8 Branches Chinese Medicine

02/13/2026

Loving reminder to make sure you’re keeping your system regulated and your cup full. However that looks for you.

I’ve had a few last minute openings come available for this Friday for sound massage, energetic alignment, or a quick tuning fork reset. Also, just a few spots left for Sunday’s Restore & Regulate sound bath at the Center at 8 Branches Chinese Medicine and for the Sound. Sauna, and Soak next weekend at Mother Lion Retreat

The main objective for all of these options is restoration, regulation, rest, and pockets of peace. Gentle therapeutic sound integration to nurture your system, not shock it.

Love you ✨

www.resonantheartmke.com

02/05/2026

Spring Begins | Li Chun 立春
Twelfth—First Lunar Month (2/17)
Yi Jing Hexagram: Tai | Peace

Yin and yang are harmonious. The Winter Solstice (12/21/25) marks the return of light, and the Lunar New Year (2/17/26) begins the intensity and brilliance of the Yang Fire Horse.

Renew relationships. Socialize with friends, family and food. Move slow.

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Southern Hemisphere:

Autumn Begins | Li Qiu 立秋
Sixth—Seventh Lunar Month
Yi Jing Hexagram: Pi | Obstruction

Changing winds fight to overcome damp heat during this transitional time. Repressed emotions may erupt as this yin/yang separation occurs.

Dress lightly. Stroll in the evening. Eat simply. Be honest and true.

02/05/2026

Happy Solar New Year. The Beginning of Spring welcomes the Yang Fire Horse.
The next two weeks of this first seasonal node bring the Lunar New Year on 2/17. During this transitional time, the yearly energy solidifies from the Yin Wood Snake to the Yang Fire Horse.

Last year, the Snake shed through the release of old systems, the uncovering of truths, and a growing awareness of conflicting realities. Its energy encouraged the letting go of outdated patterns and behaviors. It was a reckoning in self and collective awareness best described by revelations and the shattering of illusions.

We will continue to observe as more is uncovered. The Fire Horse amplifies what is unfinished. It accelerates movement and adds intensity, though it is often misunderstood as chaotic or destructive. In truth, this brings an expansion of fullest potential. It is wild and free, like a stallion, ever meant to be controlled or domesticated. Living in a world that prioritizes control, can limit our perspective of what freedom really means.

For those questioning reality, this may signal a heightened awareness rather than confusion. The reality we are observing is unlike any before. It is a separation of the old with the uncovering of the new, which is yet to be formed and still unknown. Discomfort with the unknown is why some cling to nostalgia and the past. The more we resist change, the harder it all becomes. In a Fire year, what is meant to change will happen regardless. Systems that are hallow and lacking true integrity will not endure the heat.

As we see reflected in nature, where solid foundation is lacking, creation crumbles. This is important to remember, as the benefits of ritual practice and embracing routine can create rhythm and capacity for grounding and rooting oneself. This helps bring clarity when the fire intensifies, allowing insights to integrate. With no sense of structure or safety, illumination may instead feel destructive and consuming.

02/04/2026

Numerology in the classics, unfolding the mystery of life. Transformation of One through Five.

一 One. Oneness, everything and nothing. To speak of the one is to speak of the common origin of everything and everyone and the mysteries of the origins unknown. Every number that follows comes from the origin of one. Yuan qi, the original qi.

二 Two, unified couple/pair. Moving from non existence to existence. Two is not twice one, it is the opening up of one, creating two different parts. Heaven is born from Yang movement above and Earth born from Yin concentration below- always in relationship together; never separate

三 Three, potential. The function of existence between Heaven and Earth. The movement and transformation of Qi. The whole potential of life, joining the earth(original yin) and heaven(original yang) to form the original nature, a being’s true nature. Qi is always a mixture of yinyang and the birth of three is the potential of creation becoming the created. Shen-Qi-Jing. Heaven-being-earth. past-present-future.

四 Four, directions/seasons. The appearance of time and space. A specific Yin and Yang mixture. In the four directions- the square is symbolic of earth, divided into territories as space. The light and dark waxing and waning, as a measurement of time in days and years.

五 Five, phases/dynamics. The number introducing our human reality. From the inside out(earth returning to heaven). The center in the central space between the four. COMING TOGETHER.
5 is related to the earth phase, and earth as the center. The merging of and distinguishing of the 5/WuXing. A realization of something different coming together again.

When we accept something different, we are already transformed.

The center is the space of transformation between each of the seasons; everything we need to be human between heaven and earth.

