We have now completed half the course. The three months of spring-wood-liver became the three months of summer-fire-heart. The inside turning out, showing all it has to the world, the bare cold branches now lit up with life, all the immense power of spring forcing its way through in growing green, that rising, outing, shooting, reaching, heaven-bound ascension that helps, supports and underlies the liver’s innate qi-changing, blood-moving, hun-lifting expressive potency.

Claude Larre never inserted a single acupuncture needle, never prescribed a single herb, never offered any dietary advice, never gave a single tui na massage, never taught a single qi gong movement. How then did he have so much to bring to Chinese medicine?

I participated in Taoïsme et Acupuncture, a weekend seminar held in Cahors, France in May 2026 by the Association Française d’Acupuncture in memory of sinologist and Daoist specialist Claude Larre, one of my most important teachers. Here is a summary, my presentation in both French and English and the video recording of my poem for Claude, Radical Way.

High point of yang, of maximum light on summer’s longest day (June 21st), midpoint of fire’s season of the heart, it is also the tipping point, the secret start of yin, the invisible return of the dark. A key turning point in the year, we can use it to fill ourselves with light, the pure yang stream that brings out everything hidden within and to steady, stabilise and calm the heart, so the shen 神 can shine.

For the full article, published in the British Acupuncture Council’s magazine Acu, see the link below.

Sun Simiao’s twelfth ghost point for treating manic disorders and one of Ma Danyang’s prestigious twelve Heavenly Star points, LI 11 has long been considered a major and highly effective point. A cooler, a cleanser and a calmer, it releases pain, reduces fever, restores strength and movement and clears the skin. An essential point in anyone’s practice.

For the full article, published in the British Acupuncture Council’s magazine Acu, see the link below.

The Spring Equinox (March 20th) is an important transition point in the year, where yin and yang are balanced and heaven’s power infuses and awakens the earth. This article focusses on the nature images of the three five-day periods and the three associated hexagrams that point to its key patterns of change. For treatment we look at the spring organ of the liver and the second lunar month meridian of the large intestine.

For the full article, published in the British Acupuncture Council magazine Acu., see the link below.

An overview of the spring season, using it for one’s own attunement and for timely treatment. Understanding the six spring solar periods with their powerful, sequential, unfolding images. Attuning to the season from Neijing Suwen chapter 2, helping the liver to act with generosity and giving. Spring needling – using liver points eg Liv 13 for the season of unblocking. Classical use of ying spring and jing well points. Using the three lunar months of spring related to the lung, large intestine and stomach meridians, including good point combinations.

For the full article, published in the Golden Flower Chinese Herbs newsletter, see the link below.

An article exploring the deeply stabilizing and centering point of Du 26, discussing its particular location and links to du, ren, chong, stomach and large intestine meridians. The most effective point to restore consciousness, it was traditionally used to expel ghosts and demons, treating violent mood swings, hysteria and changes in character. 

For the full article, published in the British Acupuncture Council magazine Acu., click the link below.

Wind has always been considered the spearhead of disease with an unparalleled power of penetration that helps the invasion of cold, damp, dryness or heat. The Chinese listed 6 wind feng 風 points to protect against both exterior and interior wind. 

BL12 Wind Gate feng men 風 門 is one of these important points and of particular importance in these post-Covid times where many people’s immunity is lowered. Effective to treat both when wind has invaded at the start of flu and also before any invasion in those who need their wei 衛 defensive qi boosted, this is an excellent point for our times. 

‍ ‍

For the full article, published in the British Acupuncture Council magazine Acu., see the link below. 

Filled with the depth and quiet beauty of maximum yin, the winter solstice is also the turning point for the return of yang. One of the ba jie 八 節, the 8 important dates of the solar calendar: the beginning of the 4 seasons, the 2 equinoxes and 2 solstices. These are 8 key turning points within the year that mark important changes in the balance of yin yang. These times give implications for treatment that we can make use of for the benefit of our patients. 

For the full article, published in the British Acupuncture Council magazine Acu., see the link below.