The Kidney Jieqi 節氣
Bailu 白露
The seasonal node of 白露 begins on September 8th. The first character,白 , means “white” or “clear.” The second character, 露, means “dew,” or “reveal.” This character is a picture of rain over 路. Lu can mean beverages distilled from flowers or fruits (in a way, they look like dew). The first part of this idea is of the juices from the heavens that are floating in the air, finally condensing down into droplets. This condensation of heavenly liquid can be seen as a metaphor for the condensation of the Qi, down into the Jing, from which it will be created again.
Secondly, the Kidneys have a lot to do with fermentation and liquor, as the earthly branch, you, illustrates. Bailu can be thought of as the clear liquor that has been produced by fermenting flowers and fruits, both of which have to go with the reproductive processes of plants — a heavy symbolism for the Kidney.
Qiufen 秋分
The second seasonal node begins on September 23rd. This is the Autmnal solstice and is the time for the pagan festival of Mabon. AT this time, the pagans celebrate that the Goddess changes from the mother to the crone, while her consort prepares for death and rebirth. They celebrate with wines, gourds and horns of plenty.
Here again is the symbol of the horn, as well as the gourd — both of which can contain the precious commodities. This aging of the Mother Goddess is a symbol that goes heavily with the Kidney, and appropriate aging is a physiology of the Kidney, as is the appropriate turning white of the hair. The consort preparing for death once again points to the wintry aspects of the Kidney which start in the fall.
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