Humboldt Acupuncture

01/31/2025

HAPPY CHINESE NEW YEAR of the WOOD SNAKE 2025!

The Chinese New Year begins with the new moon on January 29, 2025. The intensely wild ride of the Dragon of 2024 is behind us, and we welcome the down-to-earth, wise and intuitive Snake! In this ancient and insightful astrological system, the spontaneous and fearless Dragon is followed by the cautious and patient Snake. The Wood Snake is Yin, to the Yang of the Wood Dragon, so this year we are well advised to cultivate our intuition, using that information to chart our course cautiously, yet moving quickly at the perfect moment, like the Snake. Now let us respectfully learn about the Wood Snake, the ruler of the year, so that we may live in health and harmony and thrive with joy this year and beyond.

The Dragon year of 2024 has ended. How was that for you?? Some people were deeply challenged, and some people began enthusiastic new chapters and projects. Now, we all get a fresh start. The Snake is well-known for shedding its skin for a fresh start! Projects begun in the Wood Dragon can continue in a more rooted manner this Yin Wood Snake year. New healthy activity can commence.

Chinese astrology, medicine, and Feng Shui have their roots in the ancient tradition of what we call Taoism. The Tao is the basis, unity of life. (Can “Tao” be translated as “God”? “Dharmadhatu”? These are great philosophical and intangible questions for the mystical and mysterious Snake.) The Tao, unity, gives birth to Yin and Yang, female and male, cold and heat, night and day, the 4 seasons, etc. Yin and Yang give birth to the complexity of the 10,000 things, and yet there is always the unity of the Tao. Astrologically, there are 12 animals, and 5 elements (wood, fire, earth, metal,and water), creating the 60 year cycle. Now, we have a Yin Wood Snake year. Each astrological animal is associated with an element, and Snake is associated with fire. The fire of Snake, and the element wood are in harmony, as wood fuels the growth of fire. This year has intrinsic harmony, rejoice!

What do we know about the mysterious and enigmatic Snake? In the 12 animal pantheon, many animals have a job or role to maintain order in the farmyard, as China was an agrarian culture. Snake does not have such an obvious role, Snake is a mystery. Snake is associated, in many cultures around the world, with Wisdom. Snakes live on, or in, the Earth, and they are very sensitive to vibrations. They are secretive, and cautiously keep their home safe and discreet. If you see a snake, it will generally be moving itself to a safe location. It would rather be lying on a safe warm rock in the sun. And yet we know that snakes will strike very quickly when necessary.

And what of people born in the year of the Snake? Snakes have a sublime beauty, and people born in Snake years are often very beautiful with a charismatic charm. Patient, calculating, mysterious, intuitive, the Snake person will conserve energy, then act quickly when the time is right. Secretive and brilliant, deeply thinking and creative, the hardworking Snake taps into a mysterious source of inspiration. Bob Dylan is born in the year of the Snake, (and actor Timothee Chalamet skillfully portrays his youthful snakiness in the new movie.) Other Snakes are John F. Kennedy, Pablo Picasso, Mao Tse-Tung, Dean Martin, Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, Muhammad Ali, Greta Garbo, Audrey Hepburn, Edgar Allen Poe, Taylor Swift.

This is a Yin Wood Snake year- what does that mean? Wood, by its nature, spreads and grows. Being a Yin Wood year, growth and movement won’t necessarily be as extraordinarily fast-moving as last year’s Dragon, but more slow and steady, if we choose. Yin Wood is more flexible, like bamboo, bending in the wind. And Yin Wood is the deep hidden roots of a tree, balancing the tall Yang branches that reach for the sun. The tree draws strength from Yin roots which absorb sustenance, nourishment and moisture from the earth. Wood is also related to wind, as trees blow in the wind. The wind will blow, but perhaps less intensely than last year’s Yang Wood Dragon. Be flexible and maintain connection to your roots, and stay hydrated! Liver is related to Wood, so use moderation in alcohol consumption and show your liver some love.

Each Chinese astrological animal has an element associated with it, and Snake is Fire. Snake month is late spring to early summer as we are warming up, and Snake hour is 9-11AM, after the bright dawn of Dragon hour, as the morning warms up. Fire, in terms of Chinese medicine, is associated with the Heart. The Heart, known as the Emperor/Empress of organs, is where our Shen or Spirit resides. When we use our intuitive sense, we “listen to our heart”, and act accordingly. The emotion associated with Fire is Joy, and when we are on the path of the Heart, we are following our path of enthusiasm.

