Spring is a time of integrating and expanding. When the heavenly father and earthly mother merge together, they bring fertile vitality which gives rise to the 10 000 things. This talks to the creation of life and can be seen in all aspects of life whether it be of a physical nature or an internal idea, project or way of life.

Working with the qi of the cosmos, Chinese astrology 2024, the year of the yang wood dragon.

The green/wood dragon for this lunar new year carries us into an era of fire, with it being the beginning of the 9th (last) cycle of a 180 year cycle in Chinese astrology.

If you thought the last few years have been full, this year that will continue with the potential for it to be even more full with doing, as the dragon likes to forge ahead. It is also a very creative year - the honey bee is an amazing architect. Planning and doing your research so you can create with precision is also possible.

Following the qi. We all have our blind spots and sometimes we need that time to just sit with whatever is blocking our way to gain greater understanding and peace within.

Winter is the best time to conserve energy. If your body naturally craves more sleep during this time, allow yourself to rest more. It is ideal to focus on warming nourishing foods that are easily digested and stay well hydrated. A great time for more soups.

A time of harvest, to gather and prepare what is needed to go inward. A good time to get things in order, reflect and purify what’s not needed so the stillness of winter to come can be filled with peace.

Pregnancy support is provided either online or in person. Acupuncture and acupressure use specific points on the body with the aim of balancing disharmony and are used clinically for fertility, through pregnancy and post partum.

Pregnancy acupuncture/acupressure is often used by traditional acupuncturists for morning sickness, fatigue, anxiety, depression, insomnia, miscarriage, breech, preparation for labour and various types of pain including pain during labour.

The recipes below serve as typical medicinal foods from an East-Asian perspective for anyone who is lacking in nutrition. They are easily digested and generally tolerated well so are ideal ways for women with morning sickness to get the nutrients they need.

Happy Year of the Black Rabbit! In the words of my father (Eddie Lowe 1941-2022)...

Sun leen fai lo, sun tey geng hong, gong he fa choi.

This means, happy new year, may you have good health and may you be prosperous!...(complete with cheeky smile and wagging finger).

Chinese new year follows the lunar cycle and the first month begins with 2 weeks of celebration from new moon in January through to full moon in February. This year it's Jan 22-Feb 4.

This 2023 lunar new year welcomes the black (yin, water) rabbit who likes to take things cautiously possibly swinging back and forth, making sure all is correct before jumping into things. Rabbit in general is a wood animal so this can be a pretty harmonious year for some as water feeds wood.