Command Points: Source, Luo, Horary

Command Points

Source Points
Source (Yuan) Points fall under the category of Command Points*. Each of the twelve meridians has a Source Point. Source Points are unique in that the generate energy from within, without drawing or dispersing energy to or from anywhere else. Neil Gumenick states that, “the energy generated with Source Points comes from deep within the organ or function, aka Official.” The “source” is the well of Primordial Qi that the meridian pulls from. Source Points are the only points that have a built-in safety factor. When needling or stimulating the Source Point, it will only take as much energy as it requires. It cannot be over-treated. Source points do not spread toxins. Other points, especially more powerful body points do not have this cut-off feature. 

It is common to consider the Source Points as the ideal first treatment to try with a client. These points will be respectful of the client’s energy and thus, can yield excellent results when treated on the right CF. Source Points will give us information. Source Points can also be added when it feels like you need to bring energy up within a meridian. If Source Points are treated and there is no change in pulses, it could be indicative that the practitioner is treating on the wrong CF or that there is simply not enough energy within the meridian. If there is a substantial pulse change and or change in color, odor, sound or emotion, we can deduct that the CF has been properly identified. Source Points, as Command Points, will also serve as a way to ground the energy and the treatment, especially when we have experienced positive results and don’t want to change anything else.

On the predominantly Yin Meridians, the Source Points are the Earth Points. Heart 7 - Spirit Gate, Circulation Sex 7 - Great Mound, Lung 9 - Very Great Abyss, Kidney 3 - Greater Mountain Stream, Liver 3 - Supreme Rushing, and Spleen 3 - Supreme White. The Source Points on the predominantly Yang Meridians are Small Intestine 4 - Wrist Bone, Triple Heater 4 - Yang Pond, Large Intestine 4 - Joining of the Valleys, Bladder 64 - Capital Bone, Gall Bladder 40 - Wilderness Mound, and Stomach 42 - Rushing Yang. 

Junction Points
Like Source Points, Junction (Luo) Points are also Command Points. Junction Points are representative of the the connection between paired officials, sometimes referred to as “connecting points”. We can liken Junction Points to adjoining rooms of a hotel. Each official is in charge of opening their own door to the other. The Junction Points are a way for the paired officials to share energy with each other and create balance. Both the Yin official and the Yang official need the same amount of energy. When the door is opened on the deficient side, energy flows out from the abundant side until balance is achieved. 

We identify the imbalance in paired officials through the pulses. We will experience a “split” meaning that the pushes within a pair are not the same. We treat this “split” and imbalance through needling the Junction Point of the deficient official in the pair, allowing the gates to open and the pair to find equilibrium. A “split” should be treated anywhere it is found, regardless of the CF. Once a “split” is identified, it should be the primary target of treatment. After completing this type of treatment and rechecking the pulses, the paired officials should present with the same pulse. Paired officials can generate more energy when they are in balance with equal energy. Paired officials work together for the well being of the Element, thus it is vital for us to encourage balance between the two. It is important for us to focus upon the concept of balancing, rather than the idea of raising the energy of both Officials. Harmony among Officials is associated with the system becoming happier. 

The Junction Points: Heart 5 - Penetrating Inside, Small Intestine 7 - Upright Branch, Bladder 58 - Fly and Scatter, Kidney 4 - Great Bell, Circulation Sex 6 - Inner Frontier Gate, Triple Heater 5 - Outer Frontier Gate, Gall Bladder 37- Bright and Clear, Liver 5 - Insect Ditch, Lung 7 - Narrow Defile, Large Intestine 6 - Side Passage, Stomach 40 - Abundant Splendor, and Spleen 4 - Princes Grandson. 

Horary Points
Horary Points are also Command Points. Horary Points are the Element point that corresponds to the Element of the Meridian, i/e the Fire Point on the Heart Meridian or the Metal Point on the Lung Meridian. Horary Points have a special quality when used during a particular time of day or season based on the Horary Cycle and Seasonal Cycle. These points help to rejuvenate the Official. They also serve as a way for us to communicate with the Official to get a sense of how the Official is doing and what is truly happening in the state of the Official. These are the only points that really give us access to observe the true state of the official. 

Treating the Horary Points during their time or season is ideal for revitalization. A Horary Point is only a Horary Point during its’ time of day or season, otherwise, it is just a point. The maximal effect will occur when treatment is within the time and season. According to the Law of Midday and Midnight, also known as the"Chinese Clock", each of the 12 Officials has an extra measure of energy to do its job during the two hours allotted to it, i/e Lung 3-5am. Because of their power, we tend to work with Horary Points early on the treatment of a client. Horary Points are worked with based on the client’s CF. Horary Points are only tonified, never sedated. Pulses will give a feel of what is happening with the Official. If the pulses are still low after treating the Horary Point, there’s something more going on. 

The Horary Points: Heart 8 - Lesser Palace - fire point, Small Intestine 5 - Yang Valley - fire point, Bladder 66 - Penetrating Valley - water point, Kidney 10 - Yin Valley - water point, Circulation Sex 8 - Palace of Weariness - fire point, Triple Heart 6 - Branch Ditch - fire point, Gall Bladder 41 - Foot Above Tears - wood point, Liver 1 - Great Esteem - wood point, Lung 8 - Meridian Gutter - metal point, Large Intestine 1 - Merchant Yang - metal point, Stomach 36 - Leg Three Miles - earth point, Spleen 3 - Supreme White (earth point). 

*Command Points in CFEA are located on the elbows to fingers and knees to toes. Command Points give energy to all levels - body, mind, and spirit. They provide us with feedback about our diagnosis of CF. Command points ground energy and return control back to Nature. Command Points include Element Points, Source Points, Junction Points, Tonification and Sedation Points and Horary Points.