Day 28:Metal, Lung and Large Intestine Meridians
I am only going to explain, briefly, how each meridian runs through the body. I would suggest that if you are interested in more, you purchase an acupuncture chart. The Lung meridian begins in the chest cavity right below the middle of the clavicle, and you can feel the first two points one and two inches below, L1 and L2 (L1 is below L2), in between the ribs. If you press in these areas, you will probably feel some painful points. It runs down the arm into the radial side of the tip of the thumb, ends at L11. This is a Yin meridian. There are internal pathways that connect to the organ and the next meridian. Its pathology can exhibit cough, asthma, sneezing, stuffy nose, hemoptysis, congested and sore throat, sensation of fullness in the chest.
It’s Yang partner is the Large Intestine meridian. It begins where the Lung leaves off, internally. It begins in the tip of the index finger LI1, and runs along the radial side of that finger and passes through the thumb and index finger along the lateral side of the forearm, and ascends through the anterior border of the upper arm to the highest point of the shoulder. There it divides into two branches and passes through the Lung diaphragm and into the Large Intestine. The second branch runs through the neck and cheek and crosses over to the other side and ends at the opposite side of the bottom part of the nose, LI20. Its pathology can exhibit diarrhea, dysentery, epistaxis, watery nasal discharge, toothache, congested and sore throat, borborymous, and abdominal pain.
Metal can be the most difficult element to experience in nature. It is cold and hard, and unbending as it is. Whenever I am in a stalemate conversation with someone, or even my own stuck thoughts, I know I am in hardened Metal. Heat can soften metals, so I know I must apply the warmth of the Heart fire. In the co cycle of the 5 Elements, Heart controls Lung, and Fire can transform Metal.
The minerals of the Earth (Earth is Spleen which nourishes Lung/Metal) provide substance and richness to the soil. The soil is where are food is grown. (Blood is formed by air and food, Lung and Spleen.) So, sometimes it provides fuel for heat, and sometimes it provides structural strength. Most structures provide reinforcement and uprightness. It also provides communication. When I was collecting silver, I was told that anything that plugs into the wall has silver in it. Telephones, computers, transportation (its in your anti-freeze), televisions, all depend on metal. The wires provide networks and connect to all sorts of things. Streams flow in pathways formed by the metals of the earth, and water always runs down. The Lungs are in the Upper Burner, the Large Intestine is in the Lower Burner. The Large Intestine is about letting go, especially in our human nature, letting go of the past.
When there is a problem in the structure of our bodies, it can point to a metal imbalance. Degeneration or rigidity of the spine, trembling spasms of the throat, paralysis of certain kinds, lack of emotional strength, grief, incoherent speech, not letting go of the past. It can show as a white hue to the facial color. As the Nei Jing explains it, “When there is a white, like dried and withered bones they are without life.” As the Lung meridian nourishes the Kidney meridian which is responsible for the bones, it cannot pass on the energy to keep the cycle healthy. There is nothing to pass on to the Kidney. Refer to my writing on the 5 Elements and the cycle the Generating cycle flows. Refresher: Lung to Kidney to Liver to Heart to Spleen to Triple Burner. The Lung sound is the sound of a very soft sssss, barely audible. The sound of tears.
