Newsletter 3 - September New Moon
Do you feel it? Another new moon approaches: September 21st, is also a partial solar eclipse, and of course the Autumn Equinox. A time of new beginnings, darkness, and balance. In the Chinese 24 Seasonal Calendar, the equinox is not the beginning of Autumn, but the mid point. If you live in a temperate zone, then you’ve already noticed for a few weeks now the leaves yellowing and falling, and you’ve likely gotten out a sweater you didn’t touch all summer.
Autumn is the season of the metal element- the golden days of ripening and letting go. We’ve passed the height of the years yang energy in summer, and now we are at the mid point of decline to the low point at the winter solstice. In that way its a time of refining, ending, and retreating within. But every ending is of course also a new beginning. The metal element in our bodies relates to the Lungs and Large Intestine, organs of intake and output, acceptance, and release.
Autumn is a time energetically to strengthen the lungs, to help prevent invasion of external pathogens, which in Chinese medicine we call wind, cold, heat, damp, and dryness. Hydrating with warm water, doing Qigong, avoiding spicy foods unless you have a cold, and otherwise avoiding activity that causes you to sweat (unless you need to purge something), especially if it is cold and windy outside, are basic “Yang Sheng” “Nourishing Life” lifestyle guidance tips from Chinese medicine for the fall.
So, take some time to breathe on the new moon, reflect on and experience the pivotal shift in energy on the day of equal light and dark as we approach the depths of watery winter ahead.
Tian Gan Di Zhi Ba Zi - “Celestial Stem Terrestrial Branch 8 Pillars”
Point of the Month Sept.7th - Oct.7th 2025: Yi You Month
Yin Wood Celestial Stem; Yin Metal (Rooster) Terrestrial Branch = The Metal Point on the Yin Wood Channel
Acupuncture Point:
Liver 4: Zhongfeng, the Central Seal
Metal Point on the Yin Wood (LR - Liver) Channel
Jing-River Point on LR Channel
Location: Anterior to the medial malleolus in the depression on the medial side of the tendon of m. tibialis anterior. Google “liver 4 acupuncture point location” for visuals.
Functions:
Spreads liver chi, and clears the channel.
-Hernia, pain in the external genitalia, nocturnal emission, retention of urine, distending pain in the hypochondrium.
Acupressure use: Apply pressure to the point and concentrate on the essence of the point - keeping it all together and not falling apart.
Eventually I’ll be covering monthly point energetics more in-depth on the Waypoint Sanctuary YouTube Channel. Subscribe to the channel to get notifications when new videos (including points of the month) are uploaded!
Intention Fest 2025 is almost here!
Waypoint Sanctuary will have a booth at the 2025 RI Intention Fest! We will be offering $15 mini-treatments and have a range of Chinese Herbal Medicine for sale.
In case you missed the details in our last newsletter: Intention Fest is held in Ninigret Park in Charlestown, RI. It features many holistic, wellness, and peace minded practitioners, teachers, and vendors selling goods, offering services, and leading practices and demonstrations! It’s open and free to the public. Besides the mini-treatments, I’ll be giving Qi Gong, Tai Chi, and Kung Fu demonstrations. Come and enjoy yoga, meditation, and at least 1 other Tai Chi teacher, drum circles (BYOD), and more!
Checkout the website for more info at: https://intentionfest.info/
I hope to see you there!
Sunday, September 28th, noon-5pm, Ninigret Park, Charlestown, RI