Four Pillars Animals by the Hour
Each meridian has a specific time of day that it has the majority of our energy in that yin or yang element and directly relates to the Chinese Astrology. The order above is the order in which the energy travels through the meridians. Notice the cycle of how one energy line ends near where the next one begins. Each meridian has a high tide for two hours per day, just as each Chinese Zodiac animal has a two-hour window per day.
Each organ meridian time frame has a specific health function and particular activities that are necessary to maintain balanced health. During the Lung hours (3 am - 5 am), practice deep breathing to start the system, exchange latent carbon dioxide from sleep to oxygenate the bloodstream for the upcoming of breaking fast. The lung (yin metal) hours described also connect to the Chinese Zodiac animal of the Tiger. Therefore it is advisable to get up early and pounce upon the day starting with deep breathing and meditation. If you are not up for cultivating, choose to sleep soundly instead.
The Large Intestine hours (5 am - 7 am) belonging to the metal element encourage you to polish your metal systems. Empty and clean the large intestine (yang metal), use a neti pot for clearing sinuses followed with cleansing the skin. Enjoy plenty of room temp water and get the lymph moving with yoga, tai chi, qigong or a brisk walk. Personal time in one’s den, much like the rabbit’s introverted nature that belongs to this hour.
Fueling up during the Stomach hours (7 am - 9 am) includes the day’s most substantial meal and other food prep for the day. The early yang hours give us a jump start on digestion and contain many yang hours before the sun sets to digest and assimilate that day nutrients adequately. Fill your Stomach (yang earth), devour (mindfully) your meal along with vitamins, much like the Dragon that eats everything. A great time to pack lunch and snacks prepare for all things stomach throughout the day as to not reach for empty calories later.
Planning and feeling out your day arrives during spleen time (9 am - 11 am), much like the snake who does best moving forward along a plan and has a high intellect. The spleen (yin earth) time hours are best for planning, organizing learning, thinking, and mentally demanding tasks while breakfast is digesting.
During the heart hours (11 am - 1 pm), is a for mid day activity and heart connections. It is also time to care for the system that delivers nutrients, including having a nutritious balanced not too filling lunch consisting of a cooked meal and maybe a cup of tea. Caring for the heart (yin fire) in these hours is much like a horse with a delicate system, so eat well, be social and prepare to wind down for a mid day nap.
Next, the small intestine time (1 pm 3 pm) is a great time take siesta and be sure to hydrate. Requires rest and digest periods after lunch. Great time to relax and sort out issues via avenue such as mid day meditation and breathwork. The small intestine (yang fire) handles digestion that requires movement and breath.
During the hours belonging to the urinary Bladder (3 pm - 5 pm) are great for problem-solving and study both of which are capabilities of the monkey. Notice the time that children leave school each day and the concept of happy hour. Urinary Bladder (yang water) when the energy of the day begins to wane, so finish solving that day’s problems and clear your desk for the next day.
At the hours belonging to the kidneys (5 pm - 7 pm), it is time to relax and shake off the day. It also belongs to the rooster’s time, who, after an upset, clears its feathers and relaxes. Since the kidneys (yin water) manage our stress and aging process, it is essential to decompress during these hours with a light meal and quiet.
This will restore your energy.
The next two-hour block belongs to the pericardium (7 pm - 9 pm). Since the pericardium (yin qi) surrounds and protects the heart, much like the dog assigned to these hours, the suggestion is to spend time with those you love and possibly enjoy late evening lite activity or walk since this rules circulation, brain and reproductive organs. Best time to conceive or get a massage.
Following the pericardium is the circuit for the triple warmer (9 pm - 11 pm). The triple warmer (yang qi) oversees all the organs, thyroid and adrenals. It is time for quiet reading and for you and your organs to find snuggly comfort and go to sleep. These hours belong to
the pig; one is to take pleasure in sleep versus indulging in food or outgoing activity.
The hours that belong to the gall bladder (11 pm - 1 am) are next. The energy is collecting for primary processing that occurs when the body is at ease. Taxing the gall bladder (yang wood) with staying up late, eating, or working is not the optimal way to maintain health. These hours belong to the rat, and the temptation to scurry about reduces one’s energy levels for the next day.
Finishing the cycle with the live (1 am - 3 am) includes deep slumber. The liver (yin wood) is responsible for swelling with a large amount of the body’s blood each night to pull toxins. Waking during this time is a symptom of an overwhelmed liver trying to detox. Take it as a clue and add some detox strategies to your waking life. One can die sooner from staying up than from not eating. The animal tied to these hours is the ox, a somewhat sluggish yet steady creature.