Articles & Podcasts
Regain & Maintain Your Health
| Past Sightings |
|---|
Beautiful, Strong & Flexible |
The Tao of Health
New York Times
Health Section
Teahouse Experiences
Conscious Connections
The Monkey in July
In July the Monkey has some bouts of curiosity and impulsivity, but is mostly quiet; resting, moving slower as the days have grown warmer—a definitely step down from the energetic frenzy that was propelled by the Wood element of Spring. In July, there are still some intense moments, but nothing like in Spring.
The Monkey, because of its fluid movements and ability to get into tight, hard to reach places, is considered to represent Water energy. So, since summer is Fire time, and Water works hard to control Fire, the Monkey gets tired more easily in summer.
To rejuvenate and enjoy its spirit, in summer the monkey rests more, doesn’t overdo it, get too stressed, and spends more time by the stream drinking cool water.
July Health Tips
Here are some things you can do for yourself and your family to stay healthy and comfortable during the ‘dog days of summer’:
Stay away from hot foods.
You don’t want to make a hot situation hotter. Things like alcohol, hot chilies, and oily food make you feel hotter because they make your Liver work harder and overheat. Like an over-revved car engine on a hot summer day. Also, ‘rich’ foods, like dairy, can cause problems.
Fire and Water in Summer: Dealing With Heat-Related Health Problems
We’re in the middle of the Fire season. The heat sensitive parts of your body, like the Liver, can get stressed when it gets hot. If the Liver has a tendency to get unbalanced it can really release quite a bit of heat at this time of year, which can cause all sorts of heat-related problems like: high blood pressure, rashes and hives.
In nature, when fire becomes “excessive,” it also becomes dangerous, and water is needed to control it. It’s the same way with your body in summer.
When you get overheated, your Water element organs, kidneys and urinary bladder, tend to get overworked, and if they’re weak, or unbalanced to begin with, they can experience discomforts, and potentially a crisis. This is an Oriental Medicine example of why many people experience problems like high blood pressure in summer.