The Winter's Spiral: An Inward Journey
As one moves into the depth of winter, the life force spirals and ribbons toward the ocean of ancestral memory and knowledge, the essence. This phase of the movement of lifeforce is a constant influence, but it is most pronounced in the season related to the water element, winter. This repository of ancestral power is the blueprint for terrestrial survival. It contains all the modes of perception and function which were held by the ones before. The movement of this essence is called “Xien Tien Qi”, or pre-heaven life force. It is called pre-heaven because it originates at conception and develops throughout the nine months of gestation, before one’s face saw heaven, or the sky. The other movement of life force is called “Hou Tien Qi”, or post-heaven life force. This reflects the movement of life force developed after birth, or after one’s face first saw heaven or the sky. Hou Tien Qi is developed through terrestrial experience including the food one eats and life circumstances, such as acquired illness and environmental factors. This movement influences the character of pre-heaven life force, modifying the blueprints to be acquired by one’s offspring.
“This repository of ancestral power is the blueprint for terrestrial survival. It contains all the modes of perception and function which were held by the ones before.”
This inward journey was seen as movement in the direction of the underworld. Movement toward the underworld is movement toward death, but also life, as it is the source one’s life. Unlike many modern ideas regarding the underworld, the Chinese Daoists, it was considered the abode of the ancestors. Far from being a topic for morbid fascination, this place was seen as the wellspring of life and ancestral guidance. Before Daoists was mixed with Buddhism for political purposes, there was no concept of reincarnation within its precepts. The approach was a shamanistic one with the shaman working as the intermediary between the world of the living and the world of the dead. These two realms were seen as being side by side and interacting through the world of dreams. When one died, they would go to the underworld and exist amongst the dead. This underworld was described as a barren plain with only brackish water to drink. If one’s living ancestor made offerings and light candles regularly, conditions could improve. Most likely this description was created to encourage ancestor reverence.
As part of Daoist cosmology and alchemy the location of the underworld was considered to be in the seven stars of Ursa Major, or “Qi Xing”. In addition, it was seen as reflected beneath one’s feet and within one’s body. With the addition of the sun and the moon reflecting the waking and dreaming states respectively, there are nine power zones which reflect pre-heaven influence. By nature, these zones of power are rooted in ancestral instinct and have been relegated in modern times to the sub-conscious. Daoist shamans, adept at lucid dreaming, could operate in these zones to affect change to ancestral patterns or to draw forth patterns to assist a life situation. This often involved appealing to ancestral spirits using ritual song and dance, giving offerings of food, and creating symbols.
More involved Daoist alchemy could involve interaction with the more remove aspects of human ancestry, aspects including spirits of the dead, from the plant, and animal kingdoms. Giving resurgence to these more remove atavisms is involved in the esoteric aspects of Daoist sorcery.
The inner journey of the winter spiral takes one through the life gate into the essence of oneself, which is the essence of one’s blood line and deeper levels, with the myriad aspects of nature itself. It is a journey of endless possibilities.
