“All that we see or seem
is but a dream within a dream.”
~~ Edgar Allan Poe
Greetings to all my precious people!
We are in the midst of eclipse season and on the brink of October—which promises to be a month of personal re-orientation at all levels: physical, mental, emotional and spiritual. Imagine these weeks as a re-ordering of all your cells, aligning you with the new resonant vibrations that support living from the wisdom of Self and tapping into your personal power. Old structures, outdated beliefs, unsupportive habits and relationships continue to collapse around you as Source creates space in your life for new patterns.
Remember that no matter what is going on around you, you always have choices. Instead of focusing on ‘working on yourself’, striving and pushing, or using willpower to create influence in your relationships and work environment, learn how to be with yourself as a sanctuary, a safe place to observe and restore.
The Super Moon Solar eclipse happens next week on October 2, 2024. We are advised to expect enhanced geo-physical activity—storms, floods, earth movement—along with noticeable geo-magnetic effects on our nervous system manifesting as that tired but wired feeling. During a solar eclipse, the light of the Sun is obscured for a period of time, and then re-emerges. This process symbolizes the revelation of hidden truths, both about ourselves and our circumstances, and serves as the catalyst for profound transformation. The sudden shifts and changes can feel disruptive in the moment, but ultimately serve our personal evolution and growth. We are being challenged to let go of defunct patterns and step into new ways of aligning with our life purpose.
But how do we prepare for these events outside ourselves that create such intense shifts and opportunities for our ongoing metamorphosis? And what might be working in the natural world that can support and/or interfere with our efforts?
We all know there is a gravitational pull on the Earth. We drop something out of our hand and it falls to the ground. You can see the result of gravity, but the influence is invisible to our eyes. The Earth also has an invisible electromagnetic field, produced by the planet’s rotation and liquid-metal core. Generated by lightning strikes, the ongoing electronic waves are known as The Schumann Resonances, and many refer to this as ‘the Earth’s heartbeat.’ While research on the benefits of Schumann resonance is ongoing, multiple studies suggest that the Schumann frequency of 7.83 Hz positively affects human health and well-being. It has been linked to improved cognitive functions, reduced stress and anxiety, enhanced immune function, sleep function, and much more.
Just imagine the unseen forces operate in the atmosphere and environment constantly, impacting our daily life. Barometric pressure is the weight of the atmosphere pressing down on the Earth’s surface and is a significant environmental factor that can influence human health, particularly for those sensitive to weather changes. From headaches and joint pain to respiratory issues and mood changes, the body’s response to shifts in atmospheric pressure highlights the deep connection between human physiology and the environment.
So it seems that the unseen can and does significantly affect our daily life!!!
“Enlightenment says the world is nothing
Nothing but a dream
Everything’s an illusion and nothing is real.”
~~ Van Morrison, Enlightenment
The theme of the week is DREAM.
The word “dream” has a rich linguistic history that reflects both its modern meaning and ancient roots. “Dream” originally appears in Old English as “drēam”, but interestingly, at that time, it did not mean what we understand as a “dream” today. In Old English, drēam referred to joy, mirth, or music—essentially pleasant experiences or sounds. This meaning was distinct from the word for “dream” in the sense of visions or thoughts during sleep, which in Old English was “swefn”.
By the Middle English period (circa 12th–15th centuries), the meaning of dream began to shift. The earlier meaning of joy or mirth faded, and dream came to refer to visions or thoughts experienced during sleep. This transition in meaning is somewhat mysterious, as the exact reason for this semantic shift isn’t well documented. Unlike many English words, the etymology of dream is somewhat uncertain and debated among linguists.
By the early Modern English period, the word dream took on the meanings we associate with it today:
Sleep visions: Imaginary sequences of events that occur in the mind during sleep.
Aspiration or goal: The idea of something desired or longed for, such as “chasing your dreams.”
These meanings have persisted into contemporary English, and dream continues to be a word associated with both the mind’s activities during sleep and personal ambitions or hopes.
But what sets us up for dreaming, both in the literal sense as well as the aspirational realm? Think of the moments at the end of the day, when work is done and you are transitioning with the darkness. The Irish word for twilight is “clapsholas” (KLAP-hull-us). When daylight releases its hold and settles into the evening, we enter the magical time of “clapsholas,” or twilight, when the light lingers and the world is cast anew in evocative hues and elongated shadows. This moment of half-light, where neither daylight nor darkness prevails, creates a spectral stage where reality softens and the familiar seems enchanted.
Twilight has long served as a muse for artists and poets, including William Butler Yeats. Inspired by this mystical light, Yeats captures the essence of this transient time in his poem “Celtic Twilight.” He writes about a moment of in-between that holds the potential for magic and myth, encouraging us to see beyond the visible. How might we, too, use these fleeting moments of “clapsholas” to tap into the deeper currents of imagination? What hidden stories could emerge in the soft, mysterious light of the twilight?
In Chinese medicine, dreams are viewed as reflections of the body’s internal health, emotional state, and energetic balance. This perspective is rooted in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), which sees the mind, body, and spirit as interconnected. Dreams are not just random mental events, but signals of imbalances within the body’s vital life force, or Qi, and its corresponding organs. Here’s a breakdown of how Chinese medicine understands and interprets dreams:
The Role of the Organs in Dreaming
In TCM, each organ system is linked to specific emotions, mental functions, and dreams. If there is an imbalance in an organ, it can manifest through particular types of dreams. Here’s how some of the major organs are connected to dreams:
- Heart (Xin)
- Element: Fire
- Emotion: Joy
- Mind: Shen (spirit or consciousness)
- Dream association: The Heart is considered the ruler of the mind and spirit (Shen), and it governs sleep and the clarity of thought. If the Heart Qi is strong, sleep is peaceful and dreams are minimal or harmonious. However, if there is Heart Qi deficiency or excess, there can be vivid, disturbing, or confusing dreams.
