Another revolution around the Sun for this gal

I find myself coming up to the anniversary of my time here on this Earthly realm. A lot of reminiscing of this past year and ultimately what is found is a lot of growth. Not sure how much wisdom was accumulated while traversing on from things of the past and energies to be a new, and multiple opportunities to let go and find my own footing and balance again. On the eve eve eve day of my birthday, the energy of the air is not as heavy as it has been in my world. Possible reasons being that there has been more sunshine the past couple of days and similar to my fellow sun loving animals (painted turtles, meerkats, and lions to name a few) basking out in the sunshine is where I can be found, when I am not working. Now the only thing I am truly missing is a body of water, preferably the ocean, but a lake will do as well.

Part of me always wonders as to why I am drawn to water and sun so much. A lot of others are the same way, finding a sense of peace and tranquility, as well as just overall excitement and a thrill. However, I don’t want to exclude those who are adverse to such attributes though. Through balance we can find ourselves again whole. The yin yang symbol is just that. A reminder that there needs to be balance in your life, otherwise you will find yourself in dire need of some opposing etherical substances.

So, let’s take a little leap into Confucianism and Taoist philosophy to further understand why the yin yang continues with it’s popularity and existence today.

Way back in the ninth century, a text entitled “I Ching,” also known as “Book of Changes,” speaks of a cosmic duality and how it is important to achieve the balance between the two halves in order to create a perfect whole. Later, in the Song Dynasty era, the concept of the yin yang symbol was finally created as a diagram titled taijitu (the taichi symbol) and represented in the illustration from the philosopher Zhou Dunyi. For those who have no idea what I am talking about, picture a circle. And within the circle there are two perfectly even paisley shaped lobes that are intertwined and filling the circle. Both halves are in an endless spiral, with each side continuously chasing the other. Within the two paisley shaped lobes is another circle, much smaller and the reverse color than its specified lobe. The black side has a white dot and vice-versa. It is said to represent that there will, or should, always have a bit of yin in every yang, and a little bit of yang in every yin. So what do these sides actually represent in the way of human life? Let me explain.

The yin (black side) has been associated with obviously dark, because well, it’s black; the moon, water, cold, softness, femininity, passiveness and stillness. The yang (white side) is associated with light, sun, fire, warmth, hardness, masculinity, activeness and movement. So with those polar opposite characteristics Taoists believe that the main objective for life is for living creatures and the universe to achieve a harmonious co-existence. Not too bad of an idea, is it?

Yin yang. One light, one dark, but yet whole in itself. There is no isolation of one side or the other. “Yin-yang is more than just a concept of opposites. It is the beginning of all things, an energy, a wholeness.” – Gary Erickson.

Seeking

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