Kidney Constellation

Kidney Meridian from schredo.com

Active Time: 5-7pm
Element: water
Fundamental Principle: yin
Season: winter

Kidney Meridian is next up in the constellation article series.  This cute diagram shows just how easy it is to trace Kidney Meridian (most active between 5-7pm). KI meridian starts at the ball of the foot, travels the inside of the ankle and straight up the body to KI-27. For those of you who tap, KI-27 is the collar bone point.

The kidneys are our disposal system, filtering waste from the blood and moving it onward to the bladder for excretion as urine. In Traditional Chinese Medicine, kidney is considered the body's reservoir of essential energy. The kidney organ system also includes the adrenals which are thumb-sized glands that sit like little hats on top of the kidneys. They secrete essential hormones that regulate metabolism, immunity and sexual potency and can be damaged due to excess stress. Kidney meridian imbalances may present as diarrhea, constipation, back ache or pain in lower extremities, insomnia, extremes in energy such as restlessness or fatigue, excessive cold, shame and fear.

Kidney is associated with the element of water and is considered a yin meridian. I like to include KI-27 in almost all algorithms, especially related to any kind of physical pain. Roger Callahan, who developed meridian algorithms through diagnostic tests, saw KI-27 as an exclamation point to any recipe. It's especially potent in addressing any kind of trauma and is the go-to point upon emotional upset.

When KI meridian is flowing and operating at peak function, attributes such as wisdom, courage, clear perception, gentleness and self-understanding are experienced. So trace your KI meridian lovingly at the close of your day as evening settles, or thump K-27 to give yourself an infusion of energy.