YI (Yin Wood) is the second Stem and is often represented as a winding growing plant, a blade of grass, a fragile leaf.
Yi correlates with Zhong Chun 仲春 Middle Spring, the morning hours, adolescent energy. The direction of East and the Trigram of Xun Wind, the liver, immune system, tendons.
Yi embodies flexibility with strength and compassion as well as growth, intelligence, observation, and resilience.
Imagine a vine climbing a trellis with minimal intervention and guidance. Day by day it inches forward, knowing exactly where to go, how to twist and turn; intertwining around other vines, some with thorns, some with tendrils. Tomorrow isn’t guaranteed for such a fragile life. Yet it survives by knowing itself intimately, seeking always to lift itself up while finding the right structures to attach to. Yi, ever the short term improv artist, can move, bend, and shape itself to respond with the times.
With Yi, we are called towards reaching, stretching, attuning, listening. While there may be days you convince yourself there's nothing happening, day by day, moment by moment, your body and soul imprint is changing. You can feel the subtle changes when you wake up in the morning. Feel the sunlight hit your face and allow it to inspire your next step. Each moment paves the way for the next.
Yi has us question where we are with our clarity of mind and direction. When our Yi Qi is healthy, we have the power of direction and a high capacity to focus. Our mental strength is fed by creativity (Water) which allows us to problem-solve with masterful adeptness. When Yi Qi is unhealthy, self doubt and vacillating between decisions can occur. Your mind becomes your own prison.
To bring Yi Qi to balance, cleanse your home space often. Listen to your body and nourish it by tuning into your cycles and patterns. Create the right conditions and sustainable networks that allow you to thrive and feel alive. Remove the toxic noises that distract and cloud your judgment. Ask for help and lean on your community.
Be like the vine climbing up to the sky. Listen. Deepen. Soften. Follow the natural impulses. Only you can know and decide with absolute certainty.