SI-11 Tianzong - Heavenly Ancestor
More Spirit Names: Celestial Ancestor, Heaven's Worship, Celestial Gathering, Heavenly Attribution
| English: | Heavenly Gathering |
| Also Known As: | Heaven's Ancestor Heaven's Worship Heavenly Attribution Celestial Ancestors |
Location
- On the scapula, in a tender depression one third of the distance from the midpoint of the inferior border of the scapular spine to the inferior angle of the scapula.
- On the scapula, in the depression of the center of the subscapular fossa, at the level of the fourth thoracic vertebra.
- In the center of the infraspinous fossa of the shoulder blade.
- Located 1 cun inferior to the midpoint of the lower border of the scapular spine
Needling
- Perpendicular or oblique insertion 0.5 to 1.5 cun.
- Puncture perpendicularly or obliquely 0.5 to 1 cun.
- Moxibustion is applicable.
- Straight insertion or slanted in different directions, 0.5 to 1.5 cun. Sensation: local distention and soreness.
Command Functions
Actions
- Activates the channel
- Alleviates pain
- Moves Qi
- Unbinds the chest and lateral costal region
- Benefits the breasts
Indications
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Combinations
| SI-4 | ||
A wide variety of breast disorders, including pain, lumps and insufficient lactation | Pain of the shoulder and arm | Arm pain |
Inflammation of the shoulder joint | Insufficient lactation Mastitis |
Contraindications
Notes
- This is an important point for pain of the scapular region.
- This point is nearly always painful on palpation in Bi syndrome of the shoulder.
- It is best to needle this point with the patient sitting up.
- This is the strongest spiritual point on the channel.
- It brings clarity and wisdom.
- Stimulating this point helps to release toxins.
- Although located on the scapula, it influences the front of the torso, opening the chest and benefiting the breast.
Five Elements Spirit Perspective
| Spirit of the Point | Heavenly Ancestor is on the upper back, where angel wings might be attached: if you had wings, that's where they'd be. It is ancestral energy, the ancestor in the Heavenly realm who is there to support you to sort out whatever you need. Ancestors mean reverence and ancestry; we connect in with our lineage, which carries our ancestral heritage. All the ancestors see that the person is confused, and they help them with wiser judgment about where to go from here. It is the strongest mental point for the Small Intestine Official and among the deepest-reaching points for body, mind and spirit, cleansing them and bringing tranquility. It connects the person with the Elders and Betters, those who have faced these problems before and understand them fully. The character shows a pillar standing between Heaven and Earth, a bridge linking body and mind with spirit; the Heavenly Ancestors' light shines on the person's back as they watch over and care for them. The ancestors bring the perspective of experience, their love and compassion: a heavenly view from those who have seen it all and done it all before. In one old story the ancestor of humankind is an emperor named Chaos; in a world born of chaos, people grasp at ideas for meaning the way someone caught in a whirlpool clutches at a passing branch, and the comfort of belief never lasts. Wisdom comes when one has made peace with not being able to know. In Heaven's chaotic unity everything is one and nothing needs sorting, and this point brings that heavenly ancestor's wisdom into the sorting process. |
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| Worsley | Location: On the back over the centre of the scapula, roughly 1½ ACI below the lower edge of the scapular spine at its midpoint. SI-9, SI-10 and SI-11 make an isosceles triangle. |
| When to Consider |
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| Notes |
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From Class
- SI-3 + BL-60: Open Du Mai with SI-3 needled strongly (fire), then contralateral BL-60 gently (water); men start left, women right (per Jeffrey Yuen). (Alexander)
- SI-11 Tianzong: Reconnects us with the power of our lineage, 'where we spread our wings'; opens heaven–earth pathway — approach with reverence so as not to invite unaligned forces. (Lewis)
- SI-11 Tianzong (Celestial Gathering): Can call the ancestors into the Heart space. (Lewis)
- SI-11 Tianzong / GB-30 Huantiao (gate points): Go-to 'gate' points: SI-11 opens upper extremity, GB-30 lower extremity; used routinely to free qi and blood. (Alexander)
- SJ-7 Huizong (Ancestral Meeting): Draws on the deeper wisdom of the ancestors; releases traumatic holding patterns that show as defensive postures; opens receptivity and deeper listening for ancestral guidance. (Lewis)
- SJ-7 Huizong (Assembly of Ancestors): Also calls in the ancestors/lineage, paired with SI-11. (Lewis)
- Month 5 limb/chest pain & restless fetus: KI-5, BL-63, BL-20, BL-49, SI-11, KI-9 + GB-13: Month 5: limbs KI-5, BL-63, BL-20, BL-49; chest/breast SI-11; restless fetus KI-9 with GB-13; avoid strong moxa/needling — massage or light needling. (Lewis)