Fire, native element of Snake, is also associated with the sun, our burning ball of fire that illuminates our beautiful planet so we can see and be seen. Snakes, with their sublime beauty, are associated with art. Use your intuition and create unique and beautiful art!

Be elegant, mingle occasionally, support the arts and music. The richness of a society is judged by its art. This is a good year to woodshed, keep a low profile (like a snake), focus energy on creative projects.

Snakes are associated with Wisdom. It is important this year to create a quiet introspective place, examine the mind, cultivate peace. Wisdom is not coming from external information. We are barraged with all manner of information, some devised to infuriate, and it is not healthy to be in a perpetual state of outrage. Be aware like a snake, eyes open, present in the moment, sensitive to vibrations. Use that information to determine your reality. If you are fed information via media, telling you that what you know you see with your own eyes, is actually something different, well, don’t buy it. Cultivate your own truth and wisdom. Snakes can be solitary, nurturing truth, wisdom and beauty, but with isolation, be wary of drifting into melancholy or depression. The Wood element this year helps move us steadily in a positive and beneficial direction, courageously flexible and resilient to adversity.

Chinese astrology has a 60 year cycle- the last Wood Snake year was 1965. People born in 1965 and turning 60 are completing one cycle, and have the wisdom that comes with experiencing every energetic combination. We honor and respect those with the wisdom of experience. And we learn about the cycles of nature and investigate previous Snake years. Snakes, as we know, can strike quickly. Pearl Harbor and the attack on the World Trade Center were both during Metal Snake years. Interestingly, Snake years have been consequential for Russia: Tsar Alexander 2 assassinated 1881, revolutions in 1905 and 1917, Stalin’s first purge 1929, N**i Germany invaded 1941, Stalin died of stroke 1953, Soviet bloc disintegrated 1989.

Astrology is not a predictive science, we are not resting our political hopes (or fears) here, or using it for sports betting. Actually, while snakes can be lucky for some people, generally this is a conservative year, one to be cautious with gambling. The cunning Snake will bring innovations in AI and further speculation in crypto. Use caution.

This is year 4722 in the Chinese calendar, and the centuries have seen many despotic emperors come and go. Use the Snake as guide, keep a low profile and trust your intuitive sense for safety. Cultivate wisdom. Quiet and silence is the antidote to the barrage of hypnotic dystopian disinformation.

Shed thy skin early and often! We move away from old habits that no longer serve us.

Maintain clear communication to avoid mistrust. Stay calm.
Don’t panic! Spend time in Nature to nourish your soul. (Personally, I find joy on the beach with my dog searching for driftwood that looks like a snake.)
Keep your lamp trimmed and burning.

Happy New Year of Wood Snake, may you have Joy, good health and prosperity!

Gung Hay Fa Choy!

Peace and Love,

Jeffrey and Chelsea
Humboldt Acupuncture

Maintain balanced health with acupuncture- call for an appointment!

02/13/2024

Happy New Year of the Green Wood Dragon 2024!!!

We welcome the Dragon, the only celestial mythical animal of the Chinese zodiac, magnificently magical, magnanimous and mysterious! An auspicious time, this year ruled by the lucky and powerful Dragon is generally a good time for beginning projects and creative endeavors, moving home or jobs, getting married, travel, and pursuing ambitious goals.

This is a Yang Wood Dragon, arriving with the power of the fresh growth of spring, like a seed sprouting or a baby Dragon hatching from the confines of its shell! We shall analyze the energetics of the noble and dynamic Wood Dragon, but first let us look back at the preceding year of the Yin Water Rabbit, for it is the Yin Water which gives birth to the Yang Wood. As we recall, the Black Water Rabbit finds security, happiness and purpose in establishing a safe and comfortable home, a burrow, for the survival of their family. Rabbits are alert to danger, preyed upon by many animals, and the Water Rabbit can be the most fearful of Rabbits. Into this relative safety of our homes, our burrows, enters the omnipresent internet, the news cycle and fearful commentary, providing us one of the defining terms of last year: Doomscrolling. We learn of Ukrainians surviving in underground bomb shelters, like burrows, during Russian missile attacks. We are bombarded with disagreeable fear-mongering from vindictive politicians. Certainly the defining event of last year, repercussions of which shall continue: Hamas emerging from their burrow-like tunnels to surprise attack a broad swath of Israeli civilians. And Israel’s response, and subsequent repercussions, etc., etc.

