Lung Meridian, Affected by Aries Full Moons

In Chinese Medicine the Lung Meridian is the Yin meridian of the Metal element, with the Large Intestine meridian being the Yang paired meridian. The emotions that get stored in the Lungs are Grief & Sadness.

Every full moon in Aries will affect this meridian, opening up a window of opportunity to more deeply balance this meridian, but also opening up a time where we might feel its imbalances most. These windows last from approximately a week before to 4-5 days after – some people will be more sensitive to it and experience a longer period of being affected.

The Lung meridian begins inside the belly just above the navel and drops down to the large intestines. From here it comes back up through the diaphragm and connects to the stomach. It ascends through the lungs and follows the throat before coming to the front surface of the shoulder from under the clavicle. From here it runs along the outer, thumb side (medial/radial side) of the upper arm and the front (anterior) side of the lower arm. It crosses the wrist and ends at the outer tip of the thumb. (A small branch that is not pictured goes from the wrist to the tip of the index finger, where it connects to the Large Intestine Meridian.)

The Lung meridian controls Qi energy and respiration, and it also regulates water flow. The lungs regulate the Qi that we absorb from the natural world and they distribute it through the body. They control breathing, distributing oxygen to the blood, helping circulate blood and Wei Qi. They are also a detox organ, eliminating stale Qi. They help Qi and fluids descend into the intestines, and together with the Kidneys they regulate the water metabolism.

The Lung meridian also rules the skin and sweat glands (all important detox organs) as well as the hair on the body (except on the head). Lastly, the Lung system regulates protective Wei Qi, the sinuses, bronchia, nose, throat, voice, the ability to smell and to speak with a clear voice.

Feelings of sorrow, grief and (extreme and persistent) sadness are quite common to surface when this meridian is out of balance or blocked, as the Lungs generate the emotion of grief and its opposite: the wisdom of understanding significance.

During Aries Full Moons you may also experience an urge to make up for ‘lost time’. It’s a perfect time to let go of old limiting beliefs, patterns and pain that are/is stopping you from growing.

All pranayamas are wonderful to work on the Lung meridian and release grief and sadness. Our breath connects our inner and outer worlds, and is hence the first step in becoming conscious and aware of ourselves and the world around us.

Physical symptoms:

Low energy
Weak immune system
Nose congestion or sinusitis
Snoring
Tightness in diaphragm or middle back
Shortness of breath
Tiredness
Sore throat
Aversion to cold
Sedentary lifestyle
Mental confusion
Dry skin
Coughing
Asthma
Chest pains
Occipital headache
COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease)
Chronic bronchitis
Lung problems
Skin problems
Sinus problems
Problems with the paired Large Intestine meridian: constipation, IBS, colitis, diverticulitis
Excessive drinking or smoking
Excessive eating of greasy or spicy food

Emotional symptoms:

Grief
Sorrow
Unresolved loss
Sadness
Repressed emotions
Repressed sensuality
Low self-esteem
Loss of personal boundaries
OCD
Issues with letting go
Perfectionism
Self-righteousness
Dogmatic religious beliefs
Prejudice
Problems with authority
Lack of spiritual trust
Problems with intimacy

Things to eat:

All white food, especially cauliflower.
Garlic, ginger and raw onions clean the blood and strengthen the nerves and immune system.
Chlorophyll and freshly ground psyllium husk (seeds), (1 tablespoon each with juice) before breakfast and dinner.
Dark green vegetables (contain lots of chlorophyll).

Avoid:

Getting stuck in self-rejection
Sugar & sweets
Dryness (of lungs, skins) — moisturise!

Tips:

Hold and massage the ring finger of each hand for 2 minutes. Repeat during the day. This energizes and balances the lung meridian and neutralizes sorrow.
Place rose quartz over your heart center to protect against sadness.
Keep skin and lungs moist: moisturise & use a diffuser in the house.
Hydrate the body: drink water
Breathe clean air – go into the woods, spend time in nature.
Walking, biking, dancing or any aerobic exercise that gets you sweating.
Play or listen to the gong or singing bowls to stimulate the lung meridian.
Repeat this affirmation often. “I am __________” (fill in the blank). It can be ‘I am beautiful.’ ‘I am loved.’ ‘I am grateful.’ You decide and vary the ending as much as you like as long as it is a positive statement. A wonderful practice is the Celestial Communication ‘I am the light of the soul. I am bountiful, I am beautiful, I am bliss, I am, I am’. See https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qQ8TelEjYcM for a live version at the Yoga Festival in France in 2007.
Some of the gemstones and malas that support the Lungs and Lung Meridian best and that help balance this meridian are linked in a separate category below under the yoga section.

Yoga:

All breathing practices (pranayama) to control the prana in the organs. The Basic Breath Series would be wonderful to practice: https://www.3ho.org/kundalini-yoga/pranayam/basic-breath-series .
Breath of Fire is the most effective pranayam to do for this meridian.
Yoga Mudra in rock pose or easy pose.
Standing twist. Inhale, twist left with the left arm stretched out and back, right hand comes onto the heart center. Then exhale twisting right with the left hand on the heart. Keep the hips facing forward.

Malas / Gemstones to support the lungs:

Expanded from information on www.breathislife.com & www.fiveseasonsmedicine.com .