Meridian Pathways

Below you will find articles written on the twelve major meridians used in my Inner Constellation work. Enjoy exploring your lovely, energetic pathways and know that each comprises your "inner constellation." If you feel drawn to having a custom made recipe or algorithm tailored to address your specific needs, please contact me for a no-charge consultation. May you shine bright in the heavens....

Spleen Constellation

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 11, 2012
Active Time:  9-11 am
Element: earth
Fundamental Principle: yin
Season: late summer

For the months of February and March, I'm making a commitment to IC blog readers to offer clear, concise articles on each of the 12 major meridians that are accessed in my Inner Constellation work. We'll be starting with Spleen  meridian. Spleen is a vital immune organ and digestive meridian. It's responsible for transforming food and drink into body fluids, blood and Qi (life force). Spleen is also believed to govern the quality of our thoughts. Some symptoms of imbalance in the Spleen meridian include digestive problems, asthma, bleeding disorders, menstrual discomfort, stiff, swollen or weak limbs, allergies, extreme pensiveness and mental confusion.

World Health Organization
Standard Acupuncture Point
According to Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), Spleen meridian is a yin meridian, associated with the nurturing element of earth and most active between the hours of 9-11am. I like accessing Spleen meridian during these morning hours as part of daily Spleen hygiene. For a quick boost, it can be accessed at its end point, SP-21, about 2 hand widths from the concave of the armpit (sixth intercostal space--shown in picture). Tap this spot with finger tips or flat of hand or pressure SP-21 for about 7 seconds. If you have a few extra seconds, consider tracing the SP meridian. Imagine the paths I'm about to describe as invisible lines connecting constellation points in the night sky. Begin at your big toes (SP-1) and move up the insides of both feet and inner ankles. Continue to climb your inside calves and thighs to the pelvis and alongside the outer part of both breasts to end at the underarms (SP-21 mentioned above). Remember the meridians are bi-lateral and are best treated on both sides of the body.

I include SP meridian whenever I construct tailored algorithms for my clients in the following areas: trauma, physical pain, digestion, shame, phobias, anxiety, depression, frustration and addictions. SP-21 is the sole IC point when addressing peak performance and installing positive beliefs.

Hope the tips for working with Spleen meridian prove helpful. Consider tapping SP-21 or tracing the Spleen constellation in its entirety during the morning hours, or contact me regarding a tailored algorithm in the event SP meridian needs some extra attention. Happy tapping!

Heart Constellation

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 2012
Active Time:  11am-1pm
Element: fire
Fundamental Principle: yang
Season: summer

This is the second installment on the meridians used in my Inner Constellation work. The first article was on the Spleen Meridian. The week celebrating Valentine's Day seems the perfect opportunity to highlight the Heart (HT) Meridian. Interestingly, HT meridian consists of three branches. One travels to the small intestine, another runs upward past the tongue to just under the eye and the third branch crosses the chest and travels down the arm to end at the inside nail bed of the pinky finger. The heart is called "king" of all the organs and governs blood and pulse in addition to mind and spirit. The heart contains its own intelligence, with an electromagnetic current 45-70 times the amplitude of the brain. Our heart rhythms influence the brain waves of those within 8 feet of our center. Imbalances in HT meridian can often present as heart problems and symptoms such as dry throat, heart pain, palpitations, excessive thirst, pain in chest and forearm, yellow eyes and insomnia.

According to Traditional Chinese Medicine, Heart meridian is a yin meridian associated with the element of fire and most active during the hours of 11am-1pm. This is an optimal time to work on HT meridian as part of a daily maintenance routine. For a quick boost it can be accessed at its end point, HT-9, located at the inside nail bed of the pinky finger. Tap on HT-9 for about seven seconds or consider tracing the Heart meridian in its entirety. The Heart constellation is a very easy path to trace--start at your armpit and follow down the medial or inner arm and off your little finger (palm facing up).

