The Heart Xiu (宿) : Jing (井) and Gui (鬼)
Jing (井 ) “The Well”
The Jing 井 constellation is in Gemini, very close to the Milky Way. It is the head of the Zhuque 朱雀, the Vermillion Bird. The character, 井, very closely resembles the constellation and oracle bone script for the character is almost identical. The organization of the village well can be seen in both the constellation and the character, with the well being in the middle plot and eight families arranged in plots circling around it. It is as if all of the other organs are organized around the heart and cannot live without it; just as Chapter 8 of the Suwen says, “if the lights of the emperor go out, all will be lost.”
It is the jing that nourishes the shen, without the gas there is no flame. This well idea can draw a connection with the Kidney. It goes with Hexagram 60, jie (water over a lake), “Limitation.” The bagua are water above and water below. A lake occupies a limited space, whereas water is relatively inexhaustible. This is the same with a person…there are infinite possibilities, but the well must hold the true essence, and know where it’s limitations are. That is the duty of a human being. The shen must limit mental activity, emotions, and all other things that define shen in such a way that the well is contained and does not overflow with overuse of the jing.
Gui (鬼) “Ghost” or “Ghost Chariot
This constellation is cut by the ecliptic, therefore eclipses can take place within the actual constellation. The word “eclipse” comes from the greek word, ekleipsis, meaning “leaving out” or “forsaking.” It must be noted here that the Heart is ultimately charged with being aware of what is going on the body. This constellation can occasionally suffer from the loss of awareness when the moon comes between the sun and the earth and the communication with that light is lost.
The Chinese noted that there was a cloud of “qi” residing in the middle of this constellation. This cloud was termed as the “place where the bodies are heaped up.” The constellation closely resembles the character xiong, 凶, meaning “evil” or “terrible.” It was supposed to preside over departed spirits. Once again, this constellation points towards an awareness…a gate or chariot that ferries spirits into the afterworld. Just like the heart, this constellation lights the way.
The ghostly inhabitant of Gui is actually the Praesere nebula. Praesere means “manger” in latin, and this nebula was seen by many cultures to represent some sort of manger or stall. The Egyptians referred to it as “Nurturing.” In English, it is known as “The Beehive Cluster.” Both the age and direction of Praesere coincide with that of Hades. These nebulas probably have a common origin.
Being that it is known as the beehive cluster: The Egyptian heiroglyphic language also assigned it to the bee and it held ideas of industry, creative activity and wealth because of the bees and the production of honey.
In Delphic Tradition, the 2nd temple of delphi built by bees. In Orphic Teaching, souls were symbolized by bees because of the “swarming” of souls. Bees represent ordered community, the ability to obey their ruler, cooperation, industry, thrift, diligence, royalty, cleanliness, purity, chaste virgins, sweetness, and honeyed words.
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