Energy Cycles of
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illustration of the four divisions of the daily solar cycle, the yang energy is shown rising through the morning hours and peaking at noon when the yin In the illustration below (Figure 59). cycle begins.
at noon is shown on the left.
to the energy differences, yang energy be- comes too strong in the head area at the close to noon. Although this is not a good time for cultivating, it is still okay for handling other daily The best time for self-cultivation is in the early morning when yang
energy is not yet too strong.
In the first part of the yin sphere, yin energy is shallow and usable for some work. The latter part of the yin sphere, when the energy becomes deeper, is time for rest and not for engaging in work.
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A “chord’ is a straight line cut through a circle. Thus the Chinese call the half moon the “upper chord moon” when it is waxing in the left part of the sphere (Figure 60). They call it the “lower chord moon” when it wanes through the right half of the sphere. The new moon is called the “eyebrow moon.”
The “upper chord.” which develops from the new moon, is increasing, and reaches for the full moon. The “lower cord” is worn out and decreasing.
The and sedating effects of the moon’s cycles extend to human emotional life. During the up- per chord phases, one feels and during the lower chord sedated. One should regulate one’s emo- tions in order to maintain balance during this cycle.
The correct time for self-cultivation is during all phases of the moon, but especially during the full lower chord moon. “No moon” is the end of the cycle when no light is visible from the moon. The New Moon is the beginning of a new cycle, and is also called “eyebrow moon.” It suggests new life or the beginning of a new cycle. It is beneficial to grow one’s energy with the moon. For reasons of protecting a gentle young energy sprout, emotional excitement or outbursts must be avoided during the new moon.
E. Further Applications of Figure
1. On the day of the new moon one should fast or keep a clean, simple diet order to benefit from the moon’s refreshing energy.
2. During the moon (the or sixteenth day of the lunar cycle) the tide rises. The liquid energy of the human body also rises at this time. During these days, one should avoid affairs which require a con- siderable amount of care, delicacy and gentleness. This is a good time for cultivating since it enables one to achieve clarity.
3. During the closing days of the moon’s cycle, before and at the time of no moon, the attracting or contract- ing force of the moon’s energy is released. On the day when the energy is at its lowest, calmness should be maintained. One should avoid singing, crying or other emotional outbursts.
The Energy Cycles of Nature 4 7 4. The phases of lunar energy influence the development of the brain of a newly conceived fetus. If conception occurs during a night with good moonlight, along with other normal conditions, the development of the brain of the future child will be benefited.
5. The moon influences the right hemisphere of the brain, whereas solar energy influences the left. The balance of the two hemispheres of the brain, the intuitive right side and the intellectual left side, is important for high development. The supporting, balancing energy from nature includes the Big Dipper, the first five planets, and the twenty-eight constellations, among others.
6. Parents do not give birth to the soul, they only provide the physical form. The great work of giving a body to a soul for mundane development is the primary work of the lunar and solar energy phases of the daily cycle. A good soul comes from the pure sphere of the universe on its voyage of continual evolution. When the parents have intercourse, an opportunity is created for the seed and egg to meet. Although pregnancy takes ten full moons to complete, the integration of a visiting soul comes to ride in this one particular moment of integration of paternal and maternal energies. The aura of a couple during inter- course is what attracts the soul, and a good soul always make the correct choice without hesitation.
7. The variation among souls is enormous. Life’s form is but a vessel: what is inside is most important. Parents only give life to form, they cannot give birth to a soul. Soul birth is the work of nature. All souls were once pure, but the contamination of worldly life has made them impure with “post-Heavenly” defects.
8. Lunar energy not only draws water from the ocean, but can also affect the ovulation and menstruation of a woman. The menstruation of ancient women always oc- curred during the full moon, thus the moon is the symbol of the female in spiritual symbology and the sun is the symbol of the male. This natural female cycle has be- come disordered, however, through social and intellectual activities which create internal disturbance and psycho- logical problems.
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Congestion in the uterus naturally increases new moon it is released during
Sometimes a woman’s natural cycle does not with the moon’s cycle. Only when menstruation does not take place at all does one begin to see unnatural consequences.
F. Lunar and Solar Energies in a Yearly Cycle
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The cycles of the twelve hexagrams express the variations of solar energy at the beginning of each new moon. Notice that the Chinese New Year is characterized by the first new moon in the early Spring. This roughly corresponds to February/March of the Western calendar.