You are made of Essence. In Chinese Medicine, they call it Jing. For women, Jing cycles in years of 7 and for men in years of 8. So what is Jing? Dr. Lia Andrews refers to it as “Planned unique power that is inherited from our ancestors and parents through egg and sperm; from our DNA
Jing is our energy reserve, and is linked to our hormonal and reproductive functions. The quantity and quality of our Jing governs our potential to rule in this world.”
With each cycle, we have opportunities, rites of passages, to potentially enhance vitality or wreak havoc on our constitutions. For women in particular, we have what’s called “The Three Golden Opportunities” that greatly influence our health.
They are Menstruation, Postpartum and Peri-Menopause; you can read more about them here. How we perceive, sense and feel these “opportunities” exhibits not only our reproductive well-being, but also our vitality as whole and how sophisticated our aging process is.
These cycles are essential to comprehend your connection with nature. And even more so, connection to yourself. By tapping into rhythms you can pave the path to intuitive muscle tissues and a area of grounding near the vertical alignment.
Do ever think about how to reconnect, begin with your 7 year cycles. . Here’s a general outline of your seasons.
Birth to 6
You are the manifestation of ancestral inheritance. Do you know your birth story? How was your development? How was your health, digestion, immunity? Were you breastfed? Were you loved and cared for? What are some of the stories around your early years?
Cycle One Age 7-13
How is your foundation? This is your Wood phase, the area of your roots. Your kidneys are working to reinforce and is gradually building up to abundance. Do you feel secure? Do you feel a sense of self? Were you taught about limitations and making area for sacred space? What health practices were passed onto you?
you?
Cycle Two Age 14-20
Fire Phase; Menarche. This cycle identifies with the help of emotive experimentation and connections. At what age did you first bleed? Were there feelings or emotions around that? Was there a conversation about what is happening? Were you aware about your body and your fertility cycle? What were your menstrual care practices?
Cycle Three Age 21-27
Height of physical development. The Earth phase. Do you have a feel of secured sense of self? Were you abundant in nourishing relationships? What were you most attached to? Did you explore your sexuality? Did you practice self cultivation? How was your hormonal health? Were you taught shadow work? Where is your power?
Cycle Four Age 28-34
Full maturity. Peak of Vitality. Are you in full bloom? Do you have children? How was your postpartum experiences? Is your body strong? Are you flourishing?
Cycle Five Age 35-41
Rejuvenation. The early prep for menopause. At 5x7, our bodies start a slow decline. Earth cycles into Metal. This cycle is about reflection and refinement. What is or not working for you? We can work to slow the decline even more by adjusting our lifestyle to more reservation vs activity; more nourishment vs depletion. What your mother and grandmothers have to say about their menopause phase?
Cycle Six Age 42-48
Keep preparing for the halt of menses and Detoxification. Life reveals itself to you as we near the cease of our menstrual cycle. Metal energy remains robust as it pushes you to look at your wounds and traumas so that you can move ahead with grace. How do you feel? Do you feel drained from overexertion and taxation over the years, or do you feel strong and secure from strong rejuvenation rituals and practices?
Cycle Seven Age 49-55
Water Phase. Crone. Wisdom Keeper. We focus on experiencing the end and death of our reproductive years. What are your feelings surrounding this ending? How are you sensing the change and transition? Are you turning to tonics? Do you practice longevity exercises? How are you sleeping? Shifting mindset; the gift of death.
Cycle 8 and Beyond
The Rebirth; Second Spring. What do you want to cultivate? What do you want to birth? Are you ready for expansion? Obligations shift from out to in. Do you still like to welcome your menstrual cycle and follow a ritual usually around full or new moons?
What cycle are you in? Do you seek guidance in embracing and applying the best practices for your cycle? cycle? To learn more about Jing and to keep the conversation with Kris going, continue here.
Kris González is a Licensed Acupuncturist, herbalist, 養生 yǎng shēng (Nourishing Life Tradition) enthusiast, teacher, and founder of The Way of Yin – a profoundly inspiring educational hub that invites people to embark upon a journey of self-discovery, remembering the cycles, rhythms, and relationships that are foundational to our health. More information about Kris and her incredible resources can be found at https://www.thewayofyin.com.