I often include HT meridian in algorithms I design targeting physical pain, speech impediments, circulation, insomnia, anger, grief or when releasing and letting go of something that no longer serves. Consider giving Heart meridian a little extra love this week for an especially happy and healthy Valentine's Day.

Small Intestine Constellation
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 24, 2012
Active Time: 1-3pm
Element: fire
Fundamental Principle: yang
Season: summer

This is the third installment on the meridians used in my Inner Constellation work. The first article was entitled Spleen Constellation and the second, Heart Constellation. Today I'll highlight Small Intestine (SI) meridian. The small intestine separates the pure from the impure in regards to food, liquids, thoughts and beliefs. When the small intestine is healthy it's said to recognize and extract goodness from even the nastiest of environments or situations. I think of the SI meridian as the alchemy stream, where one can gain insight on extracting gold from dross.

Imbalances in SI meridian show up as disorders of the ears, eyes, throat, digestive system, habits of over eating, as well as certain mental illnesses. As much as ninety-five percent of the brain's mood regulating chemical, serotonin, is contained in the small intestine. It makes sense that we tend to feel strong emotions like fear and excitement deep in our gut.

SI meridian outline from etouchforhealth.com
SI meridian is a yang meridian associated with the element of fire and most active during the hours of 1-3pm. For a quick boost during this prime time it can be tapped most easily at SI-3, located along the outside edge of your palm. Give this area a few solid thumps with the fingertips of your opposite hand. SI-3 is also referred to as the Karate Chop point. It's the meaty part of your palm where you might "hi-ya!" a board if you felt so inclined :) You can also trace the SI meridian as part of a daily routine, beginning on the outside of your pinky finger and proceeding staight up the arm to the shoulder, dropping back on the scapula, across your neck and up to the checkbone to end at the opening of the ear.

SI-3 (Karate Chop) is the point used whenever one begins a tapping algorithm and is the point tapped when stating the set-up statement which defines the target for treatment. It's a vital point for literally tapping into the gut, seat of emotions and storehouse for the "feel good" chemical. SI-3 is a wonderful emergency point when someone feels overwhelmed. I've seen this point produce an immediate tranquilizing effect.

You might be noticing a method to my meridian tracing madness: Spleen Constellation (9-11a), traces to armpit, where Heart Constellation (11a-1p) then begins and traces to the pinky finger which is where Small Intestine (1-3p) Constellation begins. Connect your beautiful dots back through the articles if you need a refresher. Also, if you wish to shoot ahead, here's a link to a wonderful example of a YouTube Meridian Trace, beginning with Spleen, proceeding to Heart and Small Intestine and tracing the remaining nine meridians. For now, however, we're half-way through the day; next, the evening hours. TTFN.

Bladder Constellation

FRIDAY, MARCH 9, 2012
Active Time: 3-5pm
Element: water
Fundamental Principle: yang
Season: winter

A bladder is constellating, what now? Remember, still working on knocking down those 12 major meridians accessed in my Inner Constellation work. This is the fourth installment. If you missed the others, go to the Meridian Pathways tab at the top of the blog and catch up so your system can hum this weekend.

Bladder meridian is in charge of storing and eliminating fluid waste. It's extra special because it's the longest meridian in the body, beginning at the inside edge of each eye (remember, meridians are bilateral) and traveling over the top of the head where it's generous enough to visit the brain before continuing to the back of the neck. Here it splits into two branches; the inner one travels to the base of the neck and moves down, parallel with the spine. The other branch moves across the back of the shoulders and then parallels the inner branch, where they both run through the buttocks and knees, continuing down the back of the calves, circling the outer ankles, and finally (geez!) ending at the tip of the little toes. Unless you're a contortionist this one can present challenges to trace, but certainly give it a crack and send me pictures:) It's a yang meridian (probably due to all the huffing and puffing) and most active between the hours of 3-5pm. Its element is water--lovely, liquid bladder.

