UB-66 Zutonggu - Penetrating Valley

Tong means penetrating and Gu means valley. As the Water point, Penetrating Valley captures the essence of Water, and it deeply calms the spirit of Water and reassures it that it will endure. It is among the main valleys a person has to pass through on the Tao, a way through formidable times. In our lives we meet hard terrain and barriers that seem impossible; we may get stuck in a valley, see no way out and freeze with fear. This point can reach down into the valley's depths and open the way, lifting us past the obstacles and freeing us from fear of an unknown future. Healthy water always finds a way over, under or around whatever stands in its path to the sea, and this point brings that resourcefulness back. It is a place to gather energy and bring fears under control. The essence of the reserves keeps this valley free of rubbish and hazards and keeps the water running, clearing obstructions so there is neither too much water nor too little, and it gives momentum for the journey ahead.

Lets us move easily through life. Just as rivers, lakes, oceans and melted snow have their reservoirs refilled with sublime fluids, so are we refilled, and when we feel strong, replenished and excited, it is easy to open still further to life's possibilities.

Location: On the outer edge of the foot, a little distal to where the little toe's proximal phalanx begins (its base).
Needle depth: 2 fen
Moxa: 3-5 cones

• For fear, lack of determination and sore joints, and for "pissing away your life"
• When fear has made a person stiff, the joints held still and unable to flow, with fear of the unknown
• When a person fears what will come next
• To regain the strength and perseverance to meet a situation that may be difficult
• For a person who finds it hard to slow down and rest; it lets the self go down into the valley to fill, rest and gather strength for the journey ahead
• For dreams of falling or drowning
• When a person is stuck in a valley and sees no way out
• When the person is up against a barrier; it takes them beyond the fear or terror and through to the next stage

• Water point and Horary point (3 to 5 pm); as a Horary point it clears away accumulated debris so we can see the true state of the Official, like a pond covered with scum and dead leaves
• Can be used at any time of day for its spiritual meaning
• Shakes up the Water element and gives it a jolt; a very powerful point for getting water moving
• Can be very painful
• As a regular-channel point, its spirit use belongs to patients with a Water CF