- Example: Dreams of laughing or being joyful may indicate Heart imbalances. Excessive dreams could suggest a Heart-Fire condition, where the spirit is overstimulated.
- Liver (Gan)
- Element: Wood
- Emotion: Anger
- Mind: Hun (ethereal soul)
- Dream association: The Liver stores the Hun, which is linked to planning, vision, and imagination. Liver imbalances often manifest as restlessness and vivid, emotional dreams, especially those involving frustration or anger.
- Example: Dreams of conflict, fighting, or chaotic scenarios can indicate Liver Qi stagnation. Dreams of forests or trees might be linked to the Liver due to its connection with the Wood element.
- Spleen (Pi)
- Element: Earth
- Emotion: Worry
- Mind: Yi (intellect)
- Dream association: The Spleen governs digestion and thought processes. When the Spleen is overworked or deficient, this can lead to overthinking, worry, and excessive dreaming. Dreaming can become a reflection of mental digestion.
- Example: Dreams of labor or hard work, such as building or toiling, may suggest Spleen Qi deficiency.
- Lungs (Fei)
- Element: Metal
- Emotion: Grief
- Mind: Po (corporeal soul)
- Dream association: The Lungs are associated with grief and the physical body. Lung imbalances may result in dreams related to separation, loss, or sadness.
- Example: Dreams of weeping or experiences of intense loss can indicate a deficiency or imbalance in the Lung Qi.
- Kidneys (Shen)
- Element: Water
- Emotion: Fear
- Mind: Zhi (willpower)
- Dream association: The Kidneys store the essence (Jing) and govern growth, reproduction, and willpower. Kidney deficiencies, especially of Jing, can result in fearful or anxious dreams.
- Example: Dreams of drowning, being submerged in water, or feelings of fear may indicate a Kidney imbalance, particularly if the Water element is out of balance.
Five Elements and Dreams
Each organ system in Chinese medicine corresponds to one of the Five Elements: Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal, and Water. These elements not only describe the characteristics of the organs but also influence the types of dreams a person may experience:
Wood (Liver): Dreams involving growth, such as trees, forests, or plants, often reflect the Wood element. Blockages in the Liver can lead to dreams of frustration or confinement.
Fire (Heart): Dreams of fire, light, or intense emotions like laughter may indicate imbalances in the Fire element.
Earth (Spleen): Earth-related dreams, such as farming, labor, or working with the ground, are linked to the Spleen and its role in nourishment and support.
Metal (Lungs): Dreams of metal, cutting, or separation may reflect an imbalance in the Metal element, often associated with grief or letting go.
Water (Kidneys): Water-related dreams, such as oceans, rivers, or drowning, can indicate issues with the Water element and the Kidneys.
Dreams as a Diagnostic Tool
In Chinese medicine, the nature and quality of a person’s dreams can be used as a diagnostic tool. By paying attention to recurring dream themes, emotions, and symbols, a TCM practitioner can infer which organ systems may be out of balance.
Sleep and Qi Flow
In Chinese medicine, sleep is considered a time when Yin energy (cooling, calming, nurturing) dominates, and the body rests and restores its balance. During sleep, Qi flows inward to nourish the internal organs. If this flow is disrupted, it can cause poor sleep quality, insomnia, or excessive dreaming.
Excess Yang or deficient Yin: An imbalance between Yin and Yang energies can lead to restlessness or excessive dreams. Too much Yang energy can cause the mind to become overactive, while a deficiency in Yin energy can prevent the body from fully resting.
Liver Qi stagnation: This condition can lead to restless dreams and difficulty falling asleep, as the Liver governs the smooth flow of Qi throughout the body.
Dreams as Spiritual Guidance
Beyond physical health, TCM also views dreams as a way for the spirit or consciousness (Shen) to communicate. Dreams can offer guidance on a spiritual or emotional level, revealing unresolved issues, desires, or areas of imbalance in one’s life.
Hun and Shen: The Liver’s ethereal soul (Hun) is closely associated with dreams and vision, while the Heart’s Shen governs consciousness and the clarity of one’s dreams. Together, these spiritual components influence the depth, meaning, and clarity of dreams.
In Chinese medicine, dreams are not just random thoughts or experiences during sleep, but reflections of the body’s internal health, particularly the state of its vital organs and energy (Qi). Dreams serve as indicators of imbalance, providing valuable clues to a person’s physical, emotional, and spiritual well-being. By understanding the patterns and themes in dreams, a TCM practitioner can help guide treatment to restore balance and harmony within the body.
Acupuncture and herbal medicine are some of the tools I use to support the health and wellness of my patients, but the healing that occurs is always prompted from the inside. The answers to health and wellness reside in your heart. I help people learn how to listen to their body’s wisdom and reconnect the unconscious mind to nurture the mind-body connection. Doing this work allows people to realize their full capacity and choose to live a life aligned with their values, nourished by their dreams and desires. Together, we co-create opportunities for healing as the process unfolds.
I offer compassionate, attentive care. I see you. I hear you. I celebrate your journey. As an experienced clinician, I support patients as they come home to themselves, reconnecting the mind, body and spirit. This is my greatest passion: to serve as a facilitator, navigator and coach as you transcend old patterns and come into alignment with your best self. Are you ready to choose your Self and celebrate your gifts? Are you ready to manifest your Authentic Self that is abundant with health and vitality? Commit to being present and living your life with intention.