A pathway for tracing bladder meridian can be found at You Tube. It's a quick, 27 second video of the pathway. To activate by tracing, begin at the inner eyebrow and trace back. In the areas you're unable to reach, connect with your intention, reach back and keep tracing. BL-2 is the acupuncture point accessed in meridian tapping algorithms. It's located on the inside edge of the eyebrow. I love BL-2 for headaches and/or sinus congestion. Weakness in Bladder Meridian may be indicative of urinary disorders, runny nose, neck tension, lower-body pain and stiffness, including the spine and hips, knees and calves. Remember, I want to see those BL tracing meridian moves!

Kidney Constellation

FRIDAY, MARCH 16, 2012
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.

Circulation Sex Constellation
SATURDAY, MARCH 24, 2012
Active Time:  7-9pm
Element: fire
Fundamental Principle: yin
Season: summer

Now that I have your attention :}, let’s dive into this week’s meridian, also called Pericardium Meridian. The Pericardium is the protective envelope of your heart and serves an important job of protecting the most vital muscle in your body. This meridian circulates the blood and works very closely with the heart, sending energy to the sexual organs as well as governing the mind and personal relationships. Disharmony in PC meridian can present as heart, blood and sexual organ dysfunctions. In Traditional Chinese Medicine, the heart is believed to also store mental energy and many emotional or mental imbalances can be symptoms of upset to the PC meridian.

Pericardium is a Yin meridian, most active between the hours of 7-9pm. Not surprisingly, PC is associated with the fire element. If you wish to trace this meridian, it’s easily done by starting with an open palm on the outside of your opposing nipple (sound racey enough?!) Travel up to your armpit and shoulder, down the inner arm to the inside of your elbow and then straight down the center of your wrist and off the middle finger. Do this on both sides of your body. An easy way to access the end point of the PC meridian is to tap on PC-9 on the inside nail bed of your middle finger (the side closest to your thumb).  I like including PC-9 in tapping algorithms for heart conditions, circulation issues, mental anguish, relationship problems, reproductive complications or sexual concerns. Consider tapping PC-9 to balance blood flow to your heart and sexual organs or whenever you desire a fiery boost!

Triple Energizer Constellation: Resurrection!

SUNDAY, APRIL 8, 2012
Active Time:  9-11pm
Element: fire
Fundamental Principle: yang
Season: summer

Happy Easter! It seems the perfect day to highlight Triple Energizer (TE) meridian, also known as Triple Warmer. TE is best known for circulating energy flow throughout the following three warmers inside our cores: 1) heart and lungs to aid respiration (from diaphragm upward) 2) stomach to aid digestion (between diaphragm and navel) 3) intestines to aid elimination (from the navel and below). Triple Energizer also regulates our immune system and flight-fight-freeze response; its job is to keep you alive at all cost. In today's fast paced world, I find many people's Triple Energizer in perpetual overwhelm, often stuck in survival response. When this happens, extreme emotions ranging from hyper-arousal and angst to extreme fatigue can be experienced.

TE is a yang meridian associated with the element of fire and is most active between the hours of 9-11pm. It's very easy to trace, starting at the ring finger and tracing directly over the back of your hand, up the arm, across the shoulder and straight up the neck to the base of the ear. Go around the outside of ear to end near the temple at the hairline. I find that if one is tired, tracing this meridian in the direction just indicated is energizing. If you find that you're stressed or overstimulated, TE can be sedated by reversing the direction of the trace, starting at the hairline temple area, going down and around your ear and ending at your ring finger. Another balancing tip is tapping on TE-3 (commonly referred to as the Gamut Point in meridian tapping). TE-3 is located on the top of the hand between the ring finger and pinky in the valley between the bones of the 4th and 5th metacarpals. This point is commonly called the bodies "reset button." I include TE-3 in algorithms for insomnia, trauma, thyroid imbalances, menopause, stress and PTSD just to name a few.

When Triple Energizer is flowing in a balanced state one feels safe, protected and capable. When its flow is disturbed, defense is elevated above any other purpose. TE is a great meridian to target if you wish to transform a perceived threat into a transformative experience. I've developed the following practice to employ when one feels the body go into a reactive state unnecessarily: while resting one hand over the heart and tapping the TE-3 gamut point affirm, "Even though in the past, I've reacted with fight, flight or freeze, I now open to the practice of flow."

