The Season In Between
There are five seasons in Chinese philosophy. Four of them correspond with the ones most commonly known: Fire (summer), Metal (fall), Water (winter), and Wood (spring). The fifth one, Earth, is like a mini-season that falls in between each of the other seasons for a brief period of time, a period traditionally understood to be 18 days long. What we call "Indian summer" is an example from our own culture of the season of Earth, though in Chinese philosophy it occurs four times per year.
Earth is like a pivot around which the other seasons rotate, like a pendulum that anchors and stabilizes the weather until the new seasonal pattern is established. It is characterized by dramatic weather and temperature changes and ends when these things even out. It is the period of time when the energy descends and returns to the Earth for renewal and replenishment before it rises once again in a new manifestation.
Earth is unlike the other seasons, which are characterized by general temperature and moisture patterns. For example, Fire (summer) is hot and dry, Metal (fall) is cold and dry, Water (winter) is cold and wet, and Wood (spring) is hot and wet. In Chinese philosophy Earth is neutral and, as such, the season of transformation.
1,000 Tongues
When I first learned about tongue diagnosis I really didn't believe that it could be such a useful diagnostic tool. I hadn't even looked at my own tongue much, let alone anyone elses, so I wasn't yet aware of how individualized they really are. Well, I figure that by now I have looked at literally thousands of tongues. Turns out, they are just as varied and unique as faces! Plus, I have really begun to see the patterns in tongues - how different people with the same condition will have similar tongues. Here are three of the main characteristics that we practitioners of Chinese medicine look for in a tongue and some of the many varied things that they can indicate.
- Body Color: pale (blood or yang deficiency), red (heat), purple (blood stasis)
- Body Shape: thin (blood or yin deficiency), swollen (dampness, phlegm, edema)
- Tongue Coating: yellow (heat), thick white (dampness or phlegm), no coating (yin deficiency)
Acupuncturist Nancy Hyton of the Center in The Mountain XPress
" In addition to reminding us that 'an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure' and that it’s 'way easier to treat conditions before they become chronic,' Licensed Acupuncturist Nancy Hyton offers a helpful overview of the basic principles of holistic health. 'By balancing and harmonizing the body overall, instead of focusing on one particular isolated symptom, a higher state of wellness can be achieved,' says Hyton, who’s also a certified herbalist and founder of the Center for Holistic Medicine. She also notes, 'The body has an innate ability to heal itself and naturally strives towards balance and wellness. Conditions respond better and are less likely to return when you treat the underlying cause as well as the outward symptoms.' ”
West Asheville Urban Plant Walk, Saturday April 30th
Come learn about the medicinal and edible plants growing in the sidewalks, gardens, and wild lots of downtown West Asheville! This event will be happening Saturday April 30th from 10:30 to 12:00, rain or shine. It will start at the Center and venture off into the immediate neighborhood. The walk will be co-hosted by Nancy Hyton, Licensed Acupuncturist, Certified Herbalist, and founder of the Center for Holistic Medicine, and Keri Evjy from Healing Roots Design, an edible and medicinal landscape design and consultation business. The cost is $5 for adults and includes a useful handout of the plants we will be talking about on the walk. Kids are free! Sign up in advance at the Center or just come by on the day of the event. You can also call us at 505-3174 or reply to this email us and we'll put you on the list.
West Asheville Urban Plant Walk This Spring
Nancy is planning to host an urban plant walk this spring some time around the end of April-beginning of May. The walk will start at the Center and will cover some of the medicinal plans growing in the sidewalks, lots, and gardens of the immediate neighborhood. The walk will will last about 90 minutes and will be $5 per person. There will be a sign-up sheet available at the Center or you can just show up the day of the walk. We'll keep you posted as more information becomes available.