What the Year of the Fire Horse means for our health and nutrition.

I’ve always been told I have “fiery” energy – and not always in a positive light. I’ve been riddled and shamed for my passionate expressions and also thanked for wearing my heart on my sleeve. Last week we said goodbye to the Chinese Year of the Wood Snake and hello to the Year of the Fire Horse. What does that mean? Why should we care? And how does that relate to wellbeing? In short, everything is regulated by the cosmos – all that exists in the orderly universe, from space and time, matter and energy and, therefore, the nature of all things. It’s wise to pay attention and, when we do, we have one more tool for making informed choices.

Before taking time to read others’ interpretations of Fire Horse energy and what to expect this year ahead, I spent time shedding my Year of the Wood Snake skin, acknowledging what no longer serves me, yet has kept me resilient. Wood fuels fire, and to fully express fire energy, we must transform. Be wary, because fire energy is active, dynamic and passionate yet it can also become destructive, angry or anxious when unrestrained, or may lead to deficiencies, depression or disinterest when unattended.

Sound “woo woo”? Listen to your family members and friends share about the disruptions in their lives. Check in with yourself – are systems being unraveled? Skim the news and you’ll see that Fire Horse energy is in alignment with the cosmos – structured Saturn in conflict with dreamy Neptune, eclipse season amplifying everything, and Mercury’s retrograde fueling miscommunication. Amidst what seems like utter chaos (and it is), there is a call for something so powerful it will support the break down and rebuilding of systems with imaginative, creative forces: emotional healing through love.

My own, smaller world is being dismantled, with major transformations that are not only inevitable, the universe is literally smacking me in the face with the message. You, too? In addition, this week I also said goodbye to my 47-year-old self and hello to 48 – crossing this threshold has been disorienting. Yet, born under the Pisces sun in the year of the Earth Horse, I’m used to navigating emotional overwhelm with optimism and purpose. You can, too.

As long as you lead with your heart. 

In my nutrition paradigm, people talk about February as “heart healthy” month, addressing cardiovascular issues. Do you know that heart disease remains the leading cause of death in the United States(1)? What does “heart disease” even mean? In Western medicine, “conditions of the heart” are high blood pressure or cholesterol, coronary artery disease(2), and more (stroke is not included, though it’s the number four cause of death in our country(1)). Heart disease is defined by risk factors such as diabetes, obesity, an unhealthy diet, a sedentary life, smoking and/or excessive alcohol consumption (2).

What about other matters of the heart, like loneliness, loss, trauma, old beliefs, lack of love or purpose? In Functional Nutrition, we look at nourishment for the mind, nurturing the soul and fostering emotional connections between the outside and inside worlds of wellbeing or dis-ease. In other words, we pay attention to the emotional, mental and spiritual aspects of wellbeing, as well as nutrient status. The heart organ filters blood and sends oxygen and nutrients throughout our entire body and gives us that human ability to love ourselves, others and all organisms on Earth.

In Chinese medicine, the heart is the emperor of consciousness, the keeper of the spirit, our capacity to love and perceive truth, and to meaningfully connect with oneself and others. The heart organ belongs to the element fire. Therefore, when we cultivate fire energy, we are cultivating heart energy, so we can love more, illuminate clarity, remain courageous in our adventures, and look deep inside ourselves for what feels true and right. There is need for deep inner healing, making peace and dreaming big as our systems call for creative restructuring.

In the Year of the Fire Horse, we are not being asked to be fired up on a wild ride – we are being invited to lead independently with strong hearts and clear minds. How do we do that, exactly, especially regarding health and nutrition?

First, cultivate emotional vitality: Tune into our heart space. Spend time every day, with eyes closed and hands over the heart, taking a few deep breaths and turning inward. One easy way to cultivate a connection with our own hearts is to simply observe what comes up emotionally. Accept what arises. Then, be compassionate to oneself, without judgement.

Second, nourish physical strength: Consume foods that nourish the heart. Plants containing “phytochemicals” supply our cardiovascular system with nutrients that open up blood vessels and supply the body with nutrients we cannot obtain from animal-derived foods. Specifically, focus on ample green foods like cruciferous vegetables, leafy greens, herbs, microgreens and sea vegetables rich in chlorophyll. 

Third, practice mental consciousness: Become aware of how you cultivate love. For example, at mealtimes, recognize Earth, farmers and your body’s innate ability to receive, digest, metabolize, filter and utilize nutrients (or not). Learn about your food system – local and beyond. Through this internal and external knowledge, develop clear food values and habits, and let them lovingly guide your choices.

Fourth, explore spiritual experiences: Devote time to developing and expanding the meaning of food consciousness in your heart space. This could look like finding more balance between giving and receiving, as with the flow of blood to the physical organ. Or give thanks to everyone involved in bringing nourishment to your plate. Perhaps cultivate mindful eating practices, such as eating a meal in peace – no distractions. 

References:

(1)  https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/fastats/leading-causes-of-death.htm

(2)  https://www.cdc.gov/heart-disease/about/index.html

To learn more about nourishment for the heart, check out the work of one of my graduate school professors and renowned functional nutrition researcher, Deana Minich, HERE.

Article originally written for and published by 5BGazette.com