyang | SI/Bl | Heaven | shen | fire/water | propriety/wisdom | Hi/Kid | shaoyin |
Shaoyang | TH/GB | Humanity | qi | fire/wood | propriety/benevolence | PC/Liv | jueyin |
Yangming | LI/St | Earth | jing | metal/earth | integrity/righteousness | Lu/Sp | taiyin |
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