
KIGO
Exploring the Spiritual Essence of Acupuncture Points Through the Changing Seasons
“This book is not meant to be a how-to manual but something more like a letter of introduction to some of my most beloved friends, a series of meditations on time and place and the mysterious healing of the soul.”
“Although the points reside at specific locations and are embedded in the fibers of our skin, they have the capacity to affect infinite and transcendent aspects of our being. Even without needles, we can use words, touch, oils and flower essences to open others and ourselves to these transcendent realms. We can use these tools in our everyday life as well as in the treatment room to heal ourselves, each other and the soul of our world.”
Kigo, written by Lorie Eve Dechar, is a book for anyone who has wondered about the hidden meaning of the acupuncture point names, what the names tell us about ourselves and how they express the wisdom at the heart of Chinese medicine. It is a practical handbook as well as a collection of meditations that will support acupuncturists and their patients in deepening their experience in the treatment room as well as in life.
Weaving together decades of clinical experience, etymological research, poetic scholarship, and creative process informed by inner work, Lorie opens the door to a world where healing is a spiritual practice, an art as well as a science. In this world, poetry and beauty are recognized as intrinsic parts of a meaningful and healthy life. The insertion of a needle at the right moment into the right point can open a portal to a person’s soul.

THE BOOK INCLUDES
- An overview of Five Element Chinese medical theory and an in-depth exploration of the important elemental associations, including vegetative expression, color, sound, odor, emotion, season, spirit, and inner alchemy.
- A new look at significant topics relevant to the modern practice of traditional Chinese medicine, including notes on placebo and the subtle body or soul.
- An introduction to the medicine and magic of the Five Spirit Animals of the Taoist tradition—the Two-Headed Deer, the Green Dragon, the Red Bird, the Phoenix, and the White Tiger.
- Strategies for integrating spirit points into your existing practice.
- Fifteen spirit points for each season with extensive commentary for each point that includes descriptions of the points from contemporary and ancient sources, specific tools and techniques for awakening their spiritual potency (essential oils, flower essences, needle and moxibustion techniques), as well as representative case studies.
- A template and protocol for creating your own spirit point palette.
- Original calligraphy and artwork enhance and deepen the teaching of the text.
