Header Logo
Culture Practice Community
Log In
← Back to all posts

The Daoist Outlook・064

Nov 14, 2025

Fire Dog Moon Wanes


   This is it, Autumn has fallen - this is Winter. If you've caught the drift, then you've already down-shifted into a slow and steady groove through the first two weeks of this transition moon. But, if you didn't get the hint, then you're probably banging your head against the grain, listlessly dissipating yourself to depletion. If this is you, you don't have to run on fumes - it's ok to chill.

   As for the poetry of the moment, the bed is your friend - take a nap. Many of you are probably feeling the call of Winter and don't even know it. Don't you just want to sleep in? Aren't pajamas and down comforters amazing? If you feel the urge to slow down, don't make it wrong. Many of our mammal pals are preparing to hibernate now - why not join them?
   To make this make sense, it's ok to rest. In fact, it's absolutely necessary. Feeling tired this time of year is totally appropriate. Cut out the coffee and can the caffeine. You're not a machine, you're a human being. Sleep. Stop stealing life from tomorrow - let yourself rest today.

✧ Winter Slumber-Land ✧

Wind Down Early: Wrap it up and roll on out.
Take a Hot Bath: 
Wash off the dust from your day.
Eat a Hearty Meal: Soups, stews, stocks, and broths!
Get Dressed for Bed: Treat sleep like a special occasion.
Now Bundle Up: Bust out your quilts and comforters.
Turn Off the Lights: 
The darker it is, the better!

Winter is Here!


Contents

・Shifu Says: A brief word from our head teacher, Shifu David Wei.
・Student of the Month: Maybe it's YOU! What did you do to earn it?
・The Daoist Calendar:
Special holidays and how to observe them.
・Deep Steeps: Lunch with Shifu Raphael Smith of Jing Wu Pai.
・A Second Steep: Another chat, this time with Master Conrad Bui!
・Final Fortune Cookie: Big wit and wisdom from a tiny little idiom.

Donate to Wudang West Cultural Heritage Center

Help support Wudang West Cultural Heritage Center by donating or sharing with your friends.

www.paypal.com

Subscribe to keep reading this post

Subscribe

Already have an account? Log in

Loading...
The Daoist Outlook・091
Waxing Water Snake    There was once a Snake caught in a fire. A brave man saved the Snake by pulling it from the blaze, but in the process, the Snake bit the man and killed him with poison. Perhaps we could fault the Snake, but it's only natural for it to bite. Perhaps we could fault the brave man, but he only wanted to help.     As for the poetry of the moment, be careful! If you want to s...
The Daoist Outlook・090
Yin Water Snake Moon    Wow, Snake moon - the first moon of Summer! We often talk about how a Snake is really just the tail of a Dragon, but Snakes also have a personality of their own. On good days, they're wise, intuitive, attentive, intelligent, and caring. On bad days, however, they could be down right mean, manic, and manipulative - their misconduct is literally biblical. Care for an app...
The Daoist Outlook・089
Dragon Moon Wanes    Careful now, don't let the Dragon fool you. Remember at the beginning of the moon when we told you that the Dragon was really, really big? Well, this is where it shows up - you thought the Dragon was done, but NOPE! We still have another moon to go! You thought that was a Snake moon coming next? Better look again... that's not a snake - that's the Dragon's tail!    As fo...

The Daoist Outlook Weekly Newsletter

Weekly Insights and Outlooks from a Modern Daoist Perspective
Footer Logo
Newsletter Donate About Contact
© 2026 Wudang West
Click the calendar below to book a complimentary
10min consultation call with on of our qualified coaches.