🙏🏼🤍 Élisabeth Rochat de la Vallée

Resources:
https://www.tcm.ac/courses/numerology-in-the-classics/?v=88588bacf0da
https://www.harmonygate.com/assets/linked_docs/articles/numerologyandtom.pdf

02/04/2026

The qi of earth ascends, the qi of heaven descends. In this fashion, yin and yang grind against each other, and heaven and earth merge in undulating embrace. If this setting is vibrated by thunder, excited by wind and rain, moved by the flow of the four seasons, and fondled by the germinating light of sun and moon, the world’s myriad processes of transformation become aroused. [from Book of Rites (Li Ji), fl. 2nd century B.C.E.](trans. Fruehauf)

What a beautiful quote to complement my thoughts on the 10 heavenly stems and 12 earthly branches, on this coming together and intermingling of 5(all we need to be human) and 6(the movement of life).

The circle of heaven in the south symbolizes the head and the square of earth in the north symbolizes the feet.

The creation of yin form develops within the heavenly womb. The fetal head is typically oriented below, as beings are more often born head first after 10 lunar months of gestation.

This is the form of the 5 dynamics developing from conception(5zang, senses,etc). After birth, we become upright- from creation to created as a post-heaven being on earth - the moment of first breath(da qi) when the 12 meridians become complete and the 6 atmospheric qi of heaven, are completing a great sweeping motion within.

Our feet orient from above to below as our circle in the south(the head) positions upright and our feet in the north become grounded. As above, so below.

Orientation of heaven determines our space in time and time measures our space/place on earth.

02/04/2026

Greater Cold | Da Han
Twelfth Lunar Month
Yi Jing Hexagram: Lin | Overseeing

Yin is carried by the wind. Expect rain, snow and ice. The dead of winter will not continue much longer.

Stay warm. Rest digestion. Keep the mind at ease. Avoid overthinking.

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Southern Hemisphere:

Greater Heat | Da Shu
Sixth Lunar Month
Yi Jing Hexagram: Dun | Withdrawal

Yang flares outward with oppressive heat from yin below. Peaceful transfer from yang to yin will lessen conflict and damp heat illnesses.

Clear physical and emotional heaviness. Pace yourself.

02/03/2026

01/11/2026

Lesser Cold | Xiao Han 小寒
Twelfth Lunar Month
Yi Jing Hexagram: Lin | Overseeing

The coldest period begins. Yin compresses yang. Yang only beings to imagine its revival and must be nourished.

Retreat. Realize potential. Wait to manifest. Be patient.

___

Southern Hemisphere:

Lesser Heat | Xiao Shu 小暑
Sixth Lunar Month
Yi Jing Hexagram: Dun | Withdrawal

The hottest period begins. Yin grows, expanding yang outward. Plants begin to gather yang inward. Strong roots and fertile seeds ensure future survival.

Enjoy the twilight sky and abundant harvest. Limit midday sun exposure.

01/11/2026

January is not the beginning.
It is the holding breath.
After the exhale.

The last lunar cycle is the completion of the yin wood snake year.
Before the yang fire horse arrives, alignment matters more than momentum.

It is the threshold.
Pressure years reveal cracks quietly.
Ignition makes them visible.

Continue shedding.
This month is for simplification
not acceleration.

This is the pause.
Centre and fully surrender.
Move slowly into the
Lunar new year.

The energies coalesce as we transform from snake to horse.
Those who align to welcome fire horse experience illumination instead of destruction.

2026 Jan 18
Lunar: 12/1 (Capricorn moon)
Da Han | greater cold
Lin | overseeing, approach, watching over.

12/30/2025

Spots still available ✨

Join me on 1/11 at the Center at 8 Branches Chinese Medicine for a gentle afternoon post-holiday guided experience as we discover and reconnect with our own innate ability to regulate and receive through music, sound and vibration. Come as you are and relax with the restorative support of metal therapy-grade singing bowls, gongs, chimes, monochord, and more.

This 90 minute session will integrate the use of gentle recorded and live sound experiences along with some sound massage techniques - all designed to regulate and nurture the nervous system to help you reach a state of peace and relaxation.

All that is provided are simply offerings - you ultimately decide what feels right for you. No experience is necessary, and all techniques are designed to regulate and nurture the nervous system and help you reach a state of inner peace, clarity and relaxation.

Gentle permission to rest. ✨

Register:
https://www.resonantheartmke.com/event-details-registration/rest-restore-sound-bath

12/21/2025

Winter Solstice | Dongzhi 冬至
Eleventh Lunar Month
Yi Jing Hexagram: Fu | Return

The greatest yin and the longest night of the year. Yang returns, moving yin to spread its cold and fully manifest. The return of light welcomes conservation.

Sleep more. Talk less. Create comfort. Practice restraint to protect yang.

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Southern Hemisphere:

Summer Solstice | Xiazhi 夏至
Fifth Lunar Month
Yi Jing Hexagram: Gou | Meeting

The greatest yang and the longest day of the year. Yin returns, pushing yang outward. Peak activity easily creates excess and exhaustion.

Express feelings. Meditate. Maintain boundaries. Sleep during the dark hours.