The Wisdom of Winter's Water

So, we’re here in the midst of Winter. It’s not always clear in the modern day (or in warmer regions of the world like here on the California coast), but this is a time inviting us inward toward rest, reflection, and the deep reservoirs of vitality that sustain Life.

This is the time of the Water Element, one of the five vibrational states of Qi flowing through Nature and the Universe, mirrored in the microcosm of our bodies. Each of these Elements represents a distinct quality of movement and transformation, and Water is about downward moving Qi, sinking towards stillness, reflecting depths, returning to Essence and Potential. 

The Seed is a perfect metaphor. After the leaves, flowers and fruits have fallen away and the tree might appear barren and lifeless in the “death” of the year.. the seeds remain. Holding the essence and potential of a magnificent new tree in their genetic legacy, waiting with wisdom and patience, listening for the right conditions to start anew.

Let’s explore more of this mythopoetic understanding, as well as practical ways to stay nourished, grounded, and resilient during the Water of Winter by aligning lifestyle, movement, mind, and diet with the Wisdom of Dao.

The vital organs most associated with Water are the Kidneys. Remember that when we say “Kidney” this is code for a whole system including the organs themselves, the associated meridians and the entire set of functions in the body. A vital aspect of the Kidneys are the adrenal glands.. which help explain the emotional landscape of Water, described as fear, and the Spirit of the Kidneys, the Zhi - known as Will(power). 

The adrenal glands are responsible for producing adrenaline (fear response) and cortisol (stress response). We literally need cortisol to get out of bed and do stuff.. it’s part of our system of willpower and motivation. When we tax these systems through chronic fear, stress and overwork.. we can encounter some sort of Kidney deficiency, AKA adrenal fatigue. 

We can call this “burning the candle at both ends”, and this is very apt.. the Essence that the Kidneys store and regulate is part of the ancestral legacy of energy, vitality, resources and genetics that we receive from our parents for this life. We can actually think of our Jing as a candle that we get for this life, which burns with the flame of Qi, shining the light of Shen, or Spirit. We’ve got a limited supply of Jing, and when it’s gone… so is our life in this body. Much of the Daoist Way is focused on preserving and wisely utilizing our Essence throughout the course of our Life. 

Part of this Wisdom (the virtue of Water) is learning (and unlearning) to allow our Will to be pulled forward naturally by our Destiny, finding the flow of effortless effort known as Wu Wei. This is in somewhat stark contrast to much of modern life, which seems to often necessitate “pulling ourselves up by the bootstraps”, cranking full of caffeine and forcing ourselves to do more work under greater pressure until we are exhausted, depleted and possibly some form of “tired and wired”. 

As an antidote to much of the demands of modern life, which urge us to do more and more in this “holiday season” and the jump start of the “new year”, directly opposing the cycles of Nature.. we can take the time to heed some Wise advice from our old Daoist friends, listening to the patterns of Life playing out all around us…

Winter asks us to slow down. Nature doesn’t push outward at this time. Trees withdraw their energy into their roots. Animals hibernate. Seeds rest beneath the soil, gathering potential for the return of Spring. So while we might not be capable of hibernating while paying the bills and keeping our job… we can take the time to slowww things down, allow for more rest and deep nourishment to sink into our bones. Take moments every single day to Listen to your body (the Kidneys open into the Ears). This is a time to replenish our reserves for the Spring and Summer to come.. so let yourself rest and SLEEP.

Qigong and gentle movement practices are especially beneficial during this season. Slow, fluid movements help circulate Qi while protecting Jing. Practices that emphasize the lower back, hips, and legs support Kidney health and ground the nervous system. Sitting and standing meditation allow us to sink into the body and replenish from within, breathing deeply into our center of gravity and seat of power, the lower dan-tian. You can visualize a pulsing ball of deep blue water Qi expanding with the inhale and condensing with the exhale. 

As always, the Daoists have something to say about diet in this season. Warm, cooked foods that support the Kidneys and digestive fire include soups, stews, bone broth, root vegetables, sea vegetables. Black and blue colored foods help support the Jing, including black beans, black sesame seeds, blueberries, blackberries, raisins and eggplant. Salty is the associated flavor with Water, and high quality salt helps nourish the body with minerals and hydrate the cells and tissues.

Protecting the lower back, feet, and neck from cold helps preserve Kidney Qi, so bundle up and stay warm with scarves, socks and sweaters. The climate of Water is cold, so this is a time when cold wind can more easily penetrate our defenses and get us sick (wind can = bacteria, viruses, etc).

Emotionally, Winter offers a time to face our fears with gentleness and curiosity. Fear is a messenger pointing us toward areas where we need safety, support, or deeper grounding. By slowing down and turning inward, we can meet our fear with Wisdom and allow deeper Trust to cultivate. Water teaches us about the virtue of Not-Knowing.. facing the Great Mystery of Existence which is unbelievably vast and incredibly ineffable. By increasing our comfort with Not-Knowing, we can strengthen the roots of our Trust that the currents and waves of Life will carry us exactly where we need to be. 

Water doesn’t force its way forward, but adapts, yields, and finds the Way of least resistance, always in a state of Wu Wei. It is incredibly powerful, patient and also humble.. seeking constantly to sink to the lowest space. We have a lot to learn from Water, and Winter is the perfect time to cozy up and contemplate. Fire gazing is incredibly nourishing for the Kidney Essence, Qi and Spirit, and highly recommended throughout the Winter and beyond.

By aligning with these rhythms of Winter and the Wisdom of Dao, we can cultivate resilience, longevity, and profound Wisdom. May this Winter support you in nourishing your Essence, listening to your inner waters, and preparing the soil and seeds for the growth that will return with Spring.

Please reach out with any questions or reflections. 

Wishing you a deeply nourishing and restorative Winter.

Sean T Fox