QI TIPS – The Whisper of Frost

In October, you felt the Forest Descent—the quiet sigh of leaves returning to Earth. Now, the morning frost begins to glimmer on windowsills and fallen petals, Nature’s soft rehearsal for winter’s stillness.

Not all of us can drift south with the cranes, so we turn instead toward warmth from within. Pull on your thickest socks—a woolen shield, as potent as a flu shot—and feel the comfort rise from your feet through your bones.

Kindle inner fire by rubbing your ears briskly, back and forth. This small act awakens your Kidneys, the keepers of endurance and quiet strength. Close your eyes and see a warm, steady flame glowing in your Dan Tien, deep in the belly. Let this inner hearth burn gently through the long months ahead.

This cycle hums with the resonance of C4, the fourth cervical vertebra. As you inhale, imagine a soft light unfurling from C4, spreading through every layer of your being like dawn mist through a forest canopy.

THE METAL SEASON

We have entered the realm of Metal, where the Lungs breathe the crisp air of clarity and the Heart meets the emotion of Grief. This is the season of refinement—of cutting away what is no longer needed, revealing what gleams beneath.

Grief, when met with breath and tenderness, becomes a sculptor’s chisel—it carves space for something finer. Ask yourself: What must I release to shine more brightly? Metal invites us to distill our experiences into pearls of wisdom, polished by time and tears.

To support this letting-go, find LI4 – The Great Eliminator. Spread thumb and forefinger wide and press into the web where they meet until you feel the subtle cord of connective tissue. This point is a doorway for release—a whisper of renewal rising through your hand.

THE LUNG’S EMBRACE

The Lungs are the body’s silken boundary, the meeting place between self and sky.They are your first line of defense, the gatekeepers of breath and vitality.

Even if the sun smiles down, wrap a scarf around your neck—a soft promise to guard your wind gate. To nourish this vital organ, locate Lung 7: Make a gentle thumbs-up and find the hollow at the base of your thumb—the “anatomical snuffbox.” From there, trace two finger-widths up the arm. Press lightly. Here lies a pulse of strength—a point that helps your Lungs descend, release, and renew. Stay healthy with these Qi Tips

REFRAMING GRIEF

As the trees draw their energy inward, so must we. Let the grief of the season not be heaviness but harvest. Everything that bloomed in summer has come to fruition—now it is time to gather, sift, and keep what will nourish you through the darker months. Let go gently, as trees do with their leaves—without regret, only wisdom.

KITCHEN FARMACY

November roots us down, asking us to find comfort in the soil’s bounty. Fill your basket with Yin-nourishing roots—onions, carrots, parsnips, beets—the hidden sweetness of the earth. These humble foods feed the Lungs and anchor the spirit.

Let your kitchen become a refuge: Simmer bone broths to fortify the Kidneys, guardians of winter’s quiet strength. If your hand reaches for a fruit out of season, warm it first—a pie, a compote, a fragrant stew. In doing so, you honor the rhythm of the seasons, the pulse of balance within.

TEA RITUALS FOR WINTER

As the air sharpens, cradle your favorite mug and breathe in its steam. Each herb carries a story, a medicine, a whisper of earth’s care.

• Chamomile – for rest and release; a balm for inflammation and restless hearts

• Peppermint or Spearmint – to soothe the stomach and clear the mind

• Licorice Root – for sore throats and tender mornings

• Lemon Balm – to lift the fog of winter and ease anxious thoughts

• Ginger – a spark of fire in gray days

• Stinging Nettle – to open pathways and calm allergies

• Milk Thistle – to cleanse and strengthen the Liver

  
  

MINTY GINGER TEA – A Winter Companion

Bring 1 quart of water to a gentle boil. Add 2 inches of fresh ginger root, chopped and fragrant. Let it simmer, covered, for 20 minutes. Remove from heat. Add a handful of mint—let it steep for 10 minutes.Then chamomile—only 4 minutes, no more, or it will turn bitter. Strain, inhale, and stir in a ribbon of honey. Sip slowly. Let warmth unfurl through your chest like sunlight finding snow.

And please—share your favorite winter tea with the circle. Send your recipe to: shamom100@gmail.com. Let us all drink from one another’s wisdom.