Into this apparent morass of humanity’s doing now enters, or bursts, the heavenly Dragon with its vivacious energy and lofty perspective! The Wood Dragon exemplifies the power of Spring, the fresh growth, new movement, and hopeful optimism! We have adequately protected ourselves from fears that may paralyze, and now is the time for action! And our action moves on our path of enthusiasm, the path of our Heart, activity that brings us joy! According to Chinese medicine, our spirit, Shen, resides in our heart, the Emperor/Empress of organs. The nature of our spirit is light, unencumbered and free to guide us enthusiastically, wholeheartedly on our unique path. And the ancient wisdom of the Chinese medical system provides security for the spirit, as there is an entire organ system we call the Heart Protector. We were like the Black Rabbit, deep within our dark shelter, cultivating a peaceful heart while the information and disinformation comes and goes. And now, the cycle continues, and we evolve into the Green Dragon, with inspiration like a flash of lightning in the dark, bursting like a springtime bud, unconstrained by the past, and developing new perspectives and solutions to old problems. This is a time of rebirth, refreshed, of reinvention and renewal!

Dragon is associated with nature, as it is said that the breath of Dragons are the clouds that give life producing rain, lightning, mist. The sound of thunder is the enlightened speech of Dragons.
Dragons are the only astrological animal that flies- even without wings, bringing a fresh perspective. In the ancient relationship of Heaven-Human-Earth, Heaven represents the heavenly bodies, the stars, planets, sun and moon, moving regularly to create seasons and cycles on Earth. With awareness of the cycles, Humans can live harmoniously, balancing Heaven and Earth. The celestial Dragon, now brings us its Heavenly perspective, enabling us to live in harmony with nature, and providing an expansive awareness of reality.

The Dragon is also associated with the Chinese Emperor, known as the Son of Heaven, who sat on the Dragon Throne. The emperor, or empress, the enlightened ruler embodying the wisdom of the sages, made decisions for all citizens, in harmony with the cycles of nature. The beneficial Wood Dragon provides us with a perspective that sees both sides of conflicts, all the prolonged suffering created by humans, and new ideas for fresh action to ease the misery. Dragon brings us enlightened speech, the compassionate sound of truth, which awakens.

The Yang Wood Dragon! We transition from the most Yin Water Rabbit, deep inward cultivation, to the most Yang Wood Dragon, powerful bright expression. The nature of the Yang Wood is the mighty force of Spring, the reawakening from the slumber of Winter, a rebirth! This is a refresh, restart, rejuvenation in harmony with the cycles and seasons. Activate!

The energy of Wood is spreading, rising toward heaven, and also spreading roots. The Wood element is associated with the Liver organ system, which according to Chinese medical theory, spreads and courses all Qi and substances in the body, ensuring physical flourishing. Take care of your Liver this year. The Liver is also in charge of tendons. Tendons connect muscle to bones, facilitating smooth and continuous movement. The Liver is in charge of planning strategy to implement the direction of the Heart Shen/Spirit. Our Spirit needs to spread through the world, and the Liver facilitates this free and easy wandering. If and when obstacles block our path, if we get stuck, there may be an inclination to become angry. Please be aware of this tendency as anger may create more problems. Stay hydrated, as well-hydrated Wood can be flexible to move creatively around obstacles. Another factor associated with Wood is Wind- the Wind will blow this year, forcefully at times. The Wood element needs to be adequately hydrated in order to bend in the breeze, with healthy roots with which to be grounded. Drink water.

This year is the Wood Dragon, though generally the Dragon is connected with the element Earth.
As Wood breaks up Earth with its roots, the controlling relationship weakens the Earth element.
Earth is associated with digestion, so be kind to yourself by eating foods that agree with you, and consider Chinese herbal formulas which help course the Qi and resolve damp stagnation.
Earth also is associated with the thought process, and a weakened Earth can potentially contribute to mental imbalance and anxiety. In this system, thoughts are considered as food. We cannot cease our thinking, as meditation is often the observation of thoughts, they keep coming. With food, when healthy, our digestive system is said to separate the pure from the turbid, we utilize the nutrition and transform it into useful energy to accomplish our ambitions, and we get rid of the waste product. With our mental process, we take the thoughts that serve us in a positive way, as inspiration for constructive action, and we let go of the negative thoughts, anxiety, angst. Let it go.