Gallbladder Constellation

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 25, 2012
Active Time:  11pm-1am
Element: wood
Fundamental Principle: yang
Season: spring

The Gall Bladder is in charge of making and storing bile required to digest and metabolize fats and oils. It works closely with the lymphatic system to clear toxins, thereby eliminating muscular aches and fatigue. 
 On rare occasion, when I break down and eat McDonald French fries (I hear you groaning, but what can I say), I’ll activate the GB meridian as my saving grace! From an emotional angle, gall bladder governs decision making, judgment and courage (think of the saying, “a lot of gall”). Gall Bladder (GB) meridian is rather lengthy, and if you’re interested in tracing it, is probably best understood by watching this brief youtube videoat 6:46. The prime time of GB meridian is between the hours of 11p-1a. If GB is deficient, a person may wake very early in the morning and be unable to fall back to sleep. Other symptoms of imbalance in GB meridian is frequent sighing, headaches, jaw pain, swelling in glands, fever and nausea. Emotionally, GB out of balance might present as indecisiveness, mental instability and being outwardly focused to the point of rage and judgment toward others. 

GB is a yang meridian associated with the wood element. I most easily access the GB meridian by holding or tapping the GB-1 point, referred to as the side of eye point, in the flat area right in front of the temple. Interestingly, people intuitively go to GB-1 and massage at the onset of stress or when experiencing a headache--which is indicative of GB meridian imbalance. At the onset of a tension head-ache, give GB-1 some attention and see if relief follows.

Liver Constellation

WEDNESDAY, MAY 9, 2012
Active Time:  1-3am
Element: wood
Fundamental Principle: yin
Season: spring

The liver is the largest organ in the body and has many functions. The major role of liver is to remove toxins and assure the flow of blood throughout the body. It also controls immune response as well as the sinews and is associated with the eyes. Where Gallbladder meridian is associated with looking outward, Liver Meridian is associated with looking inward. Deficiencies in LR meridian flow can lead to moodiness, depression and guilt, whereas an excess of liver energy can lead to excessive drama and anger, especially against oneself. Physical Liver (LR) meridian issues often appear as problems in the liver and genital systems. Symptoms may include dizziness, high blood pressure, hernias, distended lower abdomens in woman, nausea, allergies, incontinence and eye problems. This is also an effective meridian to treat if you have poor blood circulation, exacerbated by damp conditions.

Liver is a yin meridian, most active between the hours of 1-3am. It’s associated with the wood element. To trace the LR meridian start at the inside of your big toes and travel straight up the insides of the legs, flaring out at the hips, then back underneath the ribcage in line with the breasts.  In the tapping algorithms, I like to access the ends of this meridian at LR-14 which are directly below the nipples, typically where a women’s bra line might be (men, use your imagination:).  Often this point is avoided by practitioners of meridian tapping because of the sensitive location (close to the breasts), however, it’s a vital point, especially tied to women issues, and I include it in the basic recipe of tapping that I use with clients.  

Lung Constellation

SUNDAY, MAY 13, 2012

Lung Meridan
Anterior (Front)
Active Time:  3-5am
Element: metal
Fundamental Principle: yin
Season: autumn