This Wood Dragon, however, is unconcerned about a slightly weakened Earth element- this Dragon is pure Yang energy, spontaneously acting on impulse and not overthinking.
(Perhaps your personal astrology in relation to the Wood Dragon gives you some consternation, and if so, may the above image of thoughts as food ease your mind.) This year will be wild and unpredictable, as the mighty Dragon comfortably puts instinct and inspiration into dynamic action.
The Hour of the Dragon is 7-9AM, start of the new day, bright Yang time of new beginnings.
The Month of the Dragon is April, equating with Aries, springtime of fresh starts and new growth. When calculating one’s Chinese astrology, one takes into account the Four Pillars: the hour, day, month and year of birth. It may helpful to have a little Dragon in one’s chart this year, in order to harmonize the wildly creative energy and enjoy the roller coaster. Spontaneity, music, dance, launching new ventures, travel, laughter- bring your dreams, like seeds, out of the darkness to grow in the bright clear light of Springtime.

The power of the Wood Dragon may likely get out of control this year, unrestrained Yang.
Wood has a relationship with Wind. The Wind will blow with the power of the Dragon. Maybe this is the year when hurricane Category 6 is created. Also, the given the relationship of Wood and Earth, earthquakes are somewhat expected. And volcanic activity.

We study history, and we learn from patterns. In Chinese astrology, the 12 animals and 5 elements combine to generate the 60 Year Cycle. This Wood Dragon is Chinese year 4722. The previous Wood Dragon year was 1964. There was a 9.2 earthquake on March 27, 1964 in Alaska, which caused a tsunami. Also there was the Great Flood of ’64, severely affecting towns along rivers of Northern CA and Oregon. Big, powerful and unconstrained is the Dragon- expect the unexpected.

Also during Wood Dragon 1964, the US sent 5000 more advisors to Vietnam, increasing that conflict, as the peace demonstrations increased at home. We also saw the Berkeley Free Speech movement, as the Dragon freely speaks truth. In 1964, Nelson Mandela gave his speech, “I am prepared to die”, in the South African anti-apartheid struggle. And Martin Luther King Jr. received the Nobel Peace Prize for leading non-violent resistance to racial prejudice in the US.

The Dragon offers fresh, unconventional and innovative solutions to old problems, of which we are profoundly in need. A lofty noble view is crucial to clearly see our global situation of climate change caused by unbridled greed and ignorance. A fresh perspective is necessary to consider novel approaches to resolving ancient conflicts, cousins attacking cousins in Ukraine, battling brutally in Gaza, threatening in Taiwan, vindictive in the USA. How will the celestial Dragon unite the disparate players on this beautiful and miraculous planet?? Maybe a divine invasion of beneficial extraterrestrial UFO’s??? How about a comet?? On April 8, 2024, during the Dragon month, there will be a total solar eclipse, and the path of totality cuts through the center of the United States. Will this cosmic event, what I consider to be evidence of Heavenly Harmony, bring about unity in the United States? We shall see. And this is an election year! Will the Supreme Court grant the unconstrained power of the Emperor to the next president?? Expect the unexpected.

And so, HAPPY NEW YEAR OF THE YANG WOOD DRAGON! Hang on and enjoy the wild ride! May you prosper joyfully! Follow your path of enthusiasm, directed by the Heart. It is a vibrant time that encourages new beginnings. Plant trees and gardens. Walk amongst the tall trees. Detach from social media to cultivate imagination and create your own art. Take a break from the news cycle to preserve your sanity and relax your mind. Practice Tai Chi, Qi Gong, Yoga, stretching muscles to be flexible. Be flexible in considering a viewpoint, as everyone may become a stubborn authority on everything. Look for Dragons in the clouds, mountains and mists. Exert considerable effort to create an exciting and harmonious world, and also get ample rest, rejuvenation, sleep and sustenance. Eat your greens. Experience acupuncture. Play music loudly. Dance spontaneously. Speak the truth. Cultivate generosity. What a remarkable time to be alive on this very special planet, evolving with the assistance the Wood Dragon, to perceive a dimension of Heavenly reality as through the Dragon’s eyes! May Peace and Harmony prevail, and may all beings be free of suffering!

Losar Tashi Delek!
Gong Ci Fa Cai!
Peace and Love,
Jeffrey Haloff LAc.
Humboldt Acupuncture
707-268-8007

06/16/2023

https://mindfulstoic.net/the-way-of-chuang-tzu-four-practices-of-taoism/?fbclid=IwAR3_McAjpypmtrVVDbF7tB_XCYDXsBfSQfy2VdTF-RY-xAO7VCuelkpH5Lo

Discover the way of Chuang Tzu and a few fundamental practices of Taoism that are still useful today for living a balanced life.