Next up is Lung meridian. Lung meridian is extremely easy to access at the endpoint located at the base of the outer thumbnail (LU-11). In fact, you can tap or pressure this point as you’re reading this article to give your breathing a quick boost. The primary functions of Lung (LU) meridian is regulating and moving breath throughout the entire body. We can find ourselves unintentionally holding our breaths for a number of reasons, the causes I primarily see are due to pain, stress or trauma. A good way to work with LU meridian is to take a full breath and then rate it using a 0-10 scale, 0 being shallow to flat-lining (yikes) and 10 being full and uncompromised. From here, take full and easy breaths while tapping or pressuring the LU-11 point. If your breath catches, that’s OK, just keep breathing and tapping. After about six breaths, reassess the number. If it hasn’t improved significantly, proceed through the entire basic recipe of the meridian sequence or consider doing the Collarbone Breathing Technique (stay tuned for a future article on this treatment or contact me to learn more). Often when I’m working on a client, full breathing is the first thing I notice naturally return to the body. I like to call breath, “nature’s self-correcting mechanism.” Symptoms of imbalanced LU meridian can present as distension or a full sensation in the chest, asthma, allergies, coughing, restlessness, skin issues and fatigue. From an emotional perspective, LU upset can often show up as excessive grieving or extreme rigidity. When LU meridian is balanced a person is organized yet flexible, with heart-felt sensitivity toward others.

LU is a yin meridian associated with the element of metal and is most active during the hours of 3-5am. Tracing LU meridian is very easy and you can follow the diagram above, starting at the front of the shoulder and tracing down the medial side of the arm and off the outer thumb (LU-11).

Well, that’s it for today, IC peeps. Are you still tapping LU-11? How’s your breathing? May it flow with ease today J.

Large Intestine Constellation

THURSDAY, MAY 17, 2012
Active Time:  5-7 am
Element: metal
Fundamental Principle: yang
Season: late summer

Our guts are a freak of nature! The small intestine is about 20 feet and large intestine is about 5 feet—“large” referring to width versus length. So, the Braveheart movie did not over exaggerate Mel Gibson's innards! As far as meridians go, the Large Intestine (LI) meridian is actually short by comparison to the other energy channels. It begins at the inside nail bed of each index finger (closest to thumb) and travels directly up the arm to the hinge of the elbow, over the bicep to reach the outside of the shoulder. Here it diverges into two branches, one that goes into the lungs, diaphragm and large intestine, and the other continuing up the neck, across the upper lip to end at the flare on the opposite side of the nose. LI rules elimination, deciding what is needed for nutrition and letting the rest go. Emotional indicators of a LI out of balance might include controlling qualities or difficulty letting go of something that no longer serves a purpose, even to the extreme of retaining what is known to be toxic. In its balanced state, LI rises to the occasion in challenging situations and helps us notice, digest and process the take-away lessons.  Physical disharmony is indicated by illnesses of the head, face and throat area, often showing up as toothaches, runny noses, yellow eyes, excessive thirst and sore throats. Pain in the shoulders, arms and index fingers as well as intestinal problems can be indicators of LI out of balance.

Large Intestine is a yang meridian, most active during the hours of 5-7am. It’s associated with the element of metal. When I include LI meridian in the tapping sequence, I like to access it at LI-1 or the inside nail bed of the index finger. It can also be easily found at the flare of the nose, or LI-20. These beginning and end points are practical points for targeting a sore throat, runny nose, or flu like symptoms like diarrhea or intestinal upset. Fall is the season tied to the element of metal, and it’s this time of year when the associated meridians are most vulnerable. It makes sense that autumn is often when cold and flu season kicks off.  May your next flu season be avoided with a preventative tapping boost to your Large Intestine meridian!
SATURDAY, MAY 26, 2012
Active Time:  7-9am
Element: earth
Fundamental Principle: yang
Season: late summer

Stomach (ST) meridian is responsible for digestion and absorption. When ST meridian is balanced, trust in provision is the end result; when it's upset, excessive worry, gloom and fear may become obsessive in addition to antisocial tendencies. The physical disturbance of Stomach meridian may show up as gastric disturbances, toothaches, edema or sore throats.

The active time of ST meridian is between 7-9am. It's a yang meridian associated with the earth element. My favorite way to access ST meridian is by tapping ST-2 directly below the eye on the bony orbit. Stomach meridian is a long sucker, so if you wish to trace it in more detail, check out his You Tube video at time 7:58. Watching this video the entire way through is a great way to wrap up tracing the 12 major meridians. I hope you've enjoyed the meridian articles, and if you'd like a special meridian algorithm (recipe) constructed for your particular needs, please consider contacting me for